If you have a moment between hot dogs, may I suggest enjoying the visual stylings of Mr. Doug Hucker on this fine Memorial Day Monday?  You won't regret it.

LINK: www.doughucker.com

I absolutely LOVE these Alexander Girard Blocks from available from our new sponsor Module-r. As I mentioned yesterday, House Industries almost can't do wrong, and this is a great example of that.  These were created in 2006 to coordinate with MoMA's exhibit on Girard.

Alexander Girard Alphabet Blocks $120

Nothin' wrong with a wood veneer prism / glass orb combo!  Not in my book, anyway.  What do you say, GRMers?  Is there a slot in your book for this geo floor light?

Geo Floor Light by Craft Design Realisation

*I wish I had the dimensions for this bad boy, but I imagine it's fairly sizable... It IS a floor light after all.

House Industries is one of those companies that just can't go wrong. They continue to pump out fantastic art, objects and typography. The latest contribution is 15 new prints that are chock full of MCM goodness from Eames arrows to Neuhart hands. Each hand-pulled air-dried serigraph is printed and numbered in an edition of 33, so grab one before they’re gone!

Which one is your favorite?

House Industries Serigraphs

I'm not quite sure why bamboo hasn't caught on more for kitchenware. It seems like a great idea, affordable, good for the environment, and able to be made in any color. Take this set of 5 bowls for example.  Made from a bamboo composite. they come in natural shades of gray, blue, green, yellow, and burnt sienna. All that for $28.

Nesting Bamboo Bowls

This chandelier reminds me a bit (okay, a lot) of the Lindsey Adelman lights I've seen and coveted over the years, but at about 0.008% of the cost.  I imagine if you've got the skills, this version could be a pretty easy DIY project, too!  But, if you'd rather go the instant gratification route, you can snatch these up from Etsy shop HSUP; available in three sizes.

Socket Chandelier by HSUP: $79 - $109

I spent a lot of time in Brooklyn on this last trip to NYC, and I'm missing it dearly.  This 22" screenprint from the Breeree etsy shop is bringing back all sorts of nostalgia already. Limited edition of 25, get yours today.

Brooklyn Screenprint $45

When I first saw this modern glass water bottle by Takeya, I did a double take.  At first glance I thought it was the Kor One.  But looking closer the design is quite different. While I think I still prefer the looks of the Kor One, the Takeya is the winner for me for one simple reason. Glass. I hate plastic water bottles, even BPA free fancy whatever plastic. I still prefer drinking water from a glass container. The Takeya has a silicone sleeve over it to make it more grippy and comes in blue, green, white or black.

Modern Glass Water Bottle by Takeya $19

It seems most people just use their cell phones these days (guilty as charged!), but if you're looking for an actual alarm clock for your bedside table this solid aluminum number may be the way to go.  Available in three colors (black, white, or red), this glass-faced alarm is beautifully understated and perfectly minimal.  Designed by Jasper Morrison for Punkt.

AC 01 Clock by Punkt available from Design Public: $145

The "Stacking Throne" was a one-off, privately commissioned piece designed by Laurens van Wieringen, but I really love the idea of a modular chair that can grow with your child or even be used as a toy of sorts.  This version is made from foam with a sturdy wood and steel base.  I'm still trying to figure out exactly how everything stays together (especially when used as a high chair), otherwise it seems like a pretty great idea.  Thoughts?

Stacking Throne by Laurens van Wieringen

I spent the weekend in Columbus Indiana and had a chance to tour the Miller House. I was absolutely blown away by the house, and the Girard interior. Seriously life changing experience. Then this morning I wake up and see these pillows by Villa Home, and I think, yeah, I bet Girard would have liked those. I know I like them. Make sure you look at their whole line, there are some hidden gems in there.  I may need to check out their showroom next time I'm in Vegas.

Villa Home Pillows

I cannot tell you just how much I love this hanging planter from Potted!  It's perfectly mod, perfectly hip, and, well, just plain perfect!  This curvy little ceramic number is available in White, Aqua, Orange, or Avocado and comes with an 18" steel cord for hanging.  At 12" in diameter, it would look pretty swell on a tabletop, too (the hanging cord is removable).

The Circle Pot by Potted: $89

Kate Tucker is a recent graduate of Victorian College of the Arts in Australia, and if her budding portfolio is any indication, there are definitely some great things to come!  I love her mixed media pieces (pictured in this post) the most, and at 60x60 inches, they are certainly impactful!  Check out more of her work and let me know what you think.

LINK: www.katarzynkha.com

After ICFF, it's clear that brass is making a serious comeback.  Now I can't help but spot it everywhere, even in the smallest of accessories like these textured chopstick holders by designer Masanori Oji, for example.  Created in collaboration with one of Japan's oldest metalware manufacturers, Futagami, these lovelies are made from solid brass and come in a beautiful gift/storage box.  Aren't they gorgeous??  I'm rather smitten by them!

Chopstick Rests by Masanori Oji available from Analogue Life: $3

The more simple something gets, the more every little detail counts. So when you have a table that is nothing more than a glass top and some legs, they better be some kick ass legs. I think the Sinus Tishbock table legs pull it off just fine. Designed by Germany based L & Z the Sinus Tischbock leg is just as functional as it is attractive.  The compound curves give it a weight limit of over 600 lbs each. It is available in black, white, blood orange (shown) or chrome. € 185.00

Sinus Tischbock table leg

IFIrst off, thanks to everyone who offered up suggestions on places to go on my way home from ICFF.  There were so many fantastic suggestions, but unfortunately too little time. I ended up spending the better part of yesterday in Mill Run, PA looking at Kentuck Knob and Falling Water. It was absolutely incredible. I'm still digging through all of my photo's, but I'll get them uploaded next week.

This morning, I'm sitting at Hotel Indigo in Columbus, IN surrounded by all sorts of great MCM furniture. This is definitely the place for design geeks to stay, and this town is a sort of architectural goldmine. I still have over 24 hours of driving ahead of me, including the push across Kansas today, but I'm going to see as much as I can before I head out.

One of the most fantastic things I saw at ICFF was called Crafted by Urbancase and Teroforma. It is a collaboration between, surprise,  Urbancase and Teroforma.  Urbancase made the amazing sidebar liquor cabinet show above, and Teroforma made matching barware to go with it. They had a matching geographic pattern which was etched into the glasses and laser cut into the wood cabinet.  The end result is absolutely stunning. I'll let the photo's speak for themselves. Lots more after the jump. Urbancase and Teroforma Sidebar project

Gone are the days when you need wires to hook your speakers up to your stereo. I have seen a few wireless speakers before, but never any as good looking as these by Libratone.

Think of Libratone Beat as a modern piece of Scandinavian furniture. Simple elegance makes it blend in and stand out at the same time. True to the Scandinavian design legacy all materials are handpicked and high quality. Satin chrome handle, body of wood, high-end piano finish, and cashmere wool. Pick a color that matches you and you have the perfect piece of sound furniture.

Libratone

Thanks Richie for the tip!

The much-anticipated 2011 ICFF Editors Awards were bestowed in 16 categories. The ICFF Editors Awards Ceremony took place during the 23rd annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) last night at the ICFF Exhibitors Reception at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

This year's ICFF Editors Awards Committee: Arlene Hirst, Anniina Koivu of Abitare, Elizabeth Pagliacolo of Azure, Sam Grawe of Dwell, Annie Block of Interior Design, Nadia Lionello of Interni, Bénédicte Duhalde of Intramuros, Paul J. Makovsky of Metropolis.

The winners circle:

Body of Work

Vitra, Booth 1826

New Designer
Rich, Brilliant & Willing, Booth 1936

Craftsmanship
George Nakashima Woodworker, SA, Booth 1147

Furniture
Artek, Booth 1804

Seating
Wilkhahn's Chassis Chair by Stefan Dietz, Booth 1326

Carpet and Flooring
Ltd. Edition, Booth 1304

Lighting
Wästberg, Booth 1840

Outdoor Furniture
Herman Miller Retail's Eames Aluminum Group, Booth 1624

Materials
Stone Source's Mutina, Booth 2026

Wall Coverings
Piet Hein Eek, Booth 2223

Accessories
Angell Wyller Aarseth, Booth 873

Textiles
Teixidors, Booth 926

Kitchen and Bath
AF New York, Booth 1226

Multiple Production
Fermob, Booth 1253

School
Tools at School by The School at Columbia University with Aruliden and Bernhardt Design, Booth 1604

Booth
Tom Dixon, Booth 1104

So in the next couple of days I'll be taking a road trip back from NYC to SLC. I figure I'll drop by Falling Water on my way, but I'm looking for any other amazing must see ideas on the way. Any suggestions?