Oh my gosh! I just found this page by doing a google search "mid century modern depressing" after reading an AOL article on various architectural styles and then googling images.

The thing is, part of me appreciates aspects of MMC. I like the big windows and openness and lack of clutter and all the wooden furniture and can appreciate the beauty, but another part of me reacts like at least 4 other people above did. Even while appreciating it, another part of me is "creeped out." I wouldn't say I get a "pedophile vibe" exactly, but I can imagine 1960's swingers and parties of people doing hard drugs and nearly dying and I get a picture of people (from another time) living desperate lifes and not communicationg ("The Sounds of Silence.") It's all silly in a way - maybe it IS just from the movies. I'm sure that plenty of lovely, happy people as degraded, desperate people lived in MCC style homes. But the thing is - I thought it was just me since it's never come up in conversation with anyone. You think your thoughts are your own and then you find out they are part of some "collective unconscious." I get a depressed feeling from the interiors of Victorian homes as well - I like some of the exteriors but the interiors seem so heavy - of course the aesthetic is totally different than MCC, but I get a depressive vibe from those too.

I only like this for certain places (eg a Jonathan Adler designed Alexander house in palm springs, a glass ensconced Malibu beach house, etc.). When you stick a bunch of mid century modern furnishings in a cheap 1950s rambler or split level in south Arlington (or even in a federal townhouse in georgetown) it just looks blech.

I love it! This is the style I'd love to aspire towards for my house. Unfortunately, we are too poor ! Nevertheless, love looking at pictures of M-C homes/furnitures/styles

Oh, I like the light, bright, use large windows to bring the outside in part of MCM. The key there being having a nice outdoors to bring in, which is some suburban homes problem, I think. (Although the neat thing about neighborhoods like Hollin Hills that thought through siting lots and so forth.) It's a lot of what I like about many apartments and rowhouses in SW DC, too - many of the complexes have a lot of greenspace and river views and so forth that the large windows can take advantage of.

I know what you mean.... I saw an old movie recently from the 90s called "the Ice Storm"... don't watch it; it's totally depressing. But it has that whole midcentury key party thing you are describing.

Anonymous wrote:I feel like I'm reliving suppressed child molestation trauma when I look at these photos. Not that I was molested, but these photos make me feel dirty and gross; I have a true phobia of old 50s/MCM stuff. I hate seeing ass marks in leather chairs and round globe lights. I don't want to sit in a chair that looks like a million bums have already sat in.

Jesus, maybe I WAS molested at a key party back in the day- that could be the root of my phobia.

god only knows.... Wonder where I could have gotten my clown and spider phobias...

I know exactly what you mean. That aethestic in a house seems dirty and scary to me too, somehow. Very Pedophile-style. Why is that? That is SO wierd.

I'm PP who's dad loves this stuff and grew up with it mixed in with more tarditional furnishings. My dad definetly didnt molest me - he is about the most moral person I know.

I think it must be from all those movies that first really exposed child molestation were made in that era - total "after-school special" or "movie of the week" from when everyone didnt have cable and satellite TV didnt even exist for the masses.

I guess I'm too old to go for this era, because I actually was brought up in the 60's and early 70's. It just reminds me of my parents, and that's vaguely depressing. Maybe younger folk dig mid-century because they don't have these associations to it?

You know, they are a bit creepy, for some reason. As if you are stepping back in time to somewhere where something bad happened, but you are not sure what.....

moderncapitaldc.com is the blog

Anonymous wrote: I hate seeing ass marks in leather chairs

What in God's name are you talking about?

I feel like I'm reliving suppressed child molestation trauma when I look at these photos. Not that I was molested, but these photos make me feel dirty and gross; I have a true phobia of old 50s/MCM stuff. I hate seeing ass marks in leather chairs and round globe lights. I don't want to sit in a chair that looks like a million bums have already sat in.

Jesus, maybe I WAS molested at a key party back in the day- that could be the root of my phobia.

god only knows.... Wonder where I could have gotten my clown and spider phobias...

Love my Heywood-Wakefield...and it goes pretty well in our 1941 rambler.

I love mid century modern style, in homes, churches, businesses, wherever. It can be spare, cluttered, cozy, spacious, etc.

There used to be a great blog for DC mid century mod; wonder if it's still up? Also, I think Clothiel Woodward Smith was an architect in this style, and she was local.

OP, these houses are done well. DH loves this style. We have seen some, but they are not done that nicely around here, from what we have seen. I call them Brady Bunch houses. We have been in a $4m one that would be nice for some, but to me (honestly) I was thinking: "Really??!!" Though I have seen one I have really liked (about $2m) that our friend owns. If done right, they offer privacy, light, open spaces...enjoy!

Love the look. Not sure if I could pull it off while I have kids at home, though.