Attention all customers

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I am not only interested in vintage design, architecture, lounge music and umm... stewardesses but also graphic design and typography seeing it has been my major subject in college and what what I work with for a living in a way. One thing that caught my attention lately are those old handwritten posters and placates that were found in major stores and outlets. Handwritten of course, they were in their own way a work of art. Done correctly they would both look elegant and selling. Of course, the effect would be the opposite if they were done the wrong way. Here are a couple of nice examples taken from a book about how to learn the quick lettering technique used for signs and billboards. Now grab your pens and start practicing.

Arne Jacobsen

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This is the third post in my series about my favorite architects from the golden days of architecture. We are going back to Scandinavian design again, allow me to introduce Arne Jacobsen, one of the forefathers of Danish Modernism and Functionalism.

Born in Copenhagen 1902, educated at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture in Copenhagen and professor at the Academy between the years 1956-65. Jacobsen was both an architect and designer, his most famous works include The Ant chair, Model 3107 chair, The Egg chair, St Catherine’s College, University of Oxford, SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen and Bellavista in Klampenborg. Personally, I have always admired the SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, not only because it was Denmark's first skyscraper but for its clean design and the use of material. The hotel is located right next to the Tivoli (amusement park) and the Central Train station, which makes it a ideal place to stay if you are ever in Copenhagen.

When the hotel was built in 1960 it had a separate check-in and waiting area for people traveling with SAS from the Copenhagen International Airport. Buses would wait outside to transport the passengers to the airport itself. The terminal was located at the ground floor of the hotel, next to the lobby and was built to resemble the look of a airport. It was probably a very convenient service for the jet setters of the 1960s, but it was eventually discontinued. The hotel has obviously changed a lot over the years, but they have kept one room (606) in its original design, which also happens to be available to stay in if you want to experience a blast from the past.

PS. Happy birthday Ultra Swank, two years old September 1.

Related links
Official site
SAS Royal Hotel room design

Related posts
Eero Saarinen
Mies van der Rohe
The Crown Prince of Malmö


The Egg Chair, Arne Jacobsen, 1958


SAS Royal Hotel, exterior, Copenhagen, 1960s


SAS Royal Hotel, lobby, Copenhagen, 1960s


SAS Royal Hotel, restaurant, Copenhagen, 1960s


SAS Royal Hotel, SAS terminal, Copenhagen, 1960s

Mies van der Rohe

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I have a passion for amazing architecture and special types of buildings. Hard to describe the feeling you get when looking at something beautiful, it is like a gut feeling and it feels pleasant.

I have been thinking for quite some time now of getting some posts up of favorite architects from the golden days of architecture, thank you janepeepshow for your inspiration ;-) First off is 'Ludwig Mies van der Rohe', usually just refered to as 'Mies van der Rohe'. Born in Germany in 1886, immigrated to America in the 1930s where he started his career in Chicago as head of the architecture school the 'Armour Institute of Technology'. A legend who not only drew buildings but also designed some great looking furniture. His most famous work include the 'Barcelona chair', the 'Brno chair', the 'Seagram' building and the 'Barcelona Pavilion'. His 'Barcelona' chair is considered a classic design piece of the early 20th century and if you want to get your hands on one will probably have to pay a small fortune for it today.

My 'Mies van der Rohe' favourite is the 'Seagram' building located at 375 Park Avenue in New York. Built in 1958 as one of the finest examples of corporate modernism. The building it self has been used as a back drop in numerous movies and commercials. The best example in my opinion is the excellent movie 'The Best of Everything' which is a time piece about working girls in New York in the late 1950s. All exteriors were shot at location. The interiors were obviously sets but very well designed sets which were based on the floor plans of the building. The movie is really good and I recommend anyone who likes light hearted dramas with a pinch of romance to see it.


'The Best of Everything', Seagram building mock up, 1959


'The Seagram building', New York City, Mies van der Rohe, 1958


The 'Barcelona' chair, Mies van der Rohe, 1929