Meet The Mod Squad! January Instagram Takeovers

New year, new Instagram Takeovers! Start 2016 with even more Mod Squad fun.

With so much to see during the eleven-day celebration of mid-century design, architecture, and culture, we’ve enlisted the help of the Mod Squad to capture Modernism Week through their eyes.

It’s been a blast seeing what “modernism” means to each of our 2016 Mod Squad (meet some of them here and here) – so much so, that this month we’re doubling the Instagram Takeovers! Get to know the design-savvy tastemakers who will be sharing their perspectives on modernism this month at @modernism_week.

Christina Winkelmann is the gal behind one of our favorite Instagram accounts @shopbando. She lives and works in Los Angeles as the director of social media for ban.do, a lifestyle brand that is serious about FUN. She graduated from UC Irvine with a film and media degree and moved to LA shortly after to pursue a career in the arts. Having grown up in Palm Springs, she prides herself on having a very early affinity for mid-century modern architecture, bright colors, and a life of perpetual leisure and sunshine.

Christina’s own happy-hued, retro-inspired Instagram feed (@christinawinkelmann) is the stuff of what unicorn dreams are made of. Bonus: anyone who makes Blue Hawaiians in their tiki bar while watching the Elvis classic “Blue Hawaii” is a modernist after our own hearts. Don’t miss her take over of @modernism_week on January 5th.

Katie Thierjung is an artist, designer, and curator of color over at The Uncommon Place. Her colorful style shines through various mediums – photography, graphic design, calligraphy, acrylic, watercolor painting – but her quirky lapel pins are what really set this creative apart. Katie’s love of color and modern design is incorporated into much of her work and life, and we can’t wait to see Modernism Week through her eyes.

Hop on over to @theuncommonplace to see life’s little moments captured in full color, and check out @modernism_week when Katie takes over on January 8th.

Heather Williams is the talented owner and designer of Twig & Twine, a dreamy studio, shop, and event space based in Silver Lake. She grew up wandering her mother’s and grandmother’s gardens, forming an early appreciation for the lovely blooms that grew from the ground each season. It’s no surprise that later in life Heather found herself working with flowers to celebrate life’s most momentous events. Her eye for design extends beyond the organic realm and into the unique selection of modern home goods, gifts, and small treasures also offered in her shop.

From landscaped yards to carefully arranged terrariums, we love seeing modern design in the context of nature (see Modernism Week’s home and garden tours). Heather will be lending a modern, floral touch to @modernism_week when she takes over on January 12th. Until then, swoon over the fresh blooms at @twigandtwine. Warning: it may make you green with envy.

Jen Pinkston is a mom, wardrobe stylist, and the creator of the lifestyle site, The Effortless Chic. Jen’s styling experiences ranges from the likes of Ellen DeGeneres and Kristen Wiig to brands like Apple, Gap, and Warner Brothers, just to name a few. In 2011, Jen channeled her love of fashion and enthusiasm for design into TheEffortlessChic.com. Today the site is a repeat destination for readers worldwide featuring of-the-moment trends in fashion, interior design before-and-after reveals, and never-ending tips and tricks for adding styling and function into your every day.

Cute toddlers, pretty food, and colorful modern spaces also abound over at @jenpinkston. We can’t wait for her @modernism_week takeover on January 15th!

Will Dean is the founding editor of Desert Outlook, the monthly LGBT news and culture magazine published by The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, California. Now in its third year, Desert Outlook is the first LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) magazine by parent company, Gannett, which also publishes USA TODAY. A Knight editing fellow, Will has lived in and covered the greater Palm Springs community for eight years.

Get a local’s perspective on modernism in the desert when Will takes over @modernism_week on January 19th. See @desertoutlook for updates on the latest LGBT news, upcoming issues of Desert Outlook magazine, and more.

Desirée and Julian Goldklang are the owners of Mid Century Møbler, a Berkeley-based showroom specializing in vintage Danish Modern and midcentury furniture. They’ve traveled the world in search of exceptional examples of vintage Scandinavian design, with quarterly trips to Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, England and Scotland. Through their curation and historical understanding of vintage pieces, they are broadening the interest in mid century preservation.

One look at the @midcenturymobler Instagram feed and you’ll find yourself crushing hard for the iconic shapes and classic design of the midcentury pieces Desirée and Julian carefully curate for their shop. Follow @modernism_week on January 22nd to get a glimpse into their world!

Kat Westerman is an award-winning Los Angeles-based commercial, travel and fine art photographer. The UCLA and Academy of Art University alumni has worked with multiple brands including British Columbia Tourism, LA tourism, JDV Hotels, Mashable and VOZ as well being published in publications like San Francisco Chronicle, Guardian Travel and Street Dreams Magazine. Through her photography she actively documents the lives of people she observes around her creating cinematic and highly narrative work. Most recently, Kat was selected as one of the founding members of LA Mayor’s Office Photography Corps.

Mesmerizing murals in Palm Springs, modern architecture in London, and breathtaking images of nature – Kat’s Instagram (@katwesterman) both cures and incites some serious wanderlust. Check out her @modernism_week take over on January 26th.

Holly Fox is the Pantone-loving, lipstick-wearing, jewel-collecting designer and baker whose cookies have gone viral (if you haven’t seen these sugary gems all over Instagram, well, now you know). The Chicago native moved from the snow to California sunshine after meeting her “Foxy” husband. She became a graphic designer straight out of college, but unlike most designers, her aesthetic resonates most colorfully on the most delicious of canvases: sugar cookies.

@hol_fox is one of the sweetest feeds we’ve seen yet, and we love the way her design background is translated into edible art (only a designer could dream up this Pantone confection – and these vintage trailers, flamingos, and palm trees only confirm that we’ve found our cookie kindred spirit). Holly will be taking over @modernism_week on January 29th.

Background image: Jen Pinkston