Friday, September 9, 2011

Mid-Century Modern Fantasy

If you've read this blog more than once, you know of my love for all things Chinoiserie. But what you may not know is that I harbor other obsessions as well. These seething feelings bubble to the surface from time to time. One such love is for Mid-Century Modern pieces. Lately, I keep stumbling across them. (Stumbling? Does that make me sound like a drunk?)
 
First off, there's this black lacquer and brass credenza . . . 
Excuse my iPhone photo. There was absolutely no light in this shop. I truly stumbled upon it.
I found it in a junk shop. Its brass details, especially the pulls, had me all excited. Here's a close-up:
Yum.
As always, I went home excited about my find and promptly searched for a similar piece on 1st Dibs. What did I find?
Its twin - Mastercraft circa the 1970's. The listing advised "contact dealer" for pricing information, so, out of curiosity, I did. They emailed me back . . . $16,000. What??? Um, must run back and get this immediately. Just need a truck.

Some other mid-century pieces I've found on Craiglist include this table and chairs.
I really just want the chairs . . .
Very Milo Baughman. I know the upholstery is hideous, but I think they'd be stunning with some new fabric. Don't they look just like the ones Sherry from Design Indulgence just traded her friend Ally for and put in her entry?
So, what would I do with these pieces, you ask? Well, we have a basement room that is currently a glorified closet. It's long and narrow with no windows - it resembles a bowling alley. The people who lived here before us used it as a very small media room. I'm starting to see that might be a good way to go. However, there's a lot of work to do down there (specifically, it needs new carpet), so right now I can only dream of a new space. Since my husband has started his "Fantasy Football" league, I figured I could come up with my "Fantasy Basement Room Re-Do" moodboard.

My design direction? Emerald green or malachite. The room is already dark, why not embrace that and make it a jewel box of sorts? Here are some inspiration photos . . .




And here's my mood board for my "Mid-Century Modern Jewel Box" . . .
You can click on the photo to magnify. I couldn't get this to fit any other way.
Since this is a fantasy, some of the pieces are a little or totally out of my price range (like the Stark Antelope carpet - a girl can dream). Others are the aforementioned pieces or ones I've seen around town (the Chinoiserie daybed). I would recover the brass chairs in a lively colorful print, like the Quadrille/Alan Campbell Meloire Reverse fabric (another imaginary splurge). I've also included some art pieces I already have and some I don't (like the Franz Kline over the daybed). Since storage is always needed, some colorful shelves on either side of the daybed with brass library lamps round out the space. 

This really was such fun to think about. What can I say? I have a rich fantasy life.

Sources: 1st Dibs, Design Indulgence, Elle Decor, Quadrille, Stark, HSN, Pinterest

13 comments:

Full House said...

Envy..I will not be able to sleep now thinking of that black beauty. One time when I was breastfeeding my triplets in my pajamas I tried to make deal with one of the dealers on 1st Dibs because I had found these beautiful Columbian Horn chinoiserie chairs on Craigslist and just happened to notice they had the twin set in their shop...so why wouldn't they want a couple more..I could have made money..they could have made money..you know..I mean diapers for 5 kids were adding up..haha..Did I really just write that to you??? Anyway wouldn't that be a dream to put your good eye to use and have your own shop on 1st Dibs..

Thanks for keeping the treasure hunting dream alive.

Have a great weekend.

Fran said...

Fantastic finds! Ever since I saw those chairs on Sherry's blog I've been dreaming about them!! You have such a great eye!!

SHERRY HART said...

Kathy....I am dying to know if you got those chairs or not??????? And that chest...what a steal....I think. I am sure the one you saw while thrifting was not that expensive???

birdsofafeatherdesign.com said...

Please tell me you got that chest! I will bring you a truck... and the chairs? what a great treasure hunting week!!! ...-Ann

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

You did buy that chest, right? Can you buy it and then list it on 1st Dibs yourself? Cha-ching! Then you could go buy yourself a pickup truck and haul around all sorts of stuff! Love your Jewel Box board!!

Melissa Crochet said...

Where did you find that chest?!?! I'm dying here! I just got back into town and have to know! It's amazing...please say you bought that.

Evie said...

I love that emerald green paint color especially when paired with black accents! I've recently had to come to terms with my love of mid-century modern as well...I can't stay away from it!

Erin said...

OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? Why are you not in a truck headed back for that thing right now? Good thing I don't know where it is... I would for real try to steal it out from under you.

Hurry.

nelya said...

Tell us, tell us...did you get it? Everything in your inspiration board is fabulous. I hope this room comes to fruition, it would be so beautiful!

Matt said...

I agree with your idea of turning the basement into a bowling alley.

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

That cabinet is SICK! I like your little fantasy. Always good to have a few goals, right?

alison giese Interiors said...

Get to that resale shop RIGHT NOW, or I might have to punch myself!
Oh, and yes, go with the jewel box room - do you have good lighting?
Please report back on the cabinet!!

Emily | Recently said...

Wow! You're amazing at finding things that sell on 1st Dibs for thousands of dollars! You have the eye of a hawk. Fabulous finds as always!