Just a Modern Guy

Visit three countries in one night on November 12, 2009 from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the following locations:

Callen McJunkin Gallery - 219 Hale Street

The Purple Moon - 906 Quarrier Street

Taylor Books - Annex Gallery - 226 Capitol Street

Each location will feature wines of one country - taste vintages from Italy, Spain and Argentina while you enjoy the opportunity to see some of the best art produced in our region and beyond.

Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased at the Fund for the Arts office (304)345-0775, Taylor Books or at The Wine Shop at the Capitol Market. Proceeds benefit the Fund for the Arts.

This event is sponsored by Appalachian Power, The Wine Shop at Capitol Market, Annex Gallery, Callen McJunkin Gallery and The Purple Moon.

We hope to see you!

Pair of Handled Water Bottles #384H - Blenko Glass - 1938

As anyone who has tried to collect Blenko Glass knows there are some designs you just rarely ever see. That certainly is the case with these two fabulous #384H water bottles in Ruby!

Shown in the Blenko catalogs for only the 1938-39 production years, the graceful and delicate design of this piece makes it much sought and rarely found by collectors.  Certainly the thin handle which is prone to cracks and breakage has thinned the number originally produced after 61 years making this a relatively scarce item from Blenko’s early years.

Many are familiar with the iconic double spout water bottle (#384) Blenko has produced continuously since the 1930’s but this variation on the theme certainly has much more appeal to me.

I recently got my hands on these two and they are simply stunning. Alas, I sold one at The Purple Moon less than 24 hours after I got it and the other is likely to go fast as well. If you’ve never seen one - stop by and take a look!

Pottery Table Lamp - Made in Italy - circa 1971

One of our latest vintage finds is this super Italian Modern lamp dating from the very early 70’s. This minimalist beauty has a pottery body and is as cool as the come.

I just wish I knew who designed this lamp but nothing has come to light as of yet. Any thoughts?

This lamp is currently residing in the main showroom at The Purple Moon.

Pottery and Glass Chip Swag Lamp - Maker Unknown - circa 1960’s

This 1960’s swag lamp has just come into my possession and certainly has us Feelin’ Groovy at The Purple Moon.

Blenko Glass #554 - Wayne Husted - 1955

Just in at The Purple Moon are these fabulous 1950’s pieces by designer Wayne Husted.

Both are very hard-to-find and are excellent examples of the modernist flair Husted brought to Blenko during his time there as Design Director from 1953 to 1963. Over 500 pieces were designed by Husted during his tenure at Blenko.

Blenko Glass #5937 Decanter - Wayne Husted - 1959

Hollywood Regency Sectional Sofa - Flexsteel - circa 1960’s

We’re fortunate to have a plethora of exceptional mid-century modern seating in stock at The Purple Moon these days. Just take a gander at some of these beauties!

The Flexsteel three piece sectional sofa above dates from the 1960’s and is as elegant as they come. This sofa was professionally reupholstered in the early 1970’s and is, in a word, gorgeous.

Next we have this custom designed and handcrafted one-of-a-kind sofa which is quite possibly the nicest we have ever seen. Designed and constructed by Mansfield OH artist Margaret Twitchell Swank. who studied under Viktor Schreckengost at the Cleveland School of Art, this sofa was made in 1960 and measures right at 100 inches in length.

Custom Designed / Handcrafted Sofa - Margaret Twitchell Swank - circa 1959

This classic swivel chair by Plycraft and designed by George Mulhauser is a true gem and rarely seen with an actual woven fabric upholstery (most were vinyl) and dates from 1961. The sculptural lines of this bent plywood chair makes it truly iconic.

Plycraft Swivel Chair - George Mulhauser - 1961

Danish Modern Round Chair - Denmark - circa 1950’s

The Danish Modern Round chair, possibly by Selig and certainly in the style of Hans Wegner, is marked “Made in Denmark” and is a the perfect accent chair.

Also from Denmark is this wonderful Teak loveseat with its reversible cushions. Sleek and timeless this piece is at home in a living room today as it was 50 years ago.

Teak Danish Modern Loveseat - Denmark - circa 1950’s

Finally, the Hollywood sofa / daybed below is just the thing for that room which might also double as a spare bedroom - just pull off the backrest and, viola, you have a nice single bed for a house guest. It’s also stylish enough to be used in a more formal way. In fact, the Modern Lady and I have one just like this, in creamy white, in our living room.

Hollywood Sofa / Daybed - USA - circa 1950’s

All of this pieces, and more, are currently on display in The Purple Moon’s main showroom. Stop by and take a load off by giving them a try.

Kobenstyle Pitcher Set by Dansk - Jens Quistgaard - circa 1960

Dansk International Designs Inc. was founded by American Ted Nierenberg in partnership with Danish designer Jens Quistgaard  and produced the classic Kobenstyle line beginning in the mid-1950’s. Originally made in Denmark by Glud & Marstand and then by a French firm into the early 70’s the enameled metal Kobenstyle kitchenware remains a classic.

The near-mint condition three-size pitcher set shown here in the bright yellow is decorative and functional and is currently available at The Purple Moon.

From the Coffee Brewing Institute - 1961

As all my friends know, I love a good cup of coffee. Being a true “coffee achiever” I drink the high-impact brew morning, noon and night. But the drink is only part of the story.

Almost important as the caffeine-filled beverage is the ritual of its making, serving and consumption. In this day of drive-thru, every-other-street-corner purveyors of murky liquid in horrid paper - or even worse styrofoam - cups the art and style of serving coffee is often lost.

This was not always the case. Take for example the fine specimens of mid-mod design in the following photos.

MOD Op-Art Design Coffee Set - Circa 1960’s

After Dinner Coffee Set by Schmid - Designer: LaGardo Tackett - Circa 1960’s

MOD Orange Coffee Cup Set - Made in Japan - Circa 1960’s

Pyrex Coffee Mug Set - Circa 1960’s

With these classic vessels you can have a great cup of coffee while thumbing your nose at the disposable-oriented 21st Century culture and exert your own sense of style. Find a set for yourself then sit down, relax and enjoy.

Each of the sets shown here are currently available at The Purple Moon. Stop by and see us - the coffee is ready.

Heywood-Wakefield Crescendo Group in Champagne - Designed by Count Alexis de Sahknoffsky - 1939-40

Just in at The Purple Moon is this fabulous bedroom suite from Heywood-Wakefield’s Crescendo Line. These pieces were designed by industrial designer Count alexis de Sahknoffsky, a Russian immigrant who is known principally for his Streamline-style automotive designs, and were only made in the 1939-40 production year.

This solid birch set, with the original Champagne finish, includes:
C3554 Vanity
C3557 Vanity Seat
C3558 Night Stand
C3552 Five-Drawer Chest
C3550 Bed Head & Foot Board (2)

Count Alexis de Sahknoffsky’s Influence Solidified Heywood-Wakefield Emphasis on Streamlined-Modern Design.

The Crescendo Line was made only in 1939-40 Production Year.

Heywood-Wakefield C3558 Night Stand , C3552 Five-Drawer Chest and Pair of C3550 Bed Head & Foot Boards (in back).

Heywood-Wakefield C3554 Vanity, C3557 Vanity Seat and C3558 Night Stand

The Champagne Finish on Solid Birch Simply Glows!

This set is just in at The Purple Moon and can be seen in our main showroom.