September 22, 2010
i love you, need you, but to i really have to have you?
I rarely “window shop” anymore. Nathan and I are on a fairly tight budget, so I tend to not even browse some of my favorite online shops. But today, my mouse wondered over to Urban Outfitter’s Apartment Section. My eye was immediately drawn to their “Mid-Century Modern” furniture collection. Here are some of my favorite items:
Yes, these items are beautiful. The reviews are strong. Classic lines. The words “Danish” and “Tweed” are the bait. The lovely muted colors are the line. The prices are the sinker. However, I cannot help but shake the feeling that these pieces are simply “on trend” for the moment.
I truly admire Mid-Century Furniture, yet am no expert. However, in the blog world, it seems more often than not, “Mid-Century” is the “it word” of the moment. Do these affordable “knock-offs” (well, there has to be a better word than knock-offs, as these are unique and lovely on their own) cheapen the intrinsic love and value of actual Mid-Century items?
Do you love them because Urban Outfitters loves them?
They tell you that you need to have them?
Food for thought. How often to we readily accept that we like something because we are told that said item is cool? I look beyond Mid-Century Furniture and think about trends in general. Will I really love all of the items and artwork in my home 1, 5, 10 years from now?
I recently read a post from Rachel Denbow’s blog which said, that she is on a mission to only have things in her home that she is smitten with. What a fantastic notion! Her home is absolutely jam packed full of the most gorgeous, hand picked, thoughtfully arranged Mid-Century and Handmade items.
I want to love my own home and items as much as she loves hers.
So, Urban Outfitters. for now I am still browsing. Your furniture is lovely. But until I am absolutely “smitten” with your Danish Modern Coffee Table, I will only be window shopping.
Sorry for all of the quotation marks. I hope that this does not come across as preachy. Simply my own lack-of-coffee induced ramblings for the day.
Funny, Nathan and I were just having a conversation about this the other day. I love the sleek lines and simplicity of mid-century design,and I honestly don’t think that will change for me, but it is still a little nauseating how much of a buzz-word it is right now… i think it’s definitely important to buy things that really speak to you… because those are probably the things that will make your home your own and no one else’s. I really like marble-topped furniture, but it’s because my grandmother had so much of it… and stylish or not, I intend on having a piece like that in my home one day.
as far as Urban Outfitters, I may be a bit of a purist… but I’d rather save up for the real deal.
I have a confession.
That rocking chair? I had one. It was my mother in law’s. She gave it to us when we got married. I think it was her mother in law’s. She rocked Robb in in when he was a baby.
It hurt your bum when you sat in it for too long. And there is no place to rest your head.
So I sold it. For not nearly enough money. I sold the rocking chair my husband was rocked in. Because he hated it. Said he had hated it his whole life.
I have no idea to this day if I did the right thing or not.
I have the same thoughts when I find myself gravitating toward what is currently trendy. I don’t want to like things just because their trendy and get annoyed with myself if I feel like I’m getting sucked in. That said, there are things I find aesthetically appealing about mid-century furniture. As for the authentic stuff, I’m also drawn to the story these older pieces hold and what I assume is greater attention to craftsmanship than the pieces produced today.
i completely agree w/ you. mid-century modern will always be lovely and hip. so i don’t think you need to go to urban to find such great pieces. why not hit up a cool antique shop (of if you’re really lucky, a thrift store)and pick out something nobody else has? b/c you’d prbly end up paying about the same no matter where you go.