Philadelphia Home: How To Make Yourself Mid-Century Modern

Collectors who wish to authenticate the pedigree of a Noguchi tornado table, or a virtually unsat-upon 1950 Eames red LCM, or a powder-pink ’59 Coupe DeVille low-rider with leopard-print upholstery and fully functional flame throwersbefore purchasing, ought to consider making the trek to this kitsch-filled (in a very serious way) emporium on the edge of Harrisburg’s historic district. The wares here range from tiny—boomerang ashtrays, diner clocks — to mega — see the Caddy, above, or maybe a complete set of metal GE kitchen cabinets, spice rack and all. It’s exclusively design that came before, as owner Steve Pearlman sees it, the decline of American civilization (which he interprets as the decades before Walmart). Though the giant, crammed one-room place — a former auto parts shop — is flea-market-y and definitely laid-back, it’s not to be mistaken for a thrift-filled secondhand store. Pearlman knows the exact value of every piece he sells — dude might sound a little burnt-out, but he’s no fool — and quite frankly, he’s not willing to part with certain pieces. The king-size Paul McCobb bed he sleeps on in his place upstairs, for example, is for sale, but according to the shop owner’s website, he’s “not ultra-motivated to see it go.” Still, there aren’t many places where you can score a perfect pair of Bakelite earbobs (granted, from the ’40s), a Danish modern floating couch — and the exact Frigidaire your Nana had. Plus, who doesn’t love a road trip to our Commonwealth’s capital?

What we want right now: A curved Frederic Weinberg shelving unit with original colored masonite panels ($895); a red enameled copper wall sculpture by C. Jeré ($600). (Alas, the Caddy’s sold.)

Investment-worthy icons of the mid-century

Mode Moderne 159 North 3rd Street, 215-627-0299

If it weren’t for this Old City shop, this story wouldn’t have existed. Owners Michael Glatfelter and Mike Wilson are the guys everybody refers to when it comes to Philly’s mid-century modern scene. (Thanks to them, we found Ron Rowe and Glenn Landeau, whose Cherry Hill home inspired our story.) The Michaels are, indeed, the real deal: Glatfelter’s circa-1948 Wyndmoor home is a floor-to-ceiling homage to mid-century living, right down to the atomic-blue vintage Citröen in his garage; Wilson’s Port Richmond rowhouse is impeccably outfitted in machine-age Gilbert Rohde. Their two-floor, 2,500-square-foot store is a neat clutter of iconic pieces, most vintage, some new. You’ll find everything Eames — Ray and Charles’s metal-legged chairs, the couple’s covet-worthy leather and rosewood lounger, plus Eames reissues by Herman Miller. (Mode Moderne is also a Herman Miller dealer.) A black wire Woodard sofa, Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs, Vitra reissued Nelson ball clocks, and Paul McCobb’s perfectly proportioned tables and benches offer a virtual tutorial in mid-century design. All in all, an amazing place to explore — and then drop a few thousand on an extra-rare George Nelson for Herman Miller coffee table with hidden pull-out trays.

What we want right now: Allan Gould’s string chair ($1,495); anything by McCobb.