Friday, May 23, 2008

MCM & Family Expansion

When offered a blank slate of a house, like mine, there are lots of options. At times too many options. As renovations proceed we are forced to determine our own design and decorating. Luckily the Queen and I have very similar tastes. We are not beige walls with brown furniture type of people, thus places like the local furniture store make me cringe.

The style we've honed in on is Mid Century Modern (MCM) and contemporary. One of the great things about this era is that there seems to be a decent supply of MCM furniture that is well made (solid wood construction), in pretty good condition, and for a price that is comparable to the MDF furniture at your local store. Oh, and it looks cool. :-) We decided we aren't farmhouse, bauhaus, or even baroque style people. At least not for a row house. This doesn't mean a few pieces of these styles won't make their way in, but the main theme is MCM.

In following our MCM theme, we've been scouring ebay and craigslist for good MCM stuff. We've thus far purchased a teak vanity for upstairs (not shown), a teak chair and ottoman with white cushions, a teak rocker w/ the bright blue cushion, and some teak nesting tables. Are you sensing a teak theme? We are. We figure the teak nesting tables will come in handy, as we can spread them around the room when company is over, but keep them nested when it's just us around. The Queen has been lusting after a rocking chair, so we had to pick one up. I also ordered a lamp from west elm that looks like it's made from antlers. If it were up to me I'd put a deer head on the wall, but the Queen vetoed this, allowing me the fake antlers for now. :-)

mcm

At times I wonder if my parents will find our style funny. Will they walk into the house and think it looks dated? In another 10 years will we look back at pictures and say, "what were we thinking?". Maybe so, but for now I think it will look pretty good, and hopefully the pieces we buy will hold their value.

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In unrelated news, we got a dog from the pound. His name is Loki. :-)

8 comments:

Amanda said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. Obviously i do stalk your blog (hence linking it on mine). I really like your taste. I myself have a very traditional style but I love seeing how other people "style" there place. Having decorating differences keeps things fresh and interesting.
The pup is cute!

Corey said...

Hopefully we get enough different styles it will become cozy, as opposed to looking like a 1950's waiting room. But if it does start to look like a waiting room, I am totally going hang out with a Martini while listening to Sinatra A LOT.

And the pup is cute when he's not terrorizing the cat. :-)

P.S. I lived in Alabama (Mobile) for two years. I loved the old architecture!

Anonymous said...

Love the blue rocking chair, like the dog, but corey - what were you thinking about the anters lamp? Were you raised in a hunting camp?

the 'rents

v2da2dl said...

I'm diggin the furnishments.

I can't wait to meet my new brother pup!

Jennifer said...

What a CUTE dog! I think style is so personal... and what makes YOU happy is the most important! I'm in the dark woods/stained glass/simple lines/red and cream walls camp personally...

Unknown said...

Awww...my dogson!
-Sombrero boy

THE BRICK HOUSE said...

MCM - can't beat it. Good construction, usually good prices, and streamlined enough that you can mix it with almost anything.

Flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales will be your best bet for good stuff cheap. Plus theres no shipping!

And you just never know what your going to find...

Anonymous said...

If it encourages you any, my style is not mid-century, it's more of a classic, french eclectic, BUT I would totally put that rocking chair in my house! :) I think it is exceptionally versatile, and I'll bet it will serve you well for years :) I loved it so much that I searched your sight to try to find a post telling me where I could get one. Ebay, huh? Too bad. But, I'll keep my eyes peeled :)

Great place!!!

Jacci