I'm getting ready to watch this classic 1949 film based on Ayn Rand this weekend and I'm quite excited. Here is a little clip I found that hopefully gives mea taste of what I'm in for.
Have you seen/read The Fountainhead? What's your favorite part?
Form3 is a well rounded company based out of Petaluma California that creates everything from custom furniture to complete custom interiors. Working primarily with wood and steel they have a stripped down style that is easy to appreciate. Out of necessity (read lack of money) I tend to be a DIY kind of guy, and looking through their furniture designs is inspiring as most of them shouldn't be too complex for someone who knows their way around a wood shop.
Their custom interiors are a completely different story however. They show a high level of skill and have some beautiful wood details. Looking through their projects they have an impressive collection of beautiful interiors where they have done every thing from furniture to cabinetry. Definitely worth looking around if you are in need of some inspiration. More photos after the jump.
This wonderful and simple strap stool designed by Diane Steverlynck is not in production yet, but I thought it was too good of a design not to share. Made of four simple parts this stool would be even easier than an ikea chair to put together. The colored strap holds the legs in place, along with the classic mortise and tenon style joint. The simple design would make it simple to put together and take apart as needed, and you could even switch up the strap color if you wanted too. I guess the only question that remains is how sturdy would it actually be?
The weather is getting warmer and my mind is abuzz with thoughts of picnics and outdoor soirees! The creative folk at notNeutral have come up with a few new pieces for Spring that are sure to please adults and kids alike - leaf bowls, ant napkin rings, melamine snack sets, and mixed dinnerware! To set the mood, try setting out a few hurricanes or scatter some fun, punched-metal lanterns around the garden (my fav are the ones in white). For the indoors, they have newseasonal wall decals to brighten up your child's space, as well as bold pillows that will add just the right amount of color! Check out all the goods at Design Public.
As we are getting ready to redo a downstairs bedroom, I have been looking into the possibility of doing some clean flush mount doors. Luckily there are some pretty good resources online to help figure it all out. The doors shown above are from Modern Doors Direct, and besides having some nice looking doors (at around $700 a door plus installation) they also have some great architectural drawings of how the magic all happens. One of the key things to getting it done are a pair of invisible SOSS hinges. Since the hinges are readily available, I figure I pick up some up and do it myself.
SOSS has a handy chart to determine how many hinges you need based on your door width and weight as well as router guides to help get your hinges set just right. I figure I'll be in it around $100 with hinges and a guide, and another $150 or so for a good solid wood door. With a little luck it will turn out as nice as the Direct Modern Doors ones at a fraction of the price. I admit the real hard part is going to be the jam detail, and I'm still trying to decide the best way to do that. My current plan is just to install a good paint grade jam over the rough opening and have the drywall return into the jam. The drywall edge will be finished off with a L bead to keep the line between the two clean.
Any other advice or thoughts?
Resources:
I wrote about the Bodum BISTRO Toaster before, when they released the little chrome beauty exclusively for Crate & Barrel. Now you can get it in nearly every color imaginable, which may be particularly enticing for those with an adventurous side or a strict kitchen color scheme! I couldn't spot a price for this new version, but if the chrome variety is any indication, chances are it will be affordable to most consumers. Check out it at Bodum.com.
This morning I'm on an Edison light bulb kick, as in Thomas Alva Edison. It seems like the simplicity and honesty of those old carbon filament light bulbs are something that spans the ages. Even though we have made vast improvements in the efficiency of the light bulb, modern day designs just don't stand up compared to the beautiful old designs. Obviously I'm not the first to realize this, and more and more people (and lots of restaurants) have been using them. I especially like it when they hang bare on some nice fabric covered lamp wires.
Edison light bulbs available at Rejuvenation for $12 - $15.
Red Salt Pub via Southern Living
I just found Paul Thurlby's work [via Drawn!] and I am in love! His alphabet series is phenomenal with its vintage children's book feel. These illustrations are not available as prints yet, but Paul is planning to release this series as a set of prints in the near future, which is sure to be a huge success! To know when that happens, keep an eye on his blog for announcements. Be sure to check out the rest of his portfolio as well for more great illustrations!
More about Paul:
Orignally from Nottingham, UK-based Paul has been a full-time illustrator since September 2006 after graduating from University in Buckinghamshire. Paul holds his pen in a funny way, but it works just fine for him. He has built up an impressive list of commissions including regular contributions to The Guardian since May 2007.
Vintage telephones, singing and dancing and a home full of vintage 50's furniture, could it get any better. Actually the intereiors start out pretty lousy but get much better as she starts to "wish" for new things. I'm loving the living room at 8:25.
Here are a few vintage ads that ought to put a smile on your face! Have a great weekend!
From Flickr group "I Love My Electric Appliance!"
With the first day of spring only 3 days away, and temperatures slowly climbing, outdoor picnics are just around the corner. To help get you prepared for your outdoor feasting, the MoMA Store has a great new modern napkin holder in their spring catalogue. Made of polished stainless steel it has a adjustable weighted bar that keeps things in place when the winds start to blow. I love the simple design and the price isn't too bad either.
Wow! Marc Koehler, a Dutch architect currently based in Amsterdam, has a pretty great portfolio that looks a bit like one of those giant boxes of Crayola crayons. It's just full of wild colors! Not sure how many people could live in such a brightly hued home, but it's definitely different than most.
What do you think? Could you live with near day glo colors? I think I could in small, isolated doses - kitchen cabinets, a bathroom, etc. I love intense color.
See more at www.marckoehler.nl
It seems like there are so many great sales these days that it is only really worth mentioning the really great ones. If you've had your eye on any Offi products, now may be the time to get them. Design Public is having a sale and selected Offi items are 40% to 60% off. This translates to some amazing deals. They have everything from chairs and stools for sale to beds and cribs. Prices on sale items range from $19 - $980.
Offi Sale at Design Public 40% - 60% off selected items.
I am really digging the work of Tilman Faelker, an illustrator from Stuttgart, Germany. There is a certain humor in his illustrations that I find greatly appealing, not to mention the simple beauty of his line drawings. Check out Tilman's portfolio for his latest work and news. If you like what you see, you can snag a print (or several) for the small price of $24 each.
Prints by Tilman Faelker for $24, Canvases for $32.
I love a simple clean couch, especially one that doesn't have an over inflated price tag on it. These chairs and sofa's from Innovation look like they might just fit the bill on both accounts. Designed by Per Weiss they offer a stark stripped down design and are even available without armrests. You can choose a chair, love-seat, or full sofa with prices ranging from $598 - $978 depending on how you configure it. It's available in 5 different colors, 3 of which are leatherette which I'm not a huge fan of. The basic chocolate has a nice texture to it though, and looks like it might be a winner. Of course I am always wary to buy a couch over the internet without hearing real life experiences.
Has anyone ever seen a couch by Innovation?
Left to right: Hand-tufted Metro Fuscia Rug (5'3x7'7) $190, Hand-tufted Abella Rug (7'9 Round) $290, Hand-tufted Zoom Rug (8'x10'6) $315
I was browsing Overstock the other day to see what they had in the way of modern/contemporary area rugs, and I have to admit, I was surprised at the selection. Although I think I'm still holding out (and saving up) for an Angela Adams rug, there were definitely a few that caught my eye. As always, Overstock's prices are quite affordable - an 8x10 foot, hand tufted wool rug for $300?? Yes, please. If you're in the market for a rug, or in need of a quick, budget-friendly room makeover, definitely check out the area rugs at Overstock.
Contemporary Rugs from Overstock.com - $10 - $1800 depending on size and material
Unfortunately there is no audio on this clip, but it features a sweet fold away TV from 1959.
Some of you may already know about Lushpad, an online market place to buy and sell Mid-Century furniture. There are some pretty great finds to be had in this classifieds of modern home furnishings. Users can place ads to sell their goods or post items their looking to buy. If there's a particular piece that's eluded you thus far, it might be worth a glance around!
Lushpad is currently hosting a giveaway! Fill out an entry form for your chance to win a Harri Koskinen Block Lamp - and be sure to tell them Grassroots Modern sent you!
I'm loving these new mid-century modern pillows that I found over at Modern Materials Design. Sometimes you just need a nice simple pillow with a good texture. To get them just right the folks over at MMD actually sent a piece of the fabric from an original time period chair and had the factory reproduce the nubby texture we all love and remember. The polyester/wool blend is soft, but not too itchy.
The pillows are available in 9 colors and 2 sizes to encourage mixing and layering. They are available in the authentic red-orange, chartruse, gold, brown, black, retro blue, red, cream, and orange. Sizes are 20" x 20" and 12" x 20".
Lumens.com is currently offering an additional 15% off on all FLOS products, which are already priced at 20% off. If you do the math, that's 35% 32% off...combined with their perennial free shipping offer, it's a pretty smoking deal. So if you've been saving up for a true Arco Lamp, a Glo-Ball, or some Fuscia Pendants, now's the time to go for it!
Also check out the Lumens Annex for deals on floor samples and open-box returns, etc. Items are priced up to 70% off!
Sale ends March 20th - Use coupon code FLOS15 at checkout.