The top of the end table has gently curving sides to set it apart from an ordinary square table.
Dimensions:
Coffee table: 36" Diameter x 14" H - sold
End table: 30" x 30" x 20"H - sold
Vintage Modern Restorations (720) 318-3276
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Walnut Floating Top Coffee and End Table
They all did it. Finn Juhl, Jens Risom, Greta Grossman, many of the great designers had a variation of the floating top table. It is a classic design that lives on today. This set has no makers marks on it but considering the top is walnut and by their general construction, I would say they are most likely American made. They remind me the most of Grossman's designs with the crossing stretchers and detail at the top of the legs. These were originally finished in a Heywood -Wakefield-like bleached finish. That has been stripped off and the walnut refinished its natural color with the legs dyed to match. The round coffee table has the original glass cover which is in good shape, no chips or cracks.
The top of the end table has gently curving sides to set it apart from an ordinary square table.
Dimensions:
Coffee table: 36" Diameter x 14" H - sold
End table: 30" x 30" x 20"H - sold
The top of the end table has gently curving sides to set it apart from an ordinary square table.
Dimensions:
Coffee table: 36" Diameter x 14" H - sold
End table: 30" x 30" x 20"H - sold
What's next....
In response to some requests, I thought I'd do a quick post on what is coming up. This past weekend I started working on a Danish made Lyby Mobler teak modular wall unit. I bought it from the original owners who purchased it in 1965 while living in Denmark. It is a pretty big unit that can be reconfigured numerous ways. It wasn't completely set up when I bought it so I wasn't sure exactly how to configure it. I spent a few hours going through all the parts and doing a quick set up. It wasn't ideal but I took some pictures to get an idea. The corner pieces could be eliminated and it could be made to be about 10 ft long. Not sure how long it will take me to complete, there are a bunch of small pieces. After this is done I may try to do one of the 3 cool, complete bedroom sets that I have. I should have more time to work next week so hope to be productive!
Here is the Lyby set with my quick set up.
Here is the Lyby set with my quick set up.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Jerry Johnson Reverse Cantilever Chairs
Although I don't have confirmation, I am fairly confident in attributing these chairs to Jerry Johnson. Johnson is responsible for a number of notable designs for Landes of California and favored the use of chromed tubular steel and canvas slings. I can't find any information on these particular chairs. These are intended as dining/side chairs. I have found attributions for a lounge chair which is almost identical except that is sits lower, is wider and has a suspension system on the sling portion of the chair.
My intent was to restore and restyle these. They are a really cool and unique design and would make great additions to mod decor. However, since I don't do upholstery, I can't really do any of the work myself and I don't really have space to ad these to my collection. I'm hoping someone will appreciate the potential and i would be willing to assist a buyer in getting them redone. I am pricing them 4 for the price of 3 as one of the chairs has a bent leg where the tubing has buckled. It is useable but I wouldn't recommend for a larger person. The canvas sling on this one chair is also in bad shape. This chair could probably be repaired but could also be used for parts or a test piece.
Here is a link I found that might serve as inspiration for restyling these. I like the use of foam sheet cushions rather than the loose stuffing. This is the lounge chair version.
http://www.modernhausdesign.com/product/the-morrison-chair-pieced-vintage-denim-cantilevered-chrome
Only 2 chairs left. One is in good shape, the other has a tweeked leg. It is useable but weakened.
Available for $60 for the good one and damaged one.
My intent was to restore and restyle these. They are a really cool and unique design and would make great additions to mod decor. However, since I don't do upholstery, I can't really do any of the work myself and I don't really have space to ad these to my collection. I'm hoping someone will appreciate the potential and i would be willing to assist a buyer in getting them redone. I am pricing them 4 for the price of 3 as one of the chairs has a bent leg where the tubing has buckled. It is useable but I wouldn't recommend for a larger person. The canvas sling on this one chair is also in bad shape. This chair could probably be repaired but could also be used for parts or a test piece.
Here is a link I found that might serve as inspiration for restyling these. I like the use of foam sheet cushions rather than the loose stuffing. This is the lounge chair version.
http://www.modernhausdesign.com/product/the-morrison-chair-pieced-vintage-denim-cantilevered-chrome
Only 2 chairs left. One is in good shape, the other has a tweeked leg. It is useable but weakened.
Available for $60 for the good one and damaged one.
Icons
The Eames name is synonymous with mid-century modern. So many of their designs are well known and many continue to influence modern design today. If longevity is a mark of success, then the various chairs from the Eames Aluminum group are amongst the most successful of modern furniture designs. Designed in 1956, they have been in continuous production for almost 60 years. Their stylishly simple and ergonomic design has been copied by many producers.
Most of my restorations are case pieces and nearly all have wood components. These chairs took me back to my roots. Before I was a modern design junkie and furniture restorer I was a cyclist. Back in the day when I was starting out the finest bicycle components came from Italy and were made of aluminum. I used to take every piece apart and polish it until it gleamed like chrome. Every bolt was removed, even the insides of parts were polished.
I've been working on these chairs for a few weeks. The aluminum frames and bases were oxidized and pitted. The arms of the chairs originally had a clear plastic (or lacquer?) coating on them. When I acquired these the coating on the arms all had cracked, some only had about half the coating on them. I removed it all and polished the arms as well as the frames and bases. The fabric was quite dirty but other than a little lost of color saturation is in good shape. They have been returned to nearly their new glory. The tags remain on 3 of the 4 and show a 11-8-80 delivery date. Because of their iconic, collectable status, these will remain in the Modwerks collection. Now I just have to figure out where to put them!
Most of my restorations are case pieces and nearly all have wood components. These chairs took me back to my roots. Before I was a modern design junkie and furniture restorer I was a cyclist. Back in the day when I was starting out the finest bicycle components came from Italy and were made of aluminum. I used to take every piece apart and polish it until it gleamed like chrome. Every bolt was removed, even the insides of parts were polished.
I've been working on these chairs for a few weeks. The aluminum frames and bases were oxidized and pitted. The arms of the chairs originally had a clear plastic (or lacquer?) coating on them. When I acquired these the coating on the arms all had cracked, some only had about half the coating on them. I removed it all and polished the arms as well as the frames and bases. The fabric was quite dirty but other than a little lost of color saturation is in good shape. They have been returned to nearly their new glory. The tags remain on 3 of the 4 and show a 11-8-80 delivery date. Because of their iconic, collectable status, these will remain in the Modwerks collection. Now I just have to figure out where to put them!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Dillingham Esprit Bedroom Set by Martin Borenstein
It has been a busy few weeks at Modwerks. It has been great to be able to work on restorations with more regularity. I'm hoping that will continue for the next few months. Unfortunately the blog has fallen behind a bit, so I'm updating with some recent work, even though none of these are currently available.
This smartly designed walnut bedroom set was penned by Martin Borenstein. His designs are very reminiscent of Milo Baughman, in fact Baughman designed some of Dillingham's pieces. Like Baughman, Borenstein's simple design makes the beautiful materials stand out. The raised top edge of the case pieces are all of solid walunt. The veneers on the drawers are all bookmatched and all the veneers exhibit great color and figuring. The walnut is nicely balanced by the glossy black laminate inlays in the spaces between the drawers. Although the mirror isn't pictured, it is noteworthy in that the frame is made of solid walnut. Most of the mid century sets with mirrors used a less expensive wood that was stained walnut color. It is a beautiful set with timeless design. Evidence that good design and quality materials are never out of style. This set sold before I finished it.
This smartly designed walnut bedroom set was penned by Martin Borenstein. His designs are very reminiscent of Milo Baughman, in fact Baughman designed some of Dillingham's pieces. Like Baughman, Borenstein's simple design makes the beautiful materials stand out. The raised top edge of the case pieces are all of solid walunt. The veneers on the drawers are all bookmatched and all the veneers exhibit great color and figuring. The walnut is nicely balanced by the glossy black laminate inlays in the spaces between the drawers. Although the mirror isn't pictured, it is noteworthy in that the frame is made of solid walnut. Most of the mid century sets with mirrors used a less expensive wood that was stained walnut color. It is a beautiful set with timeless design. Evidence that good design and quality materials are never out of style. This set sold before I finished it.
Restored Mid Century Lounge Chair
I see a lot of upholstered pieces that I'd love to refurb and give new life. Unfortunately I don't do upholstery (yet) and the cost to have reupholstery done means the piece will have to have a fairly high value to justify doing the work. Add to that the fact that without knowing where the piece will end up, fabric choice is difficult. On this piece, the original fabric was not only cool, it was in great shape.
This cool mid mod lounge chair was just refinished and is ready for your living room. All the wood was stripped and sanded and finished in a nice walnut color. The fun, original striped fabric is in great condition and the cushions were restuffed with new upholstery foam and stuffing. The original seat straps are in great condition and were re-tensioned. It has great mid century lines reminiscent of many of the danish mid century chairs and is quite comfortable.
Sold
This cool mid mod lounge chair was just refinished and is ready for your living room. All the wood was stripped and sanded and finished in a nice walnut color. The fun, original striped fabric is in great condition and the cushions were restuffed with new upholstery foam and stuffing. The original seat straps are in great condition and were re-tensioned. It has great mid century lines reminiscent of many of the danish mid century chairs and is quite comfortable.
Sold
Vintage Monkey Pod Wood Coffee Table
It is tough to find the provenance of pieces like these. They are rarely marked and with the natural slab shape there are few distinguishing details to help identify the maker. Monkey pod wood furniture and accessories were popular in the 50's and 60's and the current trend favoring reclaimed and natural furniture made this piece a good one to restore. This piece has already been purchased but thought I would add it to the blog for posterity.
Natural elements work well with almost any decor style and this vintage monkey pod wood slab coffee table is ready to be a highlight in your living room. The 2" wood slab was just refinished to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. The legs had a worn brass finish on them, I've stripped off the brass and polished the steel for a fresh, more updated look. This table looks like new. New or vintage wood slab tables typically sell for more.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/96571525/mid-century-monkeypod-slab-surfboard?ref=market
Dimensions: 48"L x 18"W x 18"H
Natural elements work well with almost any decor style and this vintage monkey pod wood slab coffee table is ready to be a highlight in your living room. The 2" wood slab was just refinished to bring out the natural beauty of the wood. The legs had a worn brass finish on them, I've stripped off the brass and polished the steel for a fresh, more updated look. This table looks like new. New or vintage wood slab tables typically sell for more.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/96571525/mid-century-monkeypod-slab-surfboard?ref=market
Dimensions: 48"L x 18"W x 18"H
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