Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home [Hardcover]

Deborah K. Dietsch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 25, 2000

This gogeously illustrated book is the only major work to document the hip and inventive design of the mid-twentieth century, a period that today reigns unchallenged among style setters as well as a new generation of home owners and collectors. There is no hotter style today than the cooler than cool work of modern designers and archtitects from the 1940s and 50s. Endlessly inventive and emminently livable, mid-century modernism has an optimism and confidence born of postwar abundance, and a spirited elegance that appeals powerfully fifty years later. In CLASSIC MODERN, design expert Deborah Dietsch introduces readers to the basic tenets of modern design and explains how the simple yet inspired forms typical of this style were so readily disseminated into mainstream American culture. Filled throughout with enticing examples of mid-century pieces from such timeless designers as Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Arne Jacobsen, and George Nelson, this beautiful book recaptures the excitement of the period's brilliant designs.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In both homes and furnishings, the modern look, known for its clean, spare lines and inventiveness, elicited strong opinions--which is exactly what classic designers like Ray and Charles Eames, George Nelson, Eero Saarinen, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe intended. Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern at Home celebrates the work of these innovators and the longevity of their designs as we move into a new millennium.

Starting off with side-by-side photos, we see several modern houses when they were originally built and how they now appear. They look both futuristic and contemporary in the companion photos and are impressive in the way they integrate easily into the outdoors. The first section of the book concentrates on the "flexible system of elements tailored to the climate and topography of a certain site" and "interior spaces [which] flowed into one another, rather than being divided by separate boxes connected by hallways." The second section invites you to tour especially significant or evocative modern estates, some of which are inhabited and others which are showpieces. Particularly interesting is the curved glass Palm Springs home of Raymond Loewy, designer of the Coca-Cola bottle, which is arranged around a free-form pool lapping the desert. A subsequent chapter examines modern architecture in the suburbs where the midcentury influence can be seen on a smaller, less expensive--but not less impressive--scale.

The photos show the sophisticated appeal of midcentury modern and illustrate the careful placement furniture for the greatest effect. And for those who want to know more about the furniture and the architects, the author has included lists of "where to buy" and biographies in the back of the book. --Dana Van Nest

About the Author

Deborah K. Dietsch is the art and architecture critic of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. She is a former editor in chief at ARCHITECTURE magazine and has written about contemporary design issues for The Washington Post, House Beautiful, Progressive Architecture, World of Interiors and Metropolis. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684867443
• ISBN-13: 978-0684867441
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,941 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best of the Bunch, March 19, 2002

By 

Tek2000 (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home (Hardcover)

Having recently read over a dozen books on classic modern homes and interiors, including brand new ones like Modernism Rediscovered as well as classics like Schulman's own Architecture and Its Photography, I was still in awe at the quality and quantity of photos in this book. They're almost all full or double-paged and in brilliant color. There is an occassional paired "original period" photo in black and white for an interesting contrast. Unlike some reviewers, I found the text informative because views of the clients and current owners are included - as opposed to just the critics and designers, as in most of the other books. The several appendices are very useful, as well. I would highly recommend this book at more than its "suggested" price, let alone at its incredibly low bargain price. Get it while you can.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful showcase of Modernist architecture and design!, November 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home (Hardcover)

This beautifully photographed book sheds light on how modernism is being interpreted by contemporary home owners. The houses featured in this book are classic examples of mid-century modern architecture. Many of them have been recently restored, and are now filled with the splendors of modernist furniture and decorative arts. This book is really about the photographs, and they're just great.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Coffee Table Book, December 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home (Hardcover)

While the photographs offer an interesting view on the past and present use of these dwellings, we were disappointed with the quality of the writing. The book would be better if left as a photographic essay.