Now that some of the heat has faded from past debates I thought I would post an interesting (and lighter) link that someone gave me last week.
It seems that many members of the forum decorate/furnish in eclectic ways - mixing pieces from various periods and styles. Others diligently work hard to keep things entirely true to a period, and I'd like to hear some pros and cons about each.
I personally swing more to the eclectic, with a feeling that not everything from Modernism was impeccable, and I would like to keep alive the highlights, and let some of the less good things fall by the wayside. Also I am drawn to things beyond just Modernism. My taste in art ranges from medieval manuscript to contemporary landscape painting, to 18th century engraving, to minimalist sculpture. As Risom says "Good design means things that anything good will go with other things equally good." I would feel too restrained in a house that was stuck in just one era.
So I guess the question really is about perception: Do you see your home as a reflection of yourself, or do you see yourself as a conservator/preservationist? And - after looking at the link below - can being a preservationist be taken too far?
http://bbchz.mercuryarchive.com/Colonial_Dream/
Unless you're living a house of National historical importance,
then the concept of being eclectic is the way to go.
When I bought my bigger house, I set out to furnish it with whatever good came my way at a reasonable price. I started with a few pieces (my Nelson Comprhensive Storage System, a Saarinen Grasshopper Lounge chair and ottoman, and a few nice tables) and proceeded to search for an ultimate chair and sofa. I stumbled on my Aalto tank chair in Zebra fabric at a store that was selling its floor samples at half price. My sofa came my way for under $500.00!
I collect 1920's and 1930's original 78's and always wanted a good floor model wind-up phonograph. I found - on eBay - a 1928 British Columbia Viva-Tonal floor model at a great price, proceeded to pay too much for blanket wrapped delivery and had to have the motor rebuilt!
But now, in my mid-century living room, there's a 1928/9 floor model phonograph. It fits in just fine.
I mention this to illustrate that whatever you like goes well together. Look at the vintage Eames house photographs...lots of antique Asian pieces scattered around, and Eames' work office was really a mixture of the old, the new and generic file cabinets!
Like
Barry says
I doubt many homes were ever entirely contempoary.. I suppose a few architect designed ones might have been, but as soon as anything new is introduced it no longer is... it becomes 'eclectic'
A lot of my furniture dates from about 1960 (the year I was born) but that is coincidental- I just happen to like it, but I also have modern prints, older rugs, new electronics and appliances etc.
But I had the pleasure of knowing someone who did live like this, and it was magical..
http://www.dennissevershouse.co.uk/
I was the lucky one the ...
I was the lucky one the home I bought 2 years ago was designed as a modern structure 45 years ago.
and I wanted it to remain a modern structure through out.
Prior to this home I live in a very authentic french country ranch home on the outside , with barn shutters and arches very nice, and the inside was done in Santa fe with Kiva fireplaces and beams, sounds strange but it worked it was truly eclectic cause of the modern art collection that i have put together for over 35 years,
But once the modern bug hit me it hit me real hard, obsessed to the 10 degree, with not only the furniture, but houses, the design and every detail and every thing else.
I can truly say that i was blessed, (or lucky) to be able to afford the home I bought as it would be considered a dream house for anyone, and i sometimes still can not believe i bought the house that i saw when i was a 18 year old kid and loved from afar, I had no idea what modernism was , only thing that i knew was this house was cool and different looking even for 1966. I was also lucky that the woman that i married shared my passion for this home and journey .
I guess some people do get lucky sometimes.
OMG! I'm terrified!
Oh Lucifersum! The shock! the horror! I absolutely can not imagine living in that h*llhole. I'd be psychotic in a matter of moments! There's nowhere to run! SHUDDER!
And for me, all one period of anything is boring. I like me a good tossed salad. Tastefully dressed, of course!
lucifersum
Hilarious! That guy coulda gotten all that stuff at the junk auction I go to every week. They always have stuff from that era because all the young marrieds who bought it back then are now dying off. The market is flooded.
I wonder how long it'll be before that guy dumps all that stuff and moves on to some other wacky project?
Subjective beauty...
Definitely a reflection of one's self. I like to think I'm open minded w/ vast interests. The space I inhabit is an extension of my identity. It gives people a clue of who I am & my interests. Similarly, the books on my shelves would reflect my intellectual pursuits. Historical preservation of buildings is an exception to "taking preservation too far".
Colonial is not my bag
Even when it is real as opposed to the "Fauxlonial" that that guy has outfitted him home with, but bless him and his dedication. He seems to have a bit of an ironic sensibility, but also seems rather sincere as well. Whatever the case, at least he is taking some of that furniture out of circulation. You don't know how many estate sales I've been to that have filled with stuff he would just love to have.
But your larger question interests me more and it is something we have struggled with. Our house is in real danger of looking like a total time warp. I have always been of the opinion that you should collect what you love, and live with your collections. I maintain that one's unique "eye" will shine through and all the elements will work together somehow making interesting and unexpected connections when seen together in the same environment. Our problem is that we love mid-century modern WAY too much. Our 1964 modern house is nearly 100% original and is outfitted with almost exclusively vintage modern art and design. I worry that it can become a bit cute or look cliche.
We are not like some "retro lifestyle" people we know, like a lot that are hard-core rockabilly fans. We know people who have to have everything in their life period appropriate. You know the type: full-on vintage hairstyle and clothes at ALL times, 1950s car, everything in the house is vintage.. they won't even be seen using a cell phone 'cause they didn't have them in the '50s. To me that is a bit extreme.
I agree that good design is timeless and that it works with any other good design regardless of "style" or period. In that respect the idea of eclecticism makes perfect sense and seems like the logical outcome.
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