Midcentury design comes to forefront in Las Vegas

"When you have the correct idea, there's no need to change it." William Krisel (1924 -), American architect, "Palm Springs Life," 2009, discussing midcentury modern style.

Last month I had the wonderful privilege to work on an event featuring midcentury modern architecture. The Architectural and Decorative Arts Society (www.adas-lv.com), along with the Friends of Classic Las Vegas (http://classiclasvegas
.squarespace.com/friends-of-classic-las-vegas), hosted a weekend dedicated to exploring the fantasy and allure of this incomparable design style. The weekend began with a reception at the Morelli House; featured panels of architects discussing this elegant, graceful style; and concluded with a narrated double-decker bus tour of midcentury modern Las Vegas neighborhoods.

Some are amazed when you say midcentury neighborhoods in Las Vegas. We are so good at tearing down architectural icons, it is somewhat surprising that there are so many midcentury modern residences and commercial buildings remaining in Las Vegas.

If you have an interest in this design style, Google architect William Krisel, architect and premier designer of the midcentury modern home, and Alan Hess, architect and architectural critic and writer, for more information. We were honored to have the Las Vegas debut of a film about Krisel during our weekend, and to have Hess as a speaker and moderator of the film.

We saw so many wonderful homes and images during the weekend, but one that I wanted to share with you is the Morelli House, and the midcentury furniture it houses. The furniture in the main rooms of the house was designed by Vladimir Kagan.

Kagan is one of the most recognized designers of modern furniture and is widely regarded as "the grandfather of modern furniture design." He started designing in 1947 and by the early '50s his innovative sculptured furniture created a new look in American furniture. Midcentury modern furniture is described as a style characterized by simplicity, democratic design and natural shapes.

For those of you not familiar with the Morelli House, a little history is in line. The house was built in 1959 in the Desert Inn Country Club. It is a classic example of Las Vegas midcentury residential architecture and was relocated and restored as an historical preservation project by the Junior League of Las Vegas. The house was built by Antonio Morelli, who was the orchestra conductor and musical director for the Sand's hotel and casino.

In September 2001, Junior League moved the house to Ninth Street and Bridger Avenue in the historical district of downtown Las Vegas to save it from demolition when the Wynn Las Vegas was being built on the site. After the restoration of the project, the Junior League set out on a quest to furnish the house in the style of the day, midcentury modern.

The Junior League went to the World Market Center Las Vegas to inquire about leads for midcentury modern furnishings for the Morelli House. Kagan was to be the guest speaker at the World Market Center's First Friday Designer Series. Members of the Junior League were invited to attend the lecture event and to explain their project to Kagan. The project piqued his interest and he agreed to visit.

The Morelli House website describes what happened next. After seeing the amazing restoration of the house, "Mr. Kagan enthusiastically offered to take on the project as lead interior designer showcasing his selected furnishings. Due to Mr. Kagan's efforts, the Morelli House's primary areas were completely furnished with authentic midcentury Vladimir Kagan furniture selected and placed by the master himself. Mr. Kagan solicited donated furnishings from his manufacturers, American Leather and Wieman Preview and also donated pieces from his own historical collection. The Vladimir Kagan furniture on permanent display at the Morelli House includes two Serpentine sofas, a Nautilus sofa, a coffee table, an Omnibus dining room set and a Trisemetric stool."

In the photo here you also can see the two club chairs he designed for them.

For more information on the Morelli House, visit the website www.MorelliHouse.com, and you will see when the house is open to the public, or you can request a tour.

There are a lot of examples of midcentury modern furniture available. You can search the Web, or the World Market Center and other retail outlets. The furnishings are just as viable and attractive as when they were originally designed. Pieces of this design will mesh with any other and you can have a little slice of history. Do some research on this design style and you will see that William Krisel had it right -- when it's good, there's no reason to change.

The style and its admirers will endure. And we plan to have another long look next year.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a design consultant, expert home stager and creator of beautiful spaces. Questions can be sent to her at creativemuse@cox.net.