Mid-Century Modern Chair on MST3K

I was watching the MST3K version of Santa Conquers the Martians the other day (it's not a movie I would recommend watching the non-MST3K version of). And I noticed something interesting in the background, this mid-century modern chair:

At first I wasn't sure if it was a "martian" movie prop or a chair that was purchased at a store, but after a little research I found out it's a Petal chair by Erwin and Estelle Laverne for Laverne International. (Sometimes they're called a Tulip chair.) They were made in the '60s and are 50" tall by 46" wide by 32" deep.

Here's another shot with better lighting of the base:

And here's a shot of a pair not on a spaceship, but still looking out of this world.

I can see it was used as a futuristic movie prop.

2011 AIA Homes Tour

The 2011 American Institue of Architects Austin Homes Tour is this weekend. Sadly, I won't be going because I keep accidentally picking home tour weekends to travel. But, if you're in Austin, you should check out the tour. A few of my favorite architects in town have homes on the tour, and there are more than a few mid-century modern homes to check out. If I were in town, I wouldn't miss it.

Mid-Century Modern Movie Titles

Much like the mid-century X-Men movie title sequence, I'm in love with this mid-century modern Dexter title sequence.



The first time I watched it, I thought, "This reminds me a lot of Hitchcock posters," and the YouTube descriptions let me know why:

The [work] I created for Dexter was inspired by mid-century modern design and particularly the work of Saul Bass - who developed both static graphics as well as animated title sequences. This is what I imagine the Dexter title sequence might look like if the show had aired in the 60s.

For those of you who aren't graphic design nerds, Saul Bass was the designer behind some of the most iconic movie posters and title sequences, including the poster for Hitchcock's Vertigo and the title sequence for Psycho.

Crestview Doors Home Tour

Ever wonder what the homes of mid-century modern all stars, like Christiane and David Erwin (the owners of Crestview Doors), look like? Well, Apartment Therapy is giving you a peak inside the Erwin's Crestview house.

It looks like the Erwin's recently updated their blog with new photos as well. (You can always find their blog on my list of mid-century blogs.)

Mid-Century Screen Door Maker in Austin

I never realized Austin was such a door city. Not only are we home to Crestview Doors and their mid-century door kits, but we're also home to Hip Haven, makers of the above screen door.

A bit from their website:

Austin, Texas-based Hip Haven, Inc., headed up by owner and designer Kelley Sandidge, opened for business in early 2002. Hip Haven designs are carried in stores throughout the United States, and are regularly featured in the national media.

Mid 20th-century modern style is our inspiration, with its varied influences from atomic to primitive, but like most of our customers we will include accents that depart from the style and allow it to be interpreted in new and interesting ways.

And that is one fantastic mid-century screen door they make. The only problem is that it's a bit outside of the budget I set for our vintage screen door. Since the door at my mid-century ranch that the screen is going on is rarely used or seen, we don't need such a beautiful screen door. But if we were putting one on the front door, this would be it.