Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Description

The ultimate collector's resource, including hundreds of pieces by both well- and lesser-known designers from around the world. From armchairs and chaises longues to cabinets and nightstands, the period between the late 1930s and early 1970s was one of the most productive, inventive and exciting eras for objects and furniture in the home. Post-war optimism combined with new manufacturing methods and material techniques to create an explosion of new design and objects of desire. The appetite for mid-century modern remains as strong as ever, both for classic designs - many still in production since they were launched - and for rare, hard-to- find or out-of-production pieces from lesser-known designers. While numerous books surveying mid-century modern style have appeared over the years, no publication has been specifically conceived for the increasing collector's market in mid-century modern design, focusing on each piece of furniture as an object of formal invention, manufacturing intelligence and material innovation. This definitive book profiles hundreds of pieces in a substantial format perfect for reference in design libraries, studios and the homes of private collectors - or as an object of design in its own right. Each item of furniture is presented in detail, illustrated in colour and profiled via in-depth descriptive texts by Dominic Bradbury. The book's substantial reference section includes essays on materials (eg, plywood) and designer profiles. Work by a host of influential talents is profiled throughout, alongside lesser-known pieces by Piet Hein, Bruno Mathsson, Lina Bo Bardi and Alexander Girard.

Dominic Bradbury is a journalist and writer specializing in architecture and design. He is the author of many books on the subject, including New Nordic Houses, The Iconic House, The Iconic American House, Vertical Living, Mid-Century Modern Design, Modernist Design Complete, The Iconic Interior, Mediterranean Modern and New Natural Home, all published by Thames & Hudson.

[A] stately compendium... Bradbury explains how pop art and technological innovations informed these pieces... Furniture porn for devotees of modern design, but also be a dandy introduction for casual admirers of the style.-- "Shelf Awareness" A highly engaging and informative book with vivid pictures that celebrates an era of unforgettable and influential style... Will likely delight both fans of interior design and art history buffs, but it's also accessible to the casual but curious reader.-- "Library Journal (starred review)" While numerous books surveying midcentury modern style have appeared over the years, this volume is specifically for the increasing collector's market in midcentury modern design, focusing on each piece of furniture as an object of formal invention, manufacturing intelligence, and material innovation.-- "Aspire Design and Home" Like a modern-day Sears & Roebuck wish book for collectors, this hefty coffee-table book features more than 450 big, full-color photographs that capture a comprehensive survey of furniture from the period... Equal parts inspirational and envy-inducing, this book is sure to delight even the most discerning collectors.-- "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" Mid-century modern is hot... An overview of the impactful era with more than 450 colorful illustrations as well as both histories and other little-known facts about both well and lesser-known design icons.-- "The Detroit News" "A handsome and authoritative compilation of postwar furniture design from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s... A thorough and entertaining record of an important period in design history."-- "Interior Design"