2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Dealing With An Addiction

We can't say we suffer from magazine addiction. I'm certainly not in pain when I cruise the pages of home decor magazines looking for the latest fix. The best way to deal with magazine addiction, in my opinion, is to simply feed it by purchasing more. Here's a quick list of magazines that I seriously recommend for the design junkie in all of us:

Abitare - International design magazine, bilingual, published monthly. The leader as far as I am concerned.

Atomic Ranch - Celebrating post-war era (1945 to the present) modern ranch and modernist tract homes. Published quarterly.

Canadian House + Home - I like to know what's going in design over the border. I bet you do as well, eh? Published monthly, this magazine delivers decorating tips, shopping information, DIY projects, recipes, and a Canadian source guide.

Domino - I enjoy Domino because it's an easy read and everything they feature is within reach, unlike other design magazines that sport $15,000 antique chinoiserie furniture. Domino caters to the young hipsters that are looking for a quick shopping fix, the hottest trends, and crafty DIY projects. Most people refer to it as more catalog than magazine, and in some ways, I have to agree. However, that's by no means a negative because unlike your standard catalog, Domino selects the best from dozens of resources - they shop around so you don't have to. Published monthly.

Dwell - Clean polished magazine that promotes fresh innovative design and architecture right here in the US of A.  Their profiles are my favorite, this month they feature designer/director Marcel Wanders of Amsterdam. Published monthly. (psst: Download modern photography from their site to your desktop here.)

Elle Decor - I don't know what I'd do without Elle Decor. I love their focus on international design and their travel stories (they visit an amazing city each month). Another favorite feature, the Designer’s Dozen -The 12 things [insert hot designer name here] can't live without. Designer's Dozen is so over the top, but I absolutely look forward to them because I'm ntrigued by what these great minds look to as being a must-have item. Published monthly.

Metropolis - Examining contemporary life through design, Metropolis is now celebrating their 25th anniversary -- you won't want to miss their April issue.  The well written, conscientious and thought-provoking articles inspire the designer in us all. I appreciate Metropolis because it's devoid of insider jargon, even those not working in the design world can enjoy the magazine and find it a good read. Published monthly.

Poplife - Fresh creative magazine designed for urban-minded Gen-X and Gen-Y readers who crave to learn more about modern architecture and design. Features hot trends, up and coming design, and inspires creativity through interesting articles and stunning photography. Lots of full size product shots for the ultimate eye candy. Published quarterly. ReadyMade - The ultimate DIY guide for people that just like to make cool stuff for their hip pads. If you can't wait for the next issue, they even have a blog that updates daily. Published bimonthly.

Other design magazines that you may enjoy:

Wallpaper, Surface, and I.D.

Coming Soon!

Blueprint magazine - Blueprint is said to be a shelter mag for thirty-somethings looking to buy their first homes, scheduled to launch in May by Martha Stewart. It will also feature a lifestyle component plus fashion tips. Click here for a free premiere issue.

Contributed by Holly Becker at decor8.

Visit Holly's design blog at http://decor8.blogspot.com

Ooba Nest Bassinet

I love that there are options for a stylish bassinet. The Ooba Nest Bassinet is sleek and functional. Comes with a mattress, mattress pad, slip cover and two fitted sheets! Everything you need for the first months. After baby has grown out of thier nest, the bassinet can double as storage for toys, laundry, blankets and other necessities.

Rosa Mexicano

Went out to dinner last night at Rosa Mexicano (1063 1st Ave)...Midtown East.

I will say this: It was very yummy, and I am not a huge Mexican food fan.  Zagat 2005 has it as "The gold standard for upscale modern Mexican cuisine...".

What even made it more yummy was the modern decor, which is why I am posting about it in the first place.

Josefina Howard has a very good taste for food (think very upscale mexican dishes) and very good taste for a modern dining environment.

There are locations at 61 Columbus Avenue and 9 E 18th as well.

For those outside NY: Atlanta, DC and Miami have Rosa Mexicano as well.

Enjoy!

Plasma turned Art

I have been looking for some visual eye candy for the Plasma screen. Sort of the screen-saver when you are not watching TV, but want some background interest.

I have seen a lot of waterfalls, sunsets and the sort. But I am looking for something more visually stimulating or interesting. Not in-your-face loud, but something in the background, that if noticed, is kind of cool.

I looked into Colorcalm : a 180 minute DVD designed by Dutch graphic designer Irma Boom and artist/MIT professor John Maeda. It is supposed to be really cool, but their site could use a serious update to show that.

Looking into it, I saw there was a review by Apartment Therapy and MocoLoco.

I will let you know if I get it. If anyone else has suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

G

OFS Modern Office

I continue to get inquiries regarding more Modern Office Systems. I oblige.

Here is one that is not necessarily one of the best, but they are on to something.

OFS

OFS has a relatively smaller offering, most of it in the 'mid-market' category and in my opinion, rather ordinary. HOWEVER, someone there designed a very innovative, eye-catching modern office reception/lounge area. I was quite impressed:

The London Lounge

Snow Table

Snow is melting but the Hightower Snow Table is not. White lacquer snow flakes and a clear glass top make this cool table float in your room. Comes in square and rectangle.

Modern Kitchen XVI

The Modern Kitchen review continues...Keep the suggestions coming!

Reviewed so far:
Arclinea
bulthaup
MAISTRI La Cucina
Boffi
Poliform
Poggenpohl
Snaidero
Berloni
Rational
Scavolini
DuraSupreme

Today we look at another European Powerhouse: ALNO

The foundation of ALNO was laid in 1927 when Albert Nothdurft opened a small carpentry shop in the town of Wangen bei Göppingen.

In August 2003, ALNO was acquired the Casawell Service Group, a network of companies active across the globe in the fields of kitchen design and technology.

Big you ask? How about $550,000,000, 3,000 employees world wide and the production of 2000 kitchens a day, ALNO is among the largest manufacturers of kitchens in the world.

A sneak peak at their designs:

Go Postal On Them

A quick conversation with a guy we'll affectionately call
numb skull.

"So, how long has it been since you emailed someone?"

"Um, like two seconds ago, dude."

"Okay. How long has it been since you sent someone a handwritten card?"

long pause. scratching of the head. slight nose twitching.  eyes roll.

"C'mon, a card? Duuude, only like grandparents and girlfriends send those."

Ding! Ding! Ding! That answer is wrong, sir. Cards are for everyone. Even if you can't imagine yourself sending one, you can at least attach a card to a box of chocolates and BAM! your mojo is back in action.  If that's still too much for your manly man ways, have you thought of framing a card to display in your hip surfer dude love shack?

Here are some great stationery stores that offer stunning cards adorned with modern graphical prints that you can send, frame or just keep on file for the next time you royally screw something up and need a quick way to redeem yourself.

1201 AM         
16 Sparrows
Angela Adams - Utopia
Atelier LZC Notecards   
Celandine    
Denyse Schmidt Quilts Stationery Box    
Eames Textile Patterns Collection  
Luxe Paperie         
Objects of Design Postcard Box
Robert Delaunay Note Cards
Tobi Wood Designs

- Holly Becker, Design Talk Contributor

Visit Holly's design blog, decor8, at http://decor8.blogspot.com/

(photos: Top: Robert Delaunay cards from MoMA. Bottom: Grass collection from Tobi Wood Designs.)

Campbell Laird Vencka Series

A new series from one of my favorite artist, Campbell Laird. The Vencka Series is superimposes organic shapes with transparent lines in a bold but natural color palette. Enjoy!

Richard Meier

Following my recent post on the Getty Museum, I wanted to provide a profile of one of the best modern architects of our time: Richard Meier.

His accomplishments are nearly impossible to list, but here are a few highlights:

The Getty Center in Los Angeles, the High Museum in Atlanta, the Frankfurt Museum for Decorative Arts in Germany, the Canal Plus Television Headquarters in Paris, and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art.

Awards include: The Pratt Legend Award, The Pritzker Architecture Prize, American Institute of Architects (gold medal), Guild Hall Lifetime Achievement Award & The Frate Sole International Award for Sacred Architecture.

  Getty

(Via an interview with Pritzker)...Explaining his own roots, Meier says, "Le Corbusier was a great influence, but there are many influences and they are constantly changing. Frank Lloyd Wright was a great architect, and I could not have done my parent's house the way that I did, without being overwhelmed by Falling Water." Meier continued, "We are all affected by LeCorbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto, and Mies van der Rohe. But no less than Bramante, Borromini and Bernini. Architecture is a tradition, a long continuum. Whether we break with tradition or enhance it, we are still connected to that past. We evolve."

In 1963, he established his private practice, and working from his apartment, launched the business with a commission for his mother and father, a residence in Essex Fells, New Jersey. "Thank God for one's parents," said Meier, "and their faith in us." In 1965, one of his early residential commissions, Smith House in Darien, Connecticut thrust him into national prominence.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Barcelona

Looking back on it now, Meier spoke of "the clarity of the building, the openness, the direct articulation of private and public spaces, how it relates to the land and water." He added, "It's been over 17 years, and what was innovative and captured a great many people's imagination and admiration then, is already a part of our language, and somewhat taken for granted today."
Other commissions for private homes followed, along with some more public projects. In 1967, he began work on the conversion of the old Bell Telephone Laboratories in Manhattan's Greenwich Village to accommodate some 1200 people in 383 apartment units. The result was hailed in the architectural community as the first evidence that ultimately, Meier's greatest achievements might lie in larger-scaled more public works. "This too is an example of how quickly we assimilate," said Meier. "'The phrase, 'adaptive re-use,' wasn't even in the language then. We were really pioneering a new area."

Jubilee Church

In 1979, after devoting nearly five years of work to it, Meier completed another work, which prompted Ada Louise Huxtable to write in the New York Times, that the building advances "conventional modernist practice provocatively beyond established limits." The building referred to is known as The Atheneum, situated on the banks of the Wabash River in the restoration community of New Harmony, Indiana.

On an even grander scale, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia was completed in 1983. It opened to enormous media attention and Paul Goldberger, architecture critic of the New York Times, wrote in the June, 1983 issue of Vogue: "It is no accident, then, that Richard Meier is becoming one of the preeminent architects of museums."

In addition to the High Museum, he has designed a major museum for Frankfurt, Germany, an addition to the Des Moines Art Center in Iowa, as well as many other types of commissions around the world.

Great New Design from Modern Basics

Modern Basics has two new pillows for Spring, Ginkgo and Racer. Both are 20 x 14. Made from the softest Retrosuede and come in a variety of colors.

Eventscape

Looking for a way to add form, function and interest to a commercial space?

Eventscape is a custom manufacturer of fabric structures for events, trade shows and interiors. Since 1993, Eventscape has been building innovative structures with fabric.

Burberrys : Suspended and illuminated framed column wraps (NYC).

Kaval Telecom : Framed tension fabric ceiling panels w/ lighting (Toronto).

Umbra: Tension Fabric light cones. Hung using aircraft cable.

Colorful Placesettings

Spring is in full bloom with these colorful fabric Placemats and Napkins from Murge Designs.  With mix and match patterns and colors, come up with a custom set especially for you. Comes in Stripes, Argyle & Bubbles. $64 for set of 4 placemats. $40 for set of 4 napkins.

 

Getty Museum

A must-stop while in Southern California is the Getty Museum. The modern architecture of the building itself is reason enough, but they have wonderful collections there as well.

I have been there several times, but for some reason I never took the architectural tour. It is daily through March 26th at 10:15am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.

It was very interesting and only takes 45 minutes. Richard Meier (post to follow on him alone...) was the genius behind this building.

While you are at it, take a tour of the gardens as well.

Meet LoooLo [Designer Interview]

2Modern offers the lush eco-friendly LoooLo Textile line. Pause for a moment and jump into the mind of Joanna Notkin, the talented designer behind this amazing collection of pillows and blankets.

Holly: Hi Joanna. So nice of you to stop in to chat with us about your company, LoooLo. Can you please tell us about yourself and how you got started?

LoooLo: Of course. I live in Montreal, studied in Toronto and began my career there and also studied at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island. This is where I really began the sustainable ideas behind LoooLo.  I had my first company when I was nineteen. I designed costume jewelry which sold in over 500 stores. When I realized what happened to these products after they weren't used by the consumer any longer, that it all ended up in a landfill, I began thinking of new ways to design and produce material items. That was in 1997. It took years of planting seeds and watching them grow before I realized where this was all going. The start up of LoooLo began in my Thesis year at school, combining knowledge from RISD and the passion for a cleaner, better future for the planet. In a nutshell, I heard about the Rhoner Mill in Switzerland who had collaborated with Susan Lyons at DesignTex and William Mcdonough at MBDC and decided that I would see if they would sell me their yarns instead of their finished fabrics. They agreed but by the time I had summoned up the courage to email them and order the yarns, I only had three weeks left to not only design fabrics, but finished products as well. In the end (and after many sleepless nights at the studio!) LoooLo Textiles ended up winning the 'Best Collection Award' from Metropolis magazine at the 2004 Interior Design Show in Toronto. Things just snowballed from there. Currently, our product line is made using Climatex Lifecycle yarns and felt from Switzerland (free of toxic chemicals and hazardous by-products), organic cotton and Kapok, a fiber from the Rainforest in Malaysia. Every pillow or blanket we make uses our own hand and machine knit biodegradable textiles available in a full range of colors.

Holly: With so much success, there had to be hurdles. Tell us, what difficulties have you encountered?

LoooLo: LoooLo has had its ups and downs since day one, from sourcing the "right" materials to making each and every piece by hand. Every company has to overcome obstacles but when you are trying to be environmentally innovative and be a designer and also be an environmentalist, you have your work cut out for you! I think the most challenging part is trying to find a way to explain to people that these cushions and blankets are different in so many ways. People don't know enough about why organic textiles are important and part of LoooLo Textiles' mandate is to inform our consumer that each and every purchase they make has an impact. I suppose I should have minored in marketing!

Holly: Where do you find inspiration? Other artists? Places?

LoooLo: I find inspiration in almost everything. From the white lines jetting past on the highways to vintage glass bottles with embossed designs. I think you never know what might catch your eye and spark an idea, I'm in love with the thought of that. My camera is never far away. I love the painter Chuck Close. He inspired what I consider to be my first 'real' piece of work. His work just baffles my mind. I like creative people who do things that are not immediately obvious, you have to dig to understand what they have done. As for places, New York City always makes my mind go wild, I can never get it all in when I'm there and I always come back full of ideas.

Holly: Love your comment about highway lines. I'll have to pay special attention to that next time I'm in my car. So, tell us, do you have a particular theme that you work with?

LoooLo: I love texture and it is a big part of my work. That is not to say that it won't progress and change, but I am certainly attracted to the tactile things. Color is key as well. Doesn't have to be much but it does have to be just right.

Holly: Well said. What are the main characteristics of your work and your work method?

LoooLo: It is all quite minial, even the more tactile pieces. But it is never over the top and usually not too plain. I tend to just start working with the materials and I like to just see what happens. It sounds haphazard but it is quite meticulous.

Holly: How does your work reflect your personality?

LoooLo: It's funny because my taste does tend towards a sort of modern traditional style. But in my own work I find that it's the attention to detail that comes through in whatever project I am working on. Even when I am baking in the kitchen, I am always working with an eye for detail. I like things to look well put together like nothing has been overlooked. Having said that, I have a huge sense of humor and I like to make sure that comes into play when I'm designing.

Holly: How is your work studio set up and what do you value about it?

LoooLo: When I lived in Toronto, I had a wonderful little studio space in a refurbished old distillery. I loved being there in the old building with the exposed brick. There's something I love about old and new mixed together. But when I calculated travel time from my house to the studio (especially in the winter), I realized that I would have almost an hour more of work time per day if I worked from home. Now that I am back in Montreal I have a special place in my home with lots of light (see photo), inspiration all around and everything close at hand. If I had my dream studio it would involve skylights and hidden storage spaces in an old but renovated coach house... Something to look forward to!!!

Holly: Sounds like my home, I live in an 1875 carriage house with loft storage and a skylight in my studio. I never thought of having a dream space, your comment makes me look at my place differently now. Joanna, I'm curious, out of all the places you've seen in your life, where would you live if money were no obstacle and why?

LoooLo: I would like to live in New York for a while but Italy would also be wonderful. The Italians seem to incorporate design into the everyday and it just becomes a part of them. I envy that. Japan might be among the top choices as well. Definitely a country committed to detail.

Holly: Great choices. Okay, now to play for a moment. What are ten things that you can't live without?

LoooLo: 1. Chocolate (a little everyday is not too often) 2. Gloucester, Massachusetts for its coastline
3. Long car rides with me in the drivers seat  4. Three hour discussions about design or art 5. Process,
process, process 6. Happy accidents 7. International design magazines (my collection is overflowing)   8. Food in general  9. The very best friends who love you even when they are sick of hearing about your new designs and 10. Good surprises.

Holly: Love #4 and #7, I couldn't agree more. To wrap things up Joanna, I'm sure readers have wondered about this, what is behind the name, LoooLo?

LoooLo: LoooLo Is a visual representation of 100%. It refers to thinking about all aspects of design, from the materials chosen to the making of the product and finally what happens to the product at the end of its useful life. I actually spent a lot of time trying to think of a name but when I was watching television one day and an environmentalist mentioned 100%, I wrote it down on a piece of paper. When I looked at it later, it spelled out LoooLo and there was no way I could ignore the special meaning it had and where it came from.

Holly: Wow. Clever name. A woman of detail. Thank you so much, we are pleased that you have shared the world of LoooLo with us.

You can view the LoooLo collection at 2Modern or visit the LoooLo website for more information.

Interview conducted by Holly Becker at decor8 for 2Modern. Visit Holly's design blog at http://decor8.blogspot.com

All photos courtesy of Joanna Notkin at LoooLo.

Easy Garden Color

An easy way to add color to your garden for your last minute party, Bloomin Garden Stakes. No watering necessary and can be used year after year. Made of durable steel. They look great in a bunch. Love the black ant and the pink tulip.

Modern Kitchen Tips

We have been reviewing the Modern Kitchen here on 2Modern Design Talk. Reviews of modern kitchen designers and manufacturers along with "How To" tips for kitchen redesign and planning.

I hope that it has been helpful.

Well today, we point out another very helpful gem in ALNO. They are one of the biggest and best in modern kitchen design (they produce over 2000 kitchens a DAY!!!). Review of their kitchen designs in another blog.

They also have some very nifty tools for your planning, The best is a Kitchen Planner that you can download for free and play around with.

Other kitchen planning tools include:
Door styles and Finishes
The GRID SYSTEM
Cabinet Types
and more...

Hope this helps!

David Smith

Xander's post on the Guggenheim inspired this post.

When on a recent visit to New York, I visited the Guggenheim and was advised to check out the David Smith exhibit (there are actually 2):

From Concept to Contemplation: http://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/sackler_smith/index.html

&

David Smith: A Centennial:
http://www.guggenheim.org/smith/index.html

It is a very interesting exhibit and I suggest viewing both.

Cubi XXVII, March 1965. Stainless steel

David Smith was born March 9, 1906, in Decatur, Indiana. During high school, he took a correspondence course with the Cleveland Art School. In 1924, Smith studied at Ohio University, Athens. He worked as an automobile welder and riveter in the summer of 1925. He then attended University of Notre Dame, Indiana, for two weeks before moving to Washington, D.C. In 1926, Smith moved to New York, where he studied at the Art Students League with Richard Lahey and John Sloan and privately with Jan Matulka. In 1929, Smith met John Graham, who later introduced him to the welded-steel sculpture of Pablo Picasso and Julio González. This year, he bought a farm in Bolton Landing, near Lake George in upstate New York.

Stuart Davis, Willem de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Edgar Levy, Jackson Pollock, and Jean Xceron were Smith’s friends throughout the 1930s. In the Virgin Islands in 1931–32, Smith made his first sculpture from pieces of coral. He began making completely metal sculpture in 1933, and in 1934 he set up a studio at the Terminal Iron Works in Brooklyn. From 1935, Smith committed himself primarily to sculpture. In 1935–36, he visited France, Greece, England, and Russia. Upon his return to New York, Smith began the Medals for Dishonor, antiwar medallions. In 1937, he made sculpture for the WPA Federal Art Project. Smith’s first solo show of drawings and welded-steel sculpture was held at Marion Willard’s East River Gallery in New York in 1938.

In 1940, he settled permanently in Bolton Landing. From 1942 to 1944, Smith worked as a locomotive welder in Schenectady, New York. A solo show of his work took place at the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, in 1941. Smith taught at Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, from 1948 to 1950, and at Bennington College, Bennington, Vermont, and other schools during the 1950s. About 1951, he met Kenneth Noland. The Museum of Modern Art, New York, presented a Smith retrospective in 1957 and organized a major traveling exhibition of his work in 1961. In 1962, at the invitation of the Italian government, Smith went to Voltri, near Genoa, and executed 27 sculptures for the Spoleto festival. In 1963, he began his Cubi series of monumental, geometric steel sculptures. Smith died May 23, 1965, in an automobile accident near Bennington. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, organized an exhibition of his work in 1969.

HDI Railing Systems

You can tell a lot about accessories. Someone could be wearing an expensive, well-tailored suit, but if his shoes are all scuffed-up and ratty, you have to take a second look. Why did he spend all that money trying to look good and then go cheap on his shoes. Did he think someone wasn't going to notice?

Looking for more details that make the difference from a boring, so-so or acceptable commercial space and a complete, well-rounded, if not spectacular space? Well, like the suit, the most noticed element could be the architectural space, the lighting and furnishings.

Does anyone really notice the railing systems when going up the stairs, or walking past them? Not necessarily, you don't really want them to, unless they look at it and say: 'wow'. Otherwise, it is like the scuffed-up shoes.

HDI Systems make these great railing systems as shown above and below.

How to Light a Room

Nothing sets the mood of a room like lighting.  Bright light can bring an area into focus, while softer light can cause other areas to recede.  Back lighting and shadowing can add depth, texture and interest; spotlighting can make your interesting art piece stand out.  A well lit home or office has just the right mix of the four types of lighting, Ambient, Task, Decorative, and Accent. 

Ambient Light provides general background light and is most important for overall definition.  It is a gentle, indirect fill light that softens contrasts between brightly lit task locales and the surrounding area. Ambient light creates a shadowless environment, like an overcast day. For ambient light, the source is shielded from direct view and it is desirable to have your major ambient light source on a dimmer. The Tronchi Sconce by Luzifer is a great source of ambient light and adds style to your space as well.  A floor lamp can also provide ambient light. The Ogusdesign Floor Lamp adds an soft ambient light and doubles as a work of art .  Table lamps with translucent lamp shades or created with translucent materiel's, cast soft light in a room. Try Matt Gagnon's Acrylic Lamp.

 

Task Lights illuminate work spaces.  Task lighting may be the most overlooked, yet most important, type of lighting application in our homes and work places. Good task lighting prevents headaches, makes cooking more enjoyable, increases safety, and allows better concentration. To avoid shadowing or glare, try to locate the light between your head and the work surface.  Task lighting should always be used with proper ambient light. Having a bright desk lamp in a dark office will only add to your eye strain every time you look up from your desk. Task lighting should be at least double normal ambient light. For task lighting with table lamps, experts recommend using opaque shades to concentrate and direct the light rather than translucent fabric shades which are more decorative. Task-perfect table lamps are: Soiree by Lights Up! and Pablo's Brazo Table Lamp. The Small Pucci Wall Lamp by dform makes a fine bedside reading light.  Pendant Lights, such as Legna Pendant Lamp by Jefdesigns, should be hung about 23 inches above the dining room table to insure your guests visual comfort while seated. 

Accent Lights provide direct illumination to highlight objects in a room.  Examples of accent lights are recessed cans, track lights, or more contemporary, double-wire halogen bridge fixtures.  Paintings and sculptures, flower arrangements and tabletops can be dramatically accented with this type of lighting.  Accent lights need to be used with other types of light so the lighted object isn’t the only thing seen in the room. To be dramatic, accent lighting should be at least three times as intense as the surrounding area. Bel'occhio Table Lamp by Pablo can spotlight your favorite houseplant or sculpture and also provide some ambient light.

Decorative Lights should serve little purpose other than to look pretty.  They are best used to add sparkle to a room, not to light an entire space.  Decorative lights in combination with other room accessories such as your artwork and window dressings, should emit the overall feel and style of your home.  A great example of a decorative light is the Anemone Lightbox by Jefdeisgns.  The Table Lamp by Ogusdesign is also a great piece of art that will add the contemporary feel to your home.

Baby Room Accessories

Baby room accessories really define the room’s theme. Many of them are still necessities, but there are many extraneous touches that add just that much more to your masterpiece. Be creative and have fun- your baby will appreciate the interesting colors and patterns as he relaxes in his new space.

BEDDING:
Crib accessories are easy because they usually are sold in packages containing all the pieces needed for a cozy crib. Bedding packages usually include a fitted sheet, a bed skirt, a bumper, and a blanket/quilt. Be sure to remove the bumper and any large pillows when your baby starts moving around a lot. He may use them as a step to crib freedom. Hint: purchase a waterproof pad to protect the crib mattress & an extra crib sheet just in case. Nurseryworks bedding sets even have the option for purchasing an extra crib sheet so your spare sheet will be just as stylish as the first.

LIGHTING:
At night, when you are trying to quietly diaper and feed your infant, lighting becomes an important detail. The MIO Shroom Lamp is perfect for placing near your feeding & changing station. It is funky, eco-friendly and will cast a gentle glow for nighttime feedings and diaperings.  Be sure any light you choose is stable or in a safe place once baby starts crawling and exploring.

WINDOW TREATMENTS:
Naps are a very important part of baby’s lives and making naptime as conducive to sleep as possible will keep baby well rested and happy. Darkening the room will assist baby to fall off to sleep at naptime and keep him sleeping at night. Any window treatment you choose should be easily accessible and effective.

RUGS:
Rugs not only are great accents to a room’s décor, but they also quiet rooms with hardwood floors and give baby a soft place to play. 2modern rugs have simple and bold designs that will brighten a baby’s room instantly.

WALL ART:
Wall art is not just to hone your personal baby room style, it is functional as well. Your baby will be entertained by it in his early months and learn from it in his later months. Try hanging the geometric shapes of FOLD Bedding Wall Applications on the ceiling over the crib to intrigue your baby for hours upon awakening.

Smart Cookie

I'm not a parent so I'll spare you from offering bad advice on how to properly cultivate your tender younglings. I will offer up this, simply that parents are saints. I never realized quite how saintly until I became an adult, but looking back, I honestly cannot figure out how you modern parents do it. When I was a kid, parents appeared to have it easy. The highlight of my week as a 'tween girl was roller skating on Saturday nights, blowing a whole roll of quarters on Ms. Pac Man, then couple skating with a zitty boy to some emotionally charged Wham! song beneath dimmed lights and a disco ball. I rocked my $25 pink Izod polo. I rode the bus. Mom only worked 18 hours a week max. Red Sox tickets were under $20. My parents had it made. Times have changed.

With the technology boom, kids toting $500 designer handbags, and the sheer chaos of juggling schedules around power luncheons and yoga, parents everywhere agree, kids are grown and gone quicker than you can say college money. Help has arrived. Cookie magazine may be just what you need to make the time count, to get a handle on things before, well, you crash and burn and end up on some talk show with your children screaming over how little you cared about them. Kidding. But still. Parents need all the help they can get, and for now, Cookie seems to be the place to get quick smart advice in a slick stylish format. The new bimonthly Cookie magazine showcases only the best for your family, from entertainment options to recipes for kids, kid-friendly travel destinations to products and ideas. I picked up the March/April issue a few days ago, and I must say, for a non-parent at least, I'm impressed (I'm curious as to what parents think of it, so feel free to comment below).

I really enjoyed the mother child fashion, decorating tips, terrific reviews on the latest books, videos, DVDs and games, and all the frank advice on parenting and the health related articles. The overall format is really appealing, and it doesn't read like a typical parenting mag, it's geared more towards urban-minded hipsters. I love the stunning photography, the huge glossy pages, the clean format, and to show what a total design geek I really am, I even love the various font types.

Here's a few highlights from the current issue that you may enjoy:

ISLAND HOP IN STOCKHOLM - Traveling with children to European cities? Have you gone mad? Nope. As hip as it is child-friendly, Stockholm is possibly the best-kept secret in family travel, and there are no mouse ears to be found. Page 62.

SNEAK IT IN: Fish - I hated fish when I was a child, somehow fishsticks didn't classify as fish to me. This article features three renowned chefs (also parents) who delight parents with recipes that will get kids hooked on fish, helping parents escape the evil fishstick rut. Page 66.

GREEN ACRES: Farming for Kids - What better way to indulge their fascination with animals and nature than to visit a real working farm? This article features lovely Shelburne Falls, Vermont and has a complete list of sustainable working farms in each of the 50 states that you can visit with your little farmers. Page 140.

and of course...my favorite:

TWO KIDS, ONE ROOM - Studio Red at Rockwell Group, an architectural-design firm in NYC, takes on the challenge of designing three easy space solutions for kids that share a bedroom, complete with 3D illustrations, shopping suggestions, organizational ideas, and good old-fashioned inspiration. Page 132

psst: Drop it like it's hot! There's even a resident Cookie sexpert with some kinky advice for parents only on Page 106. That's for after the kiddies are in bed...who's your daddy!

To peek inside Cookie, click here for a real page-turner. To learn more about Cookie, or to subscribe, visit them online.

- Holly Becker, Weekly Contributor for Design Talk

Visit Holly's blog, decor8, at http://decor8.blogspot.com/

Nursery Decorating Ideas

Super ideas for your newborns nursery...Day at the Zoo, Keep On Truckin' & Crazy for Dots. I can't decide which I like best. See them all at 2Modern's Nursery Decorating Ideas.

Modern Fireplace

There have been a few postings on Modern Fireplaces:

Ecosmart Fireplaces
Max Blank

I was skiing last weekend in Mammoth Mountain. The cabin had this really cool heating stove in the living room. It was cozy, but it fit in the modern style of the cabin so well and looked very well built.

It was made by RAIS, a Scandinavian company who has been making these heat machines since the 1970's.

Rais Vola

RAIS Bando

Guggenheim New York

For people that live here or for those that visit, the Guggenheim Museum has some very interesting programs for a wide range of interests.

I have been attending "Conversations with Contemporary Artists", which is an ongoing series interviewing artists from various mediums and geography. It is every couple of weeks and just a couple of hours.

Check out this link: http://www.guggenheim.org/education/tours_lectures.shtml

There are numerous lectures and tours you can choose from.

Enjoy!

Baby Room Basics

Deciding how to prepare your baby’s room is one of every mom-to-be’s favorite tasks.  There are only a few basic items that are needed, than the rest is up to your imagination and creativity.

 

THE CRIB:
All babies need a place to rest peacefully & any crib you chose will be comfortable as long as you add your personal touches so baby feels right at home.   Think safety first:  Slats should be no wider than a soda can (2 3/8 inches wide) so baby’s parts stay comfortably in crib.   If you’d like to make this purchase last for years to come, think about getting a crib that converts into a toddler bed such as Nurseryworks Aerial Crib and Nurseryworks Platform Crib.  If you don’t have much room, opt for a crib that has a drawer under it for added storage of sheets and blankets such as Nurseryworks Aerial Crib.  If space is REALLY a problem, a crib and changing station combination may be perfect.  The Oeuf Crib even has a daybed conversion option.

CHANGING TABLE:
Changing stations should be all about convenience.  When choosing a changing table, pick a height that is comfortable for you.  A large cupboard or drawer to keep numerous extra diapers is a necessity.  Nurseryworks 2 Wide Changing Table has both amenities.  A shelf within reach (but not within baby’s reach) for wipes and creams is really handy.  I suggest a wall mounted shelf such as the Offi Duoplane CD & DVD Shelf.  Also, a hamper within arms reach is a necessity.  Some changing tables have built-in hampers such as Nurseryworks 2 Wide Changing Table.  Another important tip is for the diaper disposal location.  If you are right handed, place the trash on your right side to prevent accidental messes.  Finally, placing a light near the trash can side of the changing table is recommended for nighttime changings.  It keeps the light on the “business end” of baby and not in his sensitive little eyes.  Having a dimmer or a three way bulb is helpful too.

FEEDING STATION:
Any comfortable sofa or chair will do for the feeding station.  Make sure you have a matching throw/blanket that is washable to drape over your station for quick cleanings.  The Modern Basics Boo Baby Blankets are really soft and machine washable.  Also make sure you have lots of pillows with washable covers.  The Unison Track Pillows have simple designs that will go with any room decor.  Make sure you have within reach a side table for water & snacks for yourself, you’ll be spending a lot of time at your feeding station the first few months.  After picking your chair or sofa, decide if a foot stool will make it more comfortable.

DRESSER or ARMOIR:
A dresser with lots of drawers for baby’s small clothes will come in handy.  Placing it within arms reach and on the right side of the changing table (if you are right handed) will save you lots of headaches later.   The Oeuf 3 Drawer Dresser is great for storing clothes, diapers, burp cloths, etc.

Allsteel Modern Office

There have been some sporadic posts on Modern Office systems. Another I came across recently was the Allsteel Modern Office systems.

You can click into the Allsteel site to see all of the Office Systems, Seating, Storage, Tables and Textiles. I will highlight some of the innovation:

Concensys System : insta-privacy

All systems have innovative electrical systems embedded in the framing, creating a clean 'wireless' office environment.

Customizable Office Storage: Choose from features like pull styles, custom drawer sizes, paint finishes, and more. Fine-tune the look and functionality of these storage pieces to empower your people or support the aesthetic of your workplace

Green is Good

A healthy trend that has been blossoming, is eco-friendly design.

We bring some attention to it here in our Eco-Friendly zone, though we are not as focused as a TreeHugger > who is listed as one of our favorite modern design blogs.

There are now tradeshows that are dedicated to Modern eco-friendly design, sites that sell strictly eco-friendly items and publications that dedicate themselves to covering the topic.

I wanted to bring attention to the Forest Stewardship Council

The FSC is an international organization based in Bonn, Germany (www.fsc.org), who has offices in Washington D.C..

The FSC was created after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. With the population explosion and subsequent demand for land, goods and $$$, there was an increasing need for a governing body and think-tank to subsidize the failures of governments to come to agreement on solutions concerning sustainable forestry.

It is quite a challenge and a noble task. Visit this link http://www.fscus.org/certifiers/ to see the accredited certifiers in the US and beyond.

Click on this link: http://www.fscus.org/membership/ to get involved!

New Inhabit Bedding Collections

New from Inhabit, their Spring 2006 Home Collection. They are now offering complete collections including pillows, slats, canvases and bedding. Love the new Nourish, Oxygen & Lush collections.