abstract versus realist: brenda k. bredvik and tom swimm

In love, everyone knows opposites attract. Said Andy Warhol, "The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet." 

Two polar opposites, abstract artistic Brenda K. Bredvik and realist artist Tom Swimm co-created an exhibit and then held their joint opening night reception, Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Pacific Edge Gallery in Laguna Beach, California,.

Roses in the Window versus Trio.

Realist, Tom Swimm

Abstract, Brenda K. Bredvik

Who won this dual? You decide.

retro ornament christmas wreath: by georgia peachez

In the spirit of Superstorm Sandy, we are skipping Halloween and plunging straight into Christmas. Well, actually it was my mom's birthday last week (what, you didn't get October 24th off?) and I gave her the BEST GIFT EVER.

Best. Gift. Ever.

A big jumbley pile of old Christmas ornaments? Come on, seriously?

selling out! palm springs modernism week 2013

Palm Springs, California is considered the mother of all things (desert) mid-century modern. And Palm Springs Modernism Week 2013, held from February 14th - 24th, 2013 is an eleven day desert modernism extravaganza.

Photo courtesy of ModenrismWeek.

If 2013 is anything like 2012, tickets to the week's events will sell out quicker than you can say mid-century mid-atomic.

hot and bothered for heywood-wakefield?

If you find Heywood-Wakefield indeed irresistible, I do believe I have the cure. Head immediately to Woody's Antiques in Orange. There is enough Hey-Wake in this establishment to bring even the most stoic mid-century modernist to tears.

Woodys
Mid-Century Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (4.6)

169 N. Glassell

Orange, CA 92866

(714) 744-8199

Woody's Antiques

An unassuming store front for sure.

how similar are 21st century modern and mid-century?

21st century modern and mid-century modern are extremely similar as it turns out. Most decent modern design today has its roots firmly in mid-century. And most mid-century has its roots squarely in Southern California.

Munson Residence, photo by David Harrison.

You are wondering where this is heading? A phenomenal Dwell tour will happen in San Diego (my backyard), November 9-11, 2012. 

christmas in october: roger's gardens

Christmas should be like the Olympics--held every four years. Then, like the recent 2012 Summer Olympics, when Christmas finally rolls around, we could work ourselves up into a fever pitch enjoying it. I am the last person you would expect to remind anyone, that the holidays are right around the corner.

Sorry to disappoint. But the holidays really are right around the corner. And, the infamous Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California opened their Christmas Boutique, The Magic of Christmas, on October 1st. Relax, Costco has had Christmas up since August at least.

mid-century halloween at roger's gardens

Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar, California has been selling their ridiculously over-priced gardening and home decorating goods to the citizens of Newport Beach for over 35 years. With their approximate location being less than five minutes from my home, I have been known to drop in. Especially around the holidays.

Intrigued?

what is wrong with this house?

I pass by this newly constructed, crisp & clean, MODERN home at least once a week.  I have attended open houses there a dozen times. Frankly, it is my fantasy house -- an open plan, built around a courtyard, no yard, flat roof, plank ceilings, ocean view, not too big, and not too small. It has been on the market for 511 days.

711 K'Thanga Drive, Corona del Mar, CA. Over view compliments of Google Maps.

A year and a half unsold? What is wrong with this house?

home consignment center: decorator's dream

I am NOT  kidding. If you are whatsoever addicted to home decorating, but don't have the dollars to match your fantasies, you MUST visit a Home Consignment Center. There are many locations, but I frequent the Newport/Irvine store.

The Home Consignment Center
Mid-Century Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (3.8)

18910 Teller

Irvine, CA 92612

(949) 250-5845

The Home Consignment Center

simplify your life - throw away your books

Many years ago, I took to heart the book,  Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter. It was about two go-go yuppies from the 90's (remember the term yuppy?) who basically scale back their lives to in order to enjoy living more. I really took it to heart at the time. To this day, I can throw almost anything away in the household with nary a second thought. Spring cleaning for me involves Goodwill, Craigslist, eBay and the trash. My husband and son know to hide anything they really care about when the flowers begin to blossom and the birds begin to sing.

I was horrified one evening when I looked across the room while watching Project Runway (go Team Demitri!) and spotted this disaster:

BOO! Giant FAIL. Crowded bookshelves with items stuffed helter skelter all over. Chaotic.

warhol at the met - fake it till you make it

Was Andy Warhol (1928-1987) a genius, an artist, or was he simply the first truly self-made celebrity in a culture that has brought us Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Brett Cohen? Regarding Warhol: Sixty Artists, Fifty Years, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, running through December 31, 2012, attempts to prove exactly how significant Warhol was as an artist by juxtaposing 45 of his best pieces with some 90 works by other artists purported to have been influenced by him.

During our three days of fill in the blank in NYC last weekend, my friend and I stopped at the Met and made our own decision.

open letter to the captain of american airlines flight 34, LAX to JFK, sep-27-2012

Warning: This post has nothing whatsoever to do with mid-century modern.

We were cautioned about potential flight delays due to malicious pilot mischief on our recent Thursday 8AM Sep-27-2012 American Airlines flight 34 from Los Angeles International (LAX) to John F. Kennedy (JFK). Apparently the AA pilots are a little miffed about the bankruptcy and subsequent court action in September. According to the Wall Street Journal on Sep-24-2012:

A U.S. bankruptcy judge this month granted the company's motion to abrogate its current pilots contract so the airline could impose terms the company said it needs to cut labor costs and increase productivity.

Abrogate means to "repeal or do away with." I looked it up.

vintage store: glass glorious glass - the end of history

My recent trip to New York City with my ever faithful NYC weekend friend got me humming Broadway. An homage to Oliver:

Glass, glorious glass!

What wouldn't we give for 

That extra bit more?

That's all that we live for!

Wonderful glass,

Marvelous glass,

Fabulous glass!

My fourth trip (yes--I am counting) to:

The End of History
Mid-Century Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (4.6)

548 1/2 Hudson St.

New York, NY 10014

(212) 647-7598

The End of History