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.

Kim Ludy Photography

From the Flickr stream of Kim Ludy, photographer, vintage enthusiast, and Etsy seller.

Red and Blue Fans by Itho

“ready”, recently submitted to our photo group by kaylovesvintage

Never seen a fan like this one by Itho, a Dutch company that doesn’t seem to make consumer products anymore. Pity.

See also: Erres Fan

Krueger, King of Laundromat Seating

Victoria Smith (AKA SFGirlByBay, the keen-eyed blogger and photographer who reveals all her Bay Area home design secrets in today’s San Francisco Chronicle) noticed that “laundromats always have the coolest chairs”.

“three seater.”, recently submitted to our photo group by sfgirlbybay

While waiting for your wash, chances are good that you’re sitting in something colorful and tandem in the style of the Eames fiberglass and plastic side chairs. But they aren’t authentic originals, so where did these ubiquitous little charmers come from? Many were made by Krueger Metal Products, who was, by 1967, the world’s largest manufacturer of folding chairs and tables. The company is now the employee-owned (bless their hearts) KI and they’re still making something very similar in single stacking and tablet(!) varieties. Unfortunately, the closest thing in their tandem seating lines is this disappointment. Wake up, KI! Mid-century modern is in again!

IBM General Products Division, 1961

“"Think" 1985!”, posted by IAAFOTS

From an advertisement for Santa Clara County, California appearing in the March 1961 issue of Fortune.

There is a high school north of Salt Lake City where I grew up that had similar exterior paneling in oranges and yellows. The showy façade could be seen from the highway and we mockingly called it Taco Time High, referencing a local Mexican joint with the same color scheme. I miss it now. They have since replaced the panels with dreary beige and tan, of course.

Beverly Arts Center, Chicago

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

Erres Fan

“charity shop”, recently submitted to our photo group by kaylovesvintage

Tufted Leather Swivel Chair by Vincent Cafiero

“Knoll Ad 1963”, recently submitted to our photo group by MidCentArc

Dandelion delight!

Update: If you’re wondering about the sculptures, they’re by Harry Bertoia, and as was my lucky guess, the name is indeed Dandelion. Made for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

Ikea’s Stockholm Collection

“The entrance wall”, recently submitted to our photo group by Eric P

Ikea’s new Stockholm collection hearkens back to mid-century Scandinavian roots. The coffee table in “golden-brown” is particularly nice. And this sofa table is so elegant, it’s easy to forget where it came from — until you discover it’s so light you can lift it with a single hand, or the veneer chips off to reveal the particle board.

Ikea attracts some fine designers, it’s a shame they insist that almost everything be at that ultra-low price point. I would have manufactured the Stockholm stuff like the old Expedit office series: in solid wood, at a mid-range price.

Big Apple

“Minilux Color Test”, recently submitted to our photo group by Chad Wadsworth.