Groovin' to the Grundig

It's been a while since we last had a stereo in the store, and this gorgeous Grundig makes the wait well worthwhile. Not only does this unit have a classy exterior, but the radio and turntable work flawlessly too.

Somebody is going to be groovin' to this Grundig soon, I'm betting.

Here it is with everything closed.

With the pull-down door opened to reveal the radio...

And now completely open...

The turntable

A close-up of the radio dial, with a place for five pre-set stations

The Grundig label

I forgot this thing...and this other thing.

When I posted photos yesterday of some of my SIL's latest finds, I completely forgot to include a shot of my favorite piece! (I'm starting to think that some of my "forgetting" is actually the result of a subconscious desire to keep these great pieces close to me for as long as I can.)

It's a vintage Packard Bell stereo, and it's hands-down the most gorgeous one we've had in the store so far. The style is spectacular, the components are nothing short of space-age, and the sound is wonderful. Take a look at this baby.

How sleek is this?

My SIL says it looks like a cold war targeting system!

If I hadn't bought a vintage Curtis Mathes stereo just a few months ago, I'd seriously be raking my pennies together. If you'll recall, I found it at an estate sale and picked it up for the store, but my SIL said he didn't like it (What?!?!? Who can resist those tambour doors?), so I kept it for myself. He ate his words the other day and admitted that the more he sees it, the prettier he thinks it is. But it's mine...all mine! ::diabolical laugh::

I also neglected to include a photo of this beautiful Chesterfield chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, which is one classy piece of furniture. How do you forget something this unforgettable? It's in such pristine condition...and it's such a perfect example of Wormley's signature modern take on a classic style.

Both these pieces have attracted considerable attention on our Facebook page, so I doubt they will be in the store long. Whoever takes them home will have bragging rights for a long time to come.

In the store: Post-holiday picking

Everything slowed down considerably the week between Christmas and New Year's, but we hit 2012 running last week with a spate of sales that necessitated an out-of-state picking trip.  We came home with a set of Eero Saarinen chairs that have gone to the upholstery shop, a set of chairs that look like the offspring of a high-backed Adrian Pearsall chair and a piece from the Paul Evans Cityscape group and a sofa (not photographed yet). In addition to those finds, a huge C. Jeré  Brooklyn Bridge that we won at auction came in, and locally we found a Fleetwood stereo, a Danish wardrobe and another sofa (also not photographed yet).

C. Jeré  Brooklyn Bridge

Chrome and velvet chairs that look a little Pearsall/Evansish

Danish wardrobe

Fleetwood stereo

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.

Mine, all mine

My SIL sells vintage stereos almost as quickly as he can get them into the store, so when I saw this vintage Curtis Mathes at an estate sale the other day, I picked it up for $100. While most of the stereos we sell in the store have a lids that lift, this one has a solid top. The tambour doors in the front slide open to reveal the radio and Garrard turntable, all in working order.

As it turned out, my daughter and I really liked it, but he prefers something with a little more Danish or German look. I decided to keep it for myself...because I have a soft spot for tambour doors, and I love that I can put my TV on top. It is now at home in the grandsons' playroom, and everyone is happy.

I listed my smaller, blonde credenza on Craigslist, and it's already generating some interest.

My new stereo/TV stand :)

In the store: Lonnnnnnnnnnnng and cool

We sold so much furniture Labor Day weekend that we literally only had about a half dozen pieces left on the floor. We've been restocking all week, and now the store is bursting with new merchandise.

Some of the pieces are impressively large. There's an architectural bench/coffee table that expands from 55" to a massive 96" length. It's so big when it's extended that we had to photograph it outside. Then there's a Danish credenza with a smoked glass front that's a sleek 83" long. And if stretching out on funky plush is your thing, we have the most comfortable sofa on earth in a gold and brown stripe trimmed in walnut and metal. Finally, we have a long, beautiful RCA stereo with a design that's very Brasilia-esque. Oh...and I almost forgot...a Drexel Precedent dining set. The table extends to 100".

Take a look...and check back tomorrow for more.

Bench at 55" length

Bench fully extended to 96"

83" credenza with smoked glass doors

88" plush sofa

RCA stereo, 61.5" long

Drexel Precedent dining set extended to 100"

In the store: Furniture and wall decor

We may have to wait a few days for the Nelson clock, but Wednesday's picking trip out of state was instant gratification. My SIL came home with a red lounge chair and ottoman designed by George Mulhauser for Plycraft, another great console stereo, a nice little tea cart and a large Brutalist wall sculpture.

Plycraft lounge chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser

Vintage stereo with orange fabric

Danish tea cart

Brutalist wall sculpture

In the store: High fidelity

The first item that sold when we opened the store was a beautiful Canadian stereo by Fleetwood.  Almost every time a customer looks at our hi-fi sets and stereos, the units trigger a memory of a similar one in a childhood home or at grandma's house.

My SIL makes sure each one is in great working order before he buys it, so they're not only beautiful, but they also sound amazing too. Which is your favorite?

Fleetwood

1964 Emerson

Packard Bell "Spage Age"

1966 Motorola - My personal favorite