Milo Baughman // Mid-Century Designers A-Z

Photo Credit: elle decor

Milo Baughman is one of the foremost American modern designers.  He designed from 1947 until his death in 2003.  He designed for many notable companies such as Thayer Coggin, Drexel, and Glenn of California.  In addition he was a professor at BYU and lectured at many other notable Universities.

For a while now, Milo Baughman is one of our favorite Mid-Century designers. His seating designs are fresh, sleek and comfortable (which can be rare with MC furniture).

one - Pony Hair chair // two - scoop chair // three - leather club chair // four - Recliner manufactured by James Inc // five - recliner // six - armchair // 

Milo Baughman Chrome Rocker via Style by Emily Henderson

Seven - Sectional // Eight - Sofa via Apartment Therapy // Nine - Rosewood Velvet Sofa //

Ten - Desk made manufactured by Glenn of California in 1950 // Eleven - Bar Cart // Twelve - Coffee Table made from various materials manufactured by Glenn of California // Thirteen - Dowel Table // 

Arne Bang // Mid Century Designers A-Z

    Lately, I've been enjoying a new found love of stoneware and ceramics. There is something about the simplicity, amazing colors, and craftsmanship of every piece. I've wanted to learn more about the process and the many mid-century designers. So for this week's desinger, Arne Bang was the perfect choice. Bang lived 1901 - 1983, he was a Danish ceramist. He was most recognized for his beautiful stoneware vases and bowls that were produced from 1930 - 1960. 

 // One Wavy Bowl // Two Channeled Vase// Three Scandinavian Stoneware Vase  // Four Lidded Bowl //

// Five Hexagon Patterned Vase //

My favorite piece is this hexagon patterned vase. It feels so modern and something that West Elm would now make. All of Bang's pieces have his signature of "AB" on the bottom. These pieces are selling for many hundreds to thousands of dollars. I'm adding this signature to my repertoire of what to look for on the bottom of any stoneware pottery!

Johannes Anderson // Mid Century Designers A to Z

Johannes Andersen (1903 - 1991) began his career as a cabinet maker in Denmark. Over the years, he began designing and building more furniture. He started designing for Swedish and Norwegian furniture factories. His career really took off in the 1950 and 1960s. His most famous designs are organic shaped coffee tables made with teak and rosewood. His sofa design Capri is his most sought after furniture design.  

*It's interesting to note that this is the only picture of him on the internet. In my research I could find nothing of his personal life and not too much information on his business life only lots of beautiful furniture.*

// 1 - Smiley - 1960s //  2 - Rolling Door Sideboard - 1950s // 

// 3 - Model 248A // 3 - Armchair with Steel Frame Model JH-813 // 4 - Tea Trolley - 1960 // 5 - Bar Stools

// 6 - Teakwood Dining Set - 1960s // 7 - Dining Chair - manufactured by Uldum Mobelfabrik - 1965 // 8 - Dining Chairs - 1960s

// 9- Three Seater - 1950s // 10 - Capri  Swivel Chairs - 1958 // Capri Sofa - // 11 - Capri Chair - 1958 //  Any unlinked sources came from Decopedia //

Our favorite piece from Andersen's collection of work is Capri Sofa Series. The lines are so unique and as an upholsterer, I appreciate the craftsmanship it takes to upholster these sofa and chairs so perfectly!

source

Alvar Aalto // Mid Century Designers A to Z

Alvar Aalto (1898-1976, Finland) is best known for his work with bent plywood and laminated wood furniture. With his wife, Aino, they opened a furniture manufacturing company, Artek, which is still producing furniture today. Here are some of his most famous works: 

1931 - Model 41 - Paimio Chair // 1932 - Three-legged Stool 60 - Birch Veneer // 1933 - Two-Tier Table // 1936 - Model 43 - Lounge Chair // Model 66 - Chair // 1946 - Model 612 - Chair


In the 1950s, Aalto designed many ceiling light fixtures manufactured by Valaistustyo.

1950 - A335 Ceiling Lamp Blue // 1950s - 335 B Ceiling Lamp // 1951 - Beehive A331 // 1952 - A335 Ceiling Lamp // 1954 - A624 Ceiling Lamp

The Aalto Vase was unveiled in 1937 at the World's Fair, it became an instant success and is still manufactured today. Here is a video of how it is made.

Before designing furniture, Aalto studied architecture at Helsinki University of Technology. First, he was an architect, then that career led into furniture design. He continued to do both throughout his career. Here are a few of the buildings he designed: 

Paimio Sanatorium // Aalto Theater // Finlandia Hall // Villa Mairea

Aalto's Studio in Helsinki (photographs taken by Leslie Williamson). Aalto's studio now functions as the Alvar Aalto Academy, giving advice on the restoration of Aalto buildings and organizing the vast archive material.

If we could choose our favorite piece of Aalto's collection of work is his Armchair 406 manufactured by Artek.

52 Weeks of Mid Century Designers A to Z

Over the past year, Chris and I have realized that knowledge of Mid-Century designers is an integral part of running a successful mid-century furniture business. During this time, we've amassed quite a collection of books about Mid-Century designers and furniture manufacturers in addition to constant research online. While evaluating goals for 2013 for Remnant, we really want to develop this blog and provide good Mid-Century design content. This led to the decision to start a new column: Mid Century Designers from A to Z. It's really a challenge to ourselves learn even more about the Mid Century era! 

So throughout 2013, expect a new post every week featuring a Mid Century Designer, a little bio on them and collages of their most famous work. We hope that this will help you learn more about the familiar designers and perhaps some you haven't heard of before. 

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Image Credit: Playboy July 1961, Designs for Living (an interesting read!)