Investing in Mid-Century Modern
There was a time when investors actively sought out fine French furniture and collected it as a form of investing. In the late 1990’s, the attention switched from gaudy French furniture to the sleek and cool stylings of mid-century masters like Ray and Charles Eames, Harry Bertoia and descendants of the European Bauhaus movement. This was mainly because of the internet boom that these years saw, but also because this boom increased the wealth of much-younger investors who wanted something more streamlined and less stuffy.
As an article from CNBC titled Sitting on a Small Fortune states, these people weren’t “interested in filling their Silicon Valley mansions with museum pieces; these inventors of the future wanted a look that that leaned forward.”
It raises a good point that people should take into consideration when buying pieces like an Eames Lounge Chair or a Saarinen Table and face sticker shock, you’re not just buying a chair or a table at that point. You are taking your hard-earned money and really investing it in something that has value and can even be passed down like a family heirloom. The key is to do your research and always make sure you’re buying an authorized and authentic product.
(By the way, if you are looking to do some “alternative investing” don’t forget that this is the last weekend of the Herman Miller Holiday Sale!)
Summertime, and The Livin’ Is…HOT
With heat advisories lasting well into the evening today, we’re not advocating you spend a whole lot of time outside. However, we shouldn’t allow this summertime heat to completely deprive us of enjoying our outdoor spaces (if you’re so lucky to have one). With that in mind, check out these great outdoor pieces…if you can handle the heat, that is.
3. Heaven Cocktail Table by Emu
4. Bertoia Asymetric Chaise Lounge by Knoll
Flickr finds: Knoll Classics
Knoll Classics Sale Begins Today!
The Knoll Classics Sale going on today, March 1st, through Sunday, March 6th!
From the archives: Knoll posters
Not only is Knoll responsible for producing some of the most sought after furniture designs in the world, they’ve developed some incredibly creative ad/poster designs over the years. Below are some of our favorite Knoll posters passed featuring iconic pieces such as the Tulip chair, Womb chair and Diamond chair.
Downtown Dwelling
Vastu co-owner and interior designer, Eric Kole, assisted his client in creating a warm, comfortable, modern place to call home in downtown DC – and he wasn’t afraid to use a little color! The floor-to-ceiling windows really made the bold color choices pop, making the rooms vibrant and inviting.
Etsy find: Jason Hill Design
We stumbled across the Jason Hill Design Etsy shop and just had to stop when we saw these screen prints of two Knoll mid-century modern classics – the Tulip chair and the Bertoia diamond chair. Great size, great colors, great gift!
Annual Knoll Classics Sale: Feb 2 – 7
Always wanted an authentic Knoll Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair? Or been eyeing a Saarinen table? Now is the time to get it! The Annual Knoll Classics Sale is just around the corner. On February 2 through February 7 (technically the sale begins on Feb. 1, but we’re closed on Mondays), classic Knoll designs will be 15% off the retail price. The classics are anything designed by Florence Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Warren Platner, Harry Bertoia, Marcel Breuer, Eero Saarinen and Jens Risom. For example…
Mid-century modern furniture
Considered a very important design movement, mid-century modern furniture re-emerged as a coveted design aesthetic about 10 years ago and has continued to gain popularity over the years. The clean lines and organic shapes characteristic of items designed during this era work incredibly well with more modern furnishings. Our interior design clients often ask about iconic mid-twentieth century pieces such as the Saarinen Womb chair or Tulip table.
Video: Knoll Roots
Check out this video on the history of Knoll. The 5 minute video features Florence Knoll herself talking about her time at Cranbrook and desire to be surrounded by the very best in the design industry.
For more video info on Knoll, take a look at their YouTube channel.
Welcome to Design Clique
Have feedback or ideas you'd like to share? Click here and let us know what's on your mind.
Share it with us and we will address it in one of our "Design Direction" posts.
