Crazy Crafty: 4-in-1 Rocker Table

I'm not going to exhibit any false bravado; this makes me extremely uncomfortable.

The word on wacky tacky is out and people are now giving me ideas/items that they think will work for the blog.  Such was the case when I received a bulging file of newspaper and magazine clippings that once belonged to the grandmother of our pal, Nicole, over at Swellegant.  Apparently, granny was a fan of DIY home improvement because the file was brimming with ads and articles for tile projects, wallpaper hanging, and clever uses for contact paper and cork board.  By far, and I mean faaaaaaarrrrr, the most unusual and disturbing article came from the July 1970 issue of Popular Science.

"Turniture" by Lester Walker, designer of "Living Machines"

This piece, entitled "Turniture II" is a 4-in-1 Rocker Table that "serves
 all the patio functions" for which any popular scientist could desire.

I am willing to play along with the idea of two, maybe three, of the functions.  Picnic table?  Sure. Playhouse?  Why not?  Bar?  Well...  When one reviews the design of the picnic table turned playhouse turned bar, it becomes evident that the bartender would have to shimmy under the brace/divider piece, in essence locking himself into the role of bartender until the time came to turn "Turniture II" to its tabletop formation.  Giant, four-person rocking chair/boat?  As wacky as it may seem, I think I'm going to have to take a pass.  The models in the photo do nothing to ease my discomfort; Edgar and Rhonda look like rejects from the Glen Valley Country Club key party - alienated due to a total disregard for proper personal hygiene and a wild refusal to play by the rules.

"The passing of the front porch left a void in neighborly relaxation that has been filled
by the backyard patio.  I designed this four-man rocker as a replacement for the old
 porch swing, but realized it would have to earn its space with other outdoor functions."

So, Mr. Walker, we are to believe that your intention behind this giant, plywood behemoth is something as homespun as front-porch sitting and neighborly inetraction?  I'm not saying - but I'm just saying - drugs obviously played an integral role in the design.

Admittedly, I am no popular scientist (or unpopular scientist for that matter), so this one- 

page set of instructions for "One-man, thirty minute" assembly is insufficient for my 

meager abilities.  I'm much more conditioned to the IKEA brand of furniture assembly. 

And what's with the name?  "Plywood Rocker Table?"  Give me a Spirflunkt any day.

In doing some research on the designer of this plywood behemoth, I learned that just one year prior to the printing of our article, Walker debuted and coined the term "Turniture" in the July 1969 issue of Popular Science.

Bed, cafe table, dining table, and "discreet 'tete-a-tete' couch."
(Source)

Not only was Walker a forerunner of owner-assembled, multi-use furniture, he also pioneered the idea of space conscious dwellings in a series of books about Tiny Houses.  Truly, I can appreciate Walker's concept.  My counterintuitive practicality, however, makes me wonder if there is something about the execution of his "living machines" that leaves something to be desired; patent leather pillows and adult-sized playground equipment just give me the creeps.

I acknowledge the fact that furniture building is beyond my realm so the 4-in-1 will remain unmade for the time being; Mr. Tiny will not be rockin' that boat.  Now that I have the article as part of the wacky tacky library, I think I'll file it under "Bizarre, 70's Fads" (see: life-size pantyhose dolls).

"Rock the Boat" - Hues Corporation

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Thoroughly Modern Tiny

All that spaghetti and just one meatball.

On a recent - and increasingly unusual - free day, we headed up to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to see California Design, 1930-1965: "Living in a Modern Way", an exhibit of everything modern from California in the middle part of the last century.  I am not sure who curated this exhibit; it was rather small and a little scattered, but it suited the wacky tacky sensibility quite well.  I must say, I felt a guilty satisfaction as we strode by the hoards of folks lined up to see the Tim Burton exhibit.  The feeling quickly changed to pure excitement when we walked into the gallery and came face-to-gleaming-face with this 1930's Airstream trailer.

Sadly, we couldn't get close enough to get photos of the interior.

"Take it easy!"

From automobiles to clothing to plastic pitchers, the exhibit was composed of everyday objects.  It was great to see utilitarian pieces transformed into something artful; of course, these objects were allowed an elevated level of distinction because of the setting and thoughtful installation.  It seems, however that mid-20th Century California was such a great time/place for experimentation in form and function.  Consumer products of previous eras, however artful, seemed to be exercises in adornment and decoration.  "Modern" designers, however, had the freedom to play with color, line, shape, material, texture, and even ergonomics.

I actually have a few pieces in this pattern...I might have to start my own museum.

A stellar light fixture/mobile

I loved this bookrack/lamp that diffused the
uplighting by way of the suspended moon pendant.

Before I took any photographs in the exhibit, I asked one of the docents if photographs were allowed.  He responded in the affirmative and warned me against using the flash.  When I approached the "Eames House" (a full-scale, case study/diorama), another docent practically tackled me to prevent the photo I was snapping.  Sure, she was 5'2" and an AARP member in good standing, but she was fierce!  Fortunately, I captured the shot before she tried to confiscate my camera by slamming my face into the concrete.

The "Eames House" - a forbidden photo.

I loved seeing the 1962 Barbie Dream House immediately after the Eames House.
It was a great juxtaposition of highbrow and low brow -cerebral design versus everyday living.

How could one avoid being vain seated before at a vanity of this magnitude?

I have a thing for chairs.

A great desk from 1947

Yep.

This 1930's era "Airline Chair," named for its aerodynamic lines was an IKEA forerunner.
It was mass produced and sold "ready to be assembled" by the consumer.

One of my favorite items was the Eames, bent-wood, toy elephant.

Every day objects were also included in the exhibit - radios, clocks, flatware, ray guns...
RAY GUNS?!?!?!
The "ray gun" (top-left) is actually an Opco Ice Gun, a personal ice crusher from 1935.

I saved my favorites for last.  I am a sucker for textiles and clothing from my favorite period in history.

I would like to order at least 10 yards of the hand-printed sombrero fabric from 1941.

  

Western wear!!!

I love western wear whether it comes from the 1930's (the dungarees and silk rodeo blouse on the left) or the 1950's (the ensemble on the right).

These 1940's hostess pajamas are indescribably cool.
Everything about them is pitch-perfect modern -
the color, the cut, the fact that the hostess is wearing pajamas!

The exhibit featured some incredible swim & play suits as well.

The his & hers lobster bathing ensembles by Catalina Swimwear (1941) were a highlight.

Some of my favorite items include this printed dress and this amazing, gathered, green-chintz, tiered skirt and midriff-baring top trimmed in white ric rac...that was actually A BATHING SUIT!!!  Coincidentally, Mary thinks a recreation of this ensemble should be my next sewing project. Hmmmm?

The Cole of California creation

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

5905 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA

(323)857-6000

http://www.lacma.org/

"California Design" runs October 1, 2011 through March 25, 2012.

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny