2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

ESQUE : Contemporary Glassworks

I stumbled across a really interesting, cool and different kind of design group recently. ESQUE is a design shop that specializes in glass-blown home accessories and lighting. Justin Parker and Andi Kovel are considered top gaffers in the country (head glass blowers).

They have been featured in Western Exteriors, W Magazine, Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home and the Brooklyn Museum of Art. If you view their site, you can see why. They have quite a selection of contemporary modern lighting and accessories.

ROAD RAGE

STUMP VOTIVE

FISHLIGHT

Modern Art Radio

Have you listened to your daily dose of Modern Art on the radio waves? No!!! Well, listen no further, you can now dial into a live broadcast streamed online of the latest and greatest in the world of modern contemporary art. Tune into P.S.1 and get your fill.

P.S.1 Contemporary  Art  Center, an affiliate of The Museum of Modern Art, is the oldest and second largest non-profit arts center in the United  States solely devoted to contemporary art. Recognized as a defining force of the alternative space movement, P.S.1 stands out from major arts institutions through its cutting-edge approach to exhibitions and direct involvement of artists within a scholarly framework.  It acts as an intermediary between the artist and its audience.  Functioning as a living and active meeting place for the general public, P.S.1 is a catalyst for ideas, discourses and new trends in contemporary art and its practices.

P.S.1 was founded in 1971 by Alanna Heiss as The Institute of Art and Urban Resources Inc., and was primarily dedicated to the transformation of abandoned and underutilized buildings in New  York City into exhibition, performance, and studio spaces for artists.  Today, P.S.1 operates two internationally acclaimed spaces for contemporary art: P.S.1 Contemporary  Art  Center in Long Island  City and the Clocktower Gallery in Lower  Manhattan, both of which contain museum- quality galleries and extensive studio facilities.

ZIETRAUM : Modern German Design

I was introduced a while ago to ZIETRAUM. A contemporary furniture design firm based in Germany. They have beautiful designs, use solid woods and are extremely well crafted. They have a definitive style. I could seriously decorate my entire house with their collection and be content.

DOZE : A simple, sleek, comfortable bed with storage space at one end and made from solid wood.

SILENCE : Solid wood. Brilliant Shape.

SIDE : Sideboard series based on the ‘Modulor’ proportions system developed by Le Corbusier. Beautiful modern storage.

Meticulous. Exact. German.

Architects For Humanity

2Modern helped sponsor an event with Dwell Magazine last night, a silent auction for Architects for Humanity.

Designers, architects and press from the Bay Area community flocked to the W Hotel for cocktails, hoers d'oeuvres and a little bidding on modern furniture, lighting and accessories. Everyone had a very nice time and the proceeds went to a wonderful cause.

Architects for Humanity charitable organization founded in 1999 to promote architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crises. Through competitions, workshops, educational forums, partnerships with aid organizations and other activities, Architecture for Humanity creates opportunities for architects and designers from around the world to help communities in need. They are helping communities rebuild across the globe.

They are already in action with major world catastrophes:

- South Asia Earthquake
- Hurricane Katrina
- Tsunami Reconstruction

This is an organization that is nimble, talented, caring and get the job done! You can donate here.

Modern Architecture : NYC

I think urban planning and modern architecture is fascinating. How do you deal with the construction, expansion, deconstruction and reconstruction of space? Especially in a dense, picky, environment like New York City?

I walk everywhere, so I appreciate the good, bad, old and ugly. All have their unique traits. Not many people go through the effort of documenting these gems. Here is a little exhibit called Friends of the Upper East Side.

They have a slide-show with credits and building descriptions from East 59th St. to East 96th St. This is a unique environment within the city, since historically it has had a lot of cash, so the tastes, architects and construction are formed to cater to that environment. Funny how modern architecture has changed (e.g. what the Modern look was 50 years ago vs 25 years ago vs now).

Islamic Cultural Center NY : 201 East 96th St.

Cinema I, II & II Third Avenue : Interior View : 1001 Third Avenue

Now playing: Good Night and Good Luck

Modern Cutlery

If you really look at it, high-quality, modern cutlery with good design is HARD TO FIND. There is no shortage of your Williams Sonoma or Macys stuff. That is everywhere. But where is the unique. The beautiful?

Well, here is one! David Mellor Cutlery : Based in London.

LONDON SERIES

PROVENCAL SERIES

David has been described as the 'cutlery king' and is a 'Royal Designer for Industry'...I love it! Only in England.

Andy Warhol Time Capsules

Oh, what a find! I am a scavenger, a glutton for sentiment and memories. I have a box that holds all of my little treasures of the past...pictures, yearbooks, letters and assorted craziness that I only really look at when I move and wonder why I keep it. But I can't get rid of it. Every few years, when I peer into these boxes, I get a better sense of who I am, where I came from and memories crop up that would have otherwise been forever lost. My little time capsule...Likely useless to anyone else and quickly discarded after my demise.

There are really only a few people's remnant cardboard boxes I would actually be interested in perusing. One would be Andy Warhol's. After reading the Andy Warhol Diaries, I really felt that I understood him better as a person behind the art that impacted the world.

I recently stumbled across the Andy Warhol Time Capsule site. TC21 lets people rummage through 50 of the items found in the box, including an unopened copy of the Rolling Stones album Sticky Fingers...

newspaper photo of Cambodia's Prince Norodom Sihanouk standing beneath the official portrait of Mao that Warhol used to make his famous series...

...and little sentimental memoirs that allows visitors to peer into a fascinating life. Take a look, zoom around, read and get lost in a wonderful little treasure chest.

MEBEL Furniture

Sometimes furniture contemporary furniture designers don't get their fair due. Sure, MEBEL FURNITURE has been featured in Dwell, Metropolis, Modernism and Metropolitan Home here and there. But they are still a pretty small outfit, with very well crafted designs, and I think their attention to detail goes unnoticed.

From the overall design, the meticulous craftsmanship, the solid woods and to the fabrics chosen, these guys are as pure as it gets. They really care about their pieces. I imagine they cry when they actually sell them and have to let them go.

Founded by Jacek Ostoya (architect) and Peter Brayshaw (craftsman), the 2 found each other as perfect compliments. New York and Los Angeles, craftsman and architect, woodworking and art. And brothers-in-law! Quite the family affair. Other family members work in various positions at MEBEL and it creates a very dynamic and close-knit environment.

A few samples:

  Lublin Bench: Solid Maple Wood. Orange Kvadrat Fabric.

Lublin Day Bed: Solid Dark Walnut Grey Kvadrat Fabric.

The LEM Barstool

I was at a dinner party on Friday night in the Upper West Side. It was a recently redocorated Brownstone and I was blown away. The kitchen and bar area was comfortable and spacious, and thoroughly modern. All appliances were from the new Viking series...really cool colors that I didn't think Viking Range even made.

But the coolest part were these barstools Shina Azumi and manufactured by Lapalma.

Dark Walnut veneered plywood

Upholstered in leather

Base is steel tube stain Chrome plated.

You can find barstools, but not ones that make guests go "WOW!" very often. These did.

Blu Dot

BMW started (at least in the biggest way), the while short-movie/advertising thing and it seemed to work. Enough at least for others to try their hand at it.

Blu Dot Furniture, a Minneappolis designer of Modern Furniture and Accessories, created a short along with a little recurring marketing incentive to go along with it.

Follow the Blu Dot link to 'Fims' in the navigation. Quicktime required.

I think it works. Hey, I'm writing about it, aren't I? All it takes is a few friends (who doesn't want to star in a movie?), a camera and an idea. If it catches on then it just gets posted and forwarded.

Plus, they make pretty good furniture...which helps.

The new STRUT TABLE

The End of Cinematics

It's my dad's birthday this weekend so I thought that I would take him to dinner and an event at my Alma Mater, UC Davis which is half way in between his home and mine (GO Aggies!). Quite a funky event to bring my dad, but we ended up having a great time. Wright Hall was a couple buildings down from Walker Hall (the Design Department) where I practically lived for 4 years of college. So great to walk the campus again - So many memory flash backs.

The End of Cinematics is hard to explain: part musical, part music video, part visual effects. It was true MULI-media. A large movie sized screen showed taped and real time video that became transparent constantly throughout the production where live performance was happening behind the screen. Behind them were catwalks and 6 large video screens flashed separate movies. The whole performance, you didn't know where to look - real life eye candy. The production will do a world tour until 2008. It is a "must see" if it comes to your city.

Jean Prouve

The Hammer Museum (UCLA) has a very cool exhibit up right now: The Jean Prouve: A Tropical House.

1951: Designed as a prototype for housing in Brazzaville, Congo.

Jean Prouve designed the Tropical House in 1949 as a prototype for inexpensive, readily assembled housing that could be easily transported to France's African Colonies. These houses were manufactured in France and sent to Africa dissassembled on an Airplane. It was erected in the Congo where it remained for 50 years. In 1999, it was sent back to France for restoration.

Interior View

Detail of prefabricated components.

Contemporary Room Dividers

Cubicles are a thing of the past! Take a look at these great modern space dividers by molo design

A lot better than the typical cubical. Of course, this could be used in retail spaces and residential environments (and more...see below). It recently won the INDEX AWARD 2005 in Coppenhagen and was the runner up in the Metropilis Magazine Next Generation International Design Competition 2004.

This is an entire product line created to partitian space but still have an intimate environment that was also flexible. The material allows a soft light to come into the space and a honeycomb structure serves to dampen sound.

Other parts of the line include:

Softlight: An expandable floor lamp made of flameproof paper (available in 2006). Already captured First Prize in LIGHTTOUCH (sponsored by FLOS).

Softroom: Similar to Softwall, but fully enclosed. Winner of the Golden Prize: Design Beyond East & West.

Softhousing: An innovative solution to homelessness. It is expandable into several different rooms under one roof. First installation is on the Bowery in NYC.

Modern Art Demo

Modern Art in LA? NYC? Yeah I get it...did you know there was some in San Francisco also? Of course. I know you know. That isn't the point.

Something I came across from the SF MOMA that I thought was very well done:

A Flash Demo that helps viewers with Making Sense of Modern Art

I was quite surprised at the depth of the demo. Users can "zoom in" on full-screen details of individual artworks, explore excerpts from archival videos and films, and listen to commentary by artists, art historians, critics, and collectors.

The navigation can be a little quirky at times, but be patient and just click around, it is informative, even for the most knowledgeable purveyors of modern art.

Jasper Johns, 0 through 9 (1960). Can you make sense of it?

Lost City Arts

Live Dispatch from a Modern Shopping Spree in NYC:

A place a drop into frequently if in the East Village is Lost City Arts. It is at 18 Cooper Sq. (at 5th St.). They have a bunch of stuff, some of it way too expensive for the average shopper, though great if you have an affinity for mid century modern design. They do an excellent job restoring pieces and have a nice collection of originals.

I will admit, I didn't buy anything on this last trip, just browsing. My friend Aimee went cookoo however and purchased some very affordable Laurel Replacement Globes for $79.95. Deal...thanks!

Then went on to to buy a set of Eames DCM, which honestly I think are a little boring. Sorry! That's just me...kind of reminds me of chairs from junior high school classrooms.

She then went on to buy a bunch of nic-nacks. We'll see if she keeps them all. You know when you are with someone who is hell bent on buying stuff and they just can't stop. Well here you go...

Worth a visit if in NYC.

The Modern Bar

Bars at home used to be a couple of cabinets in the kitchen or relegated to some den/game room. I have been coming across some very cool/urban bars in residential homes and now I want one! Ha...well, to pull it off, you need some starters. A few suggestions.

Lighting...you have to create the mood. I would go with a dform light or 2 depending on the size of the bar.

Seating...this has to be inviting, but fit into your home nightclub/bar. I suggest the classic > Emeco. Perhaps go with the Hudson Barstool to go a little more modern and if you can afford it, get the polished aluminum.

Bottles...umm don't get the Popov, get the Grey Goose. It tastes better and the bottle looks cool. So load up on the top shelf booze only.

Barware...Get some cool equipment around the bar. Visitors check that out as much as anything else. Ice buckets, glasses, bottle openers...don't skimp. Check out some modern martini sets for specific drinks.

Recipies...be a pro. Learn how to make various martinis, tropical drinks, classics and specialties. If your name is George Jetson, have a drink called the Jetson. Just make sure it tastes good!

Angela Adams New Fall Collection

Just released Angela Adams new rug collection is bold and graphic but includes a more muted and quite color palette that will go nicely with 2006 color trends. They took popular rugs like Kenga Blue and created a versatile earth toned Kenga Wheat. I love the new Easton Graphite Rug as well Spike Citron.

Modern Design Blog

This is my first post in the 2Modern Design Blog. I am excited to be here! I have been involved in modern design forever and I am usually quite quiet. So this is a nice medium for me to share some thougts on our contemporary modern lifestyle. I get to type and express without fanfare.

Let's get to it. There is no rhyme or reason for my first spotlight, it just happened to be someone that I recently came across with SUPER BRILLIANT design. In my opinion, it doesn't get too much better than this: Kline Design

  Merge: RTM Fiberglass top with high gloss finish. Base is machined aluminum.

  Pocket Pill (fiberglass w/ gloss finish) Steel base.

Contour Chair: Comes in Walnut, Leather or Brushed Aluminum

Take a look at some of his other stuff online. You will be as impressed as I have been. Lee has been doing this for 20+ years and is what I would refer to as a natural.

That's it for now. I am happy to be apart of this modern design blog and will be back with another update soon.

Astro-Turf

Live from NYC: I heard of it, but never visited. ASTRO-TURF in Brooklyn. It is on 290 Smith St. (near Union).

Pretty funky little place with all sorts of knick knacks. Think of a modern Sanford and Son.

You can find quite the cool things there though...everything from lighting, barware, rugs, seating, etc. You might even come across a classic in good condition, but I didn't see any when I was there. Supposidly they go fast.

A friend of mine picked up a Noguchi Coffee Table there for like half off current retail prices. It was in good condition. That prompted me for a visit over the weekend. Hit or miss, it is worth checking out if you are in the neighborhood.

I have an idea though! Someone should make reprints of this TV guide, without the TV guide stuff...that would be sweet!

Modern Design Auction

A great way to find unique modern furniture, art and accessory treasures is though auctions. One that is popular in the greater SoCal area is the Los Angeles Modern Auction.

Take a look at the current catalog and you will see an Oil on Canvas from Harry Bertoia (1948):

Or this Paul Laszlo Lamp (1952):

You can buy or sell items. The next auction? DECEMBER 4th, 2005 at 12PM.

Art Deco in NYC

Looking for something to do this weekend in NYC? Try The Modern Show. It is all about 20th Century Art Deco, Midcentury Modern, Nouveau, Arts & Crafts, Furniture and furnishings, art, designer jewelry, lighting, rugs, books, photography, ceramics, glass, posters, silver and more. Scandinavian, French, American and Italian.

Where? 69th Regiment Armory, Lexington Avenue @ 26th Street, New York City
Show Admission: $12

Exhibitors include:
Art Deco Society of New York
Ambience
Fat Chance
Kathleen Avery Find Art
Modern Times
Secolo20
Studio 101
...and more

The Hive Story

Sometimes you come across such a great story of design. Something remarkable but unknown. Born out of a talented designer, rocketing to international acclaim and the struggles of getting produced. How many great designers are out there with brilliant ideas, but have difficulty executing their vision because of monetary or manufacturing issues? More than we see. A lot more.

The Hive.

Designed in 1999 by artist/designer, Chris Ferebee, the Hive Shelving Unit debuted to much acclaim both nationally and internationally in 2000 at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair under the label 521 Design, Ferebee's design studio formed with business partner Laurice Parkin in 1999. Immediately recognized as an innovative and versatile design, the Hive was included in exhibitions in the U.S. and Europe, along with being cited in numerous design publications worldwide.

Design awards for the Hive soon followed including a 'Design Distinction' award for furniture design from I.D. Magazine's Annual Design Review 2001 and a Good Design 2000  Award from the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design for excellence in furniture design. (GOOD DESIGN is the world's oldest and most prestigious awards program that bestows international recognition to designers and manufacturers for advancing new and innovative product thinking and originality and for stretching the envelope beyond what is considered standard product and consumer design.)  The Hive was in 'good' company as other winning designs of the GOOD DESIGN 2000 Award were by Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Ross Lovegrove, Michele De Lucchi, Renzo Piano, Frank Gehry, Knoll, Inc., Nike and Apple Computer, Inc.

The first, and ultimately the last attempt at mass-producing the Hive began in mid-2001with the manufacturer who produces all of Herman Miller's molded plywood pieces, which include the Eames' LCW, DCW, molded plywood screen and Lounge Chair, to name a few. Unfortunately, through a series of manufacturing disappointments, disagreements and delays the project was scrapped in late 2002. Ultimately the manufacturer was unable to handle the intricacies of the design, including the complex nature of the compound curves and the tight tolerances of the joinery.

Eventually, a simplified version of the Hive was produced by GUBI, it is called the HIVE 2.

Stylish & Chic Evite

As much as I would love to spend my day picking Autumn leaves and hand making and sending invitations to a trendy dinner party or my sisters baby shower, I have no time! (Sorry Martha Stewart). But, I want my get togethers to be as special as possible. I found a very cool site: Sendomatic.com. The designs were very cool, but the best thing was no advertisements or banners! It had the RSVP management stuff to keep track of who is coming and a map for people to get driving directions. Local graphic designers and artists have created a collection of funky, retro and beautiful designs to choose from. This is was the best way to send an evite that I have found...it was a huge hit!

Modern Swedish Architecture

You can talk about the furniture Greg, but I would like to point out the accomplishments in Modern Architecture and Interior Space.

Claesson Koivisto Rune (Eero Koivisto) is probably best known for the minimalist and modern designs they produce globally. These are as good as they get in our current era of design:

The Sfera Building in Kyoto (the Palace of Culture)

Interior...

Duoplane Shelves are back! Now from Offi.

Pure Design Duoplane CD Shelves were hot back in the day when the Canadian Pure Design was around. After the company was sold, production stopped. Offi has started to manufacture them and they are now available starting this October! They are making them in white, orange and black. Perfect for Halloween (my favorite holiday). And they have revised the size and offer a DVD version as well. The shelves are popular for offices, teenagers rooms and above stereo equiptment.

Modern Swedish Design

News Flash: Swedish designers are good!!!

Ummm...no s#$#! Well, I just wanted to point out some potentially lesser-known Swedish designers in the world not named IKEA. One that the general public might not know well is Eero Koivisto, a designer/architect that is seriously Stockholmed with talent. He is a partner with Claesson Koivisto Rune, a modern architecture and interior design firm that produces wonderful work for the likes of Skandanavian Airlines, Gucci, Sony and Louis Vuitton. I will point out their accomplishments in furniture design, which is produced by heavyweights such as Cappellini, Boffi and Dune.

You can read all about his accomplishments on their website...let me just show you a few pics:

The DNA Tables. Love the colors and mix-match to create new looks/feels.

Scoop Seating: Sleek design, minimal space and more comfortable than they look.

LA Architects Doing Product

The architectural firm of Rios Clementi Hale Studios in Los Angeles is now designing home furnishings products under the name of notNeutral. RCH Studios, as they are commonly called, is an architecture, landscape architecture, urban, interior, graphic and product design firm according to their company website. www.rchstudios.com

notNeutral designs KIDS furniture, tabletop, gift items, home decor...even candles all based on their landscape architecture heritage. The candle collection is called Landscape Candle Collection...the fragrances are supposed to remind you of being in your garden. Interesting, no?

Desiron Modern Bedroom

Blending function and style the Desiron Furniture Collection includes some amazing pieces. This New York company has been a favorite of interior designers for years. I love the modern bed collection: The Chelsea Bed, The Thompson Bed and especially the Lolita Bed. Great classics that can fit in any home.

Pacific Design Center

Alexandra,

In your excitement regarding the Jean Prouve exhibit, you may have missed my favorite current exhibit at the Pacific Design Center: The Sam Glankoff Exhibit. I was just down there and a friend invited me (otherwise I would have never known).

Glankoff was a brilliant artist in my opinion and I could only wish that I had some of his works at my place. His choice of colors and subject matter are exactly my style. It is simple, interesting but not dominating and have the flexibility to mesh with many different design styles.

Check it out if you are in Los Angeles!

They are located at 8687 Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. NOTE: They are closed on Mondays.

G

Modern L.A. (part 2)

Hi! It's me again. The Modern Cultural Queen from Los Angeles. So I did get a little feedback from my previous post from some people that seem to think that I exaggerate my claim that no one thinks southern california has culture, heart and soul. Well...I don't think that. In fact, I think the opposite, it is just that there are many people that do think that we are all Hollywood, glitz and glamor and I am here to defend L.A.! :)

I put a smile because, I am not being serious. I am serious about the amount of supercool events that are happening down here that many people don't know about.

Here is my find of the week. There is a current exhibition at the Pacific Design Center. It is saluting the work of Jean Prouve (accent over the 'e'). Showcasing some of his brilliant design work in the furniture and architecture realm.

Enjoy!