I have chosen to build a lamp out of recycled pallet wood in a Mid-Century Modern style/aesthetic. I chose Mid-Century Modern simply because it is a style that I am fond of and I believe that I can make something that approximates the aesthetic. The lamp will be made out of small staves of wood that will be fixed together using glue and wood tacks to form a sort of barrel with the top and bottom interlocking to form the shape. The spaces in between the staves will allow light to escape, but not so much as to be overpowering. I plan to paint the majority of the lamp a darker shade of yellow, but leave portions of the wood exposed to bring some rustic-ness to the piece. This will serve as a reminder of where the material came from while also adding to the materiality. Ultimately, my aim is to build something that evokes the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic while having a measure of originality.
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Mid-Century Modern is a movement in design that was prevalent from around 1945 to 1970, and has grown in popularity in recent years. It is a design aesthetic that is related to modernism, and utilizes modern construction techniques such as mass-production. It is typically characterized by simple, clean lines with little to no embellishment, and makes use of bright accent colors and organic shapes. This is seen as a rebellion against ornate traditions from previous decades such as Victorian, Art Deco, and Beaux Arts where designs were often covered in elaborate decoration. An example of this is the iconic Eames lounge chair and ottoman that was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1956. The chair and ottoman embody the mid-century modern ideals of clean lines, functionality, and comfort.
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Another example of the aesthetic is are the so-called “Eichler Homes” that were built by the real estate developer Joseph Eichler in and around the Los Angeles and San Francisco suburbs. Eichler was influenced by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and decided to emulate the style in over 11,000 homes around Southern California. Ultimately, Mid-Century Modern is an aesthetic that combines the principles of European modernism with the mass production that became prevalent in the years after World War II, and has become on of the most recognizable styles to come out of the 20th Century.
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The Spruce. “Here’s What You Should Know About Midcentury Modern Style.” Accessed January 29, 2025. https://www.thespruce.com/things-you-should-know-about-mid-century-1391827.
“Mid-Century Modern.” In Wikipedia, January 27, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mid-century_modern&oldid=1272074562.
“Mid-Century Modern Interior Design Style.” Accessed January 29, 2025. https://www.kilim.com/kilim-wiki/mid-century-modern-interior-design-style.
Ference, Audrey. “What Are Eichler Homes? Mid-Century Modern Architectural Gems, That’s What.” Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®, August 23, 2022. https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/what-are-eichler-homes/.
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I love this idea! I think it’s very innovative and different, and I’ve never really heard of anyone making a lamp out of pallets. I would love to see some sketches or concept art of the lamp in the post as a visual reference!
Thanks Ayesha! I think pallets are often seen as a disposable resource, but it can often be a source of decent wood. I’m not the best at sketching, but I should have a 3D model soon, and will hopefully have some more visuals then!