Mid-Century Modern DIY Sofa Bed

We've been looking for a small sofa or love seat to add to the living room. We need extra seating for when we have more than a few guests. We aren't willing to invest in a nice piece because with a kid in the house a nice piece won't last more than a few years. Our tufted modern sofa with a missing button will attest to that.

This image from Remarkably Retro of sofas that double as guest beds has me thinking, maybe we can make our own sofa. A twin bed, a nice fitted sheet, a decently thick board under it and some hairpin legs and you've got a pretty nice sitting place that's easy enough to make yourself. Put it against a wall with some pillows and you've got a fine DIY sofa bed that doesn't cost too much. Plus, if any of the guests happen to stay over, they'll have a place to sleep.

Happy (Mid-Century) 4th Everyone

Happy 4th everyone. Don't forget to be a good citizen over the holiday.

Heywood Wakefield Vintage Furniture Ad

I love stumbling across vintage furniture ads, like this Heywood Wakefield Home-Planned Modern ad. I also love how vintage furniture ads have a section at the bottom that let you mail away for a larger catalog, like this Broyhill furniture ad and this Broyhill Premier ad. 

Anyone know why it was always a quarter to get the catalog? At the time, was that enough of an investment that not everyone would send in for one, but anyone who was interested would? As an advertising copywriter that seems like the audience that I'm always told to try and capture.

Mid-Century Art: Eric Tan

I haven't been this excited about an art show in a while. Eric Tan is in the middle of his first solo show, "FLY," at Gallery 1988. The entire show is based on Eric's travels and his imaginary airline, Tanner Airlines. 

Eric works as Disney/Pixar during the day, which is probably why this is his first solo show, and has done some amazing posters in the past. I was just waiting for some original prints from him so I could jump on it, which I did by buying one of the London prints (above).

Any of these posters would be perfect in a travel-themed nursery, or any room in a mid-century house. They have that perfect mid-century travel poster look.

And the details on the Hollywood poster make it even more mid-century.

The silk-screened prints are limited to 100 and are each signed and numbered.

Mid-Century Art: Donna Mibus

The art of Donna Mibus is pretty clearly inspired by mid-century design. Her work reminds me of a brighter, more modern Robert Lyons. I love the flat color and simple shapes. They'd fit perfectly in any mid-century home.