Alexander Girard: Prolific Mid-Century Designer (PHOTOS)
Alexander Girard isn't exactly the sort of household mid-century designer name that people recognize right away. Born in New York City in 1907, Girard came to be known for his unconventional and wildly colorful textiles, furniture designs, housewares and interiors that drew inspiration from festive folk art. It was a daring deviation in style during an era that strongly emphasized modern streamlined furnishings. That might explain why despite being a close and much beloved friend of such notable mid-century masters as Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, Girard remained largely unknown to the general public.
Nonetheless, Girard's prolific and wide-ranging works -- which include everything from a 1960s menu design for the famous New York restaurant La Fonda del Sol to creating furniture for Herman Miller to helping design the iconic Miller House in 1953 -- left a significant mark in the world of design and have gone on to inspire contemporary innovators like Todd Oldham, Jonathan Adler, and fashion designer Anna Sui.
Needless to say we've long been captivated by Girard and his attention to small details -- like using red lacquer on the underside of the grand piano in the Miller House -- so we're happy to see that there has recently been renewed interest in his designs and a new book Alexander Girard (Ammo Books) chronicles his best works throughout the years.
Flip through the below slideshow to see some of our favorite works by Alexander Girard. All images from the book Alexander Girard by Todd Oldham & Kiera Coffee © 2011 (Ammo Books).
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