Bye-Bye 2505

Before....
After....
At 8am sharp on a Sunday, specifically on the same day that the Dallas News featured the preservation of MCM architecture in Dallas (see prior post), the Harwood Smith-designed office building at 2505 Turtle Creek Blvd. was razed by the developers. The full story is on Unfair Park. Apparently the permit for demolition was issued in the first week of April -- the day after the CPC denied the rezoning application, citing, among its reasons, the Smith connection. Sneaky way to start of a luxury hotel project, isn't it. Progress it is! So much for preservation, I guess.

MCM Preservation

Dallas's finest daily paper features the increased attention being paid to preserving mid-century modern homes in the area. The focus on architecture of this era has become more important as tear-downs of noted properties like the Horace Meyer-designed Morris Zale home (1949) have become more prevalent. Recently Preservation Dallas led efforts to add MCM office building to the National Register of Historic Places, and has listed other buildings as "endangered".

Full article here.

Mid-century style: Herman Miller Auction 3/8

According to their Craigslist ad, Highland Park Estate Sales will be conducting a silent ("blind") auction of vintage Herman Miller furniture next Thursday (March 8) as the prequel to a full blown sale the following week. The Eames chair and ottoman have a starting bid af $1500 and several other case goods ("Thin Edge” dresser and sideboard, Drop front desk, 40” chest, Miniature 9 drawer chest) are also offered. See the full slide show.

If this is still a little pricy, Lula B's is featuring a Thayer-Coggin recliner and ottoman for $350.

DWR's Eames Film Festival

This Thursday evening December 7th, DWR at Travis/McKinney will feature several short films (including Powers of Ten and The Lounge Chair) by the Eameses along with refreshments and an opportunity to browse the store. Other stores have already hosted the event with good response.

The legacy of Ray and Charles Eames extends far beyond their classic furniture pieces. Taking a multidisciplinary approach to design long before that was the norm, the Eameses created over 100 short films between 1950 and 1982. Join DWR, in conjunction with the Eames Foundation and Herman Miller for the Home®, as we celebrate their film legacy. We’ll be screening seven films ranging from 1–30 minutes in length. Attendees are encouraged to stay for a discussion following the screenings. Refreshments will be served.

Eames Film Festival
Thursday, December 7, 6–9pm
Design Within Reach
4524 McKinney Ave, Suite 103
Dallas, TX 75205
Phone: 214.521.0100
Powersof10.com

Even More Local Furniture Finds

Consider softening hard-line modern with a few unexpected antiques. The blend, a mix of periods and materials, will draw more visual interest than religious devotion to a single unified look.

Anchor your seating with a MCM sofa with multi-position adjustable arms (needs recovering to make it a versatile star)





Add a cool and edgy Cantoni chrome and glass coffee table








Mix up your sense of scale with a kiddie-sized Knoll Bertoia chair (provenance undocumented)








Then perhaps blend in some texture with this rustic wooden table

Lula B's

Wedged into a block of restaurants and bars on Lower Greenville avenue is a captivating antique mall that the Dallas Observer called the "best scavenger hunt" in 2003. Lula B's Antique Mall is known for its eccentric mix of mid-century modern and other furnishings, housewares and vintage clothing. Wandering among the rooms' furnished scenes and smaller stall presents a wide selection of pieces and decorative accesories. Some pieces have been revamped and updated, but others are original, requiring varying amounts of love before being incorporated into a home. Most items are fairly affordable. To get an idea of the offerings, some items are cross-listed on Craigslist. The selection changes often, but a 60-day layaway is available if you need to think it over.

Dulce Consignment

La Dulce Interior Consignment on Oak Lawn is tucked into a small shopping strip catty-corner from the Melrose Hotel. They offer a mix of modern and mid-century finds, some rarer than others. An American Leather sofa in grey microsuede was tagged at $1200, and many items undergo intermediate markdowns. The selection of seating, art, and case goods is varied in style, but quality seems consistent and staff is friendly but not overly pushy, letting you roam and explore the generously-filled sales floor.

In addition to the furnishings, Dulce has a long tradition of featuring artists' works on consignment and hosting artist receptions. The next cocktail reception is Friday evening, November 3, featuring the works of Venezuelan-born Dallas artist Jean Paul Khabbaz.

Ju-Nel Homes: MCM masterpieces

D Magazine's current issue features several homes in the White Rock area (hopefully a few will be on next April's home tour!) with a decidedly modern signature. All of them have large, float-glass window panes, low-lying roof lines, open floor plans, and courtyards. Built in the late 1950s and 1960s, the designs by architects Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson integrate their lots' trees, curves, and natural lighting. The influence of Japanese design and Frank Lloyd Wright is found in the interplay with nature. Recycled brick and natural materials like teak and South African woods add to the nature-conscious design.
While you're waiting for April, take a driving tour: Silverock, Vinemont St, and Woodgrove.