Sitting In Modern Style

1959 advertisement for Charles Eames “Soft Seating.” CHARLES AND RAY EAMES exemplified modern living in postwar America. The Eames “Lounge and Ottoman,” introduced by Herman Miller in 1956, remains a touchstone of American style. Charles and Ray Eames with lounge and ottoman. The couple’s designs were a colorful, ergonomic, and even cozy approach to modern […]

It’s Industrial, By Design

One hundred years before the digital age and a world of apps and devices, electrification was the revolution. Then, America was a mythic Industrial Powerhouse churning out invention and transforming the day-to-day with the outrageous, astounding electrical devices that would make us modern. Before Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, there was the genius of Edison, […]

Simple Storage Cabinet Proves to Be Mid-Century Gem

(P.S. It Sold for a Lot of Money!)  What’s in your grandmother’s living room? If there is a simple yellow bookshelf and storage unit, do not donate it or throw it away. It might be both valuable and rare. A newlywed couple’s purchase in the 1950s of a bright yellow, plastic-coated plywood storage unit for […]

What’s In and What’s Out? Terry Kovel Knows

What are the top collectible trends of 2020? The top collectible is almost-new, limited-edition sneakers autographed by an important player or worn in a special game. While sneakers are tops, here are our personal Top 5 “In” collectibles for 2020, based on auction prices and decorating trends. And while we are at it, we will […]

American Mid-Century Madness

American furniture designers Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Alexander Girard and Marilyn Neuhart defined mid-century design, the furniture and styles that grew popular roughly from 1933 to 1965. Mid-century modern furniture continues to remain popular. A recent sale on American Design at Wright auction house in Chicago featured many iconic pieces. The top lot […]