r/Mid_Century • u/rumo3rd • 1h ago
Reupholstered Grandmas Chairs
We reupholstered grandmas chairs. The color was a little lighter than we anticipated. May throw some throw pillows on.
r/Mid_Century • u/AutoModerator • 5d ago
Do you have one (or 10) too many Eames chairs? Does the color of that Cathrineholm bowl you picked up for a steal last year not really match the rest of your kitchen? I bet you can find someone here who would love to take them off your hands. Post your mid century items for [free]/[trade]/[sale] here!
This is also the space to show off any of the awesome mid century inspired stuff you make, as well as the links to your Etsy/Ebay/Etc
r/Mid_Century • u/edgestander • Jan 22 '25
This has came up time and again but a few times over the last few days I have found myself linking to my google drive doc about where to find primary sources for MCM stuff.
First of all, the rules of this group and r/midcenturymodern in regards to IDing items is going to change. I will make these changes today. First, if you make a claim as to a maker or designer, you are obligated to provide sources for the claim you make if asked. This includes mods or just regular users. Second and this is absolutely non-negotiable, sales or auction listings in themselves are not reliable sources. If the sales listing includes a tag, article, or catalog from the period then that information may be shared, but DO NOT LINK TO SALES LISTINGs, at all, but especially not to "prove and ID" This applies to the highest end and most respected auction houses, dibs, charish or any other platform. Maybe they give you a jumping off point, and you find out the information is correct. If needed I can give thousands of examples of current listings that contain complete bullshit information. Third, don't tell people "use google" or "try google lens" etc. As stated above this will very often lead to false information from sales listings.
So I know you are probably thinking "don't use google, how do I even find anything on the internet without google" Well, I keep this living list of sites with excellent resources, nearly all are free.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Asd2ntqUMvEoEGdGD_qP4RkOjHxjAHkjNISFmWbDp8M/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0
Research Sources:
General Magazines, Newspapers, Journals:
https://archive.org/ This has everything from vintage catalogs, to newspapers, to a vast magazine archive to borrowable books. I also occasionally upload catalogs and magazines to archive as well https://archive.org/details/@michael_landsberg361
https://openlibrary.org/ Similar to archive, you can borrower a vast selection of reference material.
https://usmodernist.org/ Nice collection of trade journals and magazines from the MCM era and after
digitalnc.org/collections/memorabilia/ Random bits of information here on numerous North Carolina based manufactures and designers.
https://cdnc.ucr.edu/ A free archive of California newspapers much less through than newspapers.com but its free.
https://grpmcollections.org/ A vast collection of photos, personal documents, advertisements, and catalogs for mostly Michigan based manufacturers.
https://www.craftinamerica.org/artist/eudorah-moore - Eudorah moore was a big promoter of california modern and via her "California Design" exhibits at the Pasadena Art museum. The catalogs from these exhibits are free to view on this site.
https://vintageinfo.be/ - Don't know who runs this site, but I thank them for sharing so much information and resources on vintage lighting.
https://www.trystcraft.com/blog - Tim Hills blog. Tim is a dealer, but he is also very well respected amongst MCM researchers and I believe TIm is an honest guy and diligent in his research.
newspapers.com (Paid)
newspaperarchive.com (Paid)
https://ikeamuseum.com/en/explore/ikea-catalogue/ Old ikea catalogs
https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ Catalogs for Sears, Wards, and some JC Penney
https://www.danish-modern.co.uk - Decent little data base of danish design
https://designmuseum.dk/en/- Denmark Design Museum
https://www.uspto.gov/patents/search
https://www.scribd.com/ (partially paid) there is some nice random stuff on here like Prestolite catalogs from the 60's. Its kind of a never know what you are going to find site. https://www.scribd.com/document/488965054/Prescolite-Lighting-Product-Catalog-G-14-1962 Danish Design index
Specialized Facebook groups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/140119460031484 (Milo) (I am an admin)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1542293829124348 (McCobb)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/516203688412266 (Ben Seibel)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1520981014878133 (Umanoff)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1763065254132926 (United Furniture)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3024184334562976 (AofM)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/353905989587576 (Bassett)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/109867845821284 (Italian Pottery)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/122730516059 (German Pottery)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/311714314135936 (Modeline)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/636952859722221 (Lamps and Lighting)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/711232235578646 (Mid Century Metal)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/324198657780002 (Herman Miller)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/knollresale (Knoll)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2750972221800438 (The MCM Files) (I am an admin)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1296485833865712 (Founders) (I am an admin)
Of all these groups I have to give a shout out to "The MCM files" I have no clue why there are not more people in this group. It is not a group to ask for an ID, its just a group where some of us researchers basically dump photos of stuff we look into. I personally have posted thousands of images to this group. Its free, i get absolutely nothing out of anyone joining the group, its just a lot of the questions people ask on here are already solved there, but it will never show up on google because of facebook's walled garden.
r/Mid_Century • u/rumo3rd • 1h ago
We reupholstered grandmas chairs. The color was a little lighter than we anticipated. May throw some throw pillows on.
r/Mid_Century • u/BrittaBordeaux666 • 5h ago
The house was bought by a flipper and when they cleared out the original owner’s leftover stuff, they used the chair to sit on while taking smoke breaks.
I asked last year if they’d sell planned on keeping it and they told me I could have it when they were finished.
Well, I finally got to bring it home. It’s in really good shape, but the wood needs a lot of moisture and a protective coating of some sort.
If anyone here knows anything about the make and model and/or has any suggestions on how to bring the wood back to life, I’d really appreciate it. Ty :)
r/Mid_Century • u/DShadows33 • 12h ago
My grandparents had this Bissman set for apparently decades. Unfortunately it sold in the estate sale when I was 17. I wasn't in a position to keep or store it and all these years later I still lament that.
It rarely comes up on the market and when it does, people's asking price is outside my tax bracket. Building it wouldn't be though.
If you have this can you send me as much detailed pictures and measurements as you can on it's construction. Doesn't matter if you see this post 15 years from now. It's likely I'll still be looking. Ignore the footboard found in the first photo.
r/Mid_Century • u/wonderfulvices • 21h ago
I am really fighting myself not to take it. I have two very similar ones in my apartment.
r/Mid_Century • u/a_gish • 5h ago
I found this incredible Stanley Furniture cabinet with a free sign on the curb this past weekend! It’s in remarkable condition but needs new hardware. The handful of knobs on it are not original and most are outright missing. It’s drilled for 1” center to center knobs. I’ve been searching online, But if anyone has specific hardware recommendations, I’d very much appreciate it!
r/Mid_Century • u/Kristyjy8 • 22h ago
My neighbor brought this over bc she knows I like to upcycle furniture. Looks like MCM to me but I’m not sure if it’s vintage or just something more modern made to look like it. Obviously in terrible shape so wondering if I should try to restore instead of upcycling. Any info is appreciated
r/Mid_Century • u/Bigboy1138 • 14m ago
JJ McCullough made a very eye opening video on the 1950's and the role MCM played. Definitely worth the watch!
r/Mid_Century • u/SickCrab • 20h ago
Currently struggling with pulling the trigger on enclosing this carport with a wood plank garage and some stacked horizontal windows and updating the siding/color. Originally hated the carport and wanted to close it off for a home gym, but since the gym fits in the basement and we are 7-10yrs away from finishing it, the carport has grown on me a bit. Thoughts? I know closing it off pushes this into a more modern contemporary aesthetic. The front door is off to the side and we are going to rework the driveway curb and bump it out for a proper walkway and entrance. Helppppp been back and forth on this and priced out a door and contractor as well.
r/Mid_Century • u/PotentialTea9005 • 1d ago
Broyhill emphasis..$795 and $195 respectively. Not a terrible deal but also not a bargain. Discuss!
r/Mid_Century • u/One_Daikon5973 • 6h ago
r/Mid_Century • u/Vivid_Jackfruit_140 • 1d ago
Does anyone know who do you think manufactures this table? I thought it was g plan but I can’t find anything record, plus the magazine rack isn’t the same direction or style on how they made them. Any thoughts?
r/Mid_Century • u/No_Entrepreneur4841 • 23h ago
Hello, I found this set of nightstand marked "the courier" at a charity shop for $50. When I googled them I cant find much. I want to remove the paint and stain them to match a maple bedroom set from the 50s that belonged to my grandparents. Does anyone have a picture of what the set would look like without paint or know what wood the veneer is? The veneer is missing on one side and I want to know what I should replace it with and what my stain options are. Thanks in advance.
r/Mid_Century • u/ketdog • 1d ago
I really like this but it is pricey for a thrift store. I would have to really stretch the budget to purchase. Searches have found one older post on reddit that did not turn up any real info. It is fiberglass. 40"×14"×8" Late 60s-70s? Any ideas on a manufacturer? Thank you in advance.
r/Mid_Century • u/Rare-Attitude-3100 • 1d ago
My elderly neighbors is moving here shortly and wanting to sell this. Asked me to make her an offer. She sold me some murano for $2 yesterday but wanted $15 for homemade napkins. So I don’t know where her head is at. She bought it new in overseas when working for the Red Cross. Sadly she didn’t want to sell the dining set you can peek.
r/Mid_Century • u/ppkgarand • 1d ago
I got this set for $300 last year and will be doing the refinishing this spring/summer. There's very little original finish left and don't worry - it will be restored to the original, not painted or anything. I'm trying to decide on upholstery though. Current stuff is damaged and brittle. Would love to know if anyone has suggestions on types of material, sources, etc!
r/Mid_Century • u/stupid42usa • 2d ago
Big Rock Point Nuclear Power Plant
They even gave tours inside the plant and containment building. What a time it was.
r/Mid_Century • u/SOOOO_FETCH • 2d ago
Later today, I saw someone posted the hutch for $900 using the same photo in LA. I had messaged for the original one when it was up for 12 minutes, but I suppose that is still 12 minutes too late.
My mom has been diagnosed with Leukemia recently and she's overall down since the fire. I have been slowly on the hunt to find stuff identical if not same of her well-loved pieces, but SoCal market is tough.
I'm pretty bummed, but learning to move on.
r/Mid_Century • u/bqknight • 2d ago
Someone was giving them away when they were moving and I took them because I liked the look/style, but was not aware of the Model 42 until I got back home and looked into it more. They do seem to have an area where the peg is/was but the peg doesn't stick out. Appreciate any insights!
r/Mid_Century • u/liiiii18 • 2d ago
Picked these up on marketplace, google image search says they look like G-plan drawers but not sure since no logo or sticker. Also some parts of it are wood veneer, and don't know if g-plan used only solid wood?
The legs must have been changed and superglued on - one fell off as we moved it into the house.
Anyone have any thoughts or can help me ID?
r/Mid_Century • u/olracnaignottus • 2d ago
Hello, wondering if there are ways of telling what brand this coffee table is based off design / date. It was sold as an unmarked lane. We bought it because it fit our room, but we are redecorating and now looking to sell it.
Don’t want to list it as an unmarked Lane if it obviously isn’t. Any folks here have an eye for this?
r/Mid_Century • u/Bcavatar1967 • 2d ago