2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Aniline Dyes

These brightly colored, whimsical kitchens by Lou Ann Bauer have been a long favorite of mine.  Wake up early in the morning and who needs coffee!  The textures, colors and materials are fantastic, full of energy and really come to life in the natural light. 

     The bright colors of the cabinets are developed using aniline dyes, a method of coloring wood without the use of stains.  Some of the outstanding qualities of dyes are the bright colors and the natural wood grain that is brought out by the process.  Aniline dye starts as a light powder (non-toxic) and uses alcohol or water as a solvent.  Unlike stains, dye sinks into the wood without filling the grain, highlighting the natural character of the wood. 

     Bright colors without paint catch your eye and are a terrific way to develop a space. 

 

 

New from Amenity!

New nursery and tabletop items from Amenity! Amenity has introduced new organic cotton nursery items. The Organic Washcloths, Organic Swaddling Blankets, and Organic Feeding Cloths, are made from Made of 100% pure organic cotton that has been independently certified by third-party agency SKAL and printed with GOTS certified low impact dyes. Also new, is the Arroyo tabletop collection. This collection, which includes the Arroyo Salt and Pepper Shakers, Arroyo Napkin Blocks, and the Arroyo Spice Block, is filled with stylish basics that will become more and more beautiful over time.

Finished Concrete....

            One of the most interesting generators for design I find are materials.  There’s the process of recognizing/finding/developing new materials, there’s learning how to work with them and developing a familiarity and confidence in designing with them- learning what boundaries can be pushed.   Each material has different qualities, calls for a different set of tools, even a different shop, and this is where the design process is fueled. 

Stone Soup, Florence, MA

            One of the materials that I have found particularly intriguing to have watched change over the years has been concrete and the evolution of concrete countertops.  Concrete as a finished material was first explored in 1988 with the use of plasticizers.  What was once considered only a structural material (foundations, sidewalks,…) was developed into a finish material for countertops, tile and other creative pieces.  It was an evolution of a material.  The process of using plasticizers to move the material from foundations to countertops- and actually getting the mix right- and developing a comfort ability in using the material (some of the early countertops had...ah…some of similarities to sidewalks).  Some of the countertops and tiles today are amazingly fluid, with sinks and functional pieces molded into them- the finishes are smoother than glass and a lot more interesting.  They’ve moved a long way from the concrete we know as a common structural material

Stone Soup, Florence, MA

 

            The type of work that’s being done with concrete now includes coloring, inlaid crushed glass, acid washing, polishing... and the list goes on.  The uses the material finds continues to expand as the familiarity with the material grows.  Concrete use to be simply an interesting countertop but has evolved into a surface that can be developed with soft curves and coordinating colors and textures that anticipate their purpose.   It’s a really remarkable material considering that for so many years it was passed over as simply a crude finish. 

             

New from Paper Cloud!

New from Paper Cloud! Paper Cloud makes art to share for you, your home, your family and your friends. Their quirky designs are meant to be shared and enjoyed, and not taken too seriously. And everything they make is hand printed and handmade in their studio, making each piece unique. Choose from a variety of new pillow patterns--such as the Dewdrops Long Pillow, Vines Pillow, or Petals Pillow--or new pendant lighting patterns--such as the Sunflower Pendant, Onionpods Pendant, or Petals Pendant.

A tile with a hook... what a great idea!

I want this idea to be available not just on white ceramic, every type of tile needs a Rhinoceros.   What a simple and functional idea, I love it!... “White Rhinoceros” is the official name of this product, designed by Vadim Kibardin.

If you started to want it, I'm afraid to tell you the product is not in the market yet.  I hope to see it soon on stores.
My bathroom and kitchen will be very happy ;)

Via Cribcandy.

Chandelier / Showerhead

Tannan Winter Design gives elegance and ambiance to any bathroom with a completely functional showerhead that sits over any pedestal tub. Inspired by the  statue of Aphrodite and designed for a victorian style bathroom.

Conde House on 2Modern.com!

Conde House is now on 2Modern.com! Conde House is noted for exceptional design and manufacturing quality as expressed in its line of contemporary furnishings for distinguished homes and contract market for 40 years. They offer tables and chairs for dining (such as the Ohashi Table & Tosai Side Chair, meetings and conferencing, furniture for libraries, hotels and schools, bedroom furniture (Rikyu Bed & Boxx Chest) and media cabinets for residential and contract clients. All of their furniture is crafted at their mill in Japan on the northernmost island of Hokkaido.

Jayne Wunder

I couldn't have said it better than Kim from Desire to Inspire -  "I love colours, but this makes me not love colours." Interior designer Jayne Wunder has a refreshing portfolio. And offices in two amazing cities - Cape Town and London.

 

 

See more here.

Ode to New York City Cabs: VIPP 2009 Limited Edition Yellow Cab

Gasoline powered taxis were introduced in New York in 1907 by young businessman Harry N. Allen. He was also the first to introduce the yellow color on taxis. He did this after learning that yellow is the colour easiest seen from a distance. In 1960 the city of New York decided that all taxis were to be painted yellow.

Today, New York is home to more than 13.000 yellow cabs. This number is known because a special license is required in order to own a yellow cab. The license was introduced in 1937 at a cost of 10 dollars. The license can be sold on by the owner, and the major taxi companies are willing to pay large sums for it. In 2007, the price of a license had risen to 600.000 dollars. 

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 With the new series from Vipp, Scandinavian minimalism meets the big city pulse of New York.

Vipp Yellow Cab is a new interpretation of the classic Vipp universe that will bring new life to your bathroom and kitchen. A chic and dazzling spring colour giving you a little bite of The Big Apple.

Vipp Yellow Cab is available from February 1^st 2009 and throughout the year in leading design stores. To find your nearest dealer, please go to vipp.com.

The Vipp story - Danish design since 1939

Vipp is founded in 1939 by Holger Nielsen. Born in 1914 in the small Danish town of Randers, Holger trains as a metal spinner. 

Holger Nielsen makes the leap into business at the age of only 17 and almost by coincidence. It all begins one spring Sunday in May 1931 when he makes his usual visit to the local stadium to support his favorite football team. Fate has it that his ticket is drawn in a raffle, and he wins a car. Holger loves cars, but as he has no driver's license, he decides to sell the car and invest the money in a metal turning lathe.

This marks the birth of Holger Nielsen's metal factory where, a few years later, he produces the very product that will go on to bring him fame: the Vipp pedal bin.  

 

   

The rest is history which can be found in depth at vipp.com.  Suffice to say that modern classic design is something that can never go out of style.  And with  just a few tweaks and color vision, Vipp brings its product into the 21st century with its Limited Edition Yellow Cab product launch.  Check for availability in stores April 2009.

 

If yellow won't work for your color scheme, Vipp's product also comes in white and charcoal.

 

  

VIPP, in paying tribute to  New York City's Classic Yellow Cab, winds up being an homage to classic modern design at its best the world over. 

Architecture by Takao Shiotsuka

"Garden and Sea"

The home was built on an angle to make the most of water views. Very minimalist and modern.

Shio-atl.com