Platner

Ah... Warren Platner, one of my all time favorite icons of MCM design. Less flamboyant than other designers of this time period, Platner was known for his understated elegance and the steel wire furniture he designed for Knoll.

"I felt there was room for the kind of decorative, gentle, graceful design that appeared in a period style like Louis XV," stated Platner. To pursue that concept, he designed an elegant collection of chairs, tables and stools that rest on a sculptural base of hundreds of vertical steel rods.

A wonderful quote by Platner...
"A classic is something you look at often and always accept as it is. You can see no way of improving it."

That is why I love MCM designs. They are truly classic and one cannot fathom any way in which to make them better.

This space is truly designed with a mid-century modern aesthetic. The coffee table works beautifully.

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I am not sure if you can truly appreciate the dining table with so much going on around it. The bright yellow chairs, the zig zag rug, the large bright vase with flowers and the teal window treatments seem to take away from the elegance of the table. Maybe it works better in person? What do you think?

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So clean, so lovely....

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I heart this room.... While I don't always love tone on tone, it really works in this space.

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Despite my mad crush on Warren Platner, the above image may be overdoing it. Do you like it or think that maybe they could have used a different coffee table?

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I am really admiring the Platner lounge chair in this boy's bedroom. One lucky kid!  

Reese Roberts

Womb

My second Mid Century Modern post is the Euro Saarinen Womb Chair. While some of you may not know what the chair is actually called, I am sure there are many of you that recognize this beauty.

Designed in 1948, made exclusively for Knoll, this chair has the most fitting name. From the moment the chair was introduced, it has been associated with informality and comfort. Go to any local DWR and you will find yourself snuggled into this chair as if you were still in Mommy's belly... ;-)

Interestingly, the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1959 featured a Norman Rockwell painting titled "Sunday Morning" depicting a father lounging in his Womb chair.

The chair is constructed of foam over a molded, reinforced fiberglass shell, includes separate seat and back cushions of polyester fiber with foam core. You can also choose either polished chrome for the base or matte black powder coat. Ottoman is sold separately.

Below are some images of interiors sporting the iconic chair.

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Deborah Berke & Partners

Eve Robinson

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Jeff Herron

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Counter Stools

Finding the right stool for your kitchen counter can be a difficult task.  When I was looking for my home, I either found ones that were too pricey, not very comfortable or just unattractive.  Of course, now that I already have stools, I seem to find new ones daily that I love.  I thought I would share some of my favorites with you....

The Church Stool from Gus has a very practical, clean design and comes in either oak or walnut with either slate or white powder coated frame. It is also priced very well at $500 for a set of two.

The Bertoia Barstool is a classic piece designed by Harry Bertoia made from industrial wire rods. The seat pad comes in a variety of colors but you can obviously also upholster it in any fabric you desire. It is certainly pricier than the Gus Church Stool but it is like comparing apples to oranges. Owning a Bertoia design is like owning a piece of art.

One of my new favorite stools is also a classic. The Cherner Barstool's molded plywood has such a sleek beautiful design that can truly adapt to any decor style.  

Another stool that has been around forever is the 1006 Navy Barstool.  This chair was designed by Emeco for the US Navy is beyond durable and quite comfortable.  

Like most classics, you can usually find a replica.  Check this stool out from Target.  I cannot imagine that it adheres to the same durability and quality code as Emeco.  However, it does seem to look the same for $540 less.

Loving the Reed Counter Stool from CB2. The zinc plated iron wires gives off an industrial feel, yet I can see this stool in a softer setting as well.  

Now, if you are really looking to save money, you cannot beat Ikea. I think these stools are adorable.  Only $49.99!

The Series 7 stool designed by the iconic Arne Jacobsen, is another classic that would work well in any space. It is produced in three finishes and comes in twelve colors.  I have seen kitchens that have this stool or chair and mix up the colors which is a fun look as well.

While I personally do not prefer backless stools, some people desire them for the ease of hopping on and off, as well as the fact that they are less obtrusive. If you are in the market for a backless stool, I highly recommend the Kartell Charles Ghost Stool. It also comes in so many fun colors and priced very reasonably.

Do you have any suggestions on great stools?  Please share!

Boom Boom

Saturday night my husband and I met friends in the Meatpacking District at the Boom Boom Room, the penthouse bar located in The Standard Hotel.  I have to say that I was truly blown away by the decor and the phenomenal views.  The space has 360 degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River that you admire through the floor to ceiling windows.  Even the bathrooms have these views!

The art deco decor is so sexy and glamorous I wanted to take pictures of everything to share with those readers who have not been.  However, the camera on my Blackberry was not doing the space justice at all. I was able to find some images on Google that I will share with you.  But seriously, for those of you that truly appreciate amazingly beautiful spaces, this is a must see!!!

To top it off, the food, drinks and service were all five star as well.

Have any of you been?  If so, did you think the bOom Boom Room was as amazing as I did?

Courtyard

I just came across this image on Madebygirl and had to share it with you... As I stated in my previous post, the Panton chair can also be used outdoors.  Wouldn't you love this courtyard?

Beautiful

I just had to share this image with you. There is something so mesmerizing and surreal about this picture.  Can you imagine lying in your bed, looking out your window and seeing this breathtaking horse?

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Panton Chair

As I have stated before, my favorite interior design period is Mid Century Modern. I think it is absolutely amazing that what the layman may view today as uber modern, was probably designed sometime between the 1930's through the 1960's.

I thought it would be fun to do a weekly posting on a different Mid Century Modern classic.  For this first classic, I chose the Panton chair by Verner Panton.

Verner Panton is considered one of Denmark's most influential 20th-century furniture and interior designers. His most well known piece of furniture, and one of the iconic designs of the 20th century, is the award winning Panton chair.

Panton spent years thinking about how to produce a plastic chair moulded into one piece. Together with Vitra, he designed his first prototype in the 1960's and began production in 1967. While the Panton Chair Standard was reproduced in 1999 and made of solid plastic, the original Panton Chair Classic is made of rigid expanded plastic and has a lacquered surface.

Today the Panton chair is admired for its spectacular S shape as well the assortment of colors in which it is sold. You can also find the Panton Junior which is specifically designed for children.

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The above child's desk, the Porcupine Desk, is also produced by Vitra.  How adorable!

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In addition, only increasing my love for this chair, is the fact that it is suitable for outdoor use and can be stacked up to four high. Now tell me it is not one of the coolest chairs!

Below are images of interiors with Panton chairs.  Enjoy....

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via carolinaeclectic

via carolinaeclectic

via desiretoinspire

Don't be Afraid!

When I first began to decorate my current home I was very intimidated to use any color. I felt white walls, maybe a little grey paint as well, was a way a safer bet. However, as time went on, I began to add more pops all throughout the house and now I have splashes of color everywhere.

In hindsight, I do not know why the use of color frightened me so much. Maybe it was the fear that I would eventually get bored or sick of a particular hue and want to change it? Yet, if this is really why someone chooses not to utilize color in their decor, then simply only use color in pops. You can always change your pillows if the hot pink you liked last year has started to bother you. Accessories are also a great way to splash some greens and yellows into your decor.

Either way, I just wanted to share some fantastic images of rooms that go "all out" with color. While this may be too much color for the average person to live with daily, I do not think anyone can deny its beauty.

Sir Elton John's Home

Interior Design Magazine

Interior Design Magazine

chatsworth

cocokelley

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via house of turquoise

via lonny

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