Table of contents for Fall 2017 in Atomic Ranch

For many of us who love Midcentury Modern design, it was the furniture that first caught our eye. Somewhere along the line a crisp edged credenza or a Formica-topped kitchen table won us over, and nothing has been the same since. Be it the piece you scored at a flea market years ago, the coffee table lovingly handed down from Mom or the dream piece you saved up to buy—every piece of furniture has a story. By cleaning it up and giving it another home, you are inserting yourself into its story as a new chapter. Are you the chapter where a colorful Blenko collection gets displayed on a hutch’s shelf? How about the chapter where a table is reunited with its coordinating chairs? No matter what your chapter is,…

On the middle of a postwar colonial neighborhood called Prairie Village, Kansas nests a small enclave of Midcentury Modern homes. Amongst these homes is a 1,500 square foot ranch from 1952, which architect Chris Fein and his wife Christine quickly fell in love with. While the ranch’s location and structure won them over, there was a problem—the entire house was filled from floor to ceiling with junk collected by the previous owner. They could barely see inside the house, let alone walk through it, so they took it on faith that this would be their perfect home after a bit of work. As the founder of Forward Design and Architecture, Chris was happy to take on the project. “I have a small practice that mainly works in modern design,” he…

“Paul mastered his drawings to convey the sense of space in his designs, the most important aspect, which could easily just look like a lack of design,” Christopher and Joseph write. For Paul, space was just as important as the building material—if not more. Thankfully, partner Ralph Twitchell agreed, believing that open space and natural elements outdo flashy décor. “Now we do not ornament, we are in the new age—the age of air—and we use sunshine and color penetrating surfaces. It is not a new style but a new basic principle,” Ralph said. Space was not an experiment for the two—it was their design principle. Many were hesitant to jump on board Paul and Ralph’s architectural revolution. More space meant less privacy, and Paul threw around the term “goldfish bowl”…

Inside Scoop! Top 10 Furniture Designers that Shaped the Future Read up on the designers behind your furniture favs like Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and more! Retro Repairs Have a great piece of MCM furniture that needs some TLC? Here are some ideas to help you get it back in shipshape. A Collected Home The search for a MCM home ends with a 1963 Hickory in North Carolina, and so begins the process of turning it into a purist’s paradise. Grant Featherston Australia’s best known furniture designer gave the world some of its most memorable Midcentury Modern chairs, like this Contour Lounge Chair. Vladimir Kagan Learn about the designer behind the iconic MCM rocking chair. Cool Stuff Elaine sofa, $629. Visit inmod.com. Danish Teak Platform Bed, $1,195. Visit atomicfurnishing.com. Mansfield…

 Every spring I attend an outdoor antique fair held on a beautiful farm just south of Greensboro, North Carolina. It wasn’t until I got homethat I realized just how amazing of a find I hadscored. This market is always on my radar as the feeling of newness is in the air—flowers are blooming and dealers are buzzing with excitement, offering their new and fresh winter finds. As usual, the spring of 2010 did not disappoint. I scoured the grounds for hours, sifting through endless booths of antiques and along the way reminiscing with friends and dealers that I hadn’t seen over the winter. Just as I was getting ready to leave, I found what I would consider an incredible find—a pair of Herman Miller Rope Edge Fiberglass arm chairs. Feeling…

“Every era of architecture has A STORY TO TELL.” OLD HOMES ARE A FAMILIAR AND WELL-LOVED FRIEND TO THE COUPLE BEHIND OLD HOME LOVE. Throughout the years, Andy and Candis Meredith have visited, renovated and lived in more their fair share of historic homes in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. They even spent their wedding day giving tours of their house at the time—which they were in the process of renovating. Despite being well-versed in the world of older homes, the couple views finding a midcentury home as hitting the jackpot. Channeling all of their passion for renovation and preservation, Andy and Candis wrote Old Home Love—a book detailing their many adventures in the world of saving old homes. MAKING MOD MUSIC Andy and Candis got the opportunity to…

Designed for Philip Hiss in 1953, Paul Rudolph’s Umbrella House looks like an elaborate sunshade that just so happens to have a house underneath. With a pool deck that takes up more length than the actual residence, the Umbrella House is a hybrid of tropical relaxation and modern design. • STRUCTURE. The 17-foot parasol, combined with its adjacent two-story home, gives the Umbrella House a lofty effect reminiscent of a sumptuous seaside resort. • MATERIAL. The framework of the house works hand-in-hand to reveal a connection to modern design and nature. The thin woodwork still shows that this is a work of minimalism, while the spaces in between allow sunlight to trickle through. • SPACE. The generous amount of space permeating both the inside and outside of the Umbrella House serves two purposes.…

Round out your seating with an atomic showstopper. Summer modern chair with charcoal fabric and walnut wood by Armen Living, $149.99. Visit target.com. Teak with a red plastic liner, this utilitarian beauty is by Danish sculptor Jens Quistgaard. Ice bucket, $199. Visit midmod-decor.com. Bauer Pottery brings back the icons of the 1940s-’50s. Russel Wright American modern teapot in coral, $70. Visit eclectdesign.com. Perfect for storing records or storing extra table linens, this credenza is a workhorse. United sideboard/ media cabinet, $595. Visit atomicfurnishings.com. Bolster pillows, button tufting and tapered legs—need we say more? Braxton sofa in bella cocoa, $1549. Visit joybird.com. Handsome, stylish and classic. Embick Midcentury Modern dining chair in brown by Baxton Studio, $239.99. Visit target.com. These mojito-friendly glasses come party ready with their own walnut coasters. LSA…

Imagine if your home was one of only three private residences designed by one of the 20th century’s most influential architects. The McCormick House is one such residence designed by world-renowned architect Mies van der Rohe in 1952. Fortunately, it is now part of the Elmhurst Art Museum outside Chicago and is open to the public. Van der Rohe pioneered many staples of mid mod style, including the flat roofline and prominence of glass for blurred lines between indoors and out.…