Category: retro

Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk

Posted on by Erik W in danish modern, mid century, mid-century dishes, mid-century housewares, minnesota, modern, retro, vintage

Reminiscent of the symmetry found in the bow and stern of a Viking ship, this Staved Teak bowl designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk exemplifies beauty through simplicity.

Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk

This bowl is marked “Staved Teak – Danmark JHQ” (alternately IHQ) and features the four ducks logo.

Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk.
Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard "Viking" Bowl for Dansk
Jens Quistgaard “Viking” Bowl for Dansk

This elegantly curved bowl measures 15″ tip-to-tip, 10.75″ wide, 7.5″ to top of horns and is in very good original condition, with only minimal separation on the bottom (shown in image 4).

***SOLD***

Jens Risom Floating Top Desk

Posted on by Erik W in danish modern, mid century, mid-century furniture, midmodmen, minnesota, modern, retro, vintage

Jens Risom is well-known among mid-century aficionados as a designer of Danish modern furniture.  We at Mid-Century Vibe have acquired a lovely Jens Risom floating top desk with an interesting back-story.

Jens Risom floating top desk.
Jens Risom floating top desk.

This walnut desk is secretary-sized with a return. It has three drawers, one of which is locking. (Yes, we still have the key!) The return has one door, which opens to reveal two adjustable file shelves. The entire desk features a wrap-around modesty panel (from the days when a secretary needed a little something to prevent people from looking up her skirt).

Mr. Vibe has refinished the entire desk with a generous application of Danish oil.

Modesty panels on front of Jens Risom desk. Note the book-matched veneer on the desk top.
Modesty panels on front of Jens Risom desk. Note the book-matched veneer on the desk top.

And now for the interesting back-story. Mr. Vibe found this desk at a small-town bank, a bank formerly known as American National Bank. In trying to track down whether the desk was original to the bank, Mr. Vibe found the original architecture firm after doing research at the Morrison County Historical Society (that’s a plug for Ms. Vibe’s day job!).  He paid a visit to said architecture firm and was astonished to discover that it had retained all the plans for the original bank, completed in 1959. Not only did the firm still have plans for the building, it had kept information related to the renovation of the bank in the 1970s, including furnishings and wall coverings. Guess what was listed on the furniture list? This desk.

Furniture specs for American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1977.

Mr. Vibe’s research also uncovered this invitation to the grand opening of American National Bank in 1959.

Artist's rendering of American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1959.
Artist’s rendering of American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1959. Courtesy Morrison County Historical Society.
Invitation to grand opening of American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1959. Courtesy Morrison County Historical Society.
Invitation to grand opening of American National Bank, Little Falls, MN, 1959. Courtesy Morrison County Historical Society.

This spectacular desk is available at MidModMen+friends, 2401 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN.

**SOLD**

60″ wide x 30″ deep x 30″ high. Return is 39″ long x 16.5″ deep x 26″ high.

—–

P.S. We also have the officer desk with officer credenza in the refinish queue.

StarTribune’s “2013 Best of MN”

Posted on by Erik W in mid century, mid-century furniture, mid-century housewares, midmodmen, minnesota, modern, retro, vintage
MidModMen part of StarTribune's 2013 "Best of MN"
MidModMen part of StarTribune’s 2013 “Best of MN”

The StarTribune has recognized MidModMen+friends  in St. Paul, MN, as their pick for best “MidCentury Furniture and Accessories” in the “2013 Best of MN”  special section.  We here at Mid-Century Vibe are very proud to be a part of MidModMen+friends (we’re the “+friends” part) and are honored by this recognition from the StarTribune.

The article points out that MidModMen+friends is part of the “retro ghetto” along University Avenue. Businesses that cater to fans of retro furniture and accessories include Spinario, located in the Art & Architecture Building, Classic Retro @ Pete’s at University and Vandalia, and, the forerunner of us all, Succotash, around the corner from MidModMen on Raymond Avenue. Succotash has been in business for close to 20 years and owners Noreen and Paul have made us feel welcome in the neighborhood.

Thanks to the StarTribune for this unexpected honor. Thanks also to all of the people who’ve supported MidModMen+friends by stopping in to the store, following us on social media and loving the  mid-century and modern life.