My Constant Hunt: Finding Purpose in Mid Century Design
Why Modern Design is Worth Preserving and How the Hunt Gave Me Purpose.
Every time I step inside a well crafted Mid Century home filled with timeless design pieces, I’m reminded of exactly why I fell in love with Modern design so many years ago. It’s not just about clean lines, post-and-beam construction, or travertine flooring. It’s a feeling, a sense of optimism, clarity, craftsmanship and purpose.
For me, that feeling isn’t just a professional specialty, it’s a lifelong obsession and an anchor. My journey had evolved from flipper/picker, local shop owner, 1stdibs dealer, to Realtor. But long before I was helping clients navigate the San Diego real estate market, my relationship with this design movement began in a woodworking studio at San Diego State University.
While studying art and furniture design at SDSU, I learned to look at objects not just for what they were, but for how they were made and why they mattered. I was very interested in the philosophy of Modernism, the idea that good design should be functional, honest, and accessible. While working in the woodshop (and trying to keep all my fingers) I became interested in the designers, the ‘Big Dogs of 20th Century Design’. I realized that good design goes far beyond simply building a chair or cabinet.
This passion manifested in the daily hunt for furniture, lighting, art, ceramics and vintage objects. I’ve spent countless mornings hitting estate sales, hunting down vintage design, and ‘saving’ furniture. Yes, if you find the right piece of furniture ‘in the wild’ you can make a quick buck (which was a lifesaver for a college student) but looking back, the hunt was always about something much deeper than just making money. It was purpose.
Through the years, especially during the uncertain and rough times when everything else felt up in the air, MCM and vintage design remained my one constant. Whenever life felt chaotic, I could always go to the hunt. Hitting a thrift store or driving several hours for a cheap Martz Lamp listed on FB Marketplace gave me a sense of purpose and was a way to keep me moving forward. My focus on the hunt replaced anxiety. The dedication to finding something exciting and rare became a form of therapy. It reminded me that even when things feel off, value and beauty are always waiting to be rediscovered and restored.
Eventually, all the hunting shifted from the objects inside a home to the homes themselves. It was an inevitable evolution to bring this passion into my real estate business where I could focus on something much larger than a quick transaction, preserving and honoring San Diego’s architectural history.
So, why does Modern design remain so popular and ingrained in our lives?
People ask why a design movement that began over 70 years ago remains so popular today. In a world that often feels fast, digital, and disposable, Modern design offers an antidote. It represents an era when designers looked toward the future with immense hope. The materials, quality and craftsmanship mattered. I think this goes beyond nostalgia. Mid Century design continues to quietly dictate our daily culture because it got the fundamentals right. The ‘Connection to Nature’, long before ‘biophilic design’ became popular, modern architects understood that humans thrive when connected to the outdoors. In San Diego, this is seen on a daily basis. Our climate is built for an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. ‘Intention Over Excess’, these homes weren’t built to show off wealth through square footage. The beauty is in the raw materials, wood, stone, glass, and steel. The priority was function.
How can we honor San Diego’s design history?
San Diego has an incredible and often overlooked modern design history. Preserving this history isn’t about freezing our neighborhoods in time (although I would give anything to cruise around SD in 1960 to take in the sights). It’s about treating our architectural heritage with respect. When a classic home is altered beyond recognition or lost to demolition, we lose a piece of our city’s soul and we can’t get that back.
Lately I’ve been thinking about my ‘big why’ in life and business and my thoughts always draft towards Mid Century design. Because this design philosophy gave so much to me when I needed it most, I am dedicated to giving back to it. Today, my mission is connecting like minded buyers and sellers. People who don’t just want a roof over their heads, but who feel a sense of pride in ownership.
To love Modernism is to love a forward thinking way of living. Which feels odd to say because we looking to the past for guidance on how we can move forward in a more connected, present and intentional way (forgive me, I sometimes get a little ‘hippy dippy’ sometimes but it’s true!).
So for me, the hunt never really ends. It has evolved from a personal lifeline into a professional calling. I love Modern design, I love San Diego and I love the important work of preservation. But the best part of this wild journey so far has been helping people connect with simple objects, furniture and ultimately homes that inspire them every single day.
As always, if you’re looking to find a home that inspires you, or if you just want to swap stories about the vintage hunt, reach out anytime. I’d love to help you find your place in San Diego's design history.
-Greg.
