Space Age Seating from 60s and 70s

Asmara Modular Sofa
Designed by Bernard Govin for Ligne Roset in 1966

Kali Sofa by Ligne Roset

Safari Sofa by Archizoom from 1968


Some amazing examples of space age landscaping seating units from the 1960s and the 1970s.

Cat Food Bowl



Alessi Trigito Cat Food bowl

Stop hiding your cat bowls in that corner; don't make your cat a second class citizen when eating. Be proud to show off these super modern Italian design bowls. Cute kittens deserve a cute food bowl just like you you! The Trigrito Cat Bowl was designed by Miriam Mirri for Alessi in Italy. A playful and fun pet bowl for our feline friends. The best part, you will love it as much or perhaps even more than your cat does! Super convenient; you can use on bowl for food and the other one for water. After your cat is done, simply place the stainless-steel inner dishes in the dishwasher and you are done. And it is not just convenient, this cat food bowl really looks great and it will compliment your no-doubt stylish home. Applying new, fun designs to everyday household items, Alessi has done it again with this attractive pet food dish. The Alessi Trigito Cat Food Bowl is available through nova68.com, a place where sophisticated dog & cat lovers and the pampered come to "sniff out" the best of the best for your pet.



Available from:
http://www.nova68.com

Mid Century Modern Mailboxes




Looking for an ultra cool mid century modern mailbox?  We found a nice collection of 1950's to 1970's era mailboxes made in Europe.  We absolutely love the wave pattern and if you happen to live in a number 9, you probably will go crazy about the number 9 mail box.  The good news: NOVA68.com can still get these.  The bad news: the shipping: it is unfortunately extremely cost prohibitive to ship these over from Europe to the US and they are prone to breakage unless crated which all drives up the cost.

Please note, as of April 2012, these mailboxes are no longer offered through NOVA68.com.


Mid Century Decorative Concrete Screen Block


A Classic Example of Mid-Century Modern Architecture in Palm Springs
Still Available from A-1 Block in Orlando, Florida!
The name of this block is 'Block No. 377'



Mid Century Modern Screenblock Walls
'Precast Concrete' Decorative Screen Block Wall


Kate poses in front of a 'Precast Concrete' Decorative Screen Block Wall

We are going to create a list of manufacturers who still create the super swell mid century modern decorative concrete screen blocks (sometimes also referred to as breeze blocks or decorative screen CMU block). While many manufacturers of these mid century modern decorative screen blocks are no longer in business, some still are!  Also; this is an active blog post and we are adding new information as we find it.  Make sure to bookmark this post!

USA: Modern Screen blocks still in production:

A-1 Block Corp.

The best source for mid century modern screen block!  A-1 Block Corp was established in 1952 and has been making these fantastic screen blocks ever since.  Without question the best source in the USA for screen blocks.  They are also very easy to deal with.  You can purchase & pick up block at their address in Orlando Florida.  If you are located in a different state: please note that they do not ship block outside Florida but you can arrange pick up through your own freight company.  Expect to pay $1,200 for 1 pallet with 99 blocks from Florida to California.  Yes, that is super expensive but a pallet with these blocks are heavy (like shipping an elephant).

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 171
Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 171 In Situ

Pictured Above: Modern Screen Wall Block No. 313

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 314

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 377

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 397


Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 397 In Situ

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 399

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 399 In Situ

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 422

Pictured Above: Screen Wall Block No. 501

A-1 Block Corp has even more styles so check out their website.

A-1 Block Corp
1617 South Division Ave
Orlando, FL 32805
Phone: 407-422-3768


Tileco Inc.

Screen blocks are decorative blocks--they are not considered structural units and should not be used as such. Screen blocks are often applied in commercial projects for stairwells and parking garages, however, their popularity lies in the residential market for use in property line walls. In these partition walls, the potential of a screen block is maximized: it's open design provides ventilation, partial shading, privacy, and a decorative break in the monotony of the wall's surface. We have seven styles of screen block available, each with a number designation. Our screen blocks are manufactured with coral limestone or a cinder/limestone mixture.

Decorative Screen Units: Screen Blocks
Manufactured by Tileco Inc.
91-209 Hanua Street
Tileco Inc.
Kapolei, HI 96707
Phone: 808-682-5737



Roanoke Concrete Products Co.



Difficult to navigate and super (we repeat super) slow website.  Tuffy Block™ represents the Tuff quality control that goes into every masonry unit. Masonry units are available in heavyweight or lightweight. Heavyweight units are made of state-approved sand and gravel. Lightweight units are made of expanded clay, and are approximately 30% lighter, more insulating, and more fireproof than heavyweight units. There are well over 150 different shapes ranging in sizes from concrete brick, 2”, 3”, 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12” widths and 2”, 3”, 4”, and 8” heights. All dimensions are modular.  


Roanoke Concrete Products Co.
Various locations Illinios


International: Modern Screen blocks still in production:

While most of these are found from manufacturers in the US, we found one manufacturer in Europe (Spain):







Verniprens from Spain: this company seems to have an obsession with mid century modern styled screenblocks.  A good solution for mid century modern lovers in Europe.


Vintage Screen blocks from the 1950s through the 1970s:


Pictured above: Mid Century Modern House with Circle in Square block (No. 171).  Perhaps the most beautiful screen block ever made.  This incredible 1950s block is still in production by the original factory!!! Get it from A-1 Block Corp in Orlando Florida.  Minimum order is one pallet (99 pieces).  Price is very reasonably but the shipping will cost you dearly (but it is soooo worth it).

Pictured above: Mid Century Modern Decorative Block in Louisville, KY


Pictured above: Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock
The Leiahua, 1993 Ala Wai Blvd, Honolulu, Hawaii

Pictured below: IBM building by Vladimir Ossipoff 1962:



Mid Century Modern Decorative Precast Concrete Screen Wall

The IBM Building at 1240 Ala Moana Blvd. in Honolulu Hawaii was designed by the famed late mid century modern architect Vladimir Ossipoff. General Growth Properties, which owns the building, has outlined a vision for an urban village that does not include the landmark structure. The most distinctive feature of the building is its concrete grille, which was custom-made and put in place to act as a sunscreen. What Vladimir Ossipoff said about the IBM Building: "The most important point, however, is the character of the building itself. Not only does the systematic, rather repetitious pattern of the concrete grille express the computer-world character of the IBM Corp., but also gives it a sense of belonging in the sun. The deep shadows of the grillwork become as significant a part of the architecture as any part of the structure itself."

IBM loved modern architecture; here is another example from an IBM building in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania:

Curtis and Davis, IBM Building
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1962-1964

And Washington DC has some fine examples of mid century modern screenblocks too:

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
L Street, Washington DC

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
L Street, Washington DC
Image Credit: Nova68.com

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screen Wall
Edward Durell Stone, Stuart Pharmaceutical, 1956

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screen Wall
Edward Durell Stone, Stuart Pharmaceutical, 1956

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
First Western Bank, probably late 1950s

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
Probably late 1950s

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
Probably late 1950s

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
Probably late 1950s

Mid Century Modern Decorative Screenblock Wall
Probably late 1950s


Mid Century Modern Screenblocks
Edward Durell Stone, Stanford Medical Center, 1959

Mid Century Modern Screenblocks
Edward Durell Stone, Stanford Medical Center, 1959







Image credits: Nova68.com, Stardust.com, Retro Rockets, Star Bulletin Honolulu, Simpleweeble, Flickr, Drawings + Documents Archive