Platner's Chair

I am obsessed with Platner chairs.  Platner chairs are just one of many symbolic icons of mid-century modern style.  They are the creation of Warren Platner and have been around since the early 1960s and they are the ultimate sign of chic sophistication.  Warren Platner moved away from the traditional style of a chair base as applied decoration and designed a chair in which the base became the upright support, as well.  Platner, in all his genius and attention to detail, not only designed the chair but he also designed the method by which the chair was produced.  Constructed using steels rods that are welded to circular framing rods, makes the Platner chair in its most basic form composed solely of steel and air.  It is extremely versatile in its styling and I have yet to see a space where the Platner chair looks out of place.

                                                             Interior Design by Sascha Faasce.

                                                                 Photos via vogueliving.com

                                                          Interior Design by Jonathan Adler 

                                                               Photo via ElleDecor.com

                                                                          Platner Easy Chair

                                                     Photo via M2arquitectura.wordpress.com 

                                                             Interior Design by Tamara Mellon

                                                                  Photo via ElleDecor.com

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Eero Saarinen

Maybe it's because I love architecture and art and design but sometimes I'll look at a structure and marvel at the genius behind it.  If you've ever visited the Lincoln or Jefferson Memorials in Washington, DC, then you understand what I'm talking about. They're quite impressive.

I recently posted about Eero Saarinen's "Tulip" chair and the mid-century modernist movement.  I was inspired to do so after reading about the Finnish American architect and his contributions to the world of architecture and design.  Much of Saarinen's work is readily recognized and world reknown.  See pictures below...

Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO

Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO

Washington Dulles International Airport, Dulles, VA

TWA Flight Center at JFK International Airport in Queens, NYC

Kresge Auditorium, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Ingalls Rink, Yale University, New Haven, CT

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A brief look at Mid-Century Modern

Lately, it seems every client I talk to or home I enter is interested in mid-century modern furniture or has a piece of mid-century modern furniture on display. Mid-century modern is typically used to refer to any product or interior design or architecture that occured from 1933-1965.  It is said to be organic in style and exhibit Scandinavian influences. 

Not long ago, I attended an event in DC hosted by Apartment Therapy in which a panel discussed DC's obssession with all things mid-century modern.  I learned a lot about the importance of buying from reliable sources as well as about the process and creativity behind the mid-century modernist artists, architects and designers.  These influencers, Eames, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Saarinen (to name a few), each made a significant contribution to the movement and their works are still being reproduced and copied today.  Scroll down to see how many you recognize.

Mies van der Rohe "Barcelona" chair from Knoll.com, $7740

Le Corbusier "Le Petit Modele" Armchair $3945 at Design Within Reach

Eames Molded Plastic 4 Leg Side Chair $279 at Design Within Reach



Saarinen "Tulip" Armless Chair $1440 at Design Within Reach



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