Craving Mid-century Modern, We Search for T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

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Irwin Weiner ASID - Our Pennsylvania realtor friend told me recently that many of his buyers are craving mid-century modern homes. Intrigued, I asked for more specifics.

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He told me that mid-century design is hip and stylish, and a house filled with cleanly designed furnishings sells better than his homes that are filled with traditional or antique furnishings.

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Interesting tidbit, eh? It's true that you can go all Danish modern or Scandinavian barebones in your room makeovers to get that mid-century look for your home, but adding a stylish piece of good quality, well designed furniture can also do the trick.

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I suggest you start with a search for furnishings designed by Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings. He sought to design non-fussy American furniture, and was inspired by ancient Greek lines.

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Great combination. Below is a guide to the pieces shown in the photographs (look for the number underneath each image; click on either the link or the photo for more product information.

1. Constellation Table for Widdicomb
2. Brass Floor Lamp for Hansen
3. Walnut Mesa Table for Widdicomb
4. Sofa/Daybed for Widdicomb
5. Chaise Longue for Baker
6. Floor Lamp for Hansen
7. Cerused oak and brown leather webbing Klismos Chaise Longue
8. Webbed Chair with brass legs
9. Leather Lounge Chair for Widdicomb

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Active Lifestyles: Skateboard-Inspired Furniture and Architecture

The God Father Lounge Chair

Irwin Weiner ASID - Why shouldn't extreme sports like skateboarding influence the style of furniture and the way architecture informs how a home should be designed? Skate Study House is a unique collection of mid-century modern furniture, bowing to a love of California and everything to do with skateboarding.

The Comet Coffee Table

Designer Gil Le Bon Delapointe and architect Francois Perrin collaborated with others on a prototype home and community for skateboarders where everything from furniture to appliances stay out of the way of one's free access to skate up and down the walls and perform tricks on countertops and other surfaces.

Astro Clock, made from skateboard wheels and bearings

Today's featured video showcases the PAS House prototype in Malibu, CA, and Delapointe discusses the lifestyle features that are integrated into the furniture and architecture. As you know, Design2Share loves to showcase design that pushes the envelope; we think designing a home and furnishings around residents' personal needs, hobbies, and sports is a wonderful new direction.

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Interior Design Video - Vitsoe Shelving Systems

Irwin Weiner ASID - Yesterday, I posted about how Charles and Ray Eames defined mid-century modern furnishings, but there were so many designers who contributed to "the look" that's still popular today.

One lesser known, but still very important name in the movement is Dieter Rams, who designed the 606 Universal Shelving System in 1960 (see top photo, a living room scene that combines the shelving with Eames furniture). Vitsoe produces the entire product range to this day, garnering many fans because of its clean looks, versatility, and portability (take the entire system with you when you move.

In this video, you'll see Vitsoe demonstrate how the shelving system is

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Interior Design Video - The Story of Eames Furniture

Irwin Weiner ASID - Almost every frame of TV drama hit Mad Men captures a piece of the Eames furniture story. Charles and Ray Eames defined mid-century modern's ethos, verve, comfort, and futurism and made it ubiquitous.

They created a style sensation that's still going strong decades after it was created, and in this video interview, you'll see close Eames associates Marilyn and John Neuhart (they co-authored The Story of Eames Furniture) discuss the Eames phenomenon.  

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