Glassware decorated with gold or silver is a typical representative of the modern style in the middle of this century.
Mid-century white modern tableware can be contrasted with tableware made of complementary colors or materials such as wood, metal, rattan and resin.
Take a closer look at the Fernleaf porcelain designed by Eva Zeisel by Ashly Schilling of Hallcraft. The plate has a playful tapered edge.
The cheesy colors in this American modern coral and granite Russel Wright set made by Steubenville China are the hallmarks of modern tableware in the mid-century.
These Russel Wright pitchers showcase the playful designs of many mid-century modern tableware.
The Bermuda motifs of Stylehouse Stoneware show the geometric shapes and contrasting highlights common to mid-century modern styles.
After the weird and lonely Thanksgiving last year, when many of us ate our turkey and mashed potatoes in isolation from family and friends, it seemed that the world wanted something more traditional, more like Hallmark The last scene of the holiday movie.
If you like the good old days, please set up a table directly from the mid-century modern era of the 1950s and early 1960s to surprise your guests-this era (ignoring rampant racism and misogyny) we tend to Romantic rosy nostalgia is wholesome, hopeful and forward-looking.
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on old-fashioned plates, glassware, cutlery, and other items to make your desktop look real. The fashionable and minimalist style that emerged in the United States after the war has become a standard part of design classics, so that designers such as Jonathan Adler, online stores such as 1stDibs.com, and brick-and-mortar retailers can easily obtain cheap replicas and modern Styles like West Elm, Wayfair and Crate and Barrel or your local second-hand furniture dealer.
You may already have a work that fits the mid-century modern definition. Try searching on Google for some of the leading designers of that era—Eva Zessel, Mary and Russell Wright, and Charles and Ray Ames—and take a look.
At the same time, here are some general guidelines for setting up a dining table that reflects the spirit of the "advertising madman" zeitgeist.
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The Starburst series by Franciscan Ceramics is a classic in the style of the atomic age, and its appearance almost makes people scream "dodge and cover."
Ashly Schilling's mid-century modern Thanksgiving table uses Fernleaf porcelain designed by Eva Zeisel with Hallcraft tapered edges. Glassware and silverware are modern, but have a mid-century atmosphere.
The mid-century modern tablescape has two styles: pure minimalism and playful kitsch.
"Both are considered mid-century modern styles," product and graphic designer and respected collector Scott Vermillion, who contributed to several books on the subject, including Michael Pratt (Michael Pratt) Pratt's "Medieval Modern Tableware Design". "The first one is more serious, the second one is more interesting."
For moderators trying to replicate the look within their budget, this can be confusing.
"If in doubt, choose white," suggested Margaret Carney, curator of the International Tableware Design Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "It is clean and modern, and you can always mix and match it with colorful items, such as serving plates. "
Accessories made of natural materials such as wood, metal, rattan and resin also form a pleasant contrast with all-white tableware. “You can also add glassware that is transparent or decorated with gold or silver,” which is in keeping with the modern aesthetics of the mid-century, said interior designer and artist Joaquin Abrego, whose work hangs AO5 Gallery in Austin.
Finally, consider adding central decorations or other colorful decorations influenced by folk art. Vermillion suggested that he runs three Facebook pages dedicated to mid-century modern design, including mid-century modern tableware plus. He recommends some interesting things, such as some duck decoys or hand-carved wood carvings, such as Swedish Dala horses, or simple things like a bowl of glass ornaments or pine cones.
If you pursue kitsch, choose vibrant orange, fluorescent yellow, bright blue-green, and other colors with contemporary significance.
"These colors first appeared before the mid-century, but they really became popular in the late 1940s and 1950s because we have gone out of the previous dark period," said Roberto Soto, owner of the vintage store San Antonio Furniture Finder. Blanco Road from Beacon Hill. "People are looking for an escape, a more interesting look."
In addition to color, tableware often has artificial satellites or geometric patterns, such as squares, rectangles, circles, diamonds, boomerangs, and so on. For example, the Starburst series by Franciscan Ceramics is a classic of the atomic age style. The original stars are jagged on light blue, green and yellow dots. It actually screamed "dodge and cover."
Classic mid-century modern table settings include Oneida's reissued Russel Wright tableware and drinking glasses, Bauer's yellow-green American modern tableware and vintage coated paper placemats.
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Mid-century modern tableware, such as Amboss' Maestro tableware designed by Carl Aubock, is very streamlined and even aerodynamic. Even after 50 years, it still looks futuristic.
The mid-century modern plates, glassware and cutlery represent a sharp contrast to the more traditional styles (such as decorative arts) before. What distinguishes design aesthetics is its clean, even abstract lines, heralding the less formal way of life that the United States will dominate after the war.
When Ike and Kennedy were presidents, the tableware was often smaller than it is today. For example, according to Soto, today's dinner plates have an average diameter of 12 to 14 inches, while restaurant plates are usually 13 inches or more in diameter. A few decades ago, most plates were only about 9 to 10 inches wide.
In addition, a cocktail glass in the middle of a century may only hold 6 to 8 ounces, while a wine glass may only hold 6 ounces. Today, they are 10 to 12 ounces and 12 ounces or more.
Plates and serving pieces also often have different shapes.
Medieval tableware avoids the early froufrou with its large handles and floral motifs. On the contrary, the forks, knives, and spoons of that era were so streamlined, even aerodynamic, that more than 50 years later, they still seemed futuristic.
"Simple shapes rule this day," Vermillion said.
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The ancient Japanese ikebana art that displays flowers asymmetrically is part of the classic mid-century modern tablescape. Although it may take several years to master it, it is acceptable to simply make a decent copy.
When collector Ashly Schilling set up her mid-century modern Thanksgiving table, the property manager of Richland Hills celebrated the season with olive green fabric slides and brown leaf-shaped placemats, while showing her handsome wooden tabletop.
Ashly Schilling's mid-century modern Thanksgiving table uses Fernleaf porcelain designed by Eva Zeisel with Hallcraft tapered edges. Glassware and silverware are modern, but have a mid-century atmosphere.
"I don't want to overwhelm these plates," said Shilling, who has been collecting for more than 20 years.
According to Vermillion, as for the centerpiece, anything that can contrast and set off simple medieval tableware can be used.
He suggested: “Abandon the traditional floral center and use interesting twisted branches with leaves, or candles of different heights and shapes.” “Or hang objects such as leaves or gourds from the ceiling lights?”
Furthermore, Chay Runnels suggested creating a central ornament in accordance with the ancient Japanese ikebana tradition, in which sparse flowers and branches are displayed asymmetrically.
"Ikebana was part of the more minimalist aesthetic accepted by many people at the time," said Stephen F. Runnels, professor of hotel management at Austin State University. "At the time, people didn't think it was a Japanese style, but a more modern style."
Finally, if you must have a more traditional flower arrangement, perhaps to appease more traditional guests, a simple vase will do. In keeping with the aesthetics of the middle of the last century, there is nothing excessive or messy.
rmarini@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini
Richard A. Marini is a special correspondent for the San Antonio Express News. He previously served as an editor and columnist for the newspaper. The Food Journalists Association once awarded him the best food columnist. He is a freelancer in American archaeology, cooking lights, and many other publications. Reader's Digest sent him to Alaska for a week. He is back.