Print Power: Modern Flowers in Kids Rooms

Flowers are generally not thought of as modern or particularly cool. They're a throwback to a Victorian Era of inhibiting dicta and rules, right? Well, I love 'em, always have. It's not always easy to embrace the "girly" when writing for a forward-thinking design site. So when I drummed up the idea to do a roundup of floral rooms, I feared how it might get received. Evidently rightly so. "There are few things that I hate more than floral print and/or ruffles," wrote a commenter on yesterday's shower curtain roundup. Yikes.

And then I searched our archives. How wrong was my perception. These flowers have serious power, y'all. The use of this classic motif here is fresh and free. One room even belongs to a sole boy, who, yes, has forward-thinking parents. Flowers in children's rooms are modern again.

Enjoy.

TOP ROW:
1. Junie's Scandi-Style Room
2. My Room: Felicity
3. My Room: Sullivan
4. My Room: Uggie
5. Maya's Room

BOTTOM ROW:
6. My Room: Baby Z
7. My Room: Bunny
8. Meg's Room for Three
9. Remy's Fantastic Floral Nursery
10. My Room: Jane Elizabeth

(Images credited in original posts)

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Linkage: Portuguese Modern; Mad Men Decor; Tebow to Jersey; More!

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On the Market: Five For-Sale Examples of Beloved Midcentury Modern Style

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Wednesday, February 1, 2012, by Sarah Firshein

You can't swing a dead cat in this country without hitting some architectural relic of a bygone era; in the case of midcentury modernism, it's clean lines, boxy volumes, and ample use of glass that recalls the aesthetic that rose to popularity in the '50s. Take this 1953 New Canaan commission by Philip Johnson. Immediately after completing his renowned Glass House, the architect endeavored to build a home for his friend Alice Ball. The completed product features expanses of glass, a stucco facade, and a pristine white interior. The 1,700-square-foot house was nearly demolished a few years ago, but, thankfully for preservationists, the owner was blocked from pursuing her dreams of building a new, larger home on the site. Today the totally intact and well-preserved Alice Ball House asks $2.795M. Despite the pedigree and the lovely look, it's been listed for more than 1,200 days.

? The Wolfson Trailer House is a 1949 commission by Marcel Brueur. Sited on 10 acre in the hamlet of Salt Point, N.Y., the four-bedroom home was designed around a Royal Mansion Spartan Trailer and includes a separate artist's studio, which was added in 1960. Total square footage, 4,100; list price, just under $1M.

Photos: Todd Eberle/Wright 20

? Located on .75 leafy acres in Philly's pretty Chestnut Hill neighborhood, this Louis Kahn-designed one-bedroom failed to sell at auction in 2008 and is now listed for $1.5M. The 2,700-square-foot Esherick House was built in 1961 for Margaret Esherick, niece of sculptor Wharton Esherick—the custom kitchen happens to have been designed by Wharton.

? The only celebrity home on this list, the Hollywood Hills mansion that once belonged to Heath Ledger (and before that, Ellen Degeneres) was built in 1951 and has perks such as an outdoor movie lounge and "multiple seating areas perched in the trees." The two-bedrooms, two-bathroom, 1,800-square-foot "Treehouse," as it's known, is now asking $2.795M.

? This 1,700-square-foot ranch home in Lansing, Mich.,was built in 1958 by William Kessler, the architect who designed the nearby Michigan Historical Center and was once called "the dean of Detroit's architectural community" by the Detroit Free Press. It was here where Kessler, who studied under Bauhaus master Walter Gropius at Harvard, lived; the home has three peaked sections (dining room/lounge, living room/kitchen/family room, bedrooms), and was most recently asking $159K—although the listing was removed from Zillow at the tail end of last year.

· Philip Johnson's Follow-up to Glass House Worth More Than Wetlands [Curbed National]
· Marcel Breuer-Designed Midcentury With a Built-In Trailer [Curbed National]
· Louis Kahn's Esherick House Continues to Linger On the Market [Curbed National]
· Inside Heath Ledger's Newly Listed Midcentury "Treehouse" [Curbed National]
· The Other Glass House, Built by a Noted Michigan Architect [Curbed National]

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Aiden's "Modern Preppy" NurseryNursery Tour

Name: Aiden (14 months)
Location: Stevenson Ranch, California
Room Size: 11' x 11 1/2'

Interior designer, Jennifer Hsu, recently finished a project for a very special client - her son. I have heard many interior designers say that they are their toughest client. Jennifer and her husband put in the extra care to make sure everything was just perfect for their little man. I am in love with the results; so calming and so perfect!

What was the first inspiration for creating the design for your son's nursery?
Knowing that we would be spending a lot of time in this room, I wanted it to be a serene and peaceful place that will grow with Aiden. As soon as we found out we were having a little boy, I had a vision of a soothing white, blue and gray palette. In addition, I wanted a space that was "modern preppy." To achieve this look I brought in traditional elements like wainscoting and mixed it with modern furniture pieces.

What is your favorite element in the design?
It has to be the walls. I am really happy with how the wide horizontal stripes, wainscoting, and the built-in shelves turned out. My husband installed all this. It was his very first time building wainscoting and built-in shelves and I think he did a really amazing job. I had a lot of fun drawing them out and shopping for molding. The shelves turned out to be at the perfect height for Aiden; he loves getting his books and toys from the shelves every day.

When designing the nursery, what were some of the more practical considerations?
Aim for adaptability - whether with the furniture, color palette, or style. Also, make sure to invest in furniture that will grow with your child. We purchased a crib that can be adapted into a toddler bed and bought a dresser to be used as a diaper changing station. When looking for furniture pieces, try to look for pieces that are thoughtfully designed but not overly designed. Also, if you can, repurpose old furniture pieces. We were lucky to receive a comfortable glider from my sister-in-law. After we reupholstered with new cushion inserts and fabric, it looked even better than new! Most importantly, when designing a nursery don't worry about following a trend. Stick with the style you love. You will be spending a lot of time in that room so it has to be something that you will enjoy seeing every day.

What were the biggest challenges when designing the space?
Finding the time to put everything together. Besides the nursery, we had tons of other home improvement projects that we wanted to get done before Aiden arrived. We were good about ordering all the furniture and accessories on time, but when it came to building the wainscoting, built-in shelves, and painting we ran out of time. Luckily, Aiden slept in a bassinet next to our bed for the first 4 months. This gave my husband plenty of time to finish up the nursery.

What is your advice for incorporating built-in furniture into a nursery?
Custom built-in furniture is a clever way to make the most of every nook and cranny in a home. I love incorporating them because their custom nature has the ability to offer endless style and configuration options tailored to any space. Think about what is the main purpose you want for your built-in furniture - is it for open storage, closed storage, seating, etc? With Aiden's room we turned a wide, but shallow window niche into an open bookshelf. This was a perfect way to display children's books and to reduce clutter by storing smaller toys in the metal bins.

How do you see Aiden's room transforming as he grows into his toddler years?
We made sure to purchase furniture pieces that Aiden can use beyond his infant years. The crib can transition to a toddler bed and the changing table is actually a dresser. Later I will probably add a toddler-sized table and chairs where he can do arts and crafts.

What are a few of your dream sources for decorating a nursery?
I love Etsy; you can find lots of fun and creative items there. Also, Pinterest is always great for finding inspiration. I enjoy browsing other people's pinboards and I discover new things every time I visit. I also frequently visit The New Traditionalists, Dwell Studio, and Serena & Lily. They carry beautiful furniture, accessories, and/or bedding.

Sources:

Thanks Jennifer!

(Images: Jessica Comingore)

• SUBMIT A BABY OR KID'S SPACE

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CityScapes: A Midcentury Modern Gem Called the "Athens of the Prairie"

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Monday, December 19, 2011, by Rob Bear

Welcome to CityScapes, a column in which we explore some of the nation's oft-overlooked cities and towns: their local history and real estate offerings. Have a suggestion? Do let us know.

Photo by Jon Coombs

Were it not for the industrialist J. Irwin Miller, Columbus, Indiana might have turned out like so many other indistinguishable small towns, but Miller, one of the co-founders of diesel engine manufacturer Cummins, was determined to make Columbus one of America's most architecturally admired cities. To that end, Miller set up the Cummins Foundation and offered to pay the fees of notable contemporary architects for public projects, so long as the client chose from a pre-approved list. The result are more than 60 buildings by prominent architects, including Eero Saarinen, I.M. Pei, Robert Venturi, Cesar Pelli, Richard Meier, and Robert A.M. Stern. It was Saarinen, a personal friend of Miller, who designed Irwin's personal residence (above). The interiors were crafted in exhaustive detail by superstar designer Alexander Girard, while the grounds were left to Dan Kiley, the preeminent postwar landscape architect.

Photo by Jon Coombs

? The result of all those great minds working together is a breathtaking example of the height of midcentury design, spread over more than 6,800 square feet and 13.5 riverfront acres. Highlights include the cylindrical fireplace in the living room (above), the many personalized Girard fabrics, and horse chestnut trees lining the drive. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2000, the Miller House was donated to the Indianapolis Museum of Art following the death of Xenia Miller, Irving's wife, in 2008.

Photo: wiki

? The Miller residence is hardly the only attraction in Columbus, which boasts five additional National Historic Landmarks, including Saarinen's North Christian Church. The church, completed in 1964, consists of a hexagonal base with a sloped roof leading to a 192-foot spire. This house of god has the distinction of being the last structure designed by Eero Saarinen before his death in 1961.

WHAT'S ON THE MARKET NOW:

Unfortunately, the Cummins Foundation's focus on public buildings and Miller's own stunning residence did not rub off on the construction of private homes. Without the financial assistance of the foundation, homeowners instead opted for affordable and traditional (read: boring) architecture. That shows in Columbus's somewhat lackluster housing stock. Nevertheless, here are three picks from the local market, because, hey, at least they're in close proximity to the masterpieces.

? Lying directly across the street from the North Christian Church, this three-bedroom brick manse has a better view than most of the city's architectural treasures. That's not to say this place is a treasure itself. Built in 1950, the 3,200-square-foot spread is listed for $220K.

? For something a little more upscale, if no better presented, try this 18-acre horse farm on the outskirts of town. Centered around a five-bedroom, "Williamsburg style" brick mansion built in 1977, the compound is equipped with two barns and a three-bed guest house. It's no Miller House, but it's still one of the more expensive homes in town at $1.1M.

? This 1907 Gambrel cottage is one of the more architecturally interesting houses for sale in Columbus, and also one of the cheapest, asking just $110K. The low price might be due to the interiors, which have neither been updated nor terribly well maintained. Still, at least someone hasn't swung in here on a granite and stainless steel spree. Let's just hope there's some hardwood underneath all that carpet.

· 20th-Century Fox [Dwell]
· 2796 Sycamore St [Zillow]
· 572 S 250 E [Zillow]
· 1602 Washington St [Zillow]

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No Room for a Tree? 10 DIY Modern Holiday Alternatives

There are lots of reasons why, even if you celebrate and decorate for Christmas, you might be considering forgoing a tree this year. A small apartment or big travel plans are two common ones, but perhaps you are simply ready to try something a bit more out of the ordinary. We scoured our archives and the web for alternatives to the traditional tree for all of the holiday decor rebels out there and found plenty to choose from...

A bookshelf tree for those with very sparse bookshelves (not sure that exists!).

Martha & Tom have a fantastic how-to post on their wooden tree DIY.

A printout to use to deck the halls walls from HP.

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Renters Week 2011: Architectural Rental Round-Up: Midcentury Modern Edition

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, November 10, 2011, by Rob Bear

From the outside, the house doesn't look much like something we'd typically call "midcentury modern," but the stone structure, located in Newton, Mass., was built in 1948 by the esteemed Bauhaus architect and theorist Walter Gropius. It doesn't get much better than that! But wait, what's this?! At some point over the past 63 years a horrendous glass pavilion was tacked onto the back of the house as a "recreation area," containing both an indoor swimming pool and a billiards table. This would have Gropius rolling over in his grave, and it'll have whomever rents the place—for $18,000 per month, no less—wishing that they'd purchased instead. If only to have the right to tear down that abomination of an addition.

? Southern California is rife with brilliantly restored midcentury homes, but sadly, it seems the bulk of them are owned and occupied by the same people that renovated. This 1961 construction in La Jolla, Calif. might be lacking in curb appeal, but one can't fault it on authenticity. It looks like it hasn't been touched or modified in 50 years, for better or worse. In 2011, it's listed for $2,990 per month.

? Inland from La Jolla, Palm Springs, Calif. has long been known as an excellent hunting ground for midcentury gems. This 3,000-square-foot, four-bed rental might do well to trade on that reputation more than its own architecture. Luckily, the $5,600-a-month property has the necessary swimming pool and is located in the ritzy Old Las Palmas neighborhood.

? All told, this Seattle, Wash. property ends up looking like a normal ranch house with owners who have decided to decorate the place like it was a van der Rohe. Some of the rooms, like the wood-paneled library, are convincing, but the exterior leaves a lot to be desired, especially given the rent, $3,500 per month.

? This $12,000 per month midcentury in Miami Beach, Fla. doesn't need much work—well, it could use some new photos—but condition isn't everything. Granted, the furnishings probably don't come along with a lease, but they don't quite jive with the sleek bones of the house. Still, it's the best yet, especially with the huge glass doors that open onto the lush patio and swimming pool.

· 30 The Ledges [Zillow]
· 934 La Jolla Rancho Road [Zillow]
· Old Las Palmas [Zillow]
· 6023 NE Keswick Drive [Zillow]
· 6620 Windsor Ln [Zillow]
· All Renters Week 2011 posts [Curbed National]

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House of the Day: A Pre-Glass House Modern in the Connecticut Countryside

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Friday, September 30, 2011, by Rob Bear

Have a nomination for a jaw-dropping listing that would make a mighty fine House of the Day? Get thee to the tipline and send us your suggestions. We'd love to see what you've got.

Location: Falls Village, Conn.
Price: $3,450,000
The Skinny: Built in 1932 in the bucolic countryside of northwest Connecticut, this early modernist masterpiece was commissioned by the celebrated muralist Ezra Winter, who painted large-scale paintings on the walls of Radio City Music Hall and the Library of Congress. Winter's former compound sits at the heart of an 82-acre tract of private land, with a studio and house totalling 6,600-square-feet. The painting studio is a cavernous space, with 30-foot ceilings, 24-foot windows, and a mezzanine library. The accompanying four-bedroom house boasts 13-foot ceilings, radiant heating, and the original wood-paneled study. This sounds like the ideal country estate, but the history of the property does have a tragic turn: Winter took his own life in the woods here in 1949.
· Earliest Modernist American House in Falls Village, CT [Klemm Real Estate]
· George Rogers Clark Memorial (third item from bottom) [NPS]

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Real Estate Sold: Nob Hill: Chinese-American Modern Sells at a Discount

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Monday, July 25, 2011, by Philip Ferrato

This past May we covered 1157 Washington Street, the Modernist urban cottage on the edge of Chinatown, a charming '50s Chinese-American time capsule with great open views of the downtown skyline and the East Bay. The sophisticated little 3-bed, 2-bath house, built in 1954, closed last week for $900,000, $50,000 less than the asking price. It had been "pending" for a while, so presumably there were some contingencies to sort out. No word on whether the classic- and coveted- light fixtures were included, but the house has no parking or outdoor space. Check out the Smithsonian-ready kitchen in the gallery.
· Nob Hill: Mid-Century Chinese-American Time Capsule [Curbed SF]
· 1157 Washington Street [Redfin]

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Showhouses: First Look Inside Elle Decor's Modern Life Concept House

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Thursday, May 12, 2011, by Sarah Firshein Photos: Will Femia

There aren't many things that will have us hauling over to the far-west edge of Manhattan, but the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House, which opens to the public May 20, is most certainly one of them. It's all happening in two adjacent two-bedroom units on the 10th floor of +aRT, a not-yet-finished condo building whose marketing brochure encourages would-be residents to "gaze out of the wall-sized windows to gape at the collective passersby, plot your next buy at Balenciaga, or curl up in the Art Yard with a friend." (Also, we're prompted to "walk barefoot across the white oak floors.") Elle Decor editor in chief Michael Boodro, dressed in his Tuesday best, gave Curbed a tour through the magazine's first-ever NYC showhouse.

Unlike us, though, Boodro doesn't actually call it that—"It's the idea of young designers and that's why we don't call it a showhouse, we call it a concept house," he said, adding that there's no narrative or imaginary resident who's supposed to live here (unlike their showhouse in San Francisco). "We pair them up with brands that have supported the magazine and they work with them. This is an apartment that most of our readers, and probably most of your readers, would live in."

The designers are all the magazine's A-List Designers to Watch, five from this year and five from last. "We wanted people who had a little bit of a history," Boodro explained as we sat in the kitchen of unit 10B, a space designed by Katie Lydon with Bosch. "We were looking for designers who sort of had our aesthetic in the sense that they're sort of eclectic and young with an appreciation of tradition—and ones that we felt had staying power and had proven themselves enough that weren't just flashes in the pan but also brought something a little bit different and distinctive to the scene. They're people who really have demonstrated that they've gotten their acts together, and now only have vision and creativity but can sustain a business." Ah, if only all our interviews could be conducted around marble-top Saarinen dining tables!

On deck: a Gilt Home sale (or rather five of them) selling off some of the items in the Modern Life Concept House, plus an entire, full-fledged showhouse to correspond with Design Miami in December. The NYC space will be featured in a 12-page spread in the magazine's September issue; in the mean time, though, have a look at the photos above. And if you prefer to watch a video tour, head over here.

(Oh, and proceeds from Modern Life Concept House ticket sales benefit Housing Works.)

· Sketchy Sneak Peek at the Elle Decor Showhouse [Curbed National]
· All +aRT coverage [Curbed NY]
· Elle Decor Announces Designers for NYC Showhouse! [Curbed National]
· The Modern Life Concept House [Elle Decor]

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That's Rather Lovely: No-Fuss Modern Digs in Historic Building as Crisp as Owner

× Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Friday, January 7, 2011, by Sarah Photos: Jeffrey Hirsch/NYSD

This week's New York Social Dairy House column explores the airy, bright apartment of architectural designer Jennifer Post. "For all her white paint and expensive white Italian sofas, she says she could never live in a modern building," write the interviewers of the space in NYC's famed Apthorp building. The notoriously blunt Post, who counts Simon Cowell among her clients, offered a series of inspiringly quick-hitting thoughts such as "architecture has to be the hero." No prattling on for this one, thank the lord! Her home is likewise swift, spare, and elegant—do have a look above.
· Jennifer Post [NYSD House]

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House of the Day: Perfectly Preserved Midcentury Modern Sees Market for First Time

Like us and you'll find top breaking news in your Facebook newsfeed. Sign up for our daily email newsletter and get top stories and breaking news delivered to your inbox. Tuesday, December 28, 2010, by Rob

Have a nomination for a jaw-dropping listing that would make a mighty fine House of the Day? Get thee to the tipline and send us your suggestions. We'd love to see what you've got.

Location: Houston, Texas
Price: $1,795,000
The Skinny: Built for a prominent chemical engineer in 1960 and privately traded just once since then, this home has retained nearly all of its midcentury detailing and—if the staging is to be believed—many of the furnishings, as well. In fact, there's only the new dishwasher to distinguish this place from the day it was built. As impressive as this labor of preservation might be, the house could have some trouble finding a taker among the buyers of the new millennium. Granite countertops? No. Carpeted bathroom? Yep! There's even an old-school TV aerial on the roof. Hopefully, the choice location in one of Houston's finer neighborhoods will draw the sort of "preservation-minded buyer" sought by the seller. Besides, you'd have to be a real new construction fiend to drop $1.8M for a tear down.
· 3269 Reba Drive [Crosby Doe]

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Linkage: A Modern Artist's House; News at Mies van der Rohe Society

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