Friday, August 17

Milo Baughman

Mary Anne Smiley

My inspiration for the posting today came from this beautiful room designed by Dallas designer Mary Anne Smiley. I love the way Mary Anne mixed antiques, chrome, a beautiful Kelly Wearstler rug and Barcelona chairs. chairs. The room has Milo Baughman inspired elements that I really love.

Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1960s from Fat Chance Modern

Milo Baughman Chair in Chrome and Yellow Wool 1960s from Home 114

Milo Baughman was one of the leading modern furniture designers of the second-half of the 20th century. His uniquely American designs were forward-thinking and distinctive, yet unpretentious and affordable. Today Baughman furniture is much less affordable. As with anything that is well crafted and highly collectable it is reflected in the price tag.

His prolific and highly influential work continues to be copied, reinvented and revived by contemporary furniture designers.

“With an ongoing interest in '50s and '60s design, a lot of my work has been reintroduced and been very well-received,” Baughman once declared. “Increasingly, architects are using these mid-century classics from the pioneer of this period. It’s a bit unfortunate for current designers with new interpretations of Modern. Going back to the classics is playing it safe, which limits opportunities for new concepts in design.”

Working mainly with walnut, formica and wrought iron, Baughman created simple, understated pieces; many were conceived as space dividers, functioning admirably in the open plan interiors characteristic of the California Modern style.

Baughman's work was included in the Whitney Museum's 1985 exhibit "High Styles: Twentieth Century American Design". In recognition of his monumental impact on American taste, Baughman was inducted into the Furniture Designers Hall of Fame in 1987.

14 comments:

The Peak of Chic said...

I like the mix in the Smiley photo. That's a beautiful room :)

Mélanie said...

I love this room with the " mélange " of old and new . it looks gorgeous.
I haven't heard before of the chairs designer ..well I'm goignt ot work on it , and to study what he has done. thank you for sharing your culture with us.
Mélanie

DSas said...

This room is beautiful! I really like the amethyst geode on the mantle. At first I was surprised that someone from half-way around the world was spot-lighting work of a local (to me) designer -- then I noticed you're a native Texan.
John Widdicomb makes a chair very similar to those by the fireplace -- I think it's called Iribe.

ALL THE BEST said...

Isn't it a great room Jennifer! I just love the mix.

ALL THE BEST said...

Mélanie it's great to see designs and designers from different parts of the world.

Hi Ryce, yes, I'm a native Texan (Houstonian) now living in Scotland. Thanks for the John Widdicomb information.

diana murphy said...

Thanks for this interesting post. I remember the Whitney show you mention (back in the day). Baughman's unpretentious designs work in beautifully with so many styles.

(Also, I've asked a few favorite bloggers if I might include links to their blogs. May I offer a link to yours on mine?)

Anonymous said...

That smiley room is so swoon worthy! I love the colors. Its like the long lost inspiration picture I never had when trying to decorate my living room (well, the colors anyway, clearly nothing else looks remotely similar!)

Things That Inspire said...

Beautiful room, and interesting information on Baughman.

kim. said...

Totally breathtaking room - colours are so beautiful!

katiedid said...

Great to have this information! And I love the mix in the first photo too! Which chairs in that photo are the Milo chairs? Love the photos of his work you posted also!

ALL THE BEST said...

Thanks Katie, the Milo inspired chairs are the chrome ones in the foreground.

Thanks Kim, Sarah an BH - swoon worthy indeed!

ALL THE BEST said...

dianamuse, what a great show it must have been. thank you, a link would be great! let me know which of your blogs. all best!

cotedetexas said...

Hey Texas girl - I love that designer!

Joni

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my design. Clarification. The two chrome base chairs in the foreground are of course, Mies Vande Rhoe Barcelona chairs. The two chairs by the fireplace are actually "The French Club Chair" by Nierman Weeks. The sofas by the way are Lucien Rollin French 40's design. The steel tables are my own custom design.
Love your site.
Mary Anne Smiley, ASID, IIDA