I loved this article from Retro Renovation. Though we’re still in the “hey we have young kids and they get E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. on our couch and really any piece of furniture” stage – it’s fun to dream for when we can get to the, “Hey look! We can have nice furniture and it won’t get puked on, spilled on, etc. ” stage!
Until then we’ll keep dreaming, keep putting back ideas for the future and when the time comes – pounce on it 
Today I listed our old square contemporary table on Craigslist. While trying to describe it, several ideas ran through my mind as to how to describe it. I was honest and described it as I saw it. But if you’d like to get a little more traffic for your listing by calling it a mid century modern, Scandinavian, or Retro…you can use this awesome Craigslist infographic from the talented Lunchbreath.
Today I found, as always, a worthy link that list 100 ways to screw up your mid century modern home. I found it to be so funny and true and in one. When starting out a new mid century modern makeover, you will need to know that there’s a difference between contemporary, modern, and mid century modern. As anyone, if you are new to the mcm era of design — you will have plenty of opportunities to screw it up. So please pay attention to this list over at Lorton Dale. It’s definitely a great list that I will keep handy through my renovation.
Here are my top 10 that had me laughing (shamelessly) while reading the list.
2) Ornate front door. (Etched glass windows) – Our door seriously is etched. There’s nothing I could do about it when we bought it in April.
6) Adding vinyl double hung replacement windows – So many are going to make this mistake. In fact, my contractor (bless his heart), suggested that I go with a more modern window to stick with my design ideas. Shame on him!
10) Covering your tongue & groove ceiling and wood beams with sheetrock – He was almost talking to me. We had to scrap all the pop corn ceilings down and refinish with a smoother finish.
25) Granite!!!!!!!! – Preach brother! Preach!
40) Whitewash the interior with white paint to make it feel larger – Hey! You’re on my toes. We had to actually do such a thing cause our walls were covered in wallpaper throughout the house. So we painted them white till we solidify the color schemes.
55) Installing the cable box right outside the front door – Hahaha! Now that just plain funny!
69) Buying a mid-century modern home and then normalizing it to make it look like any other home. – I’m sure this happen quite a bit. In Nebraska, I’m sure it happens.
79) Hire an architect who doesn’t understand Modernism – Now this is very dangerous. I can seriously speak on this.
90) Inappropriate furnishings?? (see flowery couch with detailed, routed wood) – I heard a guy once say something so funny in relation to this. I will have to remember and then post it. But so true. Big box stores can not achieve the desire MCM decor.
107) Turning your front yard into a playground full with play set – This just ain’t right. Please don’t do this people.
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As I’m sure you will check out 100 Ways to Screw up Your Mid Century Modern home, you will find there’s so many things you might have do or doing. And for the record, everyone has their opinion of what Mid Century Modern would be. But there are definitely some rules to abide by.
And not just any kids bedroom – a self proclaimed “Princess” mid century modern kids bedroom. A princess who is also a dancer but who has no qualms about playing outside all day long, jumping in the mud puddles, running until she can’t run any longer, riding her bike a whole mile, and coming in dirty – type of a princess.
We may have our work cutout for us. We’ve been looking at pictures, with Miss P involved. We’ll be building it slow, a piece at a time. But, we have a blank slate to start from – white walls, one accent wall, dark bamboo flooring. We’ll start with the bed of course.
A few that have caught our eye:
I love the pop of pink, of course, but also the streamlined lines, the stunning white walls. With our dark bamboo floors it could really stand out.
A personal favorite of Miss P’s – I believe because she is excited she’d get a ladder… but she has good taste Asking Mama though, my three year old won’t get bunk beds.
Very classic, streamlined – I know P though and she’ll need a bit more color somewhere.
Yes, that’s right. A fruit bowl. As I was putting away groceries last night I was reminded yet again that I would really enjoy having a fruit bowl. Random? Yes. But it’s something I don’t have and would love to have.
Knowing my husband, when he says “Mid Century Modern Life” – he means it. This means a readjustment and careful thought about the little things to make our home cohesive. So without knowing the final touches on what my temporary kitchen will look like, I decided to do some dreaming and some looking.
It was an interesting mix of choices as you Google “Mid Century Modern Fruit Bowls” or even “Modern Fruit Bowls”. I found bowls ranging from $6 – $300 (no thank you). I found finds for $2. I found beautiful bowls and bowls you hang on your walls!
Toxel had quite a few that interested me. Including the Vessel fruit bowl
Although why order from the Netherlands when you can apparently find this for a deal right here in the States. Beth from the modern home found something similar at Big Lots.
The Bubbalicious Fruit Bowl also caught my eye -
For those of you maybe a bit more modern, I present the Atomic Fruit Bowl!
Many advertised as mid century modern were wooden, such as those from Ruby Plaza or this one at Quintessa,which maybe it’s still my “mid century modern virgin” status but the description of something being either a fruit bowl or a sculptural carving made me giggle. I do understand though that being 1950′s, hand carved, Scandanavian – the street cred is there:
Again depending on the set up of what I still think of in my mind – the kitchen phase A1 (until we can really do this thing right) – we may need something more simple:
Still my favorite of the day thus far is the Robex Square Bowl from Greener Grass Design. I love the simplicity, the lines and – again my newbie status might be coming into play – but if I can incorporate some blues (more teals really) into the kitchen design I’d love it!
What do you think? Missing the mark? Getting close?
(Warning – content not approved by the husband. This post is written only from a Mama’s perspective.)
Consider yourself warned. When thinking about a crib for Mr. Man who is coming in about 7 weeks (eek!) there is a lot of pressure! Not just on style, that’s secondary to me with this topic. It’s also about safety. Prayse’s crib was recalled twice. After the second time I began to really worry – and when they recalled and talked about the safety of all drop side cribs in general? Well, out to the trash it went.
So with all of the crib recalls last year, (and at least two already in 2011 – one in February, another in March) there has to be a lot of thought put into this topic – more so than just a great design. Secondary to this – Prayse slept in her crib for less than a year. Throw tomatoes at me now, but she co-slept with us until 8 months (my idea, not Raymonn’s – I must put that out there b/c he will if I don’t). Not only that, but when we were ready to convert it to a toddler bed, it didn’t work out well. She kept rolling out and no matter how many pillows we put down on the floor, ended up underneath the bed freaking out and screaming. We moved her fairly quickly to the Queen size Murphy Bed in her current room.
(INSERT PIC OF MURPHY BED HERE?)
However neither of their rooms have enough space for that right now so we’re all going to have to be patient and make adjustments. So it’s an important, multi-faceted decision here, a balancing act if you will. Safety, function, fashion, and budget (you knew I had to put that in there right? But really if they don’t use them after the crib stage is it worth exorbitant amounts of money?).
A few bassinets to start with – even though we’ll be using our old one. So this part of dreaming has zero chance of becoming reality. First up – a huge “No” from the Mama Section. I found it on Interior Design News, it’s from bloom. Although certainly modern, not sure if it would even come close to our mid century modern theme. Plus it’s a big fah-reaky from a “OMG my baby could fall and get hurt” Mama’s perspective. And I think I’d be constantly looking over my shoulder wondering when the hairdresser would be there to cut his hair. No? Maybe that’s just me.
Another bassinet is from Babycotpod. I found the Cascara design originally on vithouse. According to both websites this is stilll getting approval for manufacturing. It is definitely modern and I can see the hubs liking it – it’s not my style I don’t think. I just don’t think I can see putting my baby to sleep in an egg, but again – might be just me.
So a few cribs that I’m in love with – it’s a challenge incorporating cute adorable kid’s furniture with a mid century modern feel though. I found this at coochicoos. I understand the clean lines, the feel, but I was honestly hoping for something, a bit more “baby.” A blend of MCM and cute? Plus at $1,390 starting price per piece I don’t have to worry this too much.
Another that Raymonn has already approved, but while I like it it would take some getting used to I found on Creative Juice (which this post in particular has quite a number of cute ideas I could have pulled out – I highly encourage you to check it out). Isn’t it cute? A bit different – but with my babies and their apparent need for info 100% of the time I can see Lil Man digging this. I am however hoping for darker colors in his bedroom. I couldn’t find any references to where this came from on the blog so I’m not sure if it comes in any additional tones or woods – or even how much this would set us back. Actually, never mind – find it here. It’s a Ubabub crib from Australia (I’m telling you, the Aussies have such cool design ideas) – but at $1900 I’ll have to keep looking (design on a budget people!).
A few of my absolute all-time faves – the Sam Crib from Muu. Is it not gorgeous? Yes, I’m tending to go a bit, just a tad bit more traditional with this design but I luuurve. If I could find something like this or similar or for a really good deal (staying within my self proclaimed limits) I’d be in heaven. I’d probably go for the more boyish theme, although I love the flowers as well (hey, a gal can dream right?).
For now the front runner in the current dream phase is the Sweet Peat Modern Crib that I found on ohdeedoh as they were searching for cribs under the theme of modern but affordable. Again, probably toward more the traditional route than some of those above, but with the straight lines I think it will work. Forever with Prayse I wanted a sleigh crib – but realize that it’s not really our style or what we want in our house and if we are to remain true to our goals – I think this might get us there. Anyway, I think it’s adorable and love that the bookshelf is a part of it.
Aaaand, yes yes, I know this is about cribs. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show you this nursing chair from Ollie and Ella, featured on Babyology. Again, in the UK and Australia – boy they’re good over there. But I love love love love love. Have I mentioned I love it?
So show me the way people – what are the other ideas and where can I get them? Because the true hunt has just begun.
