The iconic kidney table

Mid-century designers, from the famous to the anonymous, loved natural forms and shapes. It's no surprise, then, that the human body served as a source of inspiration. After all, what's more organic than an organ?

The kidney shaped table was an iconic design piece in the 1950s. Made of wood, glass, metal, tile or Formica, it graced both mansions and tiny apartments. Take a look back at a few of them.

Adrian Pearsall kidney table
1stdibs.com

Isamu Noguchi table
1stdibs.com

Enzo Mari kidney tables
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Victor DiNovi kidney table
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Charlotte Perriand kidney tables
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Italian lazy susan kidney table
1stdibs.com

Mosaic kidney table
1stdibs.com

Formica kidney table
icollector.com

Kidney table by Lane
houzz.com

In the store: Chairs, chairs, chairs

We have new chairs in the store in styles to suit almost any taste. High-backed upholstered dining chairs? Check! Deep, comfortable club chairs? Check! Low-backed wraparound dining chairs? Check!

If you prefer a fully upholstered dining chair with a tall back, we have a set of four Adrian Pearsalls that fit the bill. They have been newly recovered and have beautiful bases and legs.

Adrian Pearsall dining chairs

If you're looking for glamorous club chairs you can sink into that just happen to be newly reupholstered in a luscious deep olive green velvet with contrasting piping and have a classy pedigree, then these Edward Wormley designs for Dunbar are just what you need.

Club chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

However, if a more classic Scandinavian look is what you want, we have five Erik Kirkegaard Model 52 Compass chairs that should please. These chairs, produced in 1956 by Høng Stolefabrik, were inspired by Hans Wegner's JH502 chairs, but were sold at a much more affordable price.

Erik Kirkegaard Compass chairs (five available)

In the store: Adrian Pearsall dining table

I love Adrian Pearsall tables, and this one we just put on the floor is a stunner. It's fully restored and bears all the distinguishing hallmarks of design that made Pearsall and Craft Associates so popular, then and now.

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In the store: Adrian Pearsall chairs

We just got a fantastic pair of his-and-hers lounge chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall. They're a gorgeous bright orange hop sack in very good condition. These chairs are just as comfortable as they are cool!

Designer fails: Lush, plush fur

I love Adrian Pearsall's work. In fact, he's probably my favorite American designer. If you hadn't figured that out already, I'm sure the post I wrote a few days ago left no doubt. Almost all of his designs completely sweep me off my feet. One in particular is a white gondola sofa we sold about a year ago. I still think about it wistfully.

Adrian Pearsall gondola sofa...a definite SUCCESS

In my opinion, that's one classy sofa. When Mr. Pearsall was good, he was very, very good. But not all his designs should have made it off the drawing board. 

I think that's a fair observation to make about the work of most designers, so I'm starting a new series about designer fails. As I run across pieces I think should never have been brought to fruition, I'll share them with you. And to prove I can be objective, I'm starting with the designer I most would have liked to meet and whose recent passing I have sorely grieved. So forgive me, dear Adrian, but I have to give two thumbs down to lush, plush fur. 

A few months ago, we sold a Pearsall sofa upholstered in green plush. We lovingly called it Oscar the Couch, and it was fun and kitschy...but it was on a beautiful gondola base and could easily have been reupholstered if one were so inclined. There was also a matching chair. However, the pieces were bought by two different customers. Sometimes a room can hold only so much kitsch.

Adrian Pearsall plush gondola sofa...a SUCCESS when toned down with less kitschy pieces

Honestly, I can't find one thing about this red and chartreuse room that I like except the plants. Granted, it's a 1972 design and not his mid-century work, which goes a long way towards explaining his lapse in good taste. (After all, most of us who were adults in the 70s and 80s have a few photos of our homes or of ourselves taken during those decades that will remain forever locked away.)

The lush, plush sofa and chairs are bad enough, but lush, plush floor lamps and a lush, plush coffee table too? Yikes. And after all Pearsall's beautiful mid-century walnut, what's up with that shiny metal trim that looks like Paul Evans-meets-the Partridge Family? Just goes to show that nobody's perfect.

Better than sex

Seriously, I haven't been this excited in almost a decade.

When my SIL sent me the photos of the Adrian Pearsall 2179-T dining table he found over the weekend, my heart started to pitter-patter. Then I got all weak in the knees. OK, maybe it's not better than sex to you, but wait till you get to be my age!

Go on...tell me you can look at this gorgeous piece of furniture from any angle without feeling at least a little lustful.

In the store: Chairs and tables and glass! Oh my!

Several great pieces have been added to the store inventory the past few days. There's a gorgeous Adrian Pearsall coffee and side table set, a smoked acrylic Chromcraft set with glass topped table, a massive coffee table with three sculptured legs, three blue Saarinen Executive chairs and a super comfy deep tufted club chair.

Adrian Pearsall coffee table and triangular topped side table

Chromcraft glass topped table with smoked acrylic chairs

Early Saarinen Executive chairs

Coffee table with sculptured legs

Deep tufted club chair in the style of Harvey Probber

Now that the Henredon dining set is in the store, I thought I'd give you a better look at it. The photo I posted the other day was taken in the previous owners' driveway and simply didn't do this set justice.

Henredon dining set

One last look

2011 was a great year for Mid2Mod. We opened our brick and mortar store, as well as an Etsy store. We have bigger and better things planned for 2012, which we'll be announcing very soon, but even as we move forward, I'm giving one last admiring glance over my shoulder at some of the pieces I would have been thrilled to bring home for myself.

I actually considered buying a few of them, but my SIL and I have the clear understanding that if he offers me the super-duper MIL rate and someone comes in willing to buy a piece for the full price, they take it home. The standing joke is that we're in business to make money, not to decorate my home. (Trust me, the same rule applies to things my daughter wants for their home!)

Here's my countdown of the 10 items in our store in 2011 that I loved most...the ones that got away.

10. C. Jere' Trees Metal Wall Art

9. Salterini Outdoor Chairs

8. Danish Lounge Chairs

7. Packard Bell Space Age Stereo

6. Teak Room Divider

5. Paul McCobb Northcraft Lamp

4. Ib Kofod-Larsen Shell Chairs

3. Alvar Aalto Paimio Chair

2. Adrian Pearsall Gondola Sofa

and the one I wanted most...

1. Richard Schultz Daybed for Knoll

Even though I would have loved to own these beautiful pieces, I want to thank the customers who bought them and let you know that we appreciate your business. I am certain all the pieces went to wonderful homes where they will be treasured and handled with care.

Christmas wish list: 1stdibs

I've posted wish lists from eBay and Etsy already. I figured, while I'm at it, I might as well up the ante and choose a few things from 1stdibs. After all, if my loved ones are going to have to take out a loan, it might as well be a big one. :) Here are a few things that would jingle my bells.

Isamu Noguchi tripod lamp - $1,600
1stdibs.com - Just in Modern

Poul Henningsen light fixture - $2,600
1stdibs.com - Gallery L7

Alvar Aalto Paimio chairs - $3,400
1stdibs.com - Sputnik Modern

Jens Risom bench - $4,800
1stdibs.com - ABC Modern

Richard Stein daybed for Knoll - $5,800
1stdibs.com - Collage

Peter Hvidt settee/sofa - $7,200
1stdibs.com - Dual

Adrian Pearsall sofa - $8,650
1stdibs.com - Las Venus

Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair - $10,800
1stdibs.com - Machine Age

Vladimir Kagan sofa - $27,000
1stdibs.com - Almond Hartzog