Every person over the age of 50 knows that if you wait long enough everything will come back in fashion. This wisdom came to me as I saw all the same mid century furniture my mom got rid of in the
1970's popping back onto design shows on HGTV. I mean you can't watch a show without the words "Mid Century" popping up. In fact, it's everywhere from furniture design to Christmas wrapping paper.
So for those not in the know, mid century is a style of design that roughly spans from the 1930's to 1960's characterized especially by clean lines, organic simple forms and lack of embellishment. I remember growing up thinking the style felt very cold and lacked any softness I liked in furniture. Even today, I constantly see designers adding softening touches, because let's face it, mid century might look good in "reveals" but it's hard to snuggle up to on movie night.
That brings me to why I bring this up. Last fall, I bought several half yards of fabric from RJR's Pollinator line. With them, I paired a few dot prints that went nicely. They all look so great together I wanted to use them in simple big shape design. "Simple Shape" immediately brought up the whole mid century aesthetic. Of course, this aesthetic has also been borrowed by the whole Modern Quilt movement of the last 15 years. (Don't think the irony of calling a style of graphics from 60 years ago "Modern" hasn't escaped me over the years, but I have let that go.....well almost.)
So many secondary patterns formed. The use of line is fascinating...some hard...some soft. It's also interesting to study negative space which is so often overlooked. No wonder this aesthetic has been so readily adapted by quilters. All that space to quilt in and add fancy machine quilting. With more study you can see how negative space was achieved by contrast in value. Maybe that's why I see so much white play into quilting today....nothing says contrast like white! OMGoodness, it all just makes a girl want to delve in and start designing.
BUT WAIT!!
I promised myself I wouldn't start anything new until I finished up the couple of projects I have here. Of course, it does give a girl something to think on while waiting for spring. Not to mention a good reason to fall down the rabbit hole they call Pinterest.
So What Have Been Up to Creatively?
5 comments:
Another great post! I too, often chuckle when I see "mid century modern" on HGTV. We had a pink and green kitchen at one point. And you could buy turquoise refrigerators. But all of the examples that you put up are great and any of them would make a fabulous quilt.
I didn't appreciate the time period when I was growing up. While the furniture was incredibly uncomfortable, the artwork endures.
Wow I love this post and the art. Have a wonderful day.
I too get a chuckle of mid century modern being rediscovered. I grew up in a mid century modern home, complete with sleek lines, furniture focus on the aesthetics and not comfort, and a minimalist aesthetic. How I longed for quirky rooms, comfortable sofa sets you could lounge on a color scheme that didn't include "pumpkin". What I never expected is how that aesthetic would appeal to me now. I have an open spaced home with minimalist decor. The examples you shared of the artwork are the type of art I continue to gravitate to today. Love the shape and line combinations.
I loved it then and now, although my tastes are pretty eclectic and I like a mix of modern and and whatever -comfy for sure!
Post a Comment