We must have:

Three bedrooms
Two bathrooms
A large backyard for our dogs
Two living areas (a formal living room and a dog room, aka family room)
A garage or carport

Of course, I’d love a house with original features intact, but that’s hard to come by. I’d rather buy a fixer upper than a “move in ready” house with brand new things/updates (that are not period appropriate or not my taste) installed by a previous owner.

There are quite few neighborhoods feature nice mid-century modern ranch style homes in Tulsa. Among all, Lortondale is definitely my favorite. Lortondale is a mid-century modern neighborhood built between 1954 and 1956 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As of this writing, there are six houses up for sale in Lortondale – all in our price range. Unfortunately, none of these houses are “the one” for us (Don’t get me wrong. These are all great houses – just not a perfect fit for us). Lortondale has its great website filled with its history and pictures – you should check it out!

One of My Favorite Lortondale Houses

Another neighborhood I like is Wedgwood neighboorhood my friend Jennie lives (By the way, Jennie has the coolest house in Wedgwood. Her house will be featured in upcoming Atomic Ranch hardcover book).

Jennie's House

I have been driving around to see the houses I like. This one is for sale at $109,900 in the Redbud neighborhood. I LOVE the way it looks from the outside, but not so much inside… This is one of those “move in ready” houses with not so great updates.

Love this one!

We are not in a hurry to buy a house, so we will keep looking – someday we will find the one!

• 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.

At Herman Miller, Girard successfully introduced a new concept in textile design with his vibrant color palette and playful patterns inspired by traditional folk art he cherished. In early 1950s, fabrics were merely functional, but they tended to be dull and plain. His textile designs complemented the furniture designs of his fellow mid century modern designers, Charles Eames and George Nelson. Girard’s work at Herman Miller continued until 1975, designing hundreds of fabrics as a result. He also developed a seating collection for the company between 1967 and 1968. Originals from this collection are rare and highly desirable among many collectors today.

Apart from Herman Miller, Girard designed three restaurants in 1960’s: the La Fonda del Sol restaurant, in New York City; the L’Etoile Restaurant, also in New York City; and the Compound Restaurant, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He also contributed in a design project of Braniff Airlines in mid 1960’s, totally redesigning everything from the condiment packets to the planes themselves. During 1960’s, Girard and his wife Susan moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he founded the Girard Foundation to manage more than 100,000 pieces of his folk art collection. This enormous collection was donated to the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe in 1978 and recognized as the world’s largest folk art collection today.

After retiring from the design industry, many of Girard’s designs fell into disuse. Partnering with the Estate of Alexander Girard, a company called máXimo reintroduced Girard’s designs in 2000. Products available today include fabrics, cushions, wooden dolls, toys and carpet tiles. Girard’s unique, colorful and charming designs remain fresh and vibrant and are still cherished by many people today.

20th Century Cincinnati show celebrates the century’s classic forms including mid century modern, art deco, streamline, and futuristic. The show features 50 vendors offering a wide selection of vintage-modern furnishing, lighting, decorative objects, vintage clothing and accessories.

When: February 28 – March 1
Where: Sharonville Convention Center – Cincinnati, Ohio
More information: call 513-738-7256 or visit www.20thcenturycincinnati.com

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Chicago Modernism Show & Sale

Over 50 national and international decorative and fine arts dealers present design movements of the 20th Century.

When: March 28-29
Where: 1422 N. Kingsbury Street – Chicago, Illinois
More Information: visit www.dolphinfairs.com/chicagomodernism/

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Modern Phoenix Expo and
Founding Fathers of Modern Phoenix Tour
The 5th Annual Modern Phoenix Expo features free public expo introducing products and services related to mid century modern design such as furniture, real estate, interior design, preservation and education. There are also many educational seminars on various topics including preservation of mid century modern architecture.
The highlight of the event is the Founding Fathers of Modern Phoenix Home, a self-guided park-and-walk tour through custom homes, tract homes and condos by Modern architects in Uptown Phoenix and Arcadia neighborhood.

When: April 3-5
Where: Phoenix & Scottsdale, Arizona
More Information: visit www.modernphoenix.net/hometour/

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Los Angeles Modernism Show & Sale

Over 90 national and international furniture and fine arts dealers present design movements of the 20th Century.

When: May 1-3
Where: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Pico & Main St – Santa Monica, California

More Information: visit www.dolphinfairs.com/lamodernism/

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Back to the Future: Mid Century Modern Home Tour
Tour of five mid century modern homes designed by some of Indiana’s most forward-thinking twentieth-century architects. Sponsored by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and the Wabash Valley Trust for Historic Preservation.

When: May 30
Where: West Lafayette, Indiana
More Information: Contact Mark Dollase of Historic Landmarks Foundation at 800-450-4534

• 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.

Eames Hang-It-All

A husband and wife team, Charles (1907 – 1978) and Ray (1912 – 1988) Eames are among the most influential designers of American design history. Together, they contributed in furniture design, architecture, film, art, exhibits, and graphic design.

Charles Eames studied architecture at Washington University for two years. Many sources claim that he was dismissed from the University for supporting Frank Lloyd Wright and modern architecture. In 1930, he started his own architectural office in his hometown St. Louis, Missouri. In 1938, he and his family (wife Catherine and daughter Lucia, they divorced in 1941) moved to Michigan, to study at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he later became head of the industrial design department. Ray studied abstract painting with Hanns Hofmann in New York before beginning her studies at Cranbrook Academy of Art. At Cranbrook, Ray assisted Charles and Eero Saarinen’s design project for “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” competition at the Museum of Modern Art.

Eames Fiberglass Chair

Charles and Ray married in 1941 and settled in California where they continued to develop many innovative products using molding plywood. During World War II, they developed designs for splints and stretchers for the U.S. Navy. The production of their molded plywood furniture collection, featuring dining tables, dining chairs, lounge chairs, occasional tables, and a screen began shortly after the war ended in 1946, first by Evans Products Company and then by Herman Miller, Inc.. Various designs of their molded plywood furniture have remained in production to this day. They also designed furniture with other materials such as chairs using molded fiberglass, cast aluminum, and bent/welded wire mesh. Regardless of the style and material, their furniture was always sophisticated, yet simple and functional. Their design focused on improving ordinary people’s quality of life by fulfilling their needs.

Eames Plywood Elephant

Though Charles and Ray Eames are well known for their furniture design, they also devoted their time in other areas such as architecture, films, and exhibits. In 1949, they participated in the Case Study House Program sponsored by a magazine called “Arts and Architecture” and designed and built their own house known as the “Eames House.” They have also produced more than 100 short films, such as “Powers of Ten.” They also designed showrooms and toys for children. Regardless the form of design, Charles and Ray Eames successfully proved that good design can make the world more interesting and improve people’s quality of life as well.

Paul McCobb Planner Group Credenza

Paul McCobb (1917 – 1969), furniture designer and decorator, contributed in bringing modular furniture into American household. Though he did not have any formal training in design, he established a studio in 1945 and worked as a decorator and display designer in retail industry.

 
By 1950, he began designing furniture and launched his stylish, yet affordable line of furniture collection called Planner Group. The Planner Group collection was one of the best selling 1950′s furniture collections. Although he also designed more luxurious collections such as the Directional, Predictor Linear, and Perimeter Lines, his main target was the average American family of post World War II. His flexible and functional furniture designs successfully met the needs of the middle-class household.

Contempri Eclipse Dishes

Paul McCobb also designed a line of dinnerware called “Contempri” for Jackson Internationale, a subsidiary of Franklin China of Falls Creek, Pennsylvania. The Contempri line includes patters such as “Eclipse,” “Sparkler,” “Hopscotch,” and “Frost.” McCobb’s vintage furniture pieces are highly desirable among collectors, partially because there are currently no reproductions of Paul McCobb’s furniture made.

Sarrinen Tulip Table & Chairs - photo by m.bibelot

Eero Saarinen (1910 – 1961), a Finnish-born architect and furniture designer, studied sculpture in France and architecture at Yale University. He came to the United States in 1923 at age thirteen with his father, Eliel Saarinen. His father was a prominent Finnish architect who came to teach architecture at the University of Michigan. His father also taught at Cranbrook Academy of Art where he later became the director of the academy.

Kresge Auditrium at MIT

After studying at Yale, Saarinen joined his father’s practice. He opened his own practice after his father’s death in 1950. Saarinen’s architectural accomplishments include General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan; the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri; the Kresge Auditorium and chapel at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts; the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport; and the main terminal of Dulles International Airport.

Like many other architects during this era, Saarinen also designed furniture. He collaborated on various furniture projects with his long time friend Charles Eames. The first recognition of his furniture design came in 1940. A molded plywood chair with complex curves he and Charles Eames designed won a competition called “Organic Design in Home Furnishings” held at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City. Later Saarinen joined Knoll Associates and designed various pieces such as the “Grasshopper” lounge chair and ottoman; the “Womb” chair, ottoman and settee; “Tulip” tables and chairs and a series of office chairs. His designs, especially the “Womb” chairs and ottoman and the “Tulip” collection became iconic in mid century modern furniture design and have remained the same to this day.

Photo by m.bibelot

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.

Nelson Ball Clock - photo by m.bibelot

Unlike many other mid century modern designers, George Nelson (1904 – 1986) started out his career as a writer. After studying architecture at Yale University, Nelson spent a few years in Europe to learn about modern European architecture. He interviewed many leading European architects and brought his knowledge home to write about his experience. Nelson successfully introduced the concept of modern European architecture into the American design community. He also introduced many innovative design ideas in his articles while he was an editor at “Architectural Forum.”

By 1940, Nelson’s innovative design ideas began to draw attention from the design community. One of those ideas, the first modular storage system called “Storagewall” caught the attention of D.J. DePree, President of Herman Miller, Inc. In 1945, Nelson accepted a position of director of design at Herman Miller and held this position until 1972. While at Herman Miller, Inc., Nelson was involved in furniture design and communication for the company, such as marketing and signage. He also recruited other designers like Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. Nelson also created his own products such as the first L-shaped desk, the Marshmallow sofa, the platform bench, the Coconut chair, a series of wall and desk clocks, and a series of bubble lamps.