As any good trend does, The Danish Modern – Mid Century – Eames – Herman Miller – George Nelson – Saarinen Knoll – Modern Retro – Vintage Atomic…(I’m out of breath) mooovement has crept up out of thin air and taken over our lives and our living rooms.

Working in the world of fashion, I quickly became familiar with the seasonal trends and color stories which cleverly rotated on a threeish month axis and permeated our psyche through runway shows, fashion magazine spreads, celebrity endorsements, high end retail stores and very very quickly trickled down into our favorite cheap-o high street shop windows. The joke, it seamed, was on the consumer who eagerly presented their credit cards, life savings and first born children to be the next one on the block to be wearing that thing that actress and that magazine dangled in front of our greedy little eyes. Then a few months pass and the thing is stashed away to a far away corner of the closet and replaced with another. And so the story goes.

Is this a jaded and pessimistic perception of consumerist society? Yes. You can probably thank Special Man Friend’s minimalist propaganda for slowly chipping away at my love for things.  Lots and lots of things. But the big picture reality, as I see it,  is this: our society relies on the infallible bottomless pit of the people’s need to consume and we must therefore perpetuate this need as best we can by creating new ways to showcase or re-introduce the things that trigger the desire to keep consuming and stimulate our economy.

Okay. I know. This is not a brilliant or novel realization to business people, economists or most…living, breathing, blinking humanoids. But it’s novel for me because I appear uber enlightened when discussing society over micro-brews in my skinny jeans it allows me to let go of my existential burden brought on by the idea of being a sucker to the man and motivates me to freely contribute to society by communicating my vision and my art while hopefully helping people learn to embrace the new without abandoning the old or deemed ‘passe’.

Are you still with me? Is it time for pictures? Almost.

So this to-the-point round-about ramble brings me to the topic of Danish Modern decor. Out of nowhere it came [back] and presently it’s everywhere and now I can’t distinguish whether it’s cool because I like it or whether I like it because it’s cool.

Is it here to stay? I am perplexed by this because I now realize that interior design trends are typically as fickle and temporary as fashion trends. Only once you commit to the Danish Modern motif, you must really commit to it.

Or do you?

Is it possible to integrate this trend into your existing decor without transforming your entire aesthetic?

Let’s have a little looksie.

Full commitment. But love the rustic wide plank wood floors and full-wall bookcase. Eclectic Interior Design.

Full commitment. All the way down to avocado walls. Houzz.

Minimal chic. I’m on board. But I’m always on board when there’s a spectacular bookcase situation. Style Hive.

Eames lounge replica? check. Geometric rug? check. Vintage Castiglioni Arco lamp? Check. Commitment level? Full. Interior Hunter.

Full commitment. It seems as though one frequently compromises comfort and practicality for Mid Centuriness, so I like a space like this for its practical L shape sofa and warm, eclectic living room set up. Access Decorati.

If it weren’t for the massive plasma screen, I would ask what time the Ed Sullivan show was on. Tide Pool.The Science Factory

I think this space has taken a lot of the great elements of the trend while maintaining a balance of light and chicness. The Lucite side table, for instance, is relevant without being overbearing or pretentious. Take Sunset.

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And the winner goes to this converted ranch house designed by my new favorite design guru, Jessica Helgerson.

She totally gets it. Praised for her flexible style, Jessica uses playful, modern influences while maintaining respect for historical architecture and individual client preferences.

This interior remodeling project is  a once run-down split-level ranch pad transformed into a mid century modern power-house with bright and airy great rooms. Helgerson removed the existing kitchen and the master bath and then relocated to the back of house where it now opens onto a quaint garden.

The color palette is extremely restrained throughout with dark ebonized floors, white walls, and splashes of various shades of green. I love seeing elegant plant life integrated into this aesthetic. All the furnishings, including the fabulous rocking chaise, are vintage finds that she reupholstered and refinished, with the exception of the coffee table which was made by Jessica’s husband, architect Yianni Doulis, (um, power couple much?) from a slab of locally salvaged eastern hardrock maple. Hard core.

See more of Jessica’s work here.

That wraps it up for today, folks.

Relax, digest, comment. Then come on back for more.

xx

Suite Potato.