Modern Homes Portland » Atomic Living

George Perrou – Retro Modern Artist

swensonm — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:46:04 +0000

George Perrou - retro modern art

I have had the opportunity to attend two of Portland artist George Perrou’s openings at the fabulous Elroy Art Space. The first show was his “Dreams of Eames” opening and just last weeks “Shipwrecks of Sparta” opening. Perrou’s work is inspired by mid century animation, colors, decor, art and life. Perrou’s method is unique in that he uses tape (as one time stencils) and a knife to create the sharp , overlapping lines on his canvases. The contrast of vibrant background colors with the sharp geometric images draws you in and gives one the overwhelming sense of nostalgia for the days when you spent endless hours in a different world with The Jetsons.

George Perrou - retro modern art

You can view more of Perrou’s work (and buy it) through the Elroy Art website.

Also, here is the OPB Oregon Art Beat feature on George Perrou.

George Perrou - retro modern art

Mid Century related posts/pages:

Street of Eames Pre-sale Tickets

swensonm — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:38:22 +0000

Street of Eames Modern Home Tour

Tickets for the 2010 Street of Eames modern homes tour are available for purchase right now. Special advanced tickets are available for an additional donation price of $250 per pair (includes 2 – $50 tickets and a $150 tax deductible donation to the Street of Eames Fund, which supports after-school programs for homeless elementary school students in Portland Public Schools). Regular priced tickets ($50) officially go on sale February 22nd, 2010 but the event sells out every year (within minutes) so, if you don’t want to take any chances, then you should buy tickets now at the Street of Eames website.

Look Modern – Mid Century Modern Home Furnishing

swensonm — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:45:33 +0000

Verner Panton chairs manufactured by Herman Miller in September, 1974, in vibrant orange molded plastic.

Danish Modern Living Room Set

convertible sofa bed by Hans Wegner (not sure how long that sale was going)

The other I day I was out and about picking up flyers from the printers, there were no parking spaces in the usual vicinity, so I had to park a couple of blocks away. I jumped out of the car and saw a small a-frame reader board that said “mid-century modern furniture” and had an arrow pointing up. I looked up and saw a door to a narrow staircase, so I decided to pop in to see what they had. What I expected to walk into was a 1,500 – 2,000 sq. ft. space with a couple of overpriced pieces that were more intended for an e-bay sale. What I walked into, after the couple of flights of stairs, was an 8,000 sq ft warehouse packed full (not uncomfortably) of amazing Danish mid century modern furniture in great/excellent condition. Rooms full of Eames chairs, mid century credenzas, sofas, it goes on for quite a while (and so could I). I was not completely shocked by the pricing, it was what I expect to see this type of furnishing in this type of condition, and when I was there they were having a 20% off of everything sale. I met one of the owners and they told me they had been there for awhile but are only open Fri. – Sun. (they actually do a lot of their business on-line), check their site for hours and stop by if you can, it is breathtaking.

Look Modern is located at:

800 SE Clay

Portland, OR 97214

The Original Dinerant – Portland Oregon

swensonm — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:25:04 +0000

The Original Dinerant ~ Portland Oregon

I know the word “dinerant” isn’t really a word but the term fits this modern vintage replica restaurant perfectly. The Original Dinerant, designed by David Ashen of D-ASH Design (NY), combines the sophistication of mid-century Palm Springs with the casual feel of the classic American roadside diner. They have an interesting menu with a VooDoo Doughnut burger (yes, instead of buns, doughnuts!), poutine (I had to look this up but it is a standard in Canada), and some of the best breakfast around. I had the biscuits with the best veggie gravy I have had yet, that was served with a baby field green salad and loved it all! They serve Stumptown Coffee and the flourescent lit, multi-tiered, rotating dessert case (every diner has one) as you enter boasts the tallest carrot cake and thickest pies around.

The Original Dinerant is located at:

300 SW 6th Ave

Portland, OR 97204

Rummer Restoration Project – Gresham Oregon

swensonm — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 20:34:01 +0000

back of the double gabled Gresham Rummer *Not For Sale*

double Thermador’s reporting for duty

A little while ago I stumbled across a very entertaining blog about a family (the Lewis’) from Gresham restoring/remodeling their Rummer home. They do not make it look fast or easy but it is very entertaining getting to take a peek into their remodeling projects and the outcome is always amazing, they do such a great job! Another thing that I love about the Lewis’ blog is that the entire family is excited about their home projects, they make it feel like the home is a family member and not just a place to live.

So after I had devoured all of the blogs contents, I contacted Steve and Haley and invited myself over to tour and get a first hand look of their restoration project. When I visited they had zero kitchen, it was gutted to the studs (very brave). Haley took me on the tour and explained all of the pretty, clean lines they are going to open up throughout the home, to take it back to the way it was intended to look (& then some).

The kitchen design is influenced by case study home #22. Here is the plan:

kitchen plan, modeled after case study home #22 - (photo by the Lewis')

case study house #22 - photo by Julius Shulman

Update: Since I have visited, the Lewis’ have put the kitchen back together. Pics here! It is amazing, thanks for sharing it with us.

P.S. can’t wait to see what they do with that ‘56 Airstream Safari aka Plan B

Gresham Rummer holiday ~ beautiful! (photos by the Lewis')

For a list of all of the Rummer homes for sale in the Portland area visit the Rummer page where I will update listings as they hit market.

Modern Homes Portland – Last Minute Gift Guide for Mods

swensonm — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:53:16 +0000

Last minute gift giving guide for the modern obsessed love in your life (short and sweet):

Julius Shulman 3 volume book - $300

If you haven’t seen Visual Acoustics yet, get thee to an indie theater and do so. If you have seen it, then you will most def want these books (photos is a link to the site where you can buy this for me your loved ones).

Frank Lloyd Wright Lego Set - $99.99

Build it yourself Falling Water Lego set.

subscription to Atomic Ranch Magazine

The Atomic Ranchers are based in Portland so you can boast a decent ” I shopped local” with this gift. Great design ideas for the MCMers.

George Nelson Bubble Lamp Calendar 2010 - $9.95

The George Nelson Bubble Lamp calendar for 2010. Full of vintage bubble lamp ads.

Eames View Master Reels - $35

Photos of the Eames’ Case Study House #8 in View Master fashion (photos taken by the Eames’ themselves). Pretty much everything else on this website would make an awesome gift too.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday! Enjoy everything and everyone.

“What good is a dream house if you haven’t got a dream?” -Julius Shulman

Please share your own ideas if you have them, thanks!

Visual Acoustics – The Modernism of Julius Shulman

swensonm — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:55:18 +0000

This documentary about the work of Julius Shulman, famed modernist photographer best know for his photos of the Case Study homes in California, is playing this week at the Living Room Theater in Portland, Oregon. I highly recommend seeing it before it is gone. I am on my way right now.

Summary:

Narrated by Dustin Hoffman, Visual Acoustics, celebrates the life and career of Julius Shulman, the world’s greatest architectural photographer, whose images brought modern architecture to the American mainstream. Shulman, who passed away this year, captured the work of nearly every modern and progressive architect since the 1930s including Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, John Lautner and Frank Gehry. His images epitomized the singular beauty of Southern California’s modernist movement and brought its iconic structures to the attention of the general public. This unique film is both a testament to the evolution of modern architecture and a joyful portrait of the magnetic, whip-smart gentleman who chronicled it with his unforgettable images.

Rejuvenation Event – Fixture Gallery Opening

swensonm — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:59:45 +0000

Rejuvenation is hosting another fabulous event. This event will be held on Saturday, December 12th, from 1-5pm open house style. The event will be showcasing the library archive resource and fixture gallery space on the second floor of the Portland showroom (1100 Southeast Grand Avenue). Bo Sullivan, the resident Rejuvenation historian, will be giving short informal talks at 2:00pm, 3:00pm, and 4:00pm where he will share some of the history and original lights and catalogs that inspired our reproductions. Rejuvenation will also be giving us a sneak peek of their new, yet to be released, MCM hourglass light fixture!

Here is a sneak peek at my holiday wish list!

More about Rejuvenation and what they do:

Rejuvenation Inc.

The showroom is located at:

1100 Southeast Grand Avenue

Portland, OR 97214

Modern Home Calendar – George Nelson Bubble Light

swensonm — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:52:19 +0000

The Bubble Light Calendar

So I’m taking a quick break from featuring an actual modern home to show you this fabulous calendar that I got for 2010. One of my readers (hi Allen!) sent me an e-mail with a tip to go check out a bubble light calendar that he had seen downtown at Lux Lighting on NW Glisan. I had actually been looking for a 2010 calendar early this year because I usually wait way too long, panic, then buy anything I see at the grocery store resulting in calendar purchase regrets that I have to live with and look at for a whole year. So you can imaging that I was really excited to stop by and take a look at it.

The Lux Lighting showroom is well stocked with all types of lighting fixtures and lamps. They have a very impressive and extensive modern collection. I spent way too much time in the store creating a very long wish list of lighting fixtures for my ultimate modern home before I purchased my calendar.

The Bubble Light -An Icon of Modern Design 2010 Calendar features vintage ads from mid century Howard Miller Clock Company ads. There is a history of the development and creation of the original bubble lamp on the back of the calendar that is a fascinating read. You can purchase your very own bubble light calendar at Lux Lighting or I also found it at the Modernica website.

The Original Bubble Light Designed by George Nelson

Howard Miller Clock Company Advertisement

I am not paid to endorse this product, I just really like it.

Mid Century Modern Home Builder Rummer Speaking at Rejuvenation Benefit

swensonm — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:01:17 +0000

Rummer Home

Rejuvenation is hosting a benefit in conjunction with the Street of Eames – Portland’s Modern Home Tour on November 4th at 6pm. The special guest speaker is going to be local legend mid century modern builder Robert Rummer! Becca Cavell of THA Architecture Inc. will also speak, introduce and interview Mr. Rummer at the event.

Important Info:

You need to RSVP for this event and I was just notified that they will be at maximum capacity by this weekend. This means you need to sign up right now….here!

There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door that will benefit the Street of Eames after school programs for homeless youth.

There will be light refreshments served.

For a list of all of the Rummer homes for sale in the Portland area visit the Rummer page where I will update listings as they hit market.

Located at:

1100 SE Grand

Portland, OR