Mid-Century Landscaping

I'm not in love with everything they did to this house, but as someone who has big plans for his backyard, I like to see mid-century landscaping ideas.

Done: Find out what water stain in nursery closet is/fix it

I spent the weekend cleaning out the attic and while I was up there I figured I should check out what caused the old water stain on the ceiling of the nursery closet. A few extra trips up and down the ladder and I placed the stain directly below the AC drip tray/overflow pan.

After checking that there were no holes in the tray, I'm calling this to-do item done. We had the unit professionally inspected and adjusted this year and there were no major problems and as much as I'm in the attic, I've never seen a drop of water in the tray. I'm guessing the stain is from an older HVAC unit that has since been replaced.

That's the thing about inspector's list for older homes - sometimes the problem is already fixed, only the proof that it once existed is still there.

Urban Mid-Century Furniture and Design

I'll be honest, I haven't been in Urban Outfitters since I was in college. So I was surprised to find out that they're a decent place to find relatively inexpensive mid-century furniture. Chairs, sofas, tables - they've got a pretty good mix of furniture with mid-century design. You can see for yourself here.

Mid-Century Austin Find: Another Broyhill Sculptra Credenza

Austin is turning into a hotbed for Broyhill Sculptra credenzas. There's another one available on craigslist.

Mid-Century Austin Homes: 87 Rainey St.

Sure, this home is more modern than mid-century, but I have a little crush on the Rainey St. area of Austin.

Mid-Century Austin Find: Broyhill Sculptra Credenza

You can find a vintage Broyhill Sculptra credenza on Austin's craiglist if you act quick.

Update: This one went fast, the posting has been deleted.

Mid-Century Modern iPod Player

We needed an iPod to play our son's Rockabye Baby! lullabies on. But I wanted this extremely modern technology to fit in with the rest of the mid-century look and feel of the nursery. And because it was for a kid's room, not cost an arm and a leg. But, because I'm a nerd, still sound good.

We found the perfect player: The iHome iH15
Which reminds me of this cube pendant light

As an added bonus for a kid, the iHome iH15 lights up and changes colors, making it a great night light.

Mid-Century Walkway

Added to our to-do list recently was to take out the current wood walkway and put in a new one. The current walkway is nice(Sweet animal statues moved with the previous owners.) But with a little one running around now - or more accurately in a few months, we'd like some more green space.

So we're going to lose the walkway from the back patio area to the hot tub (the one coming towards you in the photo) and have a single walkway from the carport. We're also going to get rid of a good bit of the stone, only keeping the section against the fence where the plants are, and change the covers on the ground lights (the things that look like upside down pots... because they are upside down pots).

Thinking is cement block form, I drew up some possibilities

Then I went online to find pics of what things might look like

I still can't decide, but I think we're got some good options to work with, once we actually start the work.

Last image thanks to Retro Renovation.

Mid-Century Austin Find: Mid-Century Coffee Tables

There are some good deals on Austin's craigslist if you're in the market for a mid-century coffee table."Vintage mid-century coffee table with tapered legs, brass accents in a cool textured design. Sturdy and in good condition." You can find this mid-century coffee table here.

"A very cool vintage coffee table it is on rollers & it swivels the top is simulated wood grain the base is chrome it measures 36" diameter & 16" tall." You can find this mid-century coffee table here.

Mid-Century Carport Patio

The top half of this carport/patio is pretty much exactly what I want out carport to look like once we turn it into an outdoor living area. Minus the safety railing since we'll be on ground level.

Mid-Century Tree Topper - Final Decision

The mid-century tree topper decision has been made with two words from one important lady, "the star."

But being a mid-century design nerd, I had to make sure the first star I found, the Mr. Christmas starburst tree topper, was the best star for our tree.
Turns out it was. But I found a lot of great images of mid-century and mid-century modern tree toppers and thought I should share.

Old House, New Year

As the year starts to wind down, we're doing what all good home owners are doing: adding to next year's to-do list.

We've got new, big plans for the kitchen - some that involve taking out half a wall. And with a little one in the house now we want to have the front and back yard in shape for when he starts moving/running around on his own. Since we never use the carport to park a car, we also thought it'd be nice to turn that area into a covered livable space.

All of these projects won't get done in the coming year, but I'll continue to use this site to dream about perfecting my mid-century home and catalog the mid-century design finds I come across.

Mid-Century Modern Art for a Travel-Themed Nursery

I have an amazing artist and designer friend who recently gave our son a gorgeous new print to hang in his travel-themed nursery.
You can buy her art here.

Mid-Century Tree Topper

Our tree is in need of a mid-century topper; one that matches all of the mid-century ornaments.

The hardest part is deciding between a star
And whatever you call these things

American of Martinsville Dania Bar

An amazing/anonymous reader/commenter pointed me in the direction of this brochure image for my American of Martinsville bar:


I looks like my mid-century bar is part of the American of Martinsville Dania collection. And it looks like I was right assuming that it was a piece that was intended to have many uses.

From the American of Martinsville brochure:

Just a few of the countless arrangements possible with Dania ... to make you a decorator ... with ease and originality! Mix 'em or match 'em for the drama of Dania.

Mid-Century Christmas Tree Decorations

We spent this weekend like many other people, eating too much and then putting up the tree. We got to break out the mid-century ornaments we bought a while back at an estate sale. Here are photos of our mid-century Christmas tree turned out:
It has some Charlie Brown aspects to it, but whatever tree we get has to fit inside of a Honda Fit if it's going to make it home with us. And it's pretty clear that we need to hit up more estate sales because we need more mid-century ornaments and a mid-century tree topper to complete the look.

Mid-Century Kitchen Cabinet Knobs and Pulls

Our kitchen remodel is a ways off, but like anyone with a remodel in mind I'm collecting ideas, links, photos, products, etc so that when the time comes I've got everything on hand to make my dream kitchen.

Rejuvenation's Satellite collection just got added to the lighting, cabinet knob and draw pull list.

The Satellite collection of Mid-Century Modern lighting and hardware embodies the simple stripped-down styling of the 1950s and 60s, and honors the purity of form + function. Once considered futuristic, these designs are now part of American history - yet still project a dynamic, forward-looking freshness that can add sparkle to your home.

Mid-Century Austin Homes: 6205 Treadwell Blvd.

When I was doing some research for my Allandale Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin post, I ran across this video.


This is exactly why a lot of mid-century home fans in Austin love Allandale; you can find homes like these with a lot of the original elements and details. With a little love, elbow grease and imagination, you can turn them into your mid-century castle.

The History of Eames Furniture

Here's an interesting look inside of the Eames' studio (and some pretty great catalog shots of Eames furniture).

Marilyn Neuhart, author of The Story of Eames Furniture, and her husband John have worked with the Eames Office in various capacities from the 1950s. Having been in close proximity to Charles and Ray Eames as well as the members of the Eames Office and their patron manufacturers for almost 30 years, the Neuharts had the extraordinary opportunity to absorb their stories. At their Los Angeles home, they tell the tale of working with Charles Eames.

Mid-Century Neighborhoods in Austin: Allandale

Allandale, Austin TX
If you ask any who's lived in Austin for any amount of time, they'll probably tell you that Allandale is the mid-century Austin neighborhood. Mid-century homes, especially mid-century ranches, are more the rule than the exception. Once outside of city limits and considered a northwest suburb of Austin, Allandale is now well within the bounds of what Austinites consider central Austin.

History
The Allandale neighborhood itself dates back to the 1930s. Going much farther back, the area was owned by George W. Davis, who was given the land in 1841 by the President of the Republic of Texas for his service in the battle at San Jacinto. Davis' decedents sold most of the 3,154 acres he was given, however a few still live in Allandale and the Davis family cemetery, a Texas Historical Cemetery, can be found within the borders of Allandale.

Housing Data From the 2000 census
Total housing units: 10,131
Homes built between 1940 and 1959: 3,721 (36.7%)
Median year built: 1964
Median housing value: $131,200
Median mortgage: $1,096
Household population: 21,206
Average household size: 2.14
Average family size: 2.78
Owner-occupied housing: 56.8%
Renter-occupied housing: 43.2%
Median age: 35.7

Resources
Allandale Neighborhood Association

Mid-Century Advertising Design

Aqua Velvet has a great post about two of my biggest interests: advertising and mid-century design. They highlight Max Huber, a graphic designer that I did not know about, but will so be doing a lot of research on. I love when ads look like something you could hang on the wall.

Are Mid-Century Homes Historic?

The neighborhood next to might, Hyde Park in Austin, is currently in the process of becoming a historic district. There's some debate on this issue as well as about when "historic" homes are:

Hyde Park's application lists 480 [historic] properties, though some neighbors have questioned whether all of them — such as ranch homes from the mid-20th century — truly have historic merit.

I have to assume that most people reading this blog think mid-century ranch homes are historic and worth saving. And as someone who lives in a mid-century home and on a street comprised largely mid-century ranches (rumored to all be built by the same architect), I'm in agreement. It will be interesting to see if the city of Austin is of like mind.

Mid-Century Austin Find: Broyhill Brasilia Dinner Table and Credenza

Uptown Modern, one of my favorite Austin vintage stores, currently has a Broyhill Premier Brasilia Collection dining table and credenza in stock.

Mid-Century Wall Tile

When HGTV put their spin on mid-century design, they did a lot of things wrong, but one of the things they got right, really really right, was these tiles.
Inhabit makes a modern design version with their Architect Wall Flats.

Wall Flats are Inhabit's take on a modern, eco-friendly wallpaper. A modern embossed three-dimensional wallcovering that is good for the environment. Does it get any better than that?

Mid-Century Austin Estate Sale: 3100 Scenic Dr.

If you're not spending the weekend at Comic Con or EAST, then you might want to check out this estate sale.
It's listed as having a Paul McCobb desk, an early Eames wire chair and a mid-century dining table that converts to a coffee table (which has to be an interesting piece).

I'm usually a little wary of estate sales that list anything by the designer name, there usually aren't any deals/finds, but you never know.

Here are the details:
3100 Scenic Dr.
Nov. 12 & 13: 10am-4pm

Mid-Century Austin Find: Broyhill Sculptra Headboard

There's an amazing vintage furniture find on Austin's craiglist. A Broyhill Premier Sculptra headboard and footboard, and a Broyhill Brasilia headboard and footboard.

HGTV Does Mid-Century

It's interesting to see what extended cable thinks mid-century modern design is.

To me it's like they had all the pieces of the puzzle, but put it together wrong.

Restoring a Mid-Century Kitchen

I'll be the first to admit that this eHow list is dangerously out of order (always install new cabinets before new countertops unless you want to install your new countertops twice), I'm glad it still exists because it gets people thinking about restoring a mid-century kitchen in a time-appropriate style.

Some key hints:

• Chrome hardware and accessories
• Formica countertops
• Formica and chrome dining set
• Simple wood or painted cabinets
• Linoleum or black and white checker flooring
• Retro fabric curtains

Broyhill Sculptra Bedroom Set

It's not often that you see the entire Broyhill Premier Sculptra bedroom set together in one photo.
It's nice to see store keeping keeping entire collections together.

Mid-Century Bird House

Here's a really cute weekend project: a mid-century birdhouse.


This what the atomic ranch style home looks like in the end.
Check out Curbly for full instructions and measurements.

Modern Love

Stuff White People Like is usually good for a tongue firmly planted in cheek laugh. The Modern Furniture post hit particularly close to (mid-century) home:

When white people envision their dream home, a key part of the fantasy involves a least one piece of furniture designed by a famous architect from the 1930s.

Architects like Mies van der Rohe and Le Corbusier designed iconic modern furniture that has inspired virtually everything made by Ikea and Design Within Reach, both of which are key suppliers of furniture to white people.

Mid-Century Austin Homes: 1503 Larkwood

The video description doesn't give much info:

1503 Larkwood is a retro chic 1950s home in central Austin.

I love the knotty pine kitchen and original tile in the bathrooms.

Ads for Mid-Century Door Knobs

A few more amazing mid-century door knob advertisements.

Lock Fashions by Schlage (check out some other Schlage mid-century back plates)
National Lock Set
brings the modern mode to every doorWhether you're building, remodeling or buying a home...
Look at the latch
Be sure it reads - Kwikset

Thunderbirds Mid-Century Design

I mentioned how breathtaking the mid-century design in Thunderbirds is, but I wasn't able to find really good photos to prove my case. Much like the Thunderbirds themselves, modern_fred has come to the rescue, with his gorgeous models of Tracy Island, Tracy Villa, the Thunderbirds Round House and a few Thunderbirds launch pads.