Are You a Mid Century Modernist?

Discussion in 'The Village Square' started by Doghouse Riley, Jul 13, 2021.

  1. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Young Pine

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    This apparently is a term to describe what I attribute to people like us who have and still like some "old furniture." Stuff from the fifties to seventies.

    There's a whole thread on a Canadian hifi message forum devoted to photos of subscribers' furniture mostly lounge and "listening room" items that can be described as such.
    For those to which it appeals, there's a store in Berkley California which sells repro stuff as well as second hand items. You will not believe the prices.

    Mid Century Mobler - Vintage Mid Century Modern Furniture
    Mid Century Møbler is one of the leading Mid Century furniture dealers in the United States, specializing in imported vintage Danish modern furniture.


    We qualify as we have this in our front room. It's 9ft by nearly 7ft. It arrived in four sections. It's Danish made and has teak veneer. We bought it in the early seventies. We know it's been in and out of fashion a few times over the decades, but at the moment I'm advised by some on the message board it's definitely "in."

    [​IMG]


    We also have this sideboard that also qualifies, but we only bought that new, two years ago from Dwell. We just thought it was the sort of style that appealed to old people.

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. S-H

    S-H Hardy Maple

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    There is still some furniture in my house, which originally belonged to my grandfather, (dating back to the 1940s and 50s) - Now in my use, still very durable, has literally stood the test of time.

    I actually would have loved to maintain my grandfather's car too, (as today it would be a true classic) - But that got sold off before I was even born...
     
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  4. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Young Pine

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    Back in the fifties when I started at grammar school. My mother bought a solid oak bureau from the Coop with a drop down flap for use as a desk for me to do my homework, (most of it was later done on the bus on the way to school. I did just enough to obtain a respectable number of GCE passes to get a good job when I left). This bureau had a "utility mark" on the back as most furniture, shoes etc., had after the war. It still looks very respectable, my sister has it in her flat.
     
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  5. mart

    mart Strong Ash

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    Mid Century modern is my style ! Still have a few pieces ! Would love to re-do my whole house in MCM !
     
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  6. S-H

    S-H Hardy Maple

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    My dining table also can seat 8 people, which too originally belonged to my grandparents, (4 feet by 8 feet in size). All of it pure Burma teakwood, like all the other stuff from those times...

    Tables which can seat 6 people are today considered huge, as hardly any household has more then 5 people now. But back in those days things were a lot different.

    Heck even corporate boardroom tables are today smaller in size! So when I now sit at the head of my dining table, I really do feel like a King.

    :D
     
  7. toni

    toni Mistress of Garden Junque Staff Member Moderator Plants Contributor

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    Gee, back in the 50's I remember furniture stores advertising that as simply Modern furniture. Hubby and I have a rather eclectic collection of furniture where no two pieces are the same style but they all serve their purpose.
     
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  8. Netty

    Netty Chaotic Gardener Plants Contributor

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    My parents house was mid century modern. In fact, that exact piece in the first photo was one of the pieces we moved to my sisters house!
    Most of the furniture from their house was moved to my sisters - my farmhouse just doesn't suit that style.
    But apparently there is a huge market here for mid century modern pieces
     
  9. marlingardener

    marlingardener Happy

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    Mid century modern? Only if you are talking mid-19th century. We have mostly antique furniture, and pieces we couldn't afford, my husband made.
    First picture is a highboy he made which contains our TV and DVDs. to the left of the highboy is a Shaker washstand that he made. There is an adjustable Shaker candle stand on top of the washstand.
    The second photo is a round top cupboard that we saw at Williamsburg, and since it wasn't a piece original to Williamsburg, the docent let us inside the rope to take a closer look to see how the top was rounded. We figured out kerfing, and he made the cupboard. Garage.jpg Garage 2.jpg
     
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  10. Doghouse Riley

    Doghouse Riley Young Pine

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    "Mid Century Modern," means the last century.

    It's sad that presently, real well made antique furniture is less in demand than mass-produced items made fifty to seventy years ago.
     
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