Tiburon writer brings midcentury modern design to wider audience

Architecture journalist Jenna Mc­Knight is the author of ‘Design: Midcentury Modern,’ a primer on the design movement that skyrocketed in popularity from the 1940s to the 1970s. (Francisco Martinez / The Ark)

Journalist and writer Jenna McKnight says she often asks herself one question when working on an editorial project: “Is my mom going to be into this?”

The answer, she says, is frequently no. Mc­Knight’s work as an architectural journalist for industry professionals means she’s usually producing technical writing inaccessible to those outside the field.

Her latest project is an exception, intended to speak to a wider audience — her mom included. The Tiburon resident is the author of “Design: Midcentury Modern,” released April 7 by Hardie Grant North America. The book, which features contributions by writer Amy van den Berg, includes 60 examples of midcentury modern designs in architecture, furniture, glassware and more. The book traces the movement from its 1922-1949 origins through its peak, 1950-1962, to its coda, 1965-1973.

She hopes the book will have wide appeal. It’s already a hit with her mom, who shows it off to friends. McKnight recently told a retired neighbor about the book, and the neighbor in turn told McKnight about all the midcentury modern furniture she and her family had growing up.

“That’s what I love,” McKnight says. “I love when, just, non-experts start thinking about design and talking about design.”

Read the complete story in our e-edition, or SUBSCRIBE NOW for home delivery and access to the digital replica.

Comment on this article on Nextdoor.