November 24, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Modern Snapshot: Giving Thanks for Little Modern Details

I look at a lot of houses online and in person. I write about many of them here. In this post, I want to highlight some of the smaller mid-century modern details I have come across during the past several years. Scrolling through the 3,000+ pictures on my phone (all of food, architecture and my kids), I found many pictures that have not made into the posts over the years that I wanted to share with you, including the picture above in the backyard of the Hamilton House in Columbus, Indiana. Thanks for reading. Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Give thanks for your family, friends, good health and those little modern details that make life richer.

Original pink bathroom in a mid-century split in D.C.

Original Formica boomerang vanity.

The Essex condo on Connecticut Avenue in D.C.

The mid-century planter in The Essex lobby.

Hairpin vanity legs in Bethesda.

Original counter and backsplash in a Charles Goodman home in Hollin Hills.

Cool raised-patterned coat closet door in 1960s Potomac home.

Original color swatches for Harry Weese-designed home in Columbus, Indiana.

Modernist patio in Columbus, Indiana.

Appropriate furniture in the lobby of Mies' Highfield House in Baltimore.

Original closet pull in unit in Mies' Highfield House.

Original kitchen cabinets in a condo in Mies' Highfield House in Baltimore.

This last picture is one of the most peculiar things I have seen. This scene was painted on the wall of a powder room in a very cool mid-century modern home in Bethesda. Thankfully, I have not seen too many of these. Happy Thanksgiving.

November 19, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

Religious Innovation: Saarinen’s North Christian Church

With the Eero Saarinen exhibit running until Nov. 28 at the Finnish Embassy (I hope to go this weekend), I figured it was a good time to finally finish my trilogy on Saarinen’s mid-century modern designs in Columbus, Indiana. All three, North Christian Church, the Miller House and Irwin Union Bank and Trust were worked on closely with J. Irwin Miller, the town’s modernist patron. From the pictures I had seen of North Christian Church, I always thought the spaceship-like structure was in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by acres and acres of lush Midwestern land. It is actually just a couple miles north of downtown Columbus and surrounded by homes.

The 1964 church, Saarinen’s last design before his premature death in 1961, was crafted as a hexagon (reflecting the six-point Star of David) with a long spire, symbolizing Christianity’s roots in Judaism. Playing off title of the Finnish Embassy exhibit, Eero Saarinen: A Reputation for Innovation, Saarinen was very innovative with the design of the church, moving well beyond the constructs of the typical structure of the time. He spent so much time perfecting it that Miller and the rest of the church board grew a bit tired of his delays. In the end, he delivered a stunning building reflecting the individual congregation and religious history.

The church’s tapestry, candelabra and colors were the work of Alexander Girard. The landscaping for the church, a National Landmark, was done by Dan Kiley. Here are some historical photos from the church’s web site, including images of the building being built.

North Christian Church was the last project Saarinen desgined before his early death at 51.

The approach to the church slopes down as a way to humble the congregant. Once inside, congregants ascend stairs into the sanctuary.

Dan Kiley's always simple, clean and stunning lands surrounds the church.

Inside the hexagonal-bowl shaped sanctuary with prominent organ.

The "Living Cross" tapestry was designed by Alexander Girard.

The centrally located oculus allows light into the sanctuary.

Vintage Eames chairs in one of the meeting rooms that ring the inner sanctuary.

The church is one of six National Historic Landmarks in Columbus.

November 18, 2010/Mid-Century Modern /by Mid-Century Mike

The Tome for Eames Addicts

If you are an Eames addict and your loved ones are looking for gift ideas for the holidays (I hope my wife reads this), send them a link to this post as a not so subtle hint on a what they can get you. (You can also try to win one here.) The Story of Eames Furniture was written and designed by Marilyn Neuhart together with her husband John. Both worked at the Eames Office in various capacities since the 1950s. They spent the past 15 years compiling this two-volume, 800-page book with more than 2,500 images that tells the behind the scenes story of the office and the designers and manufacturers that helped create the iconic brand. Check out this excellent video below about the book and the Neuharts produced by publisher Gestalten.

Month: November 2010