The Mid-Century Modernist

Mid-Century, Modern Flickr Pick: The Standard Hotel Downtown LA

“The Standard Hotel Downtown LA”, recently submitted to our photo group by ChimayBleue

The restaurant at The Standard Hotel in downtown LA.

Room 606 at Jacobsen’s Royal Hotel

“teal blue & wood”, recently submitted to our photo group by ooh_food

Arne Jacobsen designed the Royal Hotel in Copenhagen and all of the furniture (including the silverware!). The hotel has preserved only one room in the hotel to be completely original: Room 606. The hotel is mentioned in this Euromaxx doc.

The chairs pictured here are “Drop” chairs (or Dråben, as Jacobsen would have said in Danish). They were manufactured by Fritz Hansen exclusively for the hotel in 1958.

Thanks to ChimayBleue for the info and Maggi for the photo (via Desire to Inspire). See more at danish-furniture.com.

Beverly Arts Center, Chicago

“A sea of seats”, recently submitted to our photo group by no way 77

Motel Room Postcards of the 1950s and '60s

Amid some ill-considered carpets and drapes, the motel interiors pictured in Roadsidepictures’ glorious set of postcards do feature a few bright spots. To wit (clockwise from top left): Saarinen-esque table and chairs bring sophistication to an otherwise banal space; a daring color scheme contrasts warm wood paneling with cool blue; a homey, modern sitting area transforms a motel room into a living room; and simple wall-mounted lighting is a tasteful alternative to bulky bedside lamps.

A long-time Flickr friend, Roadside (Allen) has one of the most comprehensive collections of mid-century subjects and found ephemera on the Web. Highlights include his sets of vintage electronics, advertising and packaging, signs, supermarket signage, the La Concha Motel, and other postcards.

Charade Film Titles and Opening Scene

Communist Charm at the Ostel in Berlin

The modernism of 1960s East Germany is a little different from that of the Danes or the Eames. The communist state spawned a more spartan, utilitarian style, but charming nonetheless. The Ostel Hotel in Berlin proves that Communism doesn’t have to be drab and depressing. These rooms have much more personality than those of much pricier lodging. Book a spot in a private or dorm-style room. Or bring the whole family of five to stay in the “DDR Apartment” (AKA “STASI Suite”) at only €35 per person.

McDonald's in London

Arne Jacobsen fast food. Why are Europeans so much classier than Americans?

Thanks (again) to Blue Ant Studio for the tip.

Jordan at Hackesche Hoefe, Berlin

When I was in Berlin this May I stumbled upon a very pleasant cluster of courtyards called Hackesche Höfe. The neighborhood of cafés, boutique shops, and ivy-wrapped garden apartments is now one of my favorite places in Berlin.

There is a women's clothing shop there with an exquisite interior. Above is the front desk with espresso service for customers (would you ever see this in the States?). The place is so slick, so clean, this photo almost looks like CGI, but the space actually felt quite human and inviting. Warm, high-contrast wood balances the crisp aluminum walls which, in turn, hide a discreet sliding door that leads to the stock room and office.

St. Bartholomew's Church by Qubus Studio