I fully admit to having a total soft spot in my heart for Studio DUNN. In fact they are one of few modern americana studio's that I actually own a piece from. As much as I love their furniture though, it was their lighting that first caught my eye. I'm happy to report that they look to be making a strong push back into the lighting world this year with two new designs.
The Radiata (above) was inspired by a jellyfish of the same name, and I think looks especially amazing with the smoked grey glass. The Sorenthia (below) is made of steel and brass, it's delicate arms look particularly nice when grouped together.
Portland based PHLOEM STUDIO is making their debut appearance at ICFF this year, and they are going big. I've always loved the stuff that they have made, but this year they look to be absolutely killing it.
I'm especially fond of the Peninsula Chair that they collaborated on with Wood & Faulk. The leather sling and brass and wood details are spot on. It's nice to see some more bespoke details like that in the furniture world.
Needless to say, I'm expecting lot's of great things from these guys in the future.
ICFF 2013 is just around the corner. Unfortunately this year I won't be able to make it, although I will be sending a friend in my place. In the meantime, all the exciting ICFF news is already starting to fill up my inbox. Volk has always been one of my favorites, and this year they are doing some exciting pieces that incorporate hand painting.
I've had no shortage of huge life changing events in my life in the last 6 months, almost all of which I've neglected to share online. First, and most important, I'm getting married (yay!) in June. Second, I'm moving to Austin (what!!) in July. I'm hoping I'll get around to sharing the backstory about everything eventually and how absolutely elated I am with the way my life is going. For now, just know I'm happy and living the life I've always wanted.
Thrown in with all these life events came the announcement that our lease in the house my girlfriend and I were renting was up, and our landlord wasn't letting us renew. That left us essentially homeless for the last 2 1/2 months we'd be in SLC. Luckily we were able to get a very short term lease in Patrick Lofts, where I was living before I moved in with my girlfriend. I suppose it's fitting that the place we met is the place we'll be in when we leave SLC.
After a flurry of moving and giving things away we did manage to get settled into the new place. Above is a teaser shot of our fancy new (1964) Milo Baughman sofa we picked up for $600, and some of our art. The 13' ceiling and huge curved wall are perfect for wall hanging art.*
Locals, join me and my little family and friends this Saturday for a fantastic DJ Dance Party.
A kids DJ Dance party that is, complete with craft projects inside an awesome renovated airstream, hot dogs for the kids, and BYOB for the parents. Seriously, can you think of a better way to spend time with the family on a Saturday evening?
If you have kids in SLC and you don't know about The Creative Capsule, you are missing out. Really.
Get you tickets to Saturday's event here. I've already got mine. See you there!
I'm absolutely humbled (and elated) to have gotten a mention in City Weekly as part of their 2013 "Best Of". It seems somehow amongst all the amazing talent in Salt Lake City they decided that I was deserving of the "Best Eye for Design" award.
It really means a lot to me, now more than ever, because of all the really great design that is happening in Salt Lake right now. I feel like the amount of talent here has skyrocketed in the last 5 years or so. In fact, I'd like to take this opportunity to share with everyone some of my local favorites in the design world (in no particular order). All these people are not only huge design influences, but also really, really great people and some of my dearest friends. Support them.
Yeah, they are a pretty impressive group, and that's just a few of my "design" friends that have websites I can link to. Don't even get me started on "foodie" friends, or all the other "kick ass" friends. There seriously isn't enough room to include everyone in this town that is dear to me. Hugs SLC.
I've been a big fan of the guys from Furni for a really long time, so it's exciting to see that they still have some great new products coming out. The latest is this gorgeous Kendall Portable Speaker. This thing may look old school, but it's got bluetooth, and an accessory audio jack, lithium batteries or a wall plug, and 2 shielded speaker for your favorite tunes. Coming April 1.
Furni Kendall speaker
Watches are dangerous. Sort of like bags, shoes, bottle openers and so many other things that I just want to collect for no apparent reason at all. Aark watches appear to be extra bad, because I want one of each of them. While they do have quite a few very classic looking ones that I really wouldn't mind having, my eye was particularly drawn to these more playful colors.
Aark Collective
Which is your favorite?
It's great to see so many wonderful mid century modern pieces of furniture getting re issued. The latest to be announced is this beautiful Egyptian Stool that was originally designed by Danish architect Ole Wanscher in 1957. Carl Hansen & Son has now acquired rights to the design, and for the first time since 1970 it will be available in the US again. I absolutely love the brass and leather accents agains the dark mahogany. Pricing is likely to be in the $1,400 range. Perfection doesn't come cheap.
It's valentines day, and who do I love? Jimmyjane. It's not just me either, this sex positive company has gotten oodles of good press over the past few years. It doesn't hurt that they have some really beautifully designed products, in fact that good design may be one of the reasons they are a best seller on Fab.
The latest toy to come out of Jimmyjane is the Hello Touch. It's basically two ultra compact vibrators that strap right to you fingers. I'm sure you can imagine the possibilities are endless.
Jimmyjane was nice enough to send a Hello Touch my way for a little hands on review. I have a few other vibrators that they have sent me in the past for review, and I'm always very impressed with the product design aspect of them. The Touch did feel slightly less high end than some of their other products, particularly the wrist cuff and battery holder. Luckily they didn't skimp on the part that counts, the vibrator pods.
Overall I would say the Touch comes highly recommended. Sure this advice is coming a little late seeing as today is already valentines day, but really, do you need a special day to show your love?
Hello Touch $65
If there are any ladies looking for a last minute valentines gift, or any body in general looking for a kick ass weekender bag, I have a solution. I've been eyeing these fantastic canvas and leather masonry bags for a while now. DWR used to have two different sizes in stock, but they were a little pricey. Then yesterday I saw this one on Bespoke Post for $45., and figured I'd take the plunge.
The canvas and leather masonry bag is a classic. Traditionally it was used by mason's (surprise surprise right?) to carry their tools. Now this rugged and stylish bag is just the thing for that last minute out of town trip you've been meaning to go on.
Bespoke Post was new to me, but it seems like a pretty cool idea. It's a monthly gift service (there seems to be a resurgence of these lately) that caters to stylish men. Each month you have a choice of 3 $45 gifts, or you can take a pass. Looking through the past gifts, it seems like they have a pretty solid collection. Any one else already a member? Any feedback?
Bespoke Post
Argh, I'm so over winter already. In fact I think my hatred of cold may have hit a new level today when I actually put a hand warmer in my pocket before leaving for work. While mother nature continues to deliver up cold weather and snow storms, I like to daydream of warm days on the patio.
Yesterday I came across this gorgeous Clam Chair on The Potted Store. After a little bit of digging around, it sounds like they were originally designed by John B Salterini. The originals can be quite expensive, but these new ones seem very reasonable at $295 each. They are available in orange, a lovely pale green and brown.
Clam Chair $295 from The Potted Store
Remember that Chelsea Sofa that Fashion for Home sent me a few years ago to review? Well, even back then I was a bit worried about how well the fabric would hold up to the abuse of two kids and my admittedly negligent self. It only took two years, and this sub $1,000 was looking pretty grimy. The lower cushion had acquired some stains that I was unable to get out, so last night on a whim I grabbed an old orange wool blanket I had picked up for $20 and recovered it. I was surprised how well it came out considering #1 I stitched it all by hand, #2 I was fairly occupied catching up on Walking Dead. Who knows how well the orange will hold up. In the meantime, it looks like I may need to rethink my pillow colors.
What do you think?
One of my favorite places to get coffee in Salt Lake City is Nobrow Coffee and Tea. Not only is Joe the owner a total coffee nerd, he happens to be a design nerd too. So when I heard that they were moving to a new location designed by Atlas Architects I was quite excited. When I found out my friend Jaren from Modern Union was doing the interior cabinetry and woodworking I was even more excited.
This Wednesday was their first official day open (even though the Visual Supply Co crew dropped by earlier during Alt) so I decided to meet Jaren there for a pour over and check it out.
The space is quite a bit smaller than their old location, which surprised me. Personally I think it's a good thing, although I know some people enjoyed being able to find a nice private corner in the old space. There is a really great little courtyard in front that will make a fantastic outdoor space in the summer. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and say if you are looking to sit out side in the summertime and have a cup of coffee, you won't be able to find a better spot.
While I was there we ran into Jason Foster of Atlas Architects. No real surprise considering their office is going in next door. Speaking of Atlas, they've done a really nice job with some of the subtle details of the building. The most obvious thing is the material pallet. The building is made of a cinder block with a smooth sawn face that has some nice flecks of color in it.
It's a great look, but combined with the concrete floors and bright white Corian countertops it can be very hard and cold. To balance this there is a good amount of reclaimed wood in the space. The wood is some reclaimed beams that used to be in Trolley Square, a local trolley station turned mall. It's beautiful, warm, and really brings the space together.
To add even more interest to the space there is a beautiful (and rumor has it very heavy) section of an upright piano that is bolted to a wood face in a small nook at the end of the room. That combined with some nice industrial style pendants round out the simple, yet fantastic interior.
Nobrow Coffee & Tea - 179 W 900 S SLC, UT
Atlas Architects
Modern Union
Like architecture? Like movies? The fine folks over at Arch Daily recently put up a list of the top 30 architecture movies to add to you "must see" list. While many of them have to be purchased, there are a few select ones that you can watch for free online, including the fantastic Eames: The Architect and the Painter. Who's seen it? What did you think about it?
ArchDaily : 30 Architecture Docs to watch in 2013
Some Kickstarted campaigns are just destined for success from day one. Okum Made's Everyday Objects is one of them. With 24 days to go it's only a few thousand dollars short of it's modest 17K goal. Along with the backers there has been no shortage of positive press in the blogosphere (ugh hate that word) with sites like MoCoLoco, BLTD and Cool Hunting praising Okum. Well let me just go ahead and throw my hat in the ring too.
Okum and his products show a understanding of the material they are designed in. They are simple forms (hooks, salt and pepper shakers, trivets, bowls), made of simple materials (walnut, hard maple, aluminum) but they manage to make the whole greater than the sum of the parts. Simple, beautiful, useful. What more could you ask for.
The best part is that you can be part of helping this designer become a success, which enables him to make more beautiful things. Do your part. Chip in. Support good design. I did.
Okum on Kickstarter
Okummade.com
It may be a new year, but my obsession with bags continues. The one I've had my eye on lately is this handsome canvas and leather weekender bag from Everlane for only $99. Haven't heard of Everlane? It's yet another "members only" site, this one focused on fashion. One main difference is that they produce all their own product, so it really is exclusive. Love the bag enough to sign up? I thought so...
Weekender Bag $99 from Everlane
