Musing Mid-Century Modern - ecoDECO
We spend so much time musing over the fantastic innovations growing out of the green marketplace that we thought it appropriate to pause for a moment and show some love for the old school vintage, iconic furniture and home decor that's being reborn every day. Not only for the fact that 're-using' reduces our impact on the environment, but when it comes to sexy mid-century modern design, you wanna buy it regardless of our planet giving you a 'big-up'.
Those in the know are already tuned into Leslieville as the primo destination for vintage furniture shopping - with shops boasting everything from high end classics to industrial design stunners. And in true trendsetting fashion, some of these retailers have been around even before the commercial craze for this beautiful era of modernist furniture. We scoped out a few- here are our favs...
Ethel is one of the best shops for Danish designer pieces from the 1950’s and '60s as well as 1970’s pop plastics. You'll find industrial lighting shining over handmade ceramics and Italian artglass - look out for signature pieces such as Eames Aluminum Group office chairs to funky Aarnio Ball Chairs. Their showroom is a museum of mid-century modern design and a real tribute to the past. As in most vintage retailers, stock changes regularly, but you can always find teak furnishings and colourful vintage radios and electronics. Plus Ethel is now carrying furnishings locally made from salvaged barnboard. http://ethel20thcenturyliving.com/ethel/index.html.
On the easternmost edge of the Leslieville vintage shop strip you'll find G.U.F.F. (Great Used Furniture Finds) with a real mix of antiques and Scandinavian modern furniture. Plenty of teak to be found here too plus some pretty cool industrial finds - and a good smattering of art deco as well. http://guffonline.blogspot.com
Machineagemodern is your place for rare international lines - high-end classics like the glass and chrome Verner Panton dining set and Robert Indiana’s LOVE rug. You can also score some more affordable, high-quality teak furnishings and Murano glass lamps, and their best seller, their house-designed Cubist mirrored wall sculpture that encompasses some serious 60's chic. www.machineagemodern.com.
Zig Zag's eclectic assortment was recently featured in design-bible Wallpaper - doesn't mean it's not within reach... You can find your requisite Wegner and Eames here, but also a great selection of unsigned pieces, and an awesome collection of lucite and metal ware. Best thing is you can buy (or window-shop) online via their Mod Store - it's updated on the regular with all their newest inventory. www.modfurnishings.com.
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