This is the story of a dress inspired by a nervous breakdown and juice stains. Lillian (Lilly) McKim was born into wealth, the daughter of a Standard Oil heiress. In 1952, at the age of 21, she eloped with Peter … Continue reading →

It’s bold, colorful, and modern but timeless. The Unikko (Poppy) is so associated with Marimekko that it could be the Finnish company’s logo. The flower has appeared on everything from television boxes to Nordic walking sticks. Viljo Ratia owned the … Continue reading →

Some great ideas come to you in unexpected places, like the kitchen counter. In 1967, designer Maria Pergay’s idea for her Ring chair was born while peeling an orange for her children with one single cut. Born in Romania to … Continue reading →

The first Aviator sunglasses I ever noticed were my father’s. He seemed to constantly be looking for them, often forgetting they were right there in the front pocket of his dress shirt. As a young child, I would play with … Continue reading →

Jewelry is often overlooked as a true art form. Midcentury modernist jewelry designer Arthur George “Art” Smith’s pieces are a combination of lyrical genius and craftsmanship that transform into art when worn. When Smith (1917–1982) was given a one-man show … Continue reading →

Finnish architect Alvar Aalto (1898–1976) designed what is commonly referred to as the Savoy Vase in 1936. Aalto is known for using organic forms in his architecture, bentwood furniture designs, and glass. The initial design for the vase was one … Continue reading →

If there’s a doll that embodies the 1980s, it’s the Cabbage Patch Kid. The first iteration of the famous dimpled dolls was conceived in the ‘70s by an American folk artist from Kentucky named Martha Nelson Thomas. Thomas, who graduated … Continue reading →

If you’re a midcentury design enthusiast, chances are the Eames House Bird has found you. And if you’re like me, you most likely assumed this sleek creature was designed by Charles and Ray Eames. In fact, a different husband and … Continue reading →

If there were ever a piece of furniture beckoning you to jump on it, it would be the Togo. The seating recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and has had a major resurgence in the past four years. It has been … Continue reading →

It screams summer while instantly transporting you to a tropical locale, but there’s a great debate among design enthusiasts about who designed the famous banana leaf wallpaper. Was it Dorthey Draper or Don Loper? Don Loper is often mistakenly credited … Continue reading →