The Mid-Century/Danish thread
- Thread starter Sam Cogley
- Start date
I'm in the same boat, but these are going to require a bit of legwork to acquire and a lot of elbow grease to bring back from the dead, including a repaint - the molded color is badly bleached from sitting outside. If I'm going to do all of that, I might as well make sure they're authentic.
It depends on how much you want to rework them, as the shell chairs aren't worth all that much w/o bases, at least not in my travels. The bases will run you about $100, and I've seen complete chairs for about $150 (that's what mine was). For the new ones, Modernica has the original molds that they acquired when Herman Miller went to plastic shells.
My yellow Eiffel Tower base chair is in this picture, which I probably posted in the other thread, as that's why I took it:
The couch is Lane, I think. The wire-base end table is either Modernica or Eames for Herman Miller, I have several of both and can't tell them apart unless I turn them over and look at the markings. The lamp is a reproduction Arco (couldn't afford the real deal...at least it's a decent one, with a 180lb marble base/). Footstool was found in an alley.
Cats are early '21st century originals form the same designer (litter-mates).
The couch is Lane, I think. The wire-base end table is either Modernica or Eames for Herman Miller, I have several of both and can't tell them apart unless I turn them over and look at the markings. The lamp is a reproduction Arco (couldn't afford the real deal...at least it's a decent one, with a 180lb marble base/). Footstool was found in an alley.
Cats are early '21st century originals form the same designer (litter-mates).
treserious
Post Punk Junkie
currently my place is a blend of styles. going to get that sorted out over the next few months as I finish repainting the house and doing a bit of redecorating etc. half of them are currently stored away.
currently I have the following "mid-century" pieces, don't know the designers or origin of most pieces, but I like 'em.
2 danish teak coffee tables
canadian teak frame couch
7 HM stacking shell chairs
chrome tubing and black leather lounge chair
teak lounge chair
2 chrome tripod type photography light stands with "testrite instrument co.- fotolite" dishes. not exactly mid century furniture, but they're from the era, and i find they look cool.
a triangle shape blue murano style dish sitting on the coffee table.
some neat stackable german origin candle holders
one of those modular wall mounted teak wall units.
the "Z" chair by Uchida. chrome and brown canvas with wood armrests.
60's green shag carpet
and a bunch of other little nik naks like glass, pottery, ceramics
I'll see if I can get some pics up tomorrow.
currently I have the following "mid-century" pieces, don't know the designers or origin of most pieces, but I like 'em.
2 danish teak coffee tables
canadian teak frame couch
7 HM stacking shell chairs
chrome tubing and black leather lounge chair
teak lounge chair
2 chrome tripod type photography light stands with "testrite instrument co.- fotolite" dishes. not exactly mid century furniture, but they're from the era, and i find they look cool.
a triangle shape blue murano style dish sitting on the coffee table.
some neat stackable german origin candle holders
one of those modular wall mounted teak wall units.
the "Z" chair by Uchida. chrome and brown canvas with wood armrests.
60's green shag carpet
and a bunch of other little nik naks like glass, pottery, ceramics
I'll see if I can get some pics up tomorrow.
We have a dedicated meeting room at work that was done by a designer, and it was all Danish Modern. It was very well done, and beautiful. Everything down to the fabric used on the chairs was coordinated. There are some very expensive pieces in there..Arne Jacobsen's Swan Chairs among others. Then one day we were trying to get a new client, "Homegoods", which is basically the furniture arm of TJ Max, selling cheap furniture that didn't sell the first time around. So when they came in, some people went out and bought some light blue, giant couch there to show how much we liked them. When we didn't get the business, we were left with that ugly furniture, and somebody put it in the Danish Mod room. It looks so jacked up that I crack up every time I walk in there. All orange, brown, low, simple and retro-modern. With a huge baby blue micro-suede couch shoved in the middle.
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Ausjoe
Super Member
Most of my furniture is danish from the last 5-20 years but I do have one older piece I rescued from CL. I couldn't find the date today but the lady said she bought it in '64. It had been stained maple (on teak veneer
). The veneer as you guys know tends to thin so was a challenge refinishing. I had to add some tone in the end as the veneer was too thin on the edges. But the grain on top looks better than my weak photography makes it seem. Think I need a new battery as I only got two chances before the camera said dead battery. I need more attempts than that!
). The veneer as you guys know tends to thin so was a challenge refinishing. I had to add some tone in the end as the veneer was too thin on the edges. But the grain on top looks better than my weak photography makes it seem. Think I need a new battery as I only got two chances before the camera said dead battery. I need more attempts than that!Attachments
Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
Here's my collection. The custom HW furniture was given to me by my grandmother who passed away last year days from her 97th birthday. The furniture was made by her first husband (he committed suicide) who worked at the Heywood Wakefield casegoods factory in Los Angeles in 1938. She always told our family that it was Heywood Wakefield furniture and when I received the collection a couple of years ago I was disappointed that there were no HW embossed logos. I purchased the Saarinen Executive chair from an antique dealer in Mass. He deals heavily in HW furniture and he told me it was common for HW employees to take existing designs and modify them. While most of the pieces are not worth much some of the better pieces can fetch good money at auction.
Regardless I have been fascinated by the design of the round table since I was a kid. I would sit there and just stare at the clean lines of the base and thought it was really cool looking. HW made a similar corner and round table so that fits what I was told. I have two HW books and cannot find anything that is similar to the end tables so they are either an original design or he copied it from another employee. Like most of the HW furniture they are constructed of birch and finished in amber. The furniture is still in excellent condition. I also had a HW dresser finished in wheat but sold it.
Here's my living room:
Saarinen Executive Chair
Union Street Glass Morph Pendant Lamp
Eames Lounge Chair
And my DIY JBL ZD 007 speakers in modified Barzilay cabinets with Alvin Lustig designed stiletto legs.
Regardless I have been fascinated by the design of the round table since I was a kid. I would sit there and just stare at the clean lines of the base and thought it was really cool looking. HW made a similar corner and round table so that fits what I was told. I have two HW books and cannot find anything that is similar to the end tables so they are either an original design or he copied it from another employee. Like most of the HW furniture they are constructed of birch and finished in amber. The furniture is still in excellent condition. I also had a HW dresser finished in wheat but sold it.
Here's my living room:
Saarinen Executive Chair
Union Street Glass Morph Pendant Lamp
Eames Lounge Chair
And my DIY JBL ZD 007 speakers in modified Barzilay cabinets with Alvin Lustig designed stiletto legs.
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The designer of the legs was mentioned in a current C36 thread, but I can't remember the name.
Those are really BEAUTIFUL tables. IMO, furniture handmade by a family member trumps any "logo" that might be attached to a piece. Yeah, I know... if it came to selling it, it would be worth less money. OTOH, I'd never let family made furniture out of my possession, so that wouldn't really matter.
Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
Thank you. The furniture isn't going anywhere and hopefully one of my kids will appreciate the pieces and keep them in our family for another 70 years.
Just answered my own question - one of them has a "Jasper Chair Company" sticker on one leg. They're still in business, but this model seems to be out of production. At least it gives me a lead on finding #4.
Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
So Alvin Lustig it is.
tincat2
Active Member
Love Mid Century Modern. We have two HW pieces- a sculptura nightstand and an early 60s end table. Our coffee table is vintage Lane. I inherited our Basset Danish Modern dining room table from mom which means its the one I grew up eating on. We also have three Edward Wormley Riemerschid chairs from Dexter. One of my ongoing projects is restoring 5 butterfly chairs I have picked up hear and there.
Too much else to mention: lamps, cocktail shakers, glasses, etc. I need a roundie TV and an Eames lounge chair.
Too much else to mention: lamps, cocktail shakers, glasses, etc. I need a roundie TV and an Eames lounge chair.
BTW - if anyone has a clue who made my round two-level end table, please tell me. The only mark on it, if memory serves, is a hand-written number in oil pencil under the lower table.
Designdweeb
Super Member
Wow, have you shown the HW people your stuff?
I'd bet the current owners would be tickled pink to see it!
I'd bet the current owners would be tickled pink to see it!
Duffinator
Spin The Black Circle
If you're referring to me thanks but I'd doubt they would have any interest. They are not designing new furniture only making old models that were popular from the 40's and 50's. Mine are one-offs and hence not popular with people who admire HW furniture.