Tag: Robin Day

10 decades of iconic interior design

Recently, Hillary’s Blinds contacted us asking us to chose what we thought was an iconic interior design item from the past century. We found it really hard to narrow it down!

What era should we choose from, what type of item? We eventually decided upon Robin Day’s Polo chair designed in 1975. It’s British, has been produced in the millions (and still counting!) and has been exported all over the world. Chances are most of our behinds have graced a Polo at one time or another!

Other bloggers and design experts such as Walnut Grey, Confessions of a Design Geek and Little Green Shed have also chosen their favourites. See the full listing below. What’s your iconic interior design item?

10 decades of iconic interior design
10 decades of iconic interior design – Hillarys

Midcentury Mag

"Midcentury Mag" blog post banner

image of the front cover of the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine pictured with a vintage Cathrineholm kettle and vintage harlequin china cup & saucer all on a piece of 1950s monochrome Crabtree fabric with milky way pattern

We have a regular book review feature on our blog, but today we’re looking at a magazine.

image of the 'Get the Look' feature in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

The biannual publication of Midcentury has recently been launched, so it’s especially nice to be able to cast our eye over edition number one.

image of Peggy Olsen in the Mad Men feature in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

It’s a subject close to our hearts too – namely Mid-Century Modernism.

image of Lucienne Day Olive Calyx pattern and Robin Day armchair from the Pallant House Gallery exhibition review in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

We’ve been reading our copy over the weekend and have been thoroughly enjoying it.

image of the 'image from the 'Directory' section in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

image of the 'image from the 'Directory' section in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine image of the 'image from the 'Directory' section in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

Articles in this edition include an in-depth look at the ever-expanding Midcentury Modern Show and an interview with the founders & organisers, Petra Curtis & Lucy Ryder Richardson.

image of the 'image from the 'Dealers' section in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

The Festival of Britain features prominently – both details of the original spectacular exhibition and current events to mark this, its 60th anniversary.

image of the 'image from the 'Marriage Made in Heaven' feature in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

There’s a look at the hit TV show, Mad Men and its influence on the current Mid Century Modern renaissance.

image of the 'image of visitors to the MidMod Show in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

Regular features are set to include the Buyer’s Guide to a design classic (the Eames rocker); Collector’s Perspective (the sculptures of Brian Willsher), Designer’s Eye (fashion designer, Margaret Howell‘s choice of 3 fave MCM pieces)’ Curator’s Choice which highlights a current exhibition (Robin & Lucienne Day at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester) and Mid Century Home, (in this edition, a tour of Cathy Spooner & Peter Walls’ house in Crystal Palace, London).

image of the 'image from the 'Festival of Britain' feature in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

There’s an excellent directory of specialist MCM stockists, designers & dealers.

image of the 'image of a bright yellow Eames rocking chair in the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

Format wise, it’s between A4 and A5 – and there are 66 pages in all. A subscription costs £6.95 per year for two issues, £10.95 in Europe and £13.95 to the rest of the world. The price includes postage.

image of close up of the front cover of the 1st edition of Midcentury Magazine

Hopefully this is the start of something great – so get your hands on a copy, have a browse and let them know what you think.