• Milo Baughman

    by  • 17 Aug ’07 • Milo Baughman • 14 Comments

    Mary Anne Smiley

    My inspiration for the posting today came from this beautiful room designed by Dallas designer Mary Anne Smiley. I love the way Mary Anne mixed antiques, chrome, a beautiful Kelly Wearstler rug and Barcelona chairs. chairs. The room has Milo Baughman inspired elements that I really love.

    Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1960s from Fat Chance Modern

    Milo Baughman Chair in Chrome and Yellow Wool 1960s from Home 114

    Milo Baughman was one of the leading modern furniture designers of the second-half of the 20th century. His uniquely American designs were forward-thinking and distinctive, yet unpretentious and affordable. Today Baughman furniture is much less affordable. As with anything that is well crafted and highly collectable it is reflected in the price tag.

    His prolific and highly influential work continues to be copied, reinvented and revived by contemporary furniture designers.

    “With an ongoing interest in ’50s and ’60s design, a lot of my work has been reintroduced and been very well-received,” Baughman once declared. “Increasingly, architects are using these mid-century classics from the pioneer of this period. It’s a bit unfortunate for current designers with new interpretations of Modern. Going back to the classics is playing it safe, which limits opportunities for new concepts in design.”

    Working mainly with walnut, formica and wrought iron, Baughman created simple, understated pieces; many were conceived as space dividers, functioning admirably in the open plan interiors characteristic of the California Modern style.

    Baughman’s work was included in the Whitney Museum’s 1985 exhibit “High Styles: Twentieth Century American Design”. In recognition of his monumental impact on American taste, Baughman was inducted into the Furniture Designers Hall of Fame in 1987.

    14 Responses to Milo Baughman

    1. The Peak of Chic
      17 Aug ’07 at 2:26 pm

      I like the mix in the Smiley photo. That’s a beautiful room :)

      Reply
    2. Mélanie
      17 Aug ’07 at 2:32 pm

      I love this room with the ” mélange ” of old and new . it looks gorgeous.
      I haven’t heard before of the chairs designer ..well I’m goignt ot work on it , and to study what he has done. thank you for sharing your culture with us.
      Mélanie

      Reply
    3. Ryce
      17 Aug ’07 at 3:40 pm

      This room is beautiful! I really like the amethyst geode on the mantle. At first I was surprised that someone from half-way around the world was spot-lighting work of a local (to me) designer — then I noticed you’re a native Texan.
      John Widdicomb makes a chair very similar to those by the fireplace — I think it’s called Iribe.

      Reply
    4. ALL THE BEST
      17 Aug ’07 at 3:55 pm

      Isn’t it a great room Jennifer! I just love the mix.

      Reply
    5. ALL THE BEST
      17 Aug ’07 at 3:59 pm

      Mélanie it’s great to see designs and designers from different parts of the world.

      Hi Ryce, yes, I’m a native Texan (Houstonian) now living in Scotland. Thanks for the John Widdicomb information.

      Reply
    6. dianamuse
      17 Aug ’07 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks for this interesting post. I remember the Whitney show you mention (back in the day). Baughman’s unpretentious designs work in beautifully with so many styles.

      (Also, I’ve asked a few favorite bloggers if I might include links to their blogs. May I offer a link to yours on mine?)

      Reply
    7. becoming-home
      17 Aug ’07 at 6:57 pm

      That smiley room is so swoon worthy! I love the colors. Its like the long lost inspiration picture I never had when trying to decorate my living room (well, the colors anyway, clearly nothing else looks remotely similar!)

      Reply
    8. Sarah Jennings
      17 Aug ’07 at 7:59 pm

      Beautiful room, and interesting information on Baughman.

      Reply
    9. kim.
      17 Aug ’07 at 8:18 pm

      Totally breathtaking room – colours are so beautiful!

      Reply
    10. katiedid
      17 Aug ’07 at 10:44 pm

      Great to have this information! And I love the mix in the first photo too! Which chairs in that photo are the Milo chairs? Love the photos of his work you posted also!

      Reply
    11. ALL THE BEST
      17 Aug ’07 at 10:55 pm

      Thanks Katie, the Milo inspired chairs are the chrome ones in the foreground.

      Thanks Kim, Sarah an BH – swoon worthy indeed!

      Reply
    12. ALL THE BEST
      17 Aug ’07 at 11:00 pm

      dianamuse, what a great show it must have been. thank you, a link would be great! let me know which of your blogs. all best!

      Reply
    13. Cote de Texas
      18 Aug ’07 at 10:11 am

      Hey Texas girl – I love that designer!

      Joni

      Reply
    14. 20 Aug ’07 at 9:40 pm

      Thanks for all the lovely comments on my design. Clarification. The two chrome base chairs in the foreground are of course, Mies Vande Rhoe Barcelona chairs. The two chairs by the fireplace are actually “The French Club Chair” by Nierman Weeks. The sofas by the way are Lucien Rollin French 40′s design. The steel tables are my own custom design.
      Love your site.
      Mary Anne Smiley, ASID, IIDA

      Reply

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