Custom-Printed World Map Mural for Travel Nursery

A reader loved the vintage wallpaper world map and pointed me in the direction of this custom-printed world map mural. The designer created it using a large format printer and dry erase paper. It measures 15 feet wide by seven feet tall.

All that goes to make me think that maybe what I thought was a vintage wallpaper world map might actually be a modern custom-printed world map mural. Either way, they're both fantastic ways to fill an entire wall in a travel-themed nursery.

Mid-Century Art: Sergey Safonov

Sergey Safonov is a Russian artist working out of Moscow. All of his stuff is fantastically modern and minimal. He largely makes porcelain figures and art toys, and his pieces almost always sellout quickly – which is the only reason one isn't still on a shelf in my home. 

Mid-Century Desks with a Bar

Back when I didn't know my white whale was a Kai Kristiansen Model 54 desk, in my search to find it I would come across similar mid-century modern desks that have a bar in them. All amazing looking, just (in my mind) slightly less amazing looking as the Model 54 desk.

Maybe it's because I'm an Austin copywriter by day that I put such high value on a good looking desk, but I'm in love with this style of mid-century desk.

I like to think that great creativity has come from behind these desks, and that having a bottle at arms reach helped celebrate a new client win (or unstick some serious writer's block). Plus, they're a wonderful mix of form and function, essentially being two pieces of furniture for the price of one.

There's something about a desk that looks best when it's not pushed up against a wall, one that's a centerpiece to the room, with shelves to hold your favorite novels or nick-nacks.

What I'm saying is, if you want to impress your writer friends and your mid-century modern furniture friends, any mid-century desk with a bar in it will do it. (Although I'm still holding out for the Kai Kristiansen Model 54.)

Mid-Century Color Palette in Comics

The Golden Age of comics was from 1838 to 1950 and I recently ran across these comic book color charts from that era. If you're looking for some mid-century paint colors, these could be an interesting place to start. Or, if you wanted to do a super hero nursery in a mid-century home these could give you a perfect mid century modern color palette.

I also ran across a comic book color chart from the modern age of comics, after they switched to Pantone coloring. 

If you are going to do a super hero nursery, this will give you the perfect paint colors, especially if you use Pantone paints.

Authentic Mid-Century Doors

I've been taking random snaps of authentic mid-century doors when I come across them.

This vintage screen door is one of the best I've ever seen. A nice modern blue door behind it and it could really pop.

This mid-century door is a little unassuming and it's on an small, unassuming mid-century house that just went up for sale in my neighborhood. I wanted to take a pic because I'm assuming one or both will be torn down by the next owner.

Another neighborhood door captured during a nighttime run.

I've mentioned before that the glass on authentic mid-century doors tends to be a little bigger than their modern door counterparts. This door is proving the rule. And the vintage screen door is proving to be a showpiece itself.

This screen door is a little more modern, but I love the simple look to it. If I were to put a screen door on my place, it'd probably be something like this.

I'm hoping to capture more shots of mid-century doors in their natural environment (instead illustrated mid-century doors). When I do, I'll be sure to share.