Taking its inspiration from the original Playboy Club, located in downtown Chicago, this DIY built music wall is not only a homage to the electronic entertainment wall that was installed at the Chicago club in 1964 but also takes it one step further by enhancing it with modern technology. The designer was determined to have a room to call his own and used his carpentry skills to create something that would look like going back in time, but keeping all modern conveniences and high fidelity.
The original Playboy club featured bunnies serving cocktails and live performances by legendary names such as Sid Ceasar, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Bob Hope and Mel Tormé. This modern version sadly does not come with any bunnies or with crooners. (Via)
By Chris
June 28th, 2010
This lovely modernism designed home was built in the 1960s by architect Whitney Smith who was made famous through the Case Study Homes program in post WWII California. The house is located in Alhambra in the US and like many other Mid Century homes it was built in the typical ‘glass box’ theme with high ceilings and positioned conveniently on a hilltop, creating a spectacular view from the living room. More after the jump. (Via)
By Chris
September 8th, 2009
Ultra Swank – Your one stop blog for retro living, style and design
Ultra Swank takes you back in time into the kitsch, chic and swank living of the 50s, 60s and the 70s. We mainly focus on the design, architecture and the lifestyle of the happy-go-lucky and space-age-living mentality of that era – but also on the music and movies that takes you back to happier times. Ultra Swank is run by Chris, a Swede born in the wrong decade that currently resides in Barcelona. Read more
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Interesting trailer from the upcoming documentary entitled Coast Modern which takes you on a trip back in time to look for the origins of Modernism architecture and how its style and look became associated with the west coast of the US. The release date for the documentary is set for autumn this year, meanwhile you can read their blog. (Via)
By Chris
July 8th, 2009
This house, located in Santiago, Chile was designed by native architect Mathias Klotz Germain and was built for a family with eleven (yes eleven!) daughters. The first floor houses entertainment and social areas, the second floor all of the bedrooms and the top floor includes the kitchen, viewing area and the master bedroom. The base of the construction is made up with concrete and steel and decorated with wood and glass.
It reminds me of the Scandinavian modernism in the 50s and 60s in a way with its raw concrete walls and floor-to-ceiling glass windows – and the view is of course amazing! All that’s missing is a few cocktails and some Space Age Lounge music and you are set for quick weekend getaway – anyone else feeling like going with me? (Via)
By Chris
July 15th, 2008
I’ve always had a keen interest in architecture, but nowadays it seams bigger than ever. Probably because I have been lucky enough to find some interesting books at my college library about the modernism and functionalism in Sweden. The modernism architecture was introduced in Sweden during the Stockholm International Fair in 1930 and really set a standard for the design and lifestyle during the following decades. Everything looked clean, simple and functional, hence the word functionalism.
By Chris
November 10th, 2005
