From the Editor

A R E T R O P E R S P E C T I V E

Midcentury has now been going for a year and continues to champion the best of 20th century design, interiors and architecture. Insights, insider tips, sourcing advice and a good old story or two – it’s all here! We are cementing our position as the UK publication for lovers of all things Modern and the magazine is stocked by an increasing number of independent retailers and at relevant design shows in the UK and Europe. While Midcentury is firstly a print publication, we have now gone digital! Accessed via our website and free to print subscribers, you can now view the fully interactive digital issue on your computer, tablet or smartphone. The format of devices like the iPad translates the scale of the publication perfectly and those non-subscribers who prefer this medium can purchase their digital subscription for just £6.95. We hope to have an app available through the itunes store later this year so watch this space! In this issue we tip our hat to the 2012 Games, with V&A expert Margaret Timmers showcasing some posters from the modern Olympic era. Print-maker Beth Evans talks about the contemporary renovation of a rather special family heirloom, her four-bedroom home on the Dulwich Estate, and we stay in a rare Robin Spence steel house on the North Norfolk coast. Cat Martin takes a look at the redevelopment of Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate, originally the largest public housing project in Europe and, with a Bauhaus retrospective at the Barbican, we meet effusive collector Ken Stradling, who reveals the link between Breuer and Bristol. Our Buyer’s Guide focuses on old and new versions of the Hans Wegner Sawback chair and in Premier League, Miller’s 20th century specialist Mark Hill discusses the progressive glassware of Fulvio Bianconi and its value at auction. And in the year of the Jubilee, Queen of British fashion Zandra Rhodes tells us about her favourite pieces of modern design. Our Directory continues to provide a comprehensive sourcing guide to mid-century and mid-century-inspired design and we would urge you to support our advertisers. Without these businesses the publication would look very different so please let them know that you saw them here!

Midcentury

Spring/Summer 2012

9