MID CENTURY MODERN DECOR

Mid century modern decor:  what it is and why we love it!

 You've read the blog, you've seen pictures of our house, you know that our hearts belong to mid century modern.  This is no summer romance, this is true love.  Let's see why...

 A significant design movement of the previous century, mid century modern refers to architecture, industrial design, fashion and interior design which was conceived between 1945 and 1965. 

 Mid century modern is a blending of function, comfort and style.  Pretty much all of the mid century modern furniture that I've seen is informal, in fact the upholstered pieces are sometimes referred to as lounge furniture and are generally lower to the ground than most sofas and chairs.  The also lack extra embellishments such as ruffles or skirts and tend to me quite tailored.

 Authentic mid century modern can be quite pricey, but because it was generally so well made and durable it's not very difficult to find.  MCM has a minimalist sculptural quality and can  make a huge statement with just a few pieces, in fact I would say it's a big mistake to to add to many, or  overly fussy, elements to a mid century room, as they distract from the purity of the style.

This post is barely an introduction to mid century modern influence, we will be devoting an entire week to the subject later on....there is so much to talk about. 



The Gods of mid century design:  George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom as seen in Playboy Magazine July 1961.

Do you love mid century modern as much as we do?  What are your favorite pieces?

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!
YANCEY

1960's FASHION

1960'S FASHION:  FRESH, FUN, MODERN

I'm not really a big shopper....for clothes that is.  I can spend hours in a vintage store looking for mid century treasures for the house, and don't even get me started on how much I love a good bookstore, but clothing stores...not so much.

This is the year it's all going to change, I've decided  2012 is the year I do something about my wardrobe, such as acquire one.   I've also decided that 1960's Modern will be my muse.  I love the simplicity of this style, it's really perfect for petites, and I'm definitely a flat shoes kind of girl.

I really need a plan though, without one I'm am simply overwhelmed.....so..... 
For winter....short skirts and dresses with tights and flat shoes will be perfect.
And, as for summer....slightly longer skirts and perhaps a kitten heel. 
I already have a vintage coat, lots of vintage jewelry and pocketbooks, and one huge pair of white plastic sunglasses that Audrey Hepburn would be proud to wear.
Let's get started...

These would be perfect with tights and cardigans for winter.  I love that these women are so passionate about their minis.

Scarf?  Check.  Plastic bracelets?  Check.  Hugh white sunglasses? Check.  Adorable convertible?  Perhaps one day.

These seem perfect for summer.  Love the kitten heels, easy to walk in and super feminine.

I had a pair of white go-go boots in the fourth grade, the last time I was actually cool.

Love the bag, love the dress, love the hair... love it all.

I already have two vintage straw pocketbooks like these.

Orange crush!!!

Such a fresh and pretty look.

 I definitely have a style crush on Zooey Deschanel and have several pictures of her on my latest story board for fashion inspiration.  I would love to go shopping with her....Zooey, call me!

 What's you favorite decade for vintage style?  How do you feel about 60's modern?  Where do you shop for vintage?  Any suggestions?

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

BAUHAUS

Bauhaus...simple perfection

 There are no doubt as many ways to approach a creative endeavor as there are outcomes.  One way is to approach it like a sculptor might approach a slab of marble....carve away what isn't in order to reveal what is.  I can imagine Michelangelo working in this way.
Another way is to begin with an idea which is perfect in it's simplicity and slowly design around it until it becomes....better.  Arguably Steve Job's approach to technology design.
Then there is Bauhaus....bridging the gap between art and industry, mass produced using a minimum of material, an absence of ornamentation...simple perfection.

 The most influential movement of avant-garde art, design and architecture of the 20th century, the Bauhaus objective was to unify art, craft and technology.

 Obviously, the subject of Bauhaus requires a week of it's own (or really much more), but to get you started here are a few of the heroes of Bauhaus whom you may recognize...Joseph Albers, Johannes Itten, Wassily Kandinsky, Piet Mondrian, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

 "I want to imbue others with my delight in the endless possibilities for new color experiences"  Josef Albers

 "God is in the details"  Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

I have found examples of Bauhaus influence on fashion, jewelry, graphic design, and of course interior design...all of which will be shared when we offer Bauhaus as a muse of the week.
What's your opinion of Bauhaus?  Did anyone see the MoMA exhibit on Bauhaus?

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY

YVES SAINT LAURENT

Yves Saint Laurent's Mod 60's fashion

 He may not have invented mod fashion, but Yves Saint Laurent certainly left his mark on the modern look of the 60's and 70's.  He loved the beatnik style and designed safari jackets for men and women, tight pants, high boots....all of which were fresh and modern in it's day...he even boldly (and famously) designed a tuxedo suit for women....le smoking.

Just before his untimely death (at 58), Christian Dior chose YSL as his successor at Dior.....Yves Saint Laurent was only 21 years old at the time...the youngest designer to ever head a design house.  Of course YSL eventually began his own design house, and became one of the most influential fashion designers...ever.

"The most consistently celebrated and influential designer of the past twenty five years, Yves Saint Laurent can be credited with both spurring the couture's rise from its 60's ashes and with finally rendering ready-to-wear reputable"  Caroline Milbank in 1985

 "I participated in the transformation of my era.  I did it with clothes, which is surely less important than music, architecture, painting...but whatever it's worth, I did it"  Yves Saint Laurent

 "I tried to show that fashion is art.  For that, I followed the counsel of my master Christian Dior and the imperishable lesson of Mademoiselle Chanel.  I created for my era and I tried to foresee what tomorrow would be"  YSL

Yves Saint Laurent...60's mod fashion...what's not to love?

Have a beautiful day.
YANCEY