Matthew Williams :: Photography

Matthew's portfolio is chalk full of beautiful interior shots, but what's really capturing my attention is this curious series of still life images he shot for Case da Abitare. I'm hoping noRipple Chairs were harmed in the making of these images! In all seriousness though, Matthew's work is absolutely stellar and worth a deeper look, so be sure to check out his site!

LINK: http://matthewwilliamsphotographer.com

More pics from his still life collection (including some sweet modern diorama action) after the jump!


One Less Drop

We are big fans of Kickstarter here at GRM. It helps put great ideas together with the monetary support they need to come to fruition. One project that is in need of some funding is One Less Drop. No it's not a water conservation project, but a cable management idea from Dean Heckler, designer of the One Less Desk series. Dean makes elegant aluminum products that compliment any Apple geeks home. In this case, One Less Drop keeps your power cords for macbooks and idevices from sliding off your desk. If this is a problem that plagues you, pledge $25.

One Less Drop $25


mo + mo living

I'm not an interior designer. I wish I had some sort of formal education, but instead I just go by gut feelings. That's why I love it when fantastic interior designers like Michelle Wentworth share simple, effective rules that can make our homes better places. Enter Mo + Mo Living.

Mo+Mo Living combines the pared back aesthetic of modern minimalism with a considered way of living. By sharing ideas, design, and resources we hope to inspire our readers to live more simply and to create and find beauty in the everyday. We believe in considered living and that the everyday experience is enhanced by thoughtful choices; having fewer things, investing in well-made products, simplifying our environment, surrounding ourselves with beauty, eating clean and fair food.

Full of great photo's and advice Mo + Mo Living is a must read website for any modern lover, especially those fond of minimalism. Make sure you check out their blog too.

Mo + Mo Living


Way back when:: The Story of Eames Furniture

I have a book "Eames Design" that is written by John and Marilyn Neuhart, and it is one of my prized possessions. It's like an Eames bible for me. At 450+ pages, I thought it was the definitive book on the work of Charles and Ray, but "The Story of Eames Furniture" is an astounding 800 pages, two volumes and has more than 2,500 images.

It's officially on my wish list.

The video above is a wonderful interview with Marilyn and John. In it they talk about the process of making book, and what it was like to work with Charles Eames.


948 McClelland

It's exciting to see great modern homes continue to be built in Salt Lake City. I first walked through 948 McClelland last fall and immediately fell in love with it. This single level 2,750 foot home was designed by my friends at Imbue Design, a local architectural firm and built by Domain general contracting. Imbue is doing some fantastic work in the valley and the McClelland home is proof of that.

It has some wonderful spaces including a spacious living room kitchen area that is flooded with light by large windows on three sides and an interior atrium on the fourth. While the price isn't what I would consider "affordable" the home is certainly gorgeous. It was recently completed, and is for sale for $745,000. If you live in SLC a drive by gawking is a must. If you buy it, invite me over for dinner please.

More pics after the jump.

Full virtual tour available here.

MLS Listing here.

Backyard

Master Bath

Kitchen


Luna Candle Holder :: Feiz

Hoo boy! That is one sexy candle holder. It's sexy in part because it's a "direct reinterpretation of Isamu Noguchi's coffee table": throw some Noguchi lines onto anything and it's instantly sexy. Ammiright? The Luna Candle Holder comes from Dutch design studio Feiz, whose other products are equally sexy (word of the day, P.S.). Check out their portfolio right here.

If the Luna's got you itchin' for more, click here to introduce yourself.

[via Blue Ant Studio]


Make Something Every Day

I absolutely love these images by Mark Weaver. You can see all of them on Mark's flickr page. While he does have a big cartel store, it doesn't look like he currently has much for sale. I might just have to contact him and see if I can convince him to run off a couple prints for me.

Also of note, he was recently commissioned by The Impossible Project to create a limited edition set of prints based on the inventor of Polaroid instant film. His print of Edwin Land is shown above. They are available to purchase.

Mark Weaver on Flickr


Mod Pillows :: Studio Tree

Pillows get a lot of love here on GRM, which is maybe because they're an easy and affordable way to mix up your decor or maybe it's because we just love pillows. Who really knows? One thing I do know is that these felt appliqued pillows from Studio Tree are downright fantastic. GRM catnip, even. Each one is made by hand and the appliques even have their own little bits of batting, which creates a pretty sweet 3D/textural experience. What more could you want?

Mod Pillows by Studio Tree: $40


Adios LA :: Jon Jackson


Designer Jon Jackson fell in love with L.A. and then, as it goes, fell out of love and needed a way to break things off. The obvious solution? A series of five 10 x 23 foot billboards displaying his intentions to leave the City of Angels once and for all. Check out the whole series, including images of the actual billboards, right here.

LINK: www.adiosla.com

More pics after the jump!

[via Design Crush]


Less Table

After my rant last week about expense and value comes a good example of something that pulls off the elusive feat of being both inexpensive and being valuable. Or at least it should be inexpensive. Honestly I don't think this table is actually for sale, but it should be. And it should be cheap. Um, I mean inexpensive.


Designed by Polish design team Kompott the Less Table was designed to be an easy to assemble flat pack table. It is make of simple metal and ash wood planks. It is simple, beautiful, modern, and hopefully affordable.

Less Table from Kompott

Since I'm all into polls lately, what would you personally pay for this table?

[polldaddy poll="4439684"]


Way Back When: Yayoi Kusama

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to fine art, but I am trying to learn more. This week I went to a great curator talk at the Utah Museum of Fine art about Yayoi Kusama. It was an intriguing look at Kusama's works from the 50's to present day. "The Earth" above was painted in 1953, and is an interesting contrast to her later work. If you live in SLC make sure to check out "Decades" at UMFA. It features work of Kusama from every decade. You really need to see her art in person to appreciate it.

Kusama continues to create art at 81.

Official Yayoi Kusama website.


Expense -vs- Value

Everyone knows that Grassrootsmodern is all about "affordable modern". The "affordable" part often implies inexpensive, but I like to think of it more as "good value". Unfortunately we can't always afford "good value". Point in case. Skram makes gorgeous hand made furniture. I'm not exactly sure on the pricing of the V4 chair or new V5 rocker shown above, but I image it's easily over $500. While a $500 hand made modern chair would be what I consider good value, unfortunately I still tell myself I can't afford it.

The reality is, I can.

It's all about perspective. When you think about owning something for a lifetime, something that is made to last, it changes your perspective. For example I will buy a $3,500 Eames Lounger someday and it will be the best value of any of my furniture because it will last decades and still look and function fantastically. That's value.

The balance of value and affordability is something that influences me daily. Last week I had a lovely dinner at a local restaurant called Forage. I spent over $200 for a 12 course meal for 2 people. While that may sound expensive, it is probably the best value I'll get out of a meal all year. The food, company and overall experience was amazing. Sometimes you really do get what you pay for. When you redefine the value of something, it brings a whole new perspective to what is affordable. I'm hoping the whole "slow home" movement will help encourage people to realize the value of boutique furniture builders like Skram, and support them.

With all that in mind, I'd like to know what you think. GRM readers are some of the biggest cheapskates in the design world. What do you consider affordable for hand made boutique modern furniture like Skram?

[polldaddy poll=4419765]