MID CENTURY MODERN MOVEMENT

The MCM movement spanned from about 1933 to 1970s and included architecture as well as industrial, interior, and graphic design. Though it began in the 30s Mid Century Modern or ” MCM ” is most often thought of as beginning in the 1950’s . The movement was largely influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s simplicity, and organic form combined with industrial advances in materials and construction and elements from both the Bauhaus aesthetic and Industrial movements. Function and form had equal weight in design and there was an emphasis on fulfilling the new needs of the average American and European households. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames, Harry Bertoia, Arne Jacobsen, and George Nelson created iconic furniture and lighting that are still highly coveted to this day.

This seemingly plain style has a remarkable allure; it’s clean, sleek, simple, and functional, and for many it’s a bit nostalgic. MCM, is basically a design style that encompasses interior and furniture design, modernist architecture and industrial design .

Decorating with Mid Century Furniture and Antique Rugs. Mid century modern design often consists of lots of neutral colors, like tan and cream. This means that an antique Oriental carpet is the perfect piece to add an unexpected pop of color to the space. Creating a blend of any time period or design style in your space requires a critical eye. So, if you want to mix mid century modern items with antiques don’t just rush out and buy any items to fit the bill. You want to create a look that appears as though it’s evolved over time. Wait until you find just the right items that will add the proper form and function to your home.

Panton Chairs with Vintage Farm Table

From the Roadshow

Thrift Store Vase Worth a Small Fortune

Overbeck Vase
Antiques Roadshow

A lucky guest visiting “Antiques Roadshow” for a valuation discovered that his thrift store vase was worth a bundle. The piece was purchased at a Goodwill store in Indiana for just $4.99.

Pottery expert David Rago identified the vase as “a seriously, seriously good piece of Overbeck.” He went on to share that the vase was made by Overbeck Pottery of Indiana, a company comprised of four sisters. They marked their pieces OBK, as found on the bottom of this example.

Rago estimated that the vase would sell for $50,000 to $100,000 at auction, should the owner decide to sell.

Wow, should keep us all searching and picking in hope of finding a hidden treasure.

Antique or Vintage

Do You Know The Difference ?

What is an ANTIQUE ? A true antique, as defined by most professionals in the antique field, as an item that is 100 years or older. This simple definition keeps things pretty cut and dry. The scale slides each year, of course, as more and more things fall into the antique range every year we keep adding more items to the list of Antiques. So a seller who lists something dating from the 1950s as an Antique is wrong, that shop selling ‘ retro’ items dating from the 1950s and 70s is not an antiques shop at all. A shop who using the term “antique” when their items are too new for that designation should raise questions in your mind. Is the seller misrepresenting his wares? In most cases they are just ignorant to the fact, they think what they are selling is an antique when it is a collectible or vintage item.

The term “vintage” should be used to describe items in more correct way. The term Vintage covers those things dating from the 1930s or to the 1970s, we used to use the term collectible for these items no longer made but not antique.

So, whether you prefer to use vintage or collectible for these newer items, just be sure to use ANTIQUE to describe objects more than 100 years old.

Michelle’s Antiques LLC