Incredible Mid Century Inspired Prints

These nursery rhyme prints NEED to be in the home of any mid century loving parent. Go here to get yours.

Decorating with Mid Century Modern, Part 1

I'd love to live in a completely mid century modern home, but the truth is I live in a 90-year-old Philadelphia row home. I have to embrace the architecture for what it—play up its strengths and create individuality where I can (such houses are pretty cookie-cutter.) And honestly, as much as I love my mid century modern finds they seem to contemporize best when mixed with pieces from other periods.

In addition to my Pottery Barn purchases (we all have them), I've amassed more than a few family heirlooms that don't quite fit the mid century mold but have too much sentimental value to be replaced. Over time I've found quite a bit of inspiration to guide me as I create a home that integrates mid century and other styles seamlessly.

I thought I would share some of my inspiration (mostly sourced from the designers and artists contributing to design*sponge) with you.

Dana D'Amico mixes feminine accents and a comfy sofa with her vintage credenza:


A mid century metal chair compliments the bold, graphic print Basak of Small Square Design hung in beside the sink:


A collection of vintage globes adds interest to Hannah Berman's book shelf:


Dave's and Surya's plaid table cloth compliments the warmth of their wooden mid century dining chairs:


Hannah Berman's living room feels comfortable and lived in with its casual sofa and mid century coffee table. The lamp is pretty great, too:


Diane Stafford allows this fantastic dresser to be the focal point by dressing it minimally with objects of simple shape and design:


Mid century should not be limited to adult spaces. Dave and Surya have mixed this great lamp into a child's room seamlessly:


The simple lines of mid century design can mix well with almost any style, even more feminine looks like the dining room below (Hannah Berman.)


Bright vintage Pyrex adds pops of color to a buttery kitchen in Dave and Surya's home:


Emily Johnston Anderson hits a more formal note with her mid century coffee table:


Jill Roberson cleverly displays a small collection of book covers from the 50s and 60s in clear frames (I'm totally stealing this idea!)

Mad Men Vanity Fair Shoot

Has everyone seen the new Vanity Fair Mad Men article?!
Photography: Annie Liebovitz
Styling: Michael Roberts
Writing: Bruce Handy

Mad Men Season 3 Giveaway

Will Don reveal his identity to Betty?
How will Pete deal with the baby news?
What will happen to Sterling Cooper?

Mad Men is BACK! And we could not be more excited. To celebrate we're having a little contest.

Now until 5pm on Sunday, August 16, anyone who stops in Shag can enter a drawing to win a Shag gift certificate. Three winners ($25, $20, and $15) will be notified by phone during the first commercial break of the Mad Men season 3 premiere.

Hope to see you soon.

Hatch Interview on Grain Edit

The San Francisco based design firm Hatch has been getting a lot of press for JAQK, their own wine company. The packaging nods to mid century graphic design and illustration. Check out the interview and behind the scenes photos posted on grain edit (a great source for mid century graphic design inspiration.)

New Product Arriving Wednesday, the 4th

- Console/buffet/dresser
- Lounge chairs
- End tables
- Lamps
- Fans
- Cocktail sets
- Pyrex
- Dishes
- And much more

Stop in the check out the new stuff!

Merce Cunningham, April 16, 1919–July 26, 2009

Merce Cunningham, a pioneer of modern dance, passed away last week. He formed the Merce Cunningham Dance Company in 1953 and choreographed nearly 200 works for it.

A little history brought to you from the BBC news:

Born just after World War I in a small town near Seattle, Cunningham loved to dance as a child.

From 1939 to 1945, he was a soloist in the company of Martha Graham, regarded at the time as one of the foremost pioneers of modern dance.

He presented his first New York solo concert in April 1944, with music from composer John Cage, who became his life partner and frequent collaborator until Cage's death in 1992.

In a radical move, the couple decided to end the traditional marriage of movement and music, saying that both arts should exist independently even when sharing the same space.

Cunningham also abandoned conventional storytelling through ballet to focus entirely on the poetry of dance.

He even tossed coins or threw dice to determine steps, saying the use of chance was "a present mode of freeing my imagination from its own cliches".

He was hugely admired by other dancers and worked with visual artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and Andy Warhol.

Cunningham's work has been presented by the New York City Ballet, Zurich Ballet and the Rambert Dance Company among others.

Among the accolades he received over his long career included the Kennedy Center Honors in 1985 and the National Medal of Arts in 1990.

For more information about Cunningham and the company he founded go here. To see some inspiring footage of the dancer at work go here.