Mid-Century Christmas - EchoMag.com

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Mid-Century Christmas

Designer Travis Smith combined his passions for holiday and mid-century design when he wrote Kitschmasland!: Christmas Décor from the 1950s to the 1970s,

By Glenn Gullickson

Travis Smith

A Mid-Century Christmas

Local bear wrote the book on decorating for the holidays in the style from earlier era

You're either a Christmas person or you're not, according to Travis Smith.

Judging by Smith's interest in decorating for the holidays, he's a Christmas person. In fact, he wrote a book on decorating for the holiday in his favorite design style, mid-century modern.

Smith's book, Kitschmasland!: Christmas Décor from the 1950s to the 1970s, is a reference book of Christmas decorations from the past in a design style that's been making a comeback.

Smith said he inherited his passion for Christmas decorating from his mother and grandmother while he was growing up in Phoenix. "It was a big deal, we decorated our house every year," Smith said.

And as a product of the era himself, Smith has been collecting mid-century decorations and furniture almost since the style originated.

"I've been a retro head since I was 20 years old," Smith said. "It's only natural that I would want to have a mid-century Christmas."

Smith described mid-century modern as "atomic design," since it was influenced by the dawning of the nuclear age. "That generated this whole generation of atomic inspired imagery," he said. "It's very futuristic ‘Jetsons' kind of stuff.

Kitschmasland!: Christmas Décor from the 1950s to the 1970s "Christmas decorations from that period evoke sentiment of our childhoods for a lot of people," he said. "It's feel good stuff, conjuring up memories of being a kid during the '60s and '70s."

Kitschmasland! was first published in 2005, but Smith said the book has been getting more attention since a revised edition was recently released.

"There was a time a few years ago that some people didn't know mid-century existed," Smith said. He attributed the increased interest to the media, with TV shows like Mad Men, films and advertising using a 1960s motif.

Smith said proof that the style has gone mainstream for the holidays is evident with things like silver and aluminum trees in stores like Home Depot and Walmart. Even the popular Martha Stewart holiday collection includes some retro design, he said.

Photos featured in Smith's book are from shoots that were done at homes in the Washington, D.C., area, where Smith operated a shop featuring mid-century furniture.

About six years ago, Smith returned to Phoenix and he works as showroom designer and accessories buyer at Copenhagen.

Smith said he thinks desert dwellers, deprived of a traditional white Christmas, tend to overcompensate with holiday decorations. "Everyone really outdoes decorating for Christmas here," he said.

Smith's website, modernbear.net, celebrates his interest in modern design, bears and beefcake. His modern bear Facebook page has almost 10,000 fans.

Smith said he's working on a new book, The Guide for the Modern Bear, a lifestyle book with an emphasis on design. -E

Decorations

Decorator provides tips for last-minute holiday decor

Travis Smith styled the set for the "Holiday Couples" cover photo shoot of this edition of Echo Magazine, using a silver tree from his personal collection and vintage ornaments.

In his mid-century downtown Phoenix condo, Smith uses the silver tree on a rotating stand, illuminated with a color wheel and decorated beaded Styrofoam balls that he called "bored '60s housewife ornaments." He's got more than 100. "They're ornate and beautiful," he said.

Among his collection is a white tree with a "Candyland" theme, with red and white ornaments. "It's very whimsical, it's cute overload," Smith said.

Smith said that when he was growing up it was a tradition to make decorations. And although Christmas décor can easily be purchased, he said the do-it-yourself trend is encouraging people to get creative.

"There really is something about making it yourself," Smith said. "I commend anyone who takes the time to do crafts. If you've got the time, wonderful."

Even if you've been slow with getting started with holiday preparations there's still time to create a holiday wonderland at home with a few tips from Smith.

ornaments

For a quick decoration over a dining table, bar or snack counter, hang ornaments or glittered snowflake patterns in clusters from a fishing line to make a big impression. "People walk into the room and say, ‘That's fabulous,'" Smith said.
On a table with a red runner, arrange an assortment of clear glass containers — perhaps flower bowls — filled with colored balls.
Get help from friends by hosting a holiday decorating party. Serve cocktails and supply the material for guests to create ornaments.
Shop thrift stores, dollar stores, estate sales and Internet sites for decorations. "The average person can create a really fun look or dramatic look on a budget," Smith said. "You just have to take a little time and think outside of the box."
Find one key ornament — perhaps a splurge purchase at an upscale store — as a focal point mixed with other items.
Use what's already in your home and repurpose it for a holiday theme. For example, a silver vase becomes a holiday decoration with the addition of branches. "It's all about looking around your house, looking at everyday objects with a fresh eye," Smith said.

Smith said he starts decorating for Christmas in mid-November, but there are limits to his enthusiasm for the holiday. Once the holiday has passed, he's had enough.

"For me, when it's over, it's over. It all gets boxed up," Smith said.