2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

The Uncommon Modern Television

The television set was a symbol of the modern age. It was one of those items that when it first arrived, was a luxury item for only the rich. Well, years later it is practically in the same category of essential needs as food, clothing, shelter...and television! During the history of TV they have always fluctuated in size, beginning in large wood cabinets, becoming smaller for convenience, and more recently becoming thinner in depth at the same time as the screens became larger.

 

However, if you desire a smaller-size television for your kitchen, studio, or a combination den and child's playroom; they are out there in some very creative packages.

 

A few years ago I saw this beauty, the HANNS A.Red, that resembles a glossy ripe red apple. I would love to have this, if it wasn't $400 for a tiny 10" inch screen. 
 

This same company, Hannspree, offers another set resembling something organic; it looks like it was made of wood.
          HANNSwood

Then there is the Micro TV, a concept television from Sony. I have no idea if or when it will be produced or how expensive it will be, however, it will be available in white and fuchsia. I know it is cute, but a bright pink TV, really?

For your child or the child in you, the norm seems to be Disney promo products or anthromorphized animals of all sorts. You can own a Disney Princess TV, a Disney car, this one, or one like this; again by Hannspree, that actually places a television monitor into the tummy of a cloth plush toy.

      HANNSz.elephant

 

Then, of course, you could try going back to the beginning and purchase a reproduction of a groovy vintage design like this one.

from Predicta

MODERN FURNITURE - COOL SWIVEL CHAIRS

Thanks to my dear furniture fashionister for a great furniture find today ... a little on the  bubbly round but worth sharing ... 
Luxy italy | big jim
"This is deliciously retro modern design at its finest. Seen most recently on the UK show famous for uttering the line "fashion has no mercy", this chair makes a statement no matter where it is. Used in applications such as airport terminals and hotels, the chair's completely synthetic shell makes it impervious to wear and tear from high traffic usage. Constructed using a single polyethylene shell in black, white, or grey, with base in epoxy coated aluminum or polished aluminum. Available in fixed version or with swivel/auto return."
31.5" wide x 32.28" high, seat height: 16.53"
for version with swivel auto return and polished aluminum base ($1,525.00)
for version with fixed column and polished aluminum base ($1,425.00)
for optional transparent gel seat cushion ($273.00)

To see more of my favorite products from Luxy check out my image library on Flickr or check out my GAILE GUEVARA modern.design.source blog for some modern inspiration.

Dwell.com Interview

Dwell Magazine has launched a new talkshow:
The Apartment Dinner Series

2Modern interviews Michael Cannell, the editor of Dwell.com about the series. How did the idea come to life? How were the guests chosen? Were there food fights? What is next for the series?

Click HERE to listen to the interview.

Enjoy!

Sounds Good

Speakers and audio systems are usually not the aesthetic choice to accent any room, but that is quickly changing. New speakers that either hide themselves altogether, usually with some minor construction work, or speakers that look like a work of art can now be found easily, like these Martin Logan Vista's. We recently purchased these, with the help of Tweeters' close-out discounts (CA stores only). Not only do these speakers look hip all by themselves, they sing! The metal screen uses electro-static waves to vibrate sound up and down the entire length of the screen; even though it appears that only the first foot is actual speaker, the 57 inches of screen act as one giant speaker.



Combine two of those Vista's with a Martin Logan Cinema i center speaker, and you'll never need to go to the movie theater again (unless it's for a midnight showing of Spiderman 3, like tonight!). Again with the help of Tweeter closing their doors, we grabbed this baby and mounted it above the TV. The Vistas sound incredible by themselves, but with the center, its amazing! But my favorite part still has to be the seemless integration of these huge speakers into our home, they don't look like an ugly footprint on an otherwise good looking living room. They make the living room complete, they are just good looking speakers, even if they didn't make a sound. And they are usually the first things in our home to get complemented on by any visitors, my paintings being a close second!

Here is a picture of our set up now, of course wires still need to be hidden...somehow.....

No Explanation Neccessary

The fist commercials for Apple's new iPhone started airing last Sunday night during the Academy Awards. You probably already know about the iPhone, most people have at least heard the name. And that's what Apple seems to be banking on with this new campaign; no description, no explanation, no list of features, nothing but a look at the phone. In case you haven't seem the commercial, it's on Apple's homepage at Apple.com. Apple, and a lot of other companies have been doing this lately, in what seems to be an effort to tell as little about the product in a commercial as possible. In Apple's case, it's probably best for now, since it's not due out till June at the earliest. But in their best know commercials, the iPod + iTunes commercials, it's only people dancing; no mention of what the iPod is exactly, or what iTunes does. The audience is just supposed to know, or be so intrigued that they go and look it up afterwards; perhaps Apple and Google are in bed together.

Not that I'm complaining, I love Apple commercials, which are usually a hefty cut above the rest. But a lot of the other companies that do this, with less success, probably should tell a little more about their product. Commercials that introduce new drugs and pills, "solutions" to common problems with getting old. "Just go ask your doctor" they claim, as if too lazy to tell you themselves. Some commercials in which you no idea what they are selling, where your just about to ask yourself, "are they selling sex?", it turns out to be a car. Making the car look like something you should have sex with does not necessarily make me want to buy it; but perhaps the "sexy" cars are just another "solution" to problems with getting old. But I digress.

I guess what I'm saying is this new method of non-descriptive commercials works for brand new products which don't come out for another three months.

Modern TV/Audio Unit

The couch potato is back again!

I have posted a few articles on Modern TV Consoles and Plasma TV Art.

Today I am going to shed some light on an affordable unit that is sturdy, well-designed, and customizable to fit in all rooms: The Blu Dot Strata 4 Unit.

Blu Dot uses bleached birch veneer shelves combined with bent plywood shells to make a sculptural storage unit. Deep enough for audio components with cord management access at rear. No tools - simple assembly. Sliding doors of German rubber in almost sage, chocolate brown, grey blue and terra cotta. You can customize the colors of the drawers to fit your space. Use alone or with other Strata units to fit your needs.

Mebel TV Credenza

You're all probably thinking that I am a total couch potato with my recent posts about Modern TV Consoles and Plasma Art :)

Well not so much. I think I like the idea of time to watch TV or maybe I like watching the furniture around it better? Issues I need to look into...I promise.

Today, I will send another Modern TV Credenza your way, this one by uber-craftsmen: MEBEL Furniture

The Mebel TV Credenza has an optional panel for flat panel mounting. 3 options for storage include an open cubby with pull down panel to access media players and a pull out media drawer. Built of solid walnut or maple with brushed stainless steel legs.

MEBEL's wood is sealed with a clear varnish, which creates a natural rubbed finish. Unlike sprayed glossy lacquer, their pieces do not have an assembly line look or feel. This process also creates a durable surface which is easy to maintain.

Modern TV Console

Previously, I had posted about the modern media console by BDI.

Today, we will take a look at another home for your media center: Menos

Menos is manufactured by Behr International and designed by Architect Peter Maly.

I like this complete unit that can be customized in terms of look and size. Rather than having a traditional unit that is built upwards and to the sides of the TV unit, this fresh looking console hugs up against the wall and can serve as storage for your TV, its components and wires, but also house other items to decorate your media or living room. Think less TV stand and more living room furniture.

It has may color options. The unit included recessed, fold-out, aluminum grips. The crates come in matte or glossed varnishes.

Modern Plasma Screens

Thank you for the suggestion on some Plasma TV ambient art.

Previously, I had discussed: COLORCALM though now I will review a couple more:

First off: PRESSTUBE

You can view the sample of "Davey Jones Locker". It is very cool, well composed and interesting background music. You could watch it and be interested or have it meld in the background at a party.

Next up is: PLASMAWINDOW

Sorry (no screenshots available). From their site, it looks like there are some that are good (like ElliotGrey and Plasmaquarium). Though there are some cheesy ones too...but that goes with the territory.

If there are any more suggestions, please let me know. Actually I am a bit surprised that there aren't more artists producing modern visuals for dormant plasma screens.

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