Iterations of Mid-Century Modern Design
- Jacquelyn Smith
- Apr 20, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2024
End tables with a mid-century modern design are requested by my existing clients. My process involves conceptualizing, then sketching, and finally constructing.
Design success, to me, hinges on achieving a sense of equilibrium. I may ponder a concept endlessly, yet taking action prematurely serves no purpose unless I have reached a certain level of resolution.
Thinking may appear uneventful to others. It's uncertain how much time it will require. Those around me are unaware of my mental activity. I must confess that I am most productive in my thoughts while driving, but due to the high gas prices, I have to make the most of it! This form of thinking is different from mundane considerations like grocery shopping or tidying up the garage. It occurs in the space between being fully present and being elsewhere. It resembles a form of daydreaming with occasional interruptions from the physical world. Driving is an activity that involves both conscious and unconscious elements. I believe this state of mind offers the ideal environment for creative thinking.
At first, I am simply trying to climb inside the project. I want my furniture to inspire and elevate the whole presence of the room. I want to make each aspect look intentional and of course, it needs to function. In this case, I have about three examples in my mind of mid-century modern. I add to what I think I know by looking online, in homes, in stores anywhere I can find examples. In this case, I took a current example and created my version of it.
What I notice:
-The top edge of the table, the wood, and the finish.
-The knees of the legs are lower than the bottom of the tabletop.
-The radius of the bend in the leg differs from the outside of the knee to the inside.
-I am noticing and checking joinery to make sure there are no construction issues to resolve.
The drawing process always brings to mind my college assignment in 2-d design. I misunderstood the assignment, big time. We had a drawing of fruit or some image as a starting point. The assignment was to create several images each more abstract than the previous. I don't know why but I heard that we had to do 20 and I think the assignment was 5. It took the length of the room to hang mine. I had fun creating these iterations. I did however get a bit of feedback from fellow students. Yikes.
In this case, I took the above product idea, made several versions of it, and included a drawer and lower shelf.
After looking at couches and sitting in the room, I had one idea: to make the top circular. My thought was a circle cut in half. The couch has a very square presence so I wondered how this geometric concept might look. In my mind, it was exciting. After drawing it up I thought a 1/2 circle did not leave enough room for the lamps. Two circles were too much in the space. But what about an oval?
An oval is more gentle to the eye in a room where lines take the viewer from one thing to another. Circles can trap the view and create bulls' eyes. Ovals allow transitions. Then I wondered if these tables could be set apart (as end tables) and also go together when game night around the fire is on! And we now have my next project.
The couch above is their new living room addition!
This marks the end of this journal post. Next, I will calculate the amount of wood, fasteners, drawer guides, and finish I need. While I do that I am walking through the build process in my mind which will help me arrive at a cost for these beautiful end tables.
Stay tuned!
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