Customer Reviews

Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern At Home

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Some critics say that Mid-Century Modern designs tend to look cold and passive. Many, however, including myself, believe this design style to be beautiful and exciting. Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern at Home was written for those of us who love the designs from the 1950s and early 1960s. The photos and captions alone are enough to excite and inform, but when combined with the text, they really add insight into how the designs were created and how they can be re-created in our own homes. I used to consider myself a midcentury modern enthusiast, but after having read this book, I consider myself a bit of an expert. Especially useful are the catalog of furniture and the "Further Reading" sections at the back of the book. One last surprise was the portrait at the back of the book which pictures six of the most prominent designers from the era, including my personal favorite, Charles Eames.

This book is not only beautifully photographed, it is also beautifully written and thoroughly researched as well. Beautiful houses are featured, along with great furniture. The book contains the history of each house, their designers and how the present owners came about collecting their furniture and accessories. Most of the important Fifties designers are featured - Nelson, Eames, Jacobsen, Heywood-Wakefield, Bertoia, Saarinen, Noguchi, just to name a few. There is a list of retail outlets, manufacturers and distributors at the back of the book that those of us hoping to acquire some of the furniture featured in the book will find useful. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable read and a feast for the eyes, and is definitely worth every cent you spend on it, and more.

I must admit I've only sat with this book at a major book retail chain, and don't actually own it yet, but I am impressed (I'm adding it to my wish list)! Beautiful, stunningly clear color photographs throughout document beloved mid-cench furnishings set in the classic homes from both Art & Architecture's Case Study program, and other classic beauties by famous modern architects like Neutra, Koenig, Saarinen, Eames and Ellwood. Also featured are homes by some less well-known talents that are nonetheless wonderful. As a result, both the furniture and the buildings are married in a perfect union. Not only that, but the photos are a refreshing departure from the black & white photos of the 40's & 50's we're all so used to seeing in previous books on this topic: most of them show the homes as they are today, with their owners' proud collections of mid-century pieces shown off. Highly recommended if you love this sort of thing.

While this book is not comprehensive I find myself revisiting it often. It was among the first, or perhaps the first exposure I had to mid-century furnishings. I checked it out of the library and after a few days I knew I had to own some of those pieces. Not long afterwards I realized I needed this book as well and it has become not only a staple but a benchmark against which I measure other books.

Weather I pick it up to flip through the pages and gaze on the photos like the old friends they have become or I digest a bit of the text again I always come away with something new and a deepened appreciation for these little pleasures of life.

This book is not only beautifully photographed, it is also beautifully written and thoroughly researched as well. Beautiful houses are featured, along with great furniture. The book contains the history of each house, their designers and how the present owners came about collecting their furniture and accessories. Most of the important Fifties designers are featured - Nelson, Eames, Jacobsen, Heywood-Wakefield, Bertoia, Saarinen, Noguchi, just to name a few. There is a list of retail outlets, manufacturers and distributors at the back of the book that those of us hoping to acquire some of the furniture featured in the book will find useful. This book is a thoroughly enjoyable read and a feast for the eyes, and is definitely worth every cent you spend on it, and more.

This book is great for those who have some knowledge of mid century architecture and furniture and want a reference guide. The list and short bio of the best known designers in the back is extremely helpful for reference and the pictures are very helpful to show exactly what is being discussed. This is the best book of its kind I have seen.

It's a real shame it's out of print now and so expensive. Just such a great introduction to Mid-Century Modernism and full of photographs that illustrate the movement's various trends. It isn't an academic work by any means. True fans who really want a deep understanding and appreciation will want something a little more substantive, but for the photographs alone this book is well worth it.