First up..WHAT IS FORMICA? It’s LAMINATE!

Formica Laminate is a laminated composite material invented at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation in the United States in 1912. Originally used to replace mica in electrical applications, it has since been manufactured for a variety of applications. Today, the product is produced by New Zealand–based Formica Group, and has been since 2007.

The word Formica refers to the company’s classic product: a heat-resistant, wipe clean laminate of paper or textile with melamine resin (Source).

For today’s post we are going to focus on ‘Decorative Laminate/Formica’. Decorative laminates have greater aesthetic appeal in terms of finishes and patterns. Decorative laminates can be used for doing ornamental overlays on furniture (Source).

Vintage 1950s Formica table top salesman sample pieces, set of 8 Mid Century designs.

I want the design on the right!

Vintage 1950s Formica Table Top Salesman Sample Pieces RARE Set of 8 Mid Century

Source: eBay

I joined a Facebook group a few weeks ago called “I break for Breeze Blocks” and I can’t tell you how happy it has made me! Every time I see someone post a photo of someone’s house or a wall outside of a building that has that Mid- Century detail, I just can’t help but smile. They are just so darn cool!

So for today’s post I wanted to devote a little love to these MCM Blocks.

Mid Century Modern Building with Breeze Blocks — Source: La.Curbed.com

Mid-Century Cool: Breeze Blocks

Brief History of Breeze Blocks

Breeze blocks are the patterned concrete blocks you may have seen covering the sides of a building or stacked upon each other to form a wall. Breeze blocks provide shade, circulation, protection and privacy to buildings all over the world and became a very important part of Mid-Century Design.

Breeze blocks–sometimes called screen blocks– were inspired by sun-reducing screens in Asia and first used in America in the 1930s. They continued to grow in popularity in the following decades, especially when used in houses and apartments. They were widely used in Mid-Century Modern design up until the 1970s, when they began to fall out of style.

They are typically made from the ashes of coal, bonded together by Portland cement and used especially for walls that bear relatively small loads.

To continue reading the FULL but super cool history of Breeze Blocks, please click HERE to visit the Atomic Ranch Website.

Breeze Blocks in the wild (aka photos and vintage ads)

Mid-Century Ad for Evco Solar Screen Blocks-“That’s the way to screen your pool!”.

Vintage 1950s 1960s Ad for Breeze Blocks to go around your pool. Mid Century Design Idea

Source: Pinterest

Retro Restaurant Sign & aqua bricks – Farmington, New Mexico USA.

Restaurant & aqua bricks – Farmington, New Mexico USA

Source: Moderncharlotte.com

I love a good Tiki Bar and the Tahitian Fire Room not only has a super cool sign, but a ridiculous amount of cool Breeze Blocks on that wall.

Mid Century Tiki Bar-Tahitian Fire Room with Cool Breeze Block Designed Wall

Source: American Standard Time

Gorgeous Mid-Century home located in Sunrise Park in Palm Springs. Breeze Blocks by the Pool.

mid century modern palm springs home with breeze blocks

Source: Geoffreymoore.com

1960s Vintage Ad for Simmons Hide-A-Bed featuring a Breeze Block Decorative wall behind the couch.

hide a bed mid century vintage ad with breeze blocks in the background 1960s ad

Source: Pinterest

1959 Mid-Century Modern Jack Meiselman built home at the Racquet Club East, Palm Springs.

About the Racquet Club Estates:

The Racquet Club East is comprised of the Racquet Club Estates, which has 550 tract mid-century modern homes Designed by the respected architect William Krisel A.I.A., and built by the famed Alexander Construction Company. A sub-section of the Racquet Club East neighborhood also has a small set of tract homes built by Alexander’s competitor, Jack Meiselman (who actually started building in Palm Springs before Alexander).

1959 mid-century modern Meiselman-built home, Racquet Club East Palm Springs.

Source: pshomes.com

Jack Meiselman, Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern Property featuring those beautiful Breeze Blocks again.

Jack Meiselman prominent Palm Springs Mid Century Modern Builder.

Source: paulkaplanrealtor.com

A William Krisel Las Palmas Estates, 1957 Mid-Century Modern home Illustration (rendering).

A William Krisel Las Palmas Estates, 1957 Mid-Century Modern home featuring a breeze blo

Source: psmodcom.org

Vintage Mid-Century Ad for Superlite Concrete Blocks-Q BLOCK. “Accents for your Home”.

Source: Pinterest

Mid-Century Design: Laboratorio Neon Sign And Perforated Concrete. I love the signs typography. So very cool!

Source: Flickr

“Concrete Blocks are Anything but Flat”. Ad for Kaiser Permanent Cement Company that ran in the September 1962 edition of Sunset magazine.

A Edward Durell Stone Building at 2 Columbus Circle, New York City (1958).

An Edward Durell Stone Building at 2 Columbus Circle, New York City (1958). Mid Century Modern Building Design

Source: Wikipedia

Edward Durell Stone Townhouse, New York, New York, 1957. That Townhouse sure does stand out.

Edward Durell Stone Townhouse, New York, New York, 1957. Mid Century Modern Design

Source: wikiwand.com

Breeze Blocks at the Front Entrance is a great architectural detail for that Mid-Century Modern Look.

Breeze Blocks at the Front Entrance of a MCM Home

Source: Geoffreymoore.com

Shopping for Breeze Blocks

Want to own your own Breeze Block but can’t afford to buy a whole brick wall? Here is a section on fun Breeze Blocks products you can buy online!

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Mid Century Modern Breeze Blocks, Brick Wall Decals (avail HERE).

Source: Etsy

The StarBriteMotel Seller on Etsy has several different Breeze Block Jewelry styles you can take home. Check them out HERE!

Breeze Block Earrings by Star Brite Motel

Source: Etsy

1950s style breeze block necklace by Glitzomatic. They too have a fun collection of Breeze Block Jewelry. Check it out HERE.

Source: Etsy

Breeze block iPhone case is a must-have for the breeze block or Mid-Mod obsessed person! (no longer avail but you can search for similar items online).

Source: Etsy

Now…are you looking to buy Breeze Blocks? The website, Retro Renovation based out of the US has created a resource of companies that do just that. Check it out HERE.

Question time! Do you love Breeze Blocks? Or is this a Mid Century Decor feature you could live without? Share in the comments below!

FURTHER READING: Check out my archive of ‘Vintage Home Decor’ Posts.

Take care friends!

Liz

Category: Vintage Home

Vintage Formica Advertising 1940s-1960s

Formica-For the Vintage Styled Home

First up..WHAT IS FORMICA? It’s LAMINATE!

Vintage Advertising for Formica 1940s-1960s