Mid Century Modern » mid century modern furniture http://mid-century-modern.net Online source for your mid century modern life style Sat, 28 Aug 2010 01:51:05 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Buy and Sell Your Mid Century Modern Furniture on Lushpad http://mid-century-modern.net/buy-and-sell-your-mid-century-modern-furniture-on-lushpad/ http://mid-century-modern.net/buy-and-sell-your-mid-century-modern-furniture-on-lushpad/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:57:03 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=1760 Sell your used designer and mid-century modern furniture on Lushpad!Lushpad is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell your mid century modern and contemporary furniture and fine art. Lushpad also offers useful articles and information about design classics, mid century modern designers, book reviews, etc. – so, it is worth a visit even if you are not looking to buy/sell furniture. Whether you [...]]]> Lushpad is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell your mid century modern and contemporary furniture and fine art. Lushpad also offers useful articles and information about design classics, mid century modern designers, book reviews, etc. – so, it is worth a visit even if you are not looking to buy/sell furniture.

Whether you are looking for authentic originals, licensed reproductions, or unlicensed lookalikes, you may find the special piece you have been looking for at Lushpad – just browse through their website and find out! If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can place a “wanted” ad for free.

Sell your used designer and mid-century modern furniture on Lushpad!

Selling your surplus mid century modern furniture on Lushpad is easy. You can list your item for up to three months with just one listing fee. There are no commissions or back-end fees on your sold items. Sign up for a FREE account and start selling! Be sure to use discount code TWEET50 and get 50% off ad listing fees until the end of March, 2010.

Listing Pricing Information (as of February 2010):
Wanted items – FREE
Items under $250 – FREE
Items between $250 and $800 – $8
Items over $800 – $12

For more information, visit Lushpad website.

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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/buy-and-sell-your-mid-century-modern-furniture-on-lushpad/feed/ 0 Eames Fiberglass Shell Chair Restoration Project http://mid-century-modern.net/eames-fiberglass-shell-chair-restoration-project/ http://mid-century-modern.net/eames-fiberglass-shell-chair-restoration-project/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:51:38 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=1301 My First Eames Fiberglass ChairMy First Eames Fiberglass Chair Now that I learned how to restore the Eames fiberglass shell chairs, I decided to tackle another project. I was going to restore one of the two orange arm shells I purchased online a few years ago. I have been using one with a rocker base and the other with an [...]]]> My First Eames Fiberglass Chair

My First Eames Fiberglass Chair

Now that I learned how to restore the Eames fiberglass shell chairs, I decided to tackle another project. I was going to restore one of the two orange arm shells I purchased online a few years ago. I have been using one with a rocker base and the other with an Eiffel base. After the purchase, I used a fiberglass cleaner designed for boats to clean and polish them. They were not as shiny as I wanted them to be, so I decided to try the restoration method I learned from a website called “chairfag.com” to restore the fiberglass back to its original luster. It’s a really good website that walks you through an arm shell shock mount removal and fiberglass restoration with a lot of pictures. If you are planning to restore your shell chair, you should definitely check it out.

Sanding the Chair

Sanding the Chair

I set up a working area outside, since it requires a wet sanding. I pulled a garden hose and filled the bottom of my chair with water. Gearing up with a safety glasses, a mask and a pair of thick vinyl gloves, I started to sand the chair with a fine sanding block. With the garden hose, I wet the area as I sanded to prevent fiberglass dust from getting all over the place. There were some tiny paint spots on my chair I didn’t notice before. I got rid of them by sanding the chair as well.

Cleaning the Chair

Cleaning the Chair

Once I sanded the entire chair, I rinsed it with water and gave it a sponge bath with Oxyclean to remove the embedded dirt as much as possible. Then I let it air dry.

Applying Penetrol

Applying Penetrol

The next step was to coat the chair with a product called “Penetrol” that I picked up at Home Depot. To do this, I moved the working area to my porch. The porch was a perfect spot as it was well ventilated and had a minimum effect from the wind and dust. Penetrol is an oil paint conditioner that is also used to restore fiberglass. I first applied the coat to the bottom of the chair and let it set for a few hours. I then attached the base, flipped the chair over and applied Penetrol to the rest of the chair.

Before

Before

The chair is now shiny and looks much better than it was.

After

After

Disclaimer – this post is just to share my experience and not intended as a tutorial to restore your chair. If you are restoring your chair, I would recommend you research well before tackling your restoration project.

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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/eames-fiberglass-shell-chair-restoration-project/feed/ 0 Herman Miller Sale http://mid-century-modern.net/herman-miller-sale-2009/ http://mid-century-modern.net/herman-miller-sale-2009/#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:21:43 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=997 If you are thinking about buying Herman Miller products, now is the good time. Herman Miller’s semi-annual sale is currently running through June 20th, 2009. All Herman Miller products including the work of Eames, Nelson, Noguchi and others are 15% off at many retailers, such as SmartFurniture.com. SmartFurniture.com also offers free shipping on many of their [...]]]> If you are thinking about buying Herman Miller products, now is the good time. Herman Miller’s semi-annual sale is currently running through June 20th, 2009. All Herman Miller products including the work of Eames, Nelson, Noguchi and others are 15% off at many retailers, such as SmartFurniture.com.

SmartFurniture.com also offers free shipping on many of their products, so you can save even more money. While you are at it, don’t forget to request a free catalog filled with pages of new products and ideas for your modern home. Take advantage of this amazing discount – there is no better time to buy an iconic design you have always wanted!


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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/herman-miller-sale-2009/feed/ 0 Tips for Selling Your Mid Century Modern Furniture http://mid-century-modern.net/tips-for-selling-your-mid-century-modern-furniture/ http://mid-century-modern.net/tips-for-selling-your-mid-century-modern-furniture/#comments Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:46:16 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=251 Do you have an extra mid century modern couch sitting in your garage? Are you thinking about selling your mid century modern furniture you have now, so that you can upgrade with that extra cash? Are you moving to a smaller place and unable to fit all of your pieces? Whatever the reasons, here are some tips for selling your mid century modern furniture.

 

  • Do your homework – Know what you are selling. Try to find out the designer name, the manufacturer name, age of the piece, and a brief history of the piece. The potential buyer may ask for such information. Also find out the average market price of the particular/similar item to avoid overpricing/underpricing the piece.
  • Clean it up! – It’s normal for the used furniture to have some wear from its age and usage. However, if it’s dusty, dust it. If it has stains, try your best to remove it. Selling your furniture “as is” will give the potential buyer more reason to haggle.
  • Write a description – Provide detailed and accurate information about your furniture. Be sure to include measurements. Always check your spelling and grammar before you post it.
  • Include good quality pictures – Always include pictures with your post. Post multiple pictures from different angles. Include only the item you are selling in the pictures to avoid confusion. Also make sure the pictures are not blurred.
  • Be courteous – Return emails and phone calls of all inquiries. When the item sells, remove your posting. Email or call people who have inquired about your item and let them know the item has been sold.

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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/tips-for-selling-your-mid-century-modern-furniture/feed/ 0 Where to Find Mid Century Modern Furniture http://mid-century-modern.net/where-to-find-mid-century-modern-furniture/ http://mid-century-modern.net/where-to-find-mid-century-modern-furniture/#comments Sat, 21 Feb 2009 04:02:51 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=150 Eames Side Shell ChairNow you know what to look for when buying mid century modern furniture, you will need to know where to find your special mid century modern pieces. Always keep your eyes wide open – I’ve heard some stories about finding some of the most sought mid century modern furniture pieces at very unusual places, from [...]]]> Eames Side Shell ChairNow you know what to look for when buying mid century modern furniture, you will need to know where to find your special mid century modern pieces. Always keep your eyes wide open – I’ve heard some stories about finding some of the most sought mid century modern furniture pieces at very unusual places, from a dumpster (no, I am not recommending you to go dumpster diving!) to someone’s front porch! Here is a list of places to find your mid century modern furniture with some tips.

  • Local Dealers/Stores (Brick and Mortar)
    One of the pros of buying local is that you can actually see and feel the pieces you are interested in before you buy. Also, there is no shipping and handling charges, as long as you haul the piece yourself. Be sure to buy from a reputable dealer. Their credential can be checked by contacting the Better Business Bureau if you are not sure.
  • Online Retailers
    Online stores offer a wide selection of mid century modern furniture. You may avoid paying sales tax if the retailer and its subsidiaries are located outside of your state. Shipping and handling charges can be high for an expensive, bulky item, but many online retailers do offer dollar off coupons and incentives such as free shipping. Be sure to sign up for your favorite online store’s mailing list to get informed about their money saving offers.
  • Auctions
    Check online auctions such as eBay regularly. Simply type in keywords and it will do the rest for you. Not all sellers know the correct terms for the title and description, so be creative with keywords when you search. Ask questions about the item before you place a bid. Be sure to check the terms/conditions and seller’s feedback before you place a bid. Also check your local auction houses. Most auction houses have websites, so you may be able to check the item before the auction day.
  • Yard/Estate Sales
    Check your local newspaper for yard/estate sales. You may find a big bargain if the owners have no idea of what they are selling.
  • Thrift Stores
    Do not underestimate thrift stores! That’s where most stuff will go when people just can’t get rid of it otherwise.
  • Classifieds/Online Marketplace
    Check your local newspaper. Check Craigslist as well. There are also online marketplaces such as Lushpad.com that specialize in the mid century modern and other vintage pieces.
  • People You Know
    Let your family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors know your love of mid century modern furniture. They may already have it in their house. Also, people often inherit mid century modern furniture. They may not just want to give it to random people because of its sentimental value. However, they may be willing to give/sell it to you if they know that you will take good care of it.

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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/where-to-find-mid-century-modern-furniture/feed/ 1 Harry Bertoia http://mid-century-modern.net/harry-bertoia/ http://mid-century-modern.net/harry-bertoia/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 22:56:59 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=74 Photo by m.bibelotPhoto by m.bibelotHarry Bertoia (1915 – 1978), an Italian-born furniture designer and sculptor, attended Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he later taught painting and metal crafts between 1937 and 1943. He then worked with Charles Eames in California to assist in developing Eames’s molded plywood chairs. In 1950, he joined Knoll [...]]]>
Photo by m.bibelot

Photo by m.bibelot

Harry Bertoia (1915 – 1978), an Italian-born furniture designer and sculptor, attended Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he later taught painting and metal crafts between 1937 and 1943. He then worked with Charles Eames in California to assist in developing Eames’s molded plywood chairs. In 1950, he joined Knoll Associates and developed his signature piece, the Diamond chair. Often referred to as the Bertoia chair, the Diamond chair was innovative and unique. Bertoia used the new material, industrial wire rods – polished or vinyl coated, for the main body and covered it with cotton or Naugahyde upholstery.

 

Bertoia was also well known for his talent in sculpture. He created many monumental architectural pieces in public places such as the large copper and bronze fountain for the Philadelphia Civic Center in Pennsylvania, the bronze sculpture at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C, and decorative metal sculptured screens for major companies and educational institutions.

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]]> http://mid-century-modern.net/harry-bertoia/feed/ 0 Tips for Buying Mid Century Modern Furniture http://mid-century-modern.net/tips-for-buying-mid-century-modern-furniture/ http://mid-century-modern.net/tips-for-buying-mid-century-modern-furniture/#comments Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:22:39 +0000 admin http://mid-century-modern.net/?p=18 Eames RockerMid century modern furniture are known for its simple, clean lines and organic shapes. It is sleek and elegant, yet functional. Whether collecting only the ones designed by a specific mid century designer or collecting anything that appeal to your eyes, it is always exciting to acquire furniture you love piece by piece. Here you [...]]]> Eames RockerMid century modern furniture are known for its simple, clean lines and organic shapes. It is sleek and elegant, yet functional. Whether collecting only the ones designed by a specific mid century designer or collecting anything that appeal to your eyes, it is always exciting to acquire furniture you love piece by piece. Here you will find some simple tips on buying mid century modern furniture.

  1. Know What You Want - Before you head to a store or shop online, be sure to know exactly what you are looking for. Do you have a particular designer or style in your mind? Do you want the vintage originals or licensed reproduction? Have some ideas on colors and materials that match your style and needs to achieve some sort of cohesiveness. You may also take the size and shape of your space into consideration to avoid cluttering the space. Keep it minimum – that’s what mid century modern is all about.
  2. Knowledge – Collect information on the pieces you are seeking. Invest on some books on mid century modern designs. You may also visit modern museums, galleries and shops.
  3. Identification - You must be able to identify and recognize an authentic piece to avoid wasting your money on a knockoff. Look for any labels and markings to identify its authenticity.
  4. Condition – Inspect the condition of the piece carefully. Expect normal wear and tear from the original pieces due to thier age and usage. If restoration is required, will you be able to restore without disturbing its integrity?
  5. Affordability – Many pieces, especially the vintage original one by the well-known designers can be pricey. Set a limit on what you want to spend. Buying a licensed reproduction is another option if you cannot afford the vintage piece. Also, don’t be afraid to haggle when making a purchase.

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