I've always got my eye out for a simple, clean coffee table that is in the budget, and the Rex Cocktail table from Chiasso seems to fit the bill nicely. Using chrome plated stainless steel and a tempered black glass top the Rex table manages to be dramatic without stealing the spot light.
Soooooo... Did you know that Target was pushing Blu Dot wares?? I had no idea. Just ran across the Real Good Chair on clearance for $90. I have to say, Target keeps surprising/impressing me, what with its George Nelson clocks and Orla Kiely dinnerware, etc. What are some other cool things you've spotted at Target?
Last week my lovely wife and I went out to eat at Tipica, a new local restaurant. The food was of course amazing, but we also found ourselves quite smitten with our salt and pepper grinders. Made by Vic Firth, these attractive and clever little grinders make grinding salt or pepper one handed a synch. The build quality was very high and the design is simple enough I imagine the grinder would last a long time. The overall size is much smaller than a typical salt or pepper grinder, but I actually liked it a lot. The price is a little on the high side at $20 each, but it would be that last grinder you would need to buy for a very long time.
Melissa Gable of OneCreativeGirl is one talented girl if you ask me. Looking through her shop, I couldn't stop smiling! Her vintage-y photo collages are full of wit and humor (and great MCM kitchens!). I suggest an extra-long perusal of this creative lady's work. While you're at it, pick up a print or two!
Collages from OneCreativeGirl: $35
Boon has been a favorite around our house for some time now, in fact our daughter just started using our Boon highchair. Boon just announced a bunch of new items which look absolutely fabulous. Some of my favorites include the Creature Cups bath toys (top left) and the Peep wall mounted mobile. Check out their press release to see descriptions of all the new goodies. I haven't heard about pricing yet, but if their other products are indicative at all, pricing should be quite affordable.
I've been casually looking around for a 2010 calendar when I spotted this one from SeeSaw Designs. I love the modern shapes and playful colors - this letterpress beauty may just have to come home with me! Calendar consists of four 7.25" x 11.5" pages, each with three months, letterpressed on 100% cotton Crane's Lettra paper.
About:
SeeSaw is a full-service graphic design and letterpress studio based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Comprised of three ladies who met in college and share a love of design and letterpress, SeeSaw celebrated it's two year anniversary this May.
2010 Letterpress Wall Calendar from SeeSaw Designs: $28
Here is a wonderful Ted Talk given by Eames Demetrios on what would have been the 100th birthday or Charles Eames.
I know, I know. MORE DISH TOWELS! What can I say? I can't get enough. If you're like me, then you'll love To Dry For, an online shop devoted entirely to tea towels. Say it with me: "It's my turn to dry!"
Everyone knows that Etsy is full of all sorts of wonderful hand made items, but lately I am starting to see more and more quality vintage items for sale. One shop that seems to have a lovely assortment of mid-century treasures is Hindsvik Vintage. Based out of Canada this little Etsy shop has a nice assortment of furniture and other household accessories all at fairly reasonable prices. They also have a great blog that features some of their vintage finds as well as other content.
My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw these felt throws from Modern Fiber Lab. Just look at those textures!! Reading about how they're made is even more mind blowing. These are truly art pieces and worth every penny, in my opinion.
About:
This "felt pelt" is wet felted by hand using traditional ancient techniques. This is made with natural colored cotswold, lincoln longwool, merino wool and mohair. I source the fleece from shepherds which I receive raw right after shearing. I clean, comb, and card the wool and then using hot water and organic soaps, felt by hand the wool fibers into one large piece.
These felt pieces are inspired by actual hides from a trip to Scandinavia where I saw sheep and animal skins everywhere. The technique or "recipes" to make them are drawn from Mongolian felt traditions. Mongolians stomp on the wool and roll the soft felt around tree trunks that they drag from horses to strengthen and finish the felt. I felt outside using my hands and bare feet and then roll the wool around poles to finish the felting process.
This pelt has been further embellished with pom poms that are made from kid mohair and lace weight wool yarn from a co-op in Uruguay. I whip stitched a boiled wool fabric to the back of the pelt to further strengthen and finish it.
This pelt would make a wonderful wall hanging or could be used as a throw or even a rug. A truly sustainable and renewable resourced piece!
Available in several natural colors.
"Modern" and "porch swing" are two words that you don't typically hear used together. If you've ever thought about getting a porch swing for your modern house, you know that the choices are pretty few and far between. Now there is at least one choice. This little beauty was designed by David Cano and Rick Brown and can be made in a myriad of colors. The design is simple and functional, just the way it should be.
*update* The price is $700.00 plus shipping
contact info: brown studios
brownstudios@bellsouth.net
You read that right. MINIATURES. Handmade with patience and passion by Lene Dragon of DragonDee. Lene is a freelance industrial designer who also specializes in package design. In her spare time, she creates these painstakingly detailed (and high quality!) modern miniatures. What doll wouldn't want a Barcelona Couch? Check out her Flickr page to see complete furnished rooms.
Doll-sized modern miniatures from DragonDee: $5 - $72
Affordable modern house plans are nothing new, in fact we have featured several great ones in the past. Hometta is looking to take it one step further though. Besides a small collection of modern house plans for under $3k, Hometta also offers a little help once you decided to embark down the path of actually building a modern home. Through a yearly subscription you will have access to builders in your area that aren't afraid of homes with flat roofs, and other resources that can help you through the process.
Okay, people. I need your help! We're on the prowl for a nice modern sectional. Nothing over-stuffed and humongous, but nothing rigid and uncomfortable either. A nice blend of form and function would be ideal (as always). That said, I love, love, love the look of Blu Dot's Bonnie and Clyde sectional but am concerned with the comfort level. Does anyone own this beauty or have you sat on it in a store? How comfortable is it? On the other side of things, my husband is smitten with the Annex sectional from CB2. While a little more "puffy" than I'd like, I can't deny that it looks like one comfy couch. Owners of either of these sofas, share your experiences! Owners of other awesome modern sectionals, tell us what you have! As always, links are appreciated!
Shown:
Bonnie and Clyde Sectional by Blu Dot: $2500 - $2800
Annex Sectional from CB2: as shown $2800
Last Friday I posted about american designer George Nelson. One of our savvy readers pointed out to me that big box wonderstore Target actually carries a small collection of George Nelson clocks. Priced between $35 - $150 most of the clocks fall into the fairly typical clock price range. Designer snobs will be happy to know that they are getting an authentic George Nelson clock, those that are less particular will just be glad to find a sweet clock at Target.
2Modern is hosting a giveaway-a-day sweepstakes from September 3rd through September 9th with prizes ranging from notNeutral cocktail napkins to an entire Boodalee bedding set! Each day is a new prize and a new chance to win! They are even offering 5% off your next purchase just for entering. Nice! Go HERE to enter.
Hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday!
A great look back at one of americas greatest designers.
When you think about affordable modern furniture, it's hard not to think about Ikea. It's been a while since they announced their venture into the housing market so I thought I would stop by their UK BoKLOK site to see how things are going. Despite the current economic downturn it seems like they are doing alright. Their first build in the UK was the St James, Gatehead area which was completed just over a year ago. Off the 57 houses they built there, only one is still available. Honestly I'm surprised they didn't go faster. Priced at£105,000 they seem pretty ideal.
Modern bedding for babies/cribs is relatively easy to come by. But once that baby becomes a kid? That's another story. Not much exists in the form of modern bedding for "big kids", a dilemma a lot of mod-minded parents eventually have to face. Enter Boodalee. Boodalee began in 2005 when Jeanice Skvaril, a mom and graphic designer, suddenly realized that her "little man" was doomed to a life of licensed characters unless something was done. With an entrepreneurial spirit and a few industry connections, Jeanice started Boodalee: designs that embrace your style and also resonate with your little dreamers and their big imaginations. Boodalee has grown to include bedding, pillows, wall graphics, blankets, and (soon) hooded towels.
Pictured: Space Collection
The iconic Eames Lounge Chair. I have always wanted on, but I could never justify the price tag for one. But let's just suppose for a second that I was going to buy one. Where is the best place to get one from? (I'm not sure there is even a physical store in SLC that sells them) Would I get one new or used? What's the least expensive you have ever seen one for?
Also, if you are lucky enough to have one, share with us. Was it worth it?
And discuss...