GREAT DANES: KLINT, JACOBSEN, JUHL,WEGNER, PANTON...A FEW OF THE GODS OF DANISH MODERN DESIGN

Kaare Klint, Arne Jacobsen, Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Werner Panton

Now that we've spent a week talking about Danish Modern Design, I want to show you some of the "Gods" of the movement.  I will include a brief (very brief) bio of each designer and a few examples of their work.  All of these men are easily researched should you long for more. 

Kaare Klint

Klint was a danish architect and furniture designer who was considered by most to be the father of modern danish furniture design.  Clean lines, quality materials and superb craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Klints work.

Kaare Klint cabinet

Kaare Klint faabory chair

                                                                      Arne Jacobsen
                        Considered the renaissance man of danish architecture and design.

Arne Jacobsen chest of drawers

Arne Jacobsen swan chair - definitely one of the most recognized pieces of DM design.

                                                                     Finn Juhl
Juhl was the first of the DM designers to be recognized internationally.  He formally studied architecture and was a self taught furniture designer.

Finn Juhl coffee table

Finn Juhl sofa

Finn Juhl desk

                                                                 Hans Wegner
Wegner, like most of his fellow DM designers, had an architecture degree but was also a skilled cabinet maker.  He was known for his love of natural materials and functionality in design.

Hans Wegner folding chair

Hans Wegner shell chair

Hans Wegner swivel chair.  I absolutely love this chair...reminds me of a bug....in a good way.

                                                                          Verner Panton
The most contemporary of all the designers I've mentioned, (he died in 1998), Panton was known for his use of high-tech materials, playful shapes, bold colors and his acerbic personality.

Verner Panton cone chair.  Gravity defying.

Vernon Panton globe lamp.  Yes please!

 In honor of the  month of LOVE...

Vernon Panton heart chair....I really really love this chair...cupid are you listening?

The reason I chose most of the above examples is because many of them are my favorites.  Now that we've been through this week of Danish Modern Design Muse, what are your favorites?  One of the things I love most about DM is that even though some of it dates back to the 1930's (Klint) it all looks so fresh and modern and would blend well with almost any modern decor.

I hope you enjoyed this week as much as I have.  As always I've learned so much.

Have a beautiful weekend.
yancey

MID CENTURY MODERN KITCHENS

Mid Century Danish Modern (inspired) Kitchens

So, it's time for me to eat my words.  Yesterday I said that I had zero love for mid century kitchens and bathrooms.  I was wrong.

The kitchens and baths I was referring to were never really modern at all, they were either updated in the mid century with colors that hearkened back to an earlier time, or were in newly built houses that, again, were not necessarily modern.

I felt bad about what I said, and decided to do some research....turns out I love mid century modern kitchens... who knew?
All of the following are not authentic, some are lovingly restored, some are new, let take a look...

Love the room divider and the stone wall.

Found this guy on apartment therapy, he decorated his entire house in MCM and did a fantastic job.  He said his original inspiration was the "mid century lounge chair he found in his parents basement".   Love that.

A lovingly restored Eichler home.  You people in California are just too cool!

Does anyone else remember this house from Domino Magazine?  I don't remember who owned it, but the whole thing was fantastic.

So love these windows.  Could you live without upper cabinets in your kitchen?

I'm in love with these handles on the cabinets....the view's nice too.

All the white really brightens up this kitchen. 

This is what I thought a mid century kitchen looked like.  Although this one's cuter than most...still.

I'm so glad I did the research.  That's what I love about blogging, I'm always learning.  Hopefully you learn something here as well.

Have a beautiful day.
yancey

DANISH MODERN BATHROOMS

Danish Modern (inspired) bathrooms

 Okay I admit none of these bathrooms are actually Danish, they are however modern, but there was something about each of them that made me think they would be appropriate with DM decor.

You all know how much I love MCM and DM furniture, but I confess I have zero love for mid century bathrooms and kitchens.  Most of the ones I've seen are horrible mid century colors...powder pink....milky blue...sea foam green...yuck.  I apologize if I've just insulted your mid century bathroom or kitchen, just my opinion.
  These bathrooms with their abundance of wood have a zen like quality which I always associate with Danish Modern.  Let's look.

Warm and relaxing.

Exactly what I would want after a long stressful day.

A wee bit too sparse for me, but I do like this in theory.  Check out the next pic....

Somewhat disconcerting, right?

Love the cabinetry here.  I know I'm probably the pickiest person when it comes to flooring but I would definitely prefer something less busy.

These gorgeous sinks remind me of boats.

This one's made from coconut husks.

I love the idea of a wooden bathtub!  Does anyone know if these can be cleaned as well as a regular tub?  Is there a slight  ick factor here?

The perfect solution....a porcelain tub with a wooden frame.  Love the cabinets, although the sinks remind me of the dentists office.

The coolest sink ever!  Love.

Do you love authentic mid century bathrooms and kitchens?  Have you ever renovated one?

Have a beautiful day.
yancey

MID CENTURY DANISH MODERN

                              Danish Modern (also known as Scandinavian Modern)

Danish Modern L.A.

 By now every one's pretty familiar with Mid Century Modern design, from the austerity of Bauhaus to the colorful plastics of the mod 60's.  This week lets talk about one of the most successful and recognizable styles of the mid century....Danish Modern (sometimes called Scandinavian Modern).

If you've been anywhere near a vintage or thrift store lately you've probably seen some examples of DM.  Braxton and I are constantly seeing pieces from the Acclaim series by American Manufacturer Lane, which was the largest selling line of American furniture in 1963.  It seems as though the egg chair by Arne Jacobsen is the current darling of interior design magazines, and with the popularity of t.v. shows based in the mid century, Danish Modern design is everywhere!

During the 1940's when manufacturers across Europe and America were busy fulfilling the needs of war, Denmark was producing high end furniture and cabinetry with classic Danish understatement in design.  Clean lines, modernity, organic forms, quality woods, architectural influences, shaker like simplicity...were all hallmarks of Danish Modern.

With it's smaller scale, DM was perfect for the post war home.  New homeowners loved the clean lines and unpretentious design, the oil and wax finishes which were easy to maintain, the seat cushions which could be easily reupholstered, and the fact that most pieces were light in weight making it easy to move around for cleaning or rearranging...all the same reasons Braxton and I are such fans of Danish Modern design!

Danish Modern L.A.

Danish Modern L.A.

Found at Goodwill for $8.99 each! (Unfortuneately not by me)

Wishbone chair by Hans Wegner

Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen

Danish Modern Apartment Therapy

Danish Modern as seen on Apartment Therapy

Chieftain Chair by Finn Juhl

Ant Chair by Arne Jacobsen

The Lounge Chair that began our love affair with DM.  Braxton and I have two chairs almost exactly like this one....and a sofa as well.

Now let me show you why we have chosen Danish Modern for our muse this week.  Meet Fjord, a fantastic DM floor lamp we found while rummaging around an antique store this past weekend.  He's tall, blond and quite handsome, and responds to the name "Fjord", he just does.

I wish I could have taken a better pic.  Lamps are notoriously difficult to photograph.

 Let's talk about the "Gods" of Danish Modern this week.
To get you started...
Kaare Klint - the grandfather of DM
Aarne Jacobsen
Fin Juhl
Hans Wegner
Borge Morgensen...to name just a few.
Are you more familiar with Danish Modern than you thought?  Do you love it as much as we do?  Could you possibly?  Do you own any DM pieces?  Let's talk!
Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY