Design Legend: Milo Baughman

While trying to research the history of my last post's vintage chrome chair I stumbled across the work of Milo Baughman.  Who is Milo Baughman you ask? As it turns out, he was one of the fathers of modern design during the second half of the twentieth century.  He designed furniture for companies including Mode Furniture, Calif-Asia, Design Institute America, Henredon and Drexel, and most famously for Thayer Coggin, Inc.  His style was 'distincly American' and became a staple for the 'California modern' movement.

Baughman's furniture used simple materials typical of the movement namely, walnut, iron, and formica. The 'X' base was a staple in his desks and stools while the 'Z' shape was introduced to chairs for a style that is purely Baughman.  His styles have been reinvented and recreated and continue to be reproduced to this day.

Mr. Baughman practiced design in California throughout the 50's and 60's. Get this-  in 1969 he was invited by Brigham Young University to start the Department of Environmental Design and taught there on and off until his death in 2003.  Who said Mormons where all traditional and had no style!!!  He could quite possibly be the coolest thing to come out of BYU (well, him and the fact my parents met there and spawned your truly, but he still might take the cake).

Have you seen this GORGEOUS desk before?  I can't remember if I've used it in a post before but it has been in my design file under 'lust list' for a few years now.  You know anything with an 'X' base gets me going, but pair it with orange lacquer and chrome??? Be still my heart!

"Good Modern has already proven to be the most enduring, timeless and classic of all design movements." 

Amen Brother Baughman. Amen.

{all items are vintage via 1st Dibs}