Master Of The Midcentury

Master of the Midcentury: The Architecture of William F. Cody is the first, long-overdue book on this key Palm Springs architect, abundantly illustrated and detailed. Of the architects who made Palm Springs a crucible of midcentury American modernism, William F. Cody (1916-1978) was one of the most prolific, diverse, and iconic. Directing a practice ranging from residences to commercial centers and industrial complexes to master plans, Cody's designs are so recognizable that they provide visual shorthand for what is widely hailed as "Desert Modern." While his architecture was disciplined and technically innovative, Cody did not practice an austere modernism; he imbued in his projects a love for social spaces, rich with patterns, texture, color, and art. Though the majority of Cody's built work was concentrated in California and Arizona, he had commissions in other western states, Hawaii, Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba. From icons like the Del Marcos Hotel (1946), to inventive country clubs like the Eldorado (1957), to houses for celebrities (Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney), Cody's projects defined the emerging West Coast lifestyle that combined luxury, leisure, and experimental design. Cody also pushed the boundaries of engineering, with beams and roof slabs so thin that his buildings seemed to defy gravity. Master of the Midcentury is the first monograph devoted to Cody, authored by the team that curated the acclaimed exhibition Fast Forward: The Architecture of William F. Cody at the Architecture and Design Museum in Los Angeles: his daughter, Cathy Cody, design historian Jo Lauria, and architectural historian Don Choi. Replete with photographs of extant and now-lost structures, as well as masterful color renderings and drawings for architectural commissions and plans for vanguard building systems, Master of the Midcentury is the authoritative resource on Cody.

In 2008, Daniel Chavkin began photographing some of the more discreet and off-the-beaten-path midcentury modern homes and buildings in the Palm Springs area. These included secret gems created by such famous modernist architects as William Cody and John Porter Clark, as well as others by relatively lesser-known designers. The result is this rich photographic collection of largely unseen examples of desert modern architecture. Many of the buildings shown herein are not easily accessible by, or in some cases completely off-limits to, the general public, so the photographs in this book may be the only opportunity for midcentury aficionados to ever see some of these buildings. Daniel Chavkin is a photographer who lives and works in Palm Springs and Los Angeles. He began his career shooting celebrity portraits, but his passion is for midcentury modern architecture—and especially the desert modernism of Palm Springs. His love of modernism was forged while studying at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. He also owns the graphic design business Design Lab 2.

A lavishly illustrated exploration of the prevalent architecture and landscaping style of the mid-century period (c.1940-1970) and its links with modern-day living, this sumptuous garden design book features examples of contemporary interpretations of the style as well as expert advice and tips on how you can achieve the style for yourself. In the second half of the twentieth century, outdoor living was born. Even modest homes were open plan with large picture windows that brought the outside in - and a deck or platform was the perfect answer to extending living outdoors. These lived-in spaces were easy to maintain with their limited plant palette and focus on structure and hard landscaping. They offered a space in which to relax and enjoy valuable leisure time, a pursuit that is as relevant now as it was then. Contrast was the design dynamic - a response to the energy that was fuelled by people's hope for a bright future after the Second World War. Outdoors this translated into a lively interplay of textures and colours between hardscaping materials, pieces of outdoor art and striking specimen plants. The first part of this seminal book charts the evolution of the MCM aesthetic starting with Frank Lloyd Wright's 'Usonion' houses and finishing with Cliff May's ranch houses looking at spaces outside and within and design influences from Europe. The second part focuses on classic and contemporary interpretations of the style in exceptional gardens from all over the world. It offers a unique insight into this period of seismic shift in garden design and will be a rich source of inspiration for garden makers today.

- The first publication dedicated to the artist Emil Milan, illustrated with his finest artistic creations- Previously unseen documents and photographs- Rare artwork- The artist is illuminated through stories and interviews from those who knew him best- Milan's life story is woven through American history, including WWII and the American studio craft movement- Midcentury modern designArtist Emil Milan (American, 1922-1985) was a major contributor to the studio craft movement in the 1950s and 60s. He was an innovator in woodworking tools and techniques, and a pioneer in using power tools to boost production. After training to be a sculptor at the Art Students League of New York, he developed and produced a distinctive line of "functional sculpture" - wooden bowls, trays, and serving ware - that captured the essence of Midcentury Modern Design. He stood with now legendary artists and designers like Wharton Esherick, Sam Maloof, Wendell Castle, Charles Eames, George Nakashima, and Bob Stocksdale (among others) in the most important exhibitions of fine craft in America. His wares were tailored for and sold in high-end retailers such as Hammacher Schlemmer, Saks Fifth Avenue and the original Pottery Barn store in Manhattan. After moving to rural Pennsylvania in 1961, he re-emerged as a teacher, mentor, and role model for dozens of successful artists and woodworkers who found inspiration in his teaching, his methods, and his self-sufficient lifestyle close to nature. After fading into obscurity following his death, this book rekindles awareness and appreciation of this remarkable American artist. AwardsFirst Prize - 2018 - Exhibition Catalogues American Alliance of Museums - Museum Publications Design Competition CATEGORY: Institutions with budgets under $1,000,000 https: //www.aam-us.org/programs/awards-competitions/2018-museum-publications-design-competition-winners-2/ Gold Medal - 2018 - Regional Non-Fiction Books, Mid-Atlantic Independent Publisher Book Awards http: //www.ippyawards.com/130/medalists/2018-medalists-categories-1-42/regional-and-ebook Regional Winner - 2018 - Editorial Books, Midwest PRINT Regional Design Awards To be published in The Best of Design, Spring 2019 Winner - 2018 Creative Quarterly 53 To be published in January 2019

Arthur Elrod was the most successful interior designer working in Palm Springs from 1954 to 1974. His forward-thinking midcentury design appeared in primary homes, second houses, spec houses, country clubs, and experimental houses—in the desert and across the US. He was charming, handsome, and worked tirelessly for his A-list clientele.

Publication accompanies the inaugural exhibition at the new Frost Collection, Florida, which looks at the rise to prominence of the New York art scene in the two decades following the Second World War

In The Moderns, we meet the men and women who invented and shaped Midcentury Modern graphic design in America. The book is made up of generously illustrated profiles, many based on interviews, of more than 60 designers whose magazine, book, and record covers; advertisements and package designs; posters; and other projects created the visual aesthetics of postwar modernity. Some were émigrés from Europe; others were homegrown—all were intoxicated by elemental typography, primary colors, photography, and geometric or biomorphic forms. Some are well-known, others are honored in this volume for the first time, and together they comprised a movement that changed our design world.