Occasionally, you meet someone that made of preservation and love for mid-century design his life and job: David Skelley is one of them.
David is a passionate collector of mid-century modern design that over 30 years ago opened a beautiful store in San Diego, to turn his passion into a business: Boomerang For Modern.
We asked him to share the latest pieces he found for the store, and tell about their story. It’s fascinating to see how much a simple object can tell about someone’s else life.
David tells us:
These items came from a beautiful modern Redwood and glass house, architect designed and built in a wooded area of Point Loma in the early sixties.
The original owners lived there until their deaths at which time their daughter inherited the house and its contents. She was not interested in living there so she took what she could use to her home in San Carlos, covered the furniture with sheets and plastic, locked the doors, paid the taxes but never went back.
This was well over 20 years ago where it remained in suspended animation until now. It had come time to dispose of the house and contents and I was invited to view and purchase the furnishings which I was thrilled to do.
They were all purchased at Dean Marshall in La Jolla -one of San Diego’s best Mid-century modern furniture dealers in the fifties and sixties- back in the day.
All are top quality Danish and American designs and condition-wise are nearly perfect and frozen in time. A very rare and special treat this was for me
Dining set: Table model #840 by Borge Mogensen for A/S Søborg Møbelfabrik of Denmark circa mid-fifties.
Not sure if it is currently in production but I doubt it.
Dining chairs model CH23 by Hans Wegner for Carl Hansen of Denmark. They are Teak and Fumed Oak and designed in 1951. I don’t think they are still in production by any authorized maker. I did see some unauthorized remakes though.
Fumed Oak Scissors chair is by Folke Ohlsson for Dux of Denmark circa mid-fifties. Circa mid-fifties and no longer in production.
The #20 Sideboard by Hans Wegner for Ry Mobler of Denmark circa 1955.
It is in teak and beech. No longer in production.
The upholstery and Teak high back chair is by Hvidt and Nielsen for France and Daverkosen of Denmark.
Circa late fifties and no longer in production.
A pair of Hans Wegner Papa Bear chairs and ottoman. Designed in 1953 for AP Stolen of Denmark.
Still in production now by PP Mobler.
