Brief Encounter

Last month on our way to the 20^th Century Cincinnati Show, we passed this sweet Mid-century Modern high school in Sharonville, Ohio, just before arriving at the convention center.

Princeton High School near Cincinnati

I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures on our way back by. A quick Internet search reveals “Princeton High School was built on its current site in 1957-58 thanks to a generous donation from Marianna Matthews," according to the school’s website. Although the school has had four significant expansions over the years, it has maintained its classic, mid-century façade on its front side facing Chester Road.

I love the clean lines, interesting roof angles, aluminum siding, and mosaic tiles. I couldn't find any information on the colorful tile mural, if it's original to the building's design, or if it was added later.

I think the students at this school have something very special to walk into every day. I hope they appreciate it as much as I did during this brief encounter.



Mosaic Tile Mural

Nice turqoise-colored panel siding (this looks like my own high school back in Mississippi).

Front entrance flanked with unadorned columns

Close-up of tile on columns outside entrance.

Nice modern lettering on school sign. I'm thinking this is probably original to 1958.

20th Century Cincinnati Show

Saturday was gloomy and cold in the greater Cincinnati area, but not inside the Sharonville Convention Center. That’s where my husband and I and a large crowd of other “modern” collectors and fans lined up to see a colorful and dizzying array of midcentury furniture, art, toys, costume jewelry, electronics, house wares, and more, all under one roof!

As I said in my last post, this was our third time attending the 20^th Century Cincinnati modern show . It was definitely worth the drive up from Lexington and I now look forward to it every year. We spent about two hours browsing the 50 booths. The crowd was thick so we had to make a few trips around to see it all. Though we didn’t buy anything, we didn’t come out empty-handed. I got a first-hand look, an education, in some of the most impressive and quirky design of the last century. Here are some of my favorites from the day.
 

Dinner is served--atomic style!

Bullet Planter. ( I have a thing for orange.) This one is the only one I saw at the show. It had a price tag of $150 and was scooped up quickly.

Sleek Eames plywood chair. I've never seen one in black. Like it!

A version of the Saarinen tulip table.

An orange (leather?) Eames rocker--my husband's favorite pick.

Another Eames rocker upholstered in blue.

The classic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman. One day I will have you!