I can honestly say that all the black friday and cyber monday deals have come and gone, and I really didn't see much that I was tempted to buy. Today however is a different story. Gilt has all sorts of coffee gear on sale, including one of my favorites, the Chemex. I have one that has the wooden section in the middle, which I love. Unfortunately the wood is starting to look a little hammered. I was just mentioning the other day that it might be nice to have one with a glass handle like this one. 8 and 10 cup sizes still available.

Glass Handle Coffeemaker + 100 prefolded Chemex Filter Squares:

• Manual drip coffee maker with an elegant hourglass shape
• Able to make coffee as strong as you like without bitterness
• Made of high quality, heat resistant glass
• Coffee only comes in contact with the scientifically designed filter and non-porous glass
• Hand wash recommended

Sizing:

• 6 cup measures 5 1/8 inches in width by 8½ inches in height
• 8 cup measures 5 inches in diameter by 9 1/8 inches in height
• 10 cup measures 5 1/8 inches in width by 9¼ inches in height

Brand: Chemex

Material: Glass

Chemex coffee maker $39-$43 

What more do I need to say, it's Micklish. It's great to see Touch of Modern featuring smaller indie artists like this. Rest assured that when you buy you are not only getting a great deal, but you are also helping out a small design studio. 

Butler shown above.

Who doesn't want a personal butler to greet them at the door and take all their personal things away for safe keeping? It seems like at least once a week you can’t find your keys, or wallet, or …, so the Butler was created in an attempt to solve this little predicament. In addition, it eliminates go-to items from just just laying around.

"The Butler is made to fit your wallet and keys in the top sleeve, your iPhone on the side slot with a concealed space for your charging cord, and glasses/hat/scarf, (or other go-to item,) on the slide out walnut piece. The backside includes a routed out section for your charging cord and extension cord." - Curtis Micklish

Product Details

— Handmade 
— Note, the iPhone, charging cord and extension cord are not included.

• MaterialsAmerican Walnut, Baltic Birch Ply
• Measurements9"L x 10"H x 2.25"D
• OriginUSA

$136 Micklish Butler

I'm always on the lookout for a good bed frame. Ever since I moved in with my girlfriend we have been sleeping on two mattresses on the ground. In all honesty it looks really good with our West Elm comforter on it, and free is the best price. Still I'm always on the lookout for something stylish and affordable. I know there has to be something out there between DWR (loving the American Modern Bed in Walnut) and bedroom world. If you have any favorite beds at affordable prices (or not) share them in the comments below.

I've fully embraced my love of farmhouse accents in a modern interior, or vice versa for that matter. If you are looking for a little farmhouse goodness in your life, check out the farmhouse sale on One Kings Lane today.  They have everything from tables to towels all at discounted prices.

One Kings Lane

I mentioned in my last post that my life is full of changes lately. One of the harder choices I've made was to leave a business I have been part of for the last two years. I started Modern Union with my friend Jaren a couple years ago and together we set out to make a name for ourselves building gorgeous modern kitchens and custom furniture in Salt Lake City. Truth be told, the vast majority of the actual work was done by Jaren, as I was still working a full time job on the side. 

This sycamore slab table is the latest work to come out of the Modern Union studio, and one of the first things done without me being involved at all. It's a bitter sweet moment for me. My gut reaction is to be disappointed that I didn't have anything to do with it. It's so gorgeous I want to pretend that I'm somehow associated with it. Mostly though I'm just glad to see Jaren getting great commissions and still making absolutely flawless works of art. 

Jaren is doing the exact work I'm wanting to promote on Grassrootsmodern. He's just one guy in a small shop. He's incredibly talented, and he's making amazing things. This particular table has some great heritage too. The 5 foot by 7 foot slab comes from a Sycamore tree that used to be at Westminster, a local college here in Salt Lake. I know from experience that it takes hours and hours of hard work to get the top perfectly smooth and flat. One large butterfly joint in the middle of the table not only provides a beautiful contrast it actually adds structural rigidity to and old crack in the middle of the slab. 

I wish I could do more to support great local artisans like this. If you want to help support Modern Union, like their Facebook page, tell your friends about them, or even better, contact them and see what amazing thing they can build for you. Jaren has lots more slabs just waiting to be transformed

Modern Union

Modern Union on Facebook

Modern Union on Etsy

It's no secret that we love House Industries. In fact my print of the Eames Arrow Serigraph is getting framed right now. Just about every product they put out I find worthy of sharing on Grassrootsmodern. With that in mind, the fact that you can pick up some of their amazing work on Fab with a nice discount makes this sale a winner. If you are looking for modern Christmas decorations, it's a good time to pick up that Alexander Girard Nativity. It's pricy, but I doubt you'll find it any cheaper. 

More Details 

Unframed. Individually numbered. Hand-printed by David Dodde in the U.S.

 

• BrandHouse Industries
• Material130# Acid-Free Cover Weight Paper
• OriginUnited States
• ColorRed, White
• MeasurementsW 20” H 26”

$38 Eames Arrow Serigraph on Fab.com

I love pretty much everything the Danish design group Menu makes, and this teapot with cups on sale at Touch of Modern is no exception. This is a great example of classic Danish styling topped off with some simple ingenuity. The teapot has a "tea egg" that is suspended by a silicone string and can easily be lowered and raised to get the perfect cup of tea.

Product Details

— Comes with Simple Tea Infuser System 
— Set Includes Teapot and Two Cups 
— Modern Silhouette 
— Holds 1.5 Liters

• ColorsClear
• MaterialsGlass, Stainless Steel, Plastic Silicone
• Measurements7"L x 9"W x 7"H
• OriginUSA

$64 Menu Teapot and cup set

It's hard to look at these different pendants from Touch Of Modern without thinking Tom Dixon. In fact, they are pretty much 100% "inspired" by the Beat Lighting series. The one thing they don't share in common however is the price. These are an absolute steal. Act quick though, they will be sold out soon.

Product Details

— Hanging pendent 
— Requires 1 light bulb (recommended 25 watt appliance bulbs) 
— Maximum wattage 100 
— Hard wiring included 
— UL approved 
— Hand crafted in India

• ColorsGold, Black Matte
• MaterialsIron
• Measurements11"L x 11"W x 12"H
• OriginIndia

Made by Warm Lighting

Ok, I admit it. I've been sort of slacking around here lately. My life if busy, and rapidly changing. While I hope to eventually get back into the normal groove I have decided to add a new feature to Grassrootsmodern. Here's why.

When I originally started the website it was to share resources for affordable modern furniture and other goodies. That's because back then there was very little available online or elsewhere as a resource. Now modern is everywhere. Really. It's amazing to see how much it has become mainstreamed in the last 5 years. The good news is that it makes it much easier to find, and more affordable. It also unfortunately makes Grassrootsmodern a little less relevant. 

In the meantime, my passion has shifted from "affordable" to "valuable". That doesn't mean expensive necessarily, but it is a departure from the short term perspective of value. Now, I'm more interested in supporting craftsman I'm passionate about, and saving up to buy things I'll have my entire life. 

All this is not to say I don't like a good deal. In fact I love a bargain. Thats probably why I am signed up for WAY too many daily deal sights. If you are like me, and you are overwhelmed by all of them, I've got your back. I recently added a "On Sale!" section to the sight (button on the top of the page) where I will feature some of my favorite daily picks from all the great deals I find online. 

Check it out and let me know what you think.

I've been on the lookout for a good wine rack for a while now, and while this Wine Hive from Touch of Modern may be a touch on the contemporary side for me, I still think it's brilliant. In fact if fall firmly into the "why didn't I think of that?" category in my mind. Eco friendly, flat packable, configurable, expandable, attractive and not too expensive. 

Product Details

— Hold 6 bottles of wine 
— Packs flat for efficient shipping 
— Eco-friendly 
— Bottom bumpers included

• ColorsSatin Anodize
• MaterialsRecycled Aluminum
• Measurements7"L x 11.25"W x 7.25"H
• OriginUSA

$90 Wine Hive 2 pack

$180 Wine Hive 4 pack

Honestly it's not often when I find something on One Kings Lane that I really like, but this is a refreshing exception. I'm pretty much a fan of any objet d'art that is white. The more obscure the better. In this case, you can get a 18" tall white Gazelle head for $35. Who wouldn't want that?

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Made of:

porcelain/ceramic

Size:

6"L x 4"W x 18"H

Color:

white

$35 Gazelle Head

It's been a while since I have been really really tempted to splurge on a sale from one of the sample sites. Today Fab has the Illy Y1.1 iperEspresso machine on sale. For those of you that like a good espresso or expresso based drink, but are not up to the challenge of learning to make your own, this is perfect. These pod based instant espresso machines have come a long way recently and generally get excellent reviews. Plus this one is absolutely gorgeous. GORGEOUS. 

As an asides, for my loyal readers, there is a new section on the site that features my daily sale pick. Check the "On Sale!" button at the top of the page. More info coming soon…

More Details 

Machine makes espresso and cappuccino with illy iperEspresso capsules. Additional features: programable coffee volume, auto-stop, power saver mode, auto decalcification. Set also includes the Capresso Frother. Y 1.1 machine measures L 9.45" W 9.45" H 10.83". Frother capacity is 8oz for frothing and 12oz for heating without frothing.

 

• DesignerLuca TrazziCareWipe body with a soft damp cloth.
• Brandilly
• MaterialStainless Steel, Tempered Glass
• ColorSilver, White
• Weight11 lbs

$249  Illy Y1.1 iperEspresso machine and Capresso Frother

Knife sets are never really inexpensive, especially for a good knife. I don't know about the quality of these Furtif knives, but they are some of the best looking ones I've seen for a while. 

Product Details

— Chef Knife: Blade is 19 cm Long 
— Santoku Knife: Blade is 19 cm Long 
— Kitchen Knife: Blade is 21 cm Long 
— Fileting Knife: Blade is 17 cm Long 
— Paring Knife: Blade is 9 cm Long 
— All knives have a non-stick coating & black handle

• ColorsBlack, Silver
• MaterialsSteel Blade, Abs Plastice Handle
• OriginFrance

$275 Furtif Knife Set

 

I'm not going to lie, this one is sort of a no brainer. If you have been waiting to get a Fiberglass Side Shell chair from Modernica with a dowel base, you aren't going to find a better deal. Act fast, this one will sell out.

Description:

Fiberglass Side Shell Dowel Base:

• Seated fiberglass chair with a chrome plated steel frame and maple base or black steel frame and walnut base
• Seat height measures 18 inches
• Measures 16 inches in length by 18 inches in depth by 33 inches in height
• Wipe with a damp cloth

$269 Fiberglass Side Shell Chair

While a lot of the Zuo line is way to rustic for me, this Fort Mason Shelf looks like it would fit in nicely with some modern furniture. 

Description:

Fort Mason Shelf:

• Rectangular wooden shelves
• Perfect with both classic and contemporary design schemes
• Measures 47 inches in width by 15 7/10 inches in length by 35 2/5 inches in height

Delivery charge includes delivery to your home, placement of items, and removal of all packing materials. You will be contacted to schedule a delivery time. Please note that this item can not be delivered to Hawaii and Alaska; to PO, FPO and APO boxes; or to addresses outside the U.S.

$349 on Gilt

One of the obstacles to making furniture affordable is shipping. It's an easy obstacle to overlook as a consumer, but for designers it can be a major influence to the final design. Ikea is a master of flat packing furniture to realize shipping savings. A truly great piece of furniture will take what is a potential design obstacle and make it into a beautiful part of the final design. That is what has me so interested in this Pilot Stool by QUINZE & MILAN. It uses a very old solution to the problem, a threaded wooden leg. I think it looks as good disassembled as assembled. The bonus is it makes for a beautiful, simple connection, between the seat and leg, and it's easy to install. 

Pilot Stool $370

It's no secret I have been excited about brass lately, nor is it a secret that I'm sort of obsessed with geometric shapes, so it should be obvious that I like these brass mobiles from AMradio. This himmeli brass mobile is made from brass tubing and white string. Apparently it's based on a Finnish tradition. I'm just going to assume that tradition is being awesome, because that it was those Finns manage to do best. This 7 x 7 x 15 mobile is a great deal for $67. Other sizes and materials are available too and prices range from $45 - $170.  Also, make sure you check out the rest of the goodies AMradio has for sale…

himmeli brass mobile $67

Heath Ceramics: An impressive view from within from Heath Ceramics on Vimeo.

I've always loved Heath. This is a great little video that shows a bit of the production as well as the values of the company. 

Love this "tree house" and it's Girard inspired decoration. 

Via It's Nice That 

Designed by

Nous Vous

Studio Weave

I'm always on the lookout for great modern furniture built by small shop in the USA. The latest to hit my radar is Joe Joe Built It. They've got all sorts of FSC certified modern wood goodies, all at very reasonable prices considering what goes into making them.  Speaking of which, check out the video by LetsMakeMedia after the jump that shows a little of the process. 

Joe Joe Built It

LetsMakeMedia

JOEJOEBUILTIT from LetsMakeMedia on Vimeo.