Designer - 2/3 - Mid Century Modern Homes | Hollywood Hills Sunset Strip Real Estate

Paavo Tynell: Brass with Sass

Finnish designer Paavo Tynell (1890-1973) was a master of lighting and working with his favorite material, brass. Paavo Tynell began his studies as a tinsmith and continued his education at the school now known as Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. It was while working as a designer at Taidetakomo Koru, Tynell made his first brass lamp and he was immediately drawn to the material. He developed an easily recognizable style by combining a few simple principals – perforated brass metal, an ornamented yet sleek design, a unique lift mechanism and nature as inspiration. Tynell is most well known for his design Lumihiutale (Snowflake), shown below. He also produced pieces for two American companies Lightolier and Litecraft. In addition to his mass produced lighting designs, Tynell created custom pieces for many public spaces, including hotels, train stations and restaurants. Several contemporary Scaninavian modern lighting pieces are inspired by Tynell’s ahead of the curve designs, while his original pieces are highly collectible on today’s auction circuit.

This stunning Tynell rectangular flush mount ceiling light is made of black lacquered brass with pinhole perforations. Part of his Starry Sky series, the brass grid underneath supports a frosted glass diffuser which provides for beautiful light distribution, c. 1950’s.

One of Tynell’s signature designs, the Snowflake chandelier is from his Fantasia series. This model 9065 is from the early 1950’s and is constructed of perforated and enameled brass and metal mesh.
[Read more…]

Jorge Zalszupin // Utter Utopia

Polish born Jorge Zalszupin, b.1922 moved to Brazil after World War II. It was an extremely creative time to rebuild a post-war world and the atmosphere in Brazil allowed his sensual, modern approach to design and architecture to flourish. In 1959, Zalszupin started the furniture design firm L’Atelier, which saw immediate success. He became part of a select team of talented furniture designers who worked closely with Oscar Niemeyer on developing furniture pieces for the new federal capital. His work is characterized by both geometric lines and organic forms combined with impeccable woodworking and classical detailing. Jorge Zalszupin is known for his refined work in jacaranda and other Brazilian specialty woods such as rosewood and ironwood. L’Atelier’s designs stand as benchmarks of modernism today and Zalszupin is considered one of Brazil’s most important designers of the twentieth century.

The Annette armchair is named after Zalszupin’s wife. This chair is comprised of a metal frame structure, a leather strap base and solid Imbuia wood carved arms. Originally designed in the 60s, there is now a re-edition of this stunning piece available.

Named after the Swallow bird, the Andorinha coffee table is inspired by origami paper folding art and contains an integrated magazine holder.
[Read more…]

RAYMOND LOEWY // A Charismatic Master of Design

Franco-American Raymond Loewy was the “starchitect” of his time, while not officially an architect, rather an industrial designer, Mr. Loewy was the first celebrity designer ever to grace the cover of Time magazine. He was the ultimate style guru, he rode a Harley-Davidson, hung out with jet setting beautiful people and owned houses in New York, Paris, St. Tropez and Palm Springs. Loewy is credited with launching the industrial design movement that changed the look of American life. In addition to his furniture and china pieces, he designed branding experiences for TWA, Lucky Strike, variations of the modern day Coca-Cola bottle and enduring logos for Shell, Exxon, Quaker and Canada Dry.

In 1963, Loewy designed an automobile, the Avanti – a personal, luxury coupe, built by the Studebaker Corporation. The car was designed in Palm Springs, CA over a five week period, a feature unheard of in automotive design history. Loewy was concerned with fuel economy, stating that “weight is the enemy” in automotive design therefore the Avanti was designed without a grill, thinking
“who needs a grill… those are associated with sewers…” Raymond Loewy saw the modern world as a magical and interconnected series of phenomena, each in need of careful engineering, Avanti Raymond!

An eye-catching double sided DF-2000 sideboard, c.1965, boasts four bold colored plastic doors ranging from red, pink to orange, with a lemon yellow interior. The metal base is powder coated metal coordinated with the laminate body of the cabinet.

This Droptop desk c. 1950s expresses itself in functional simplicity. The exterior is constructed of cerused wood, the interior a lacquered robin’s egg blue with iron legs and handles. This piece perfectly showcases Loewy’s mantra that simple can still be stylish.
[Read more…]

Michel Boyer // Luxe 70s Comfort

Interior architect and designer Michel Boyer, studied under renowned decorator, André Arbus and began his career specializing in office furniture in corporate interiors, offices and banks. He is known for his clean sleek shapes and monoblock designs with a luxurious undertone. Boyer played with solids and voids in familiar geometric shapes and established a certain standard of 1970s style. By the end of the 1960s, Boyer began receiving many private commissions for prestigious clients such as Elie de Rothschild, Lilian Betencourt and Karim Aga Khan. One of his most well known commissions was for the interior architecture of the Rothschild Bank in the 70s. He also worked with fashion desighers including Lanvin, Dior and Balmain. His designs emanate the inviting comfort of objects and interiors made for people not for buildings.

A striking pair of lounge chairs, linear tubes of foam covered in leather lie on top of an extruded metal tubing structure, c. 1971.

An important waterfall desk created by Boyer for the Rothschild Bank. This “Directors” desk in constructed of hardwood, covered with walnut veneer, lacquered Formica, aluminum and a brushed stainless steel reveal running the entire length of the piece, c. 1970.
[Read more…]

Pepe Mendoza // Magnificent Mexican Modernism

Designer, Pepe Mendoza ran a foundry in Mexico that produced a limited number of furniture pieces and decorative objects in the late 1950s and 60s. His work is characterized by a cloisonné type technique, utilizing turquoise and other colorful stones to create elaborate metalwork in exuberant forms. Rumor has it; Mendoza also produced hardware for other well known mid-century modern designers such as T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings as well as California designers Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. Mendoza’s work has a distinct glamour and style to it, perfect for West coast living.
Coffee table in brass, ceramic and glass along with Mendoza’s classic cloisonné technique, c. 1960.

A rare pair of Mendoza leather lounge chairs constructed of rosewood and walnut, c. 1955.
[Read more…]

Light Up A Room With A Statement Making Sciolari

Mid century lighting designer, Gaetano Sciolari was the child of an Italian family that had been in the lighting business since 1892, almost since the time electricity had been invented. He designed on his own for Stilnovo in the 1950s – utilizing spherical bulbs, mixing brass with chrome, incorporating satin and polished metals to create unique stunning pieces. His designs have been described as refined, edgy and futuristic, always bringing a sultry coolness to any space.

These fabulous statement making glam Sciolari sconces bring polish to a dining room or master suite. Nickel-plated brass with crystal decorative glass details showcase Sciolari’s keen sense of design, c.1960s.

Sciolari’s chrome spiral chandelier is comprised of 11 stacked square-form horizontal rods along a central axis, and utilizes 10 candelabra size chrome tipped bulbs, c.1975.
[Read more…]

Kipp Stewart // Maker of Many Things

Trained as an architect, Kipp Stewart has distinguished himself as a prolific mid century (and beyond) American furniture designer. His passion for all of the arts, painting, photography and architecture has led to notable projects such as Big Sur’s first luxury resort, the Ventana Inn. The inn built in harmony with the Big Sur landscape is a potent showcase for eco-conscious modern architecture. He cites the late Charles Eames with whom he worked, as an important influence in his process of design.

Created in the 1960’s, this pair of Kipp Stewart Lounge Chairs with chromed steel bases project Stewart’s relaxed attitude blending style and comfort.

Working with Stewart MacDougall, Stewart created several pieces for the Drexel Furniture Company. This open bookcase constructed of walnut with sculptural legs is one such piece, c.1950s.
[Read more…]

The Whimsical Spirit of Designer Roger Capron

A student of Ecole des Art Appliqués in Paris from 1939 to 1943, Roger Capron (1922-2006, France) was an internationally recognized designer. In 1946, Capron moved to Vallauris, where he founded a ceramics workshop known as ‘l`Atelier Callis’, contributing to the renaissance of ceramics in the area. In 1952, he opened a small ceramics factory and by 1957 he had established a considerable international reputation. A leading ceramicist of his era, Roger Capron pioneered various styles at his studio in Vallauris, France during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Whether working on furniture, decorative or functional pieces, Capron imbues his design pieces with a whimsical spirit and flavor.

“Soleil” Tile Wall Sculpture c.1971. This decorative wall sculpture made in a patchwork of sandstone stamped elements in a fabulous range of sea blue, moss, white and taupe. Is a great example of the partnership between Capron and Jean Derval in the early 70s.

The “Ellipses” Tile Coffee Table c.1960s in black hammered ceramic tiles with rhythmic drawings in a matte-white and shiny red glaze.
[Read more…]

Warren Platner // From Steel Wire to Sculptural Form

Warren Platner, architect, furniture and interior designer is an icon of 1960’s Modernism. As a graduate from Cornell University in 1941 with a degree in architecture, he worked for some of the most prominent architectural practices in the country, including the iconic firms of Raymond Loewy, I.M. Pei, Eero Saarinen and Kevin Roche – before opening his own firm, Warren Platner Associates. In the mid-60s, while working in the firms of Saarinen and Roche, Platner unveiled his collection of chairs, ottomans and tables, known as the Platner Collection. Produced by Knoll International, with the aid of a grant from the Graham Foundation, each piece rested on a sculptural base of nickel-plated steel rods resembling a “shiny sheaf of wheat. Production was complicated because the sculptural bases were made of hundreds of rods and for some chairs required more than 1,000 welds. An intricate cylindrical mesh steel base, creating a unique architectural play between the interior and exterior space, supported the upholstered seat. Platner designed other office furniture and was also involved in a number of large architecture and interior design commissions in which he was often responsible for details down to the dishes and textiles. One of Platner’s most well know interior projects was Windows on the World, which opened at the World Trade Center in 1976.

A rare Warren Platner Settee c.1968, only 50 of these were produced. This piece has not been re-issued by Knoll and is highly sought after.

Custom Warren Platner Rosewood Credenza c. 1972. Exceptional monumental book-matched Rosewood veneer and topped with a granite slab by Platner for Lehigh-Leopold.
[Read more…]

The Design Culture and Whimsical Work of Ettore Sottsass

Born in 1917, in Innsbruck Austria, Ettore Sottsass brought ironic wit, bold colors and contemporary styling to everyday objects. In 1958, he started to work with Olivetti as a design consultant for more than twenty years. In 1967, together with Fernanda Pivano and the poet Allen Ginsberg, he founded the magazine ‘pianeta fresco’. In the 1980’s he created the Memphis group of international postmodern designers and architects. This design collective is known for neon colors, odd, angled shapes, kitsch suburban motifs and laminate patterns containing squiggle graphics.

The Carlton book case c.1981. Boasts the classic Memphis movement elements, wood and plastic laminate constructed in an array of colors, unusual angles and whimsy.

The ‘Eastside’ lounge chairs, c.1980 were commissioned by Knoll, in wool upholstery with metal frames.
[Read more…]

Recent Posts