Mix it Modern 'at auction'

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you'll catch on to the theme that I believe that mixing styles is always more interesting than being a slave to one. I read something recently from Vincente Wolf where he said you should always put something 'primitive next to something refined'. I would take this a little further and say you can't miss if you juxtapose new with antique, rustic with refined, European with Asian, and traditional with modern.

Designer: Vincente Wolf

Looking carefully at this room will reveal what Vincente Wolf is talking about. There are Asian chairs along with modern ones around the dining table in a very comfortable loft living room with comfy sofas. 

Designer: Darryl Carter

This room by Darryl Carter is the perfect mix of antiques and modern. The wonderful round table with an interesting carved pedestal, along with the cool black leather chair work perfectly together.

Elle Decor - Designer: Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler uses in this room a traditional chesterfield leather sofa, along with a Moroccan poof and table, and  a Hans J. Wegener chair in a great orange upholstery that adds an exciting contrast to the brown walls and sofa.

Upcoming auctions are a great opportunity to add a modern piece to your decor. It might be an investment (ie pricey) or just a terrific piece of design.

Los Angeles Modern Auctions

These two chairs are both great pieces to give your decor some pop! Not only are they classics of modern design, but their colors are exciting and vibrant. Add them to a neutral or white room and they will stand out. They are both 'classic' enough in style to fit well even with a traditional room decor. 

Both chairs are being offered in the Los Angeles Modern auction on October 17th. We're getting a bit of a sneak preview of their catalogue! The orange chair at the top is Lot 164 and is a Florence Knoll lounge chair model no. 1205S designed in 1954. It has an auction estimate of $1,500 - $2,000. 

The purple chair is a Hans J. Wegener Papa chair model no. AP19 designed in 1951 (like the one in the Jonathan Adler room above). It's Lot 245 and has an auction estimate of $4,000 - $6,000. It's a take on a traditional wing chair, but a lot more fun.

Doyle + Design Auction - Lot 107

Doyle New York has an auction September 28th that includes this sophisticated buffet table by Tommi Parzinger, circa 1960's. It's white lacquered wood would pop against a colored wall in a dining or living room. Add some decorative vases and lamps to give the room character and depth. This is Lot 107 and has an auction estimate of $3,000 - $5,000.

Wright 21 Auction October 12th - Lot 105

Wright auctions in Chicago specializes in modern, and their next Modern Design auction is October 12th. This spare but beautiful chaise longue was designed by Jean Prouve. This would be a wonderful modern design element in a living room, especially in a large room to divide the space in to two. This is Lot 105 and has an auction estimate of $7,000 - $9,000.

These two sets of chairs are included in the Bonham's Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale October 5th. The oak and cord chairs on the right above are by Hans J. Wegener, and have an auction estimate of $700 - $900. I love the clean look, and think they would fit in almost anywhere. They are Lot 4165.

The chairs above on the left are wonderful classic Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs. They are upholstered in great colors, and would stand out in the room. I could also see them especially in a bedroom, den, or kitchen. These are Lot 4162 and have an auction estimate in the Bonham's sale of $2,500 - $3,000.

All of these auctions have lots of other fun pieces of modern design. Just add one to your room to 'mix it modern!'