I know it's probably been asked a thousand times already but I can't find where 🙁
SO, what books do you recommend for a smitten newbie. I want to learn more and feast my eyes on pictures of MCM furniture so that I know what to look for when buying.
I know I'm in the right place to ask this so what are your favourites?
Even though I could...
Even though I could recommend 20 different books on the subject, I'll save you the time that it took me to figure out what has worked best for me. I highly recommend purchasing the Auction catalogs from RAGO Auction, Wright20, and LA modern. This way, your exposure is to many different forms of MCM, and not just the classics over and over. And, as a bonus, you can download the final prices paid and keep up with the market on these pieces. This is just my opinion, I'm as interested to hear from others out there on this topic.
The only BOOKs I would recommend are the FREE ones at your Local Libraries. Seriously, if there is a college/univ near you, they usually have tons of great info on modern classics. My local univ has over 50 great books on Modern furniture - from Frank Loyd Wright, Eames, to contemporary designers. And, with the advent of the internet, you can request books for FREE from other univ's. Great book that I request periodically is - Sourcebook of Modern Furniture.
Hope this gives you some direction!
Link
Here is a link to Amazon.com in the USA, I already searched "mid century modern". I like to buy them used(if there is a large price reduction) and after I'm done, sell them to my local bookstore. Amazon will also suggest other books and people make their own list(listamania) of favorite books. #1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 are all excellent. LRF just got a nice book set(name excapes my mind), I'm sure he will add some help.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-3426921-5384148?url=search-alia...
3 to start
1000 Chairs is kind of a staple - not everything is MCM, but almost every MCM designer did a chair. And you get to see how your favorite chair fits into the historical timeline.
Mid Century Modern by Bradley Quinn. A great little book with lots of furniture porn, but broken up into sections on home design, furniture, textiles, ceramics, etc. A nice primer if you're new - encompassing many unknown designs alongside the big names.
Charles & Ray Eames: Designers of the 20th Century by Kirkland (MIT Press). A very well done, in depth history of the Eames & their Office. Explores relationships between Charles & Ray, the Eames and their contemporaries. A little specific, but a nice focus on Ray's life as a woman in the shadow of Charles and a male dominated profession.
How To See by George Nelson. Nelson's unscientific treatise on how humanity, design, and un-design have affected the landscape and human perception. Fun and insightful to the time period.
I have lots and lots, but...
...this one is one of my faves for good photos and an overall view of what's out there.
http://www.amazon.com/Mid-Century-Modern-Interiors-Furniture-Details/dp/...
Classic Modern: Midcentury Modern at Home - Deborah Dietsch
Would anyone recommend this to me before purchasing as its a lot of money ( £122) but thankfully its my birthday & i have a v genourous wife ! i vaugely remember someone mentioned it in an earlier thread.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Modern-Midcentury-Archetype-Press/dp/068...
Design books I enjoy
I wish I had the foresight to ask the same question before I began filling my book shelves and emptying my wallet.
Classic Modern: Mid-century Modern at Home by Deborah Dietsch is one of my all time favorites. The photos are amazing. The houses presented are historic; and, the design esthetic is one I personally strive to achieve. However, at that price you could have several comprehensive references that might be more useful over the long term. But, if you want desert first then by all means splurge.
What Modern Was: Design 1935-1965 is a terrific read filled with photos and a book I pull out time and time again.
The previously mentioned Sourcebook of Modern Furniture is great to flip through and drool over the pretty pieces of furniture. The text is brief but lists the essential facts about the design, date, and specifications. The second edition is really cheap and covers the mid century fairly well.
Mel Byars Design Encyclopedia is a design addicts crack. I keep coming back for one more hit. Like the sourcebook the previous edition is also quite affordable.
I also enjoy the small volume Design Directory for Italy, Scandinavia and Germany. Much of the information is available in the others books I mentioned but for me there is something interesting about seeing the design ethos of a culture.
Great info all ! thank...
Great info all ! thank you!
I'm in Dublin and I searched the bookstores here. They have a pretty paltry collection 🙁 I ended up buying the Taschen 50's guide (couldn't find the others...) and Andrew Weaving's 'Living Retro'. Very nice but it's true that the Taschen book is hard on the old peepers 🙁
I covet the 1000 CHAIRS but the cheapest I could find on Ebay was a guy looking for 124 GBP (or best offer).
Classic modern, Dietsch looks like a good buy but I can't understand why it costs 249 usd to buy it from the marketplace via amazon.co.uk and only 132usd (shipping included) from the USA ???
Question;when buying books in the US and having them sent to europe is there a customs charge on reading matter?
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