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Hot new artist Parvez Taj now at 2Modern.com! A unique blend of graphic art and photography, printed in Giclee on canvas or watercolor paper, makes Parvez Taj's pieces a must have! The subject matter ranges from almost abstract, with Central, to very objective, with Renewable Energy. Some, like Tart Black & White, feel more like a painting, while others, like Nickest, feel more like a straight photograph. All very unique, and all very affordable!
2Modern Design Talk is going to take you on a little tour across the United States, looking for the best in modern lifestyle resources by major metropolitan city. We are starting with Seattle and zig-zagging our way to New York. If you have any suggestions for our directory, which we will be constantly improving and adding, please let us know by providing comments to the posts.
Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvia, has been ever-present in American history. A major center of the American Revolutionary War, and homes to such people as Edgar Allen Poe and Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia continues to be ahead of its time throughout the ages. When it was first built, it was one of the first cities to be built on a grid system, and today boasts some of the best modern architecture in their newly re-developed downtown area. Whether you are looking for a piece of American history, a contemporary art museum, or a bustling night life, Philadelphia is the place for you.
Modern Furniture:
NyLoft
Cherner Chair
Emeco
Kenneth Cobonpue
New Moon
Richard Schultz
Modern Architects:
Cecil Baker & Associates
Composite Inc.
Dommert Phillips
Erdy McHenry Architecture
Jon Wagner Architect
Kieran Timberlake Associates
Susan Maxman Partners
Modern Architecture:
One Liberty Place
Two Commerce Square
Hopkinson House
Kennedy House
Modern Art Museums:
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Rodin Museum
Institute of Contemporary Art
Art Alliance
Woodmere Art Museum
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Modern, Etc.:
Independence Hall
Edgar Allen Poe House
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Lights of Liberty
Here is a link to all the other modern cities: http://2modern.blogs.com/2modern/travel/index.html
Thomas Paul is
the fabulous designer of these delectable plates and pillows. He really knows how to accessorize! Pick up all the goods at Velocity Art and Design in Seattle or online. More modern design at 3blacksheep.
Last week I went to an opening at the Rex Irwin Gallery in Sydney to check out Prue Venables' work up close and personal.
Prue creates the simplest yet most complicated forms I have ever seen. The pieces are one-off and hand thrown using Limoges porcelain. After the initial form is made it is gently but precisely altered, giving this complicated process a simple and unique aesthetic.
The translucent finishes are so inviting that it was hard to hold back from touching the work. (but I maintained gallery etiquette)
I also had the honor of having a delightful chat with Prue and she agreed to give us an interview for a future post. I can't wait!
thanks to Rex Irwin
New Orleans wallpaper-ers Flavor Paper recently showcased an eclectic mix of fresh designs in NY for the ICFF.
more modern design at 3blacksheep
ICFF was super! Saw lots of great product and enjoyed a weekend in New York. Love MAGIS! A lot of their chairs work for residential or commercial application. Some even outdoor. This makes specification easy for projects of all types.
Luzifer, again one of my favorite lighting lines. Moody pods and structured floating lights. A modern lighting solution for walls.
MuNiMulA has a cool new chair. Designed to fill every comfort angle, this chair has a pivoting seat and back.
I also really liked the suspended drawer system on MuNiMulA walls. Perfect for prefab housing, office environments or any modern setting needing storage. The design blends organic and industrial into a nice harmonious blend of Modern.
Rick Lee was good too. I love how Rick and his wife work together to fuse fashion and furniture. A combination I have always thought logical. Check out their inspiring showroom in San Francisco.
Rick's been popping up everywhere lately in the press. It was good to see his designs in person.
This CNC Table (part of a 4 Seasons series), takes inspiration from Autumn. Made of Plyboo.
So much to see. Sustainability really made it's mark at this year's show. Everyone has their hands in the green movement somehow or another. A trend that's soon to be more of a staple in design, It will be fun to watch what designers and engineers can come up with to push the limits on resourceful materials.
I first saw Normann-Copenhagen at my favorite Modern Design store in Brussels, Espace Bizarre. I was immediately drawn to the bright colors and practical design of the strainer.
I never have enough cabinet space in my kitchen and this line of products looks good, is sturdy and can be folded flat to save room in the dishwasher and your cabinets. Perfect!
Next, I went to Normann's website and found so many more things to fall in love with:
The Familia set of pots and pans is so sleek and modern, they are like a work of art for your kitchen (bonus that they function, too!).
These user-friendly Normann Knives are have a sturdy hand-grip that makes them feel like an extension of your own hand. Their unconventional shape and design makes them irresistible.
And finally, there is Woofy. I can't tell you how many times I have struggled with what to do with the masses of tangled cords all of my electronic devices spew around the house. It completely ruins the clean lines and minimalism of the modern home. Not anymore, Woofy will house all of your cords in his belly and stand by looking great for all of your friends to admire.
I can't possibly show you all of the things that I loved from Normann-Copenhagen. You'll just have to see for yourself!
All photos Normann-Copenhagen
Margaux Lange explores the Barbie doll's role in American culture in her jewelry work. Lange states in her bio, "I take pleasure in the contrast and contradiction of something mass-produced being transformed and revealed as a unique, handmade, wearable piece of art." If you are in the Seattle area, stop by the Facere Jewelry Art Gallery to see her work in The Signs of Life exhibition (open until June 7).
On the topic of found objects as jewelry, I must mention the work of Mona Wallstrom (found via jewelry.metals.objects.). Wallstrom's Evidence series contains brooches made from unidentifiable found objects.
1.Margaux Lange, Like Breathing, Sterling silver, plastic, pigmented expoxy resin
2. Margaux Lange, The Kiss Necklace, Sterling Silver, plastic, epoxy resin
3. Mona Wallstrom, Well
4. Mona Wallstrom, Saved
until next week!
Annie
The other day I went to the zoo with a bunch of other moms. 3 out of the 5 moms had a Maclaren stroller. Intruiged, I did some research to find out what's behind the brand's allure. Started in 1965 by an aeronautical engineer, the Maclaren Buggy was the first of it's kind. Light-weight, durable and easy to collapse, the original B01 buggy has morphed into a complete line of strollers and other baby necessities.
Of course, I had to run right out and get one. But which one? I've avoided strollers for these first 6 months of my little girl's life, preferring the good old Baby Bjorn. She hates the car seat/stroller base option that I had pinned my hopes on, so I've just avoided the whole issue. But, now she getting bigger and my back is getting more and more sore. Enter the Philippe Starck designed
Maclaren Stroller:
Well designed and engineered right. I'm a convert.
Brothers Marc and Richard Desplaines are the founders and designers behind Antoine Proulx, a decidedly American collection with references of bygone eras and faraway lands. Each of their collections represent luxury in its most contemporary form.
Their O Series is soft and glamorous, bridging more transitional and traditional styles. The O Series is rounded and soft, a contrast to more angular modern design.
The smooth, geometric surfaces of the Czech Series were inspired by the Cubist movement in Prague in the early 1900's. This is one of Antoine Proulx's collections that do not incorporate steel, and relies on angles to create motion.
Motion and a sense of imbalance are evident in the Belgium Series, where the furniture appears to twist and turn. Pieces in this series would truly be a focal point of conversation in any room.
Clean lines and the marriage of steel and wood dominate the French Series, the line that helped launch Antoine Proulx in 1993. This line exemplifies traditional building methods, and even the external hardware is handmade in their shop.
Finally, I wanted to highlight their Executive/Office Series. This collection is designed for those of us work from home. This is the evolution of office furniture, in which pieces look and feel like furniture for your home. Wire-management systems and power strips are incorporated within the desk tops. Sizes can be customized to fit your own office space.
The furniture of Antoine Proulx is designed to be passed down from generation to generation. While being uniquely contemporary, the pieces if Antoine Proulx are most definitely timeless.
