A [very] cool company

It's no secret that I love some Mid Century Modern sprinkled in with contemporary and traditional design.  What I love more is supporting the arts.  Blu Dot is a company started in 1997 by 2 architects and a sculptor in their quest to create unique furnishings at a price point they could afford themselves.

They are now in 7 retail locations and gaining worldwide notoriety.

I love the stories in their catalog that tell you the inspiration behind some of their designs.

[This 2 pack of shelves compile the wall unit above the hanging credenza.]

[Their furniture ships in 2-3 days; unheard of!]

[This desk has a sliding top and can be used as a buffet, desk, console-you name it.]

[Love this mink velvet and brass bench.]

[The REAL GOOD CHAIR comes in 7 colors and 3 heights.]

The inspiration behind the design of this Real Good Chair came from their frequent pizza deliveries while in the design studio.  The pizza box itself lead them to create a flat chair, delivered in a pizza-like box that one can easily assemble as shown in this cool video:

Check out Blu Dot to get your creative juices flowing.

Add a modern chair and you're up to date!

We love to make a statement in a room to make it feel unique and not straight out of Decor 101.   Incorporate a bold contemporary piece of art in a traditional room, or a large old masters reproduction in a modern room or add one of these chairs to any decor to kick it up a notch.

Iconic modern chairs have a history rooted in the 1940's-60's and have become classic over time, yet still they remain viable in contempory decor today.

Let's look at some of these brilliant designs:

1: The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen

2: The Bertoia Chair designed in 1952 by Italian furniture designer Harry Bertoia.

3: The Papa Bear Style chair, by Danish designer Hans J Wegner

4: LC3 Chair by Le Corbusier

5: The Eames lounge chair designed by Charles and Ray Eames

6: The Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen

7: The Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuer

8. The LCW Plywood Chair by Charles and Ray Eames

Here is my favorite iconic modern chair, the Barcelona Chair, by Mies van der Rohe, who designed this chair in 1929 for the king and queen of Spain.  It also won the Museum of Modern Art Award in 1977.

Some sources for original or reproduction mid century modern chairs and other furnishings are Design Within Reach, Thrive, All Modern, IFN Modern, Modern Mobler, Acme, Kardiel, One Kings Lane and of course Ebay, Craigslist, local classifieds and estate sales.  With these favorites on your radar you may find the deal of the century in an unsuspecting place.  I know I have passed up some that I now regret.

Do you have any favorite places to shop for modern chairs?

"It's just paint" we always say.

I've been a color-aholic all my life. I have to admit that looking at tons of  crisp white or dark, moody rooms constantly are somewhat intriguing and they photograph so beautifully.

In looking at my dining room, I was never really happy over the last 5 years with the turquoise paint below the chair rail.  I tried new stuff on the walls, a recent new rug, a new light, but it wasn't doing anything for me.  I love what Emily Henderson said about sticking with a room when it's time to move on:

"Like a mediocre relationship, you can only stay in denial that it’s not really working for so long. You pretend you don’t need to move on, that you can make it work, that everyone is happyenough. But, all the signs point to ‘GET OUT AND TRY TO BE HAPPIER’. It’s just hard because its such a risk. You keep telling yourself, ‘It’s not frustrating enough, it’s not terrible enough,’ to make you jump out … but now and again you start looking. Your eye wanders. Your thoughts drift …"

BEFORE

My husband said our dining room was his favorite room in the house because it was finished and it all matched. That about sealed the deal for me knowing how 'opposite' we are- time to change! I don't like matchy-matchy.  Love you honey, but I know you don't read our blog anyway!

AFTER

I went for a fresh, clean, organic and neutral vibe knowing that I can always load it with color as my whim occurs, which is a given!  

I used Benjamin Moore Dove Wing and BM Ancient Ivory for the trim.

Nothing like a fresh coat of paint!

The Statement Chair

  Do you own a "statement chair'?

One King's Lane launched a new a Decor Resource Center where you can learn about the history of different types of chairs.  They have compiled a timeline describing which chairs were popular at different times.  My personal favorite chair, The Falcon Chair, was not listed on the timeline but is too good not to mention.

The Falcon Chair rose to popularity in the 1970s during the Scandinavian Modern movement. I acquired mine when I got married in 1975 and still love it today!  The Falcon chair was designed by Sigurd Ressell and manufactured by Vatne Mobler Norway.

 My husband and I loved Scandanavian Modern when we got married; since we were both raised in homes with antiques, this was our attempt at breaking away from our roots and developing our own style.  Some of our early acquisitions are no longer with us, but this chair and several other teak mid-century modern case goods are mixed into the 'transitional' style decor in my home.  Here is the Falcon Chair in our master bedroom today.

Bookmark the One King's Lane Decor Resource Guide for your design files today! Hopefully the Falcon Chair will be added to their guide!

Do you have a 'statement' chair?

Mid Century love - DWR

I had the pleasure of going into the Design Within Reach store recently in Bethesda, Maryland. I got to see authentic iconic pieces by Knoll, Saarinen, Bertoia, Milo Baugham, Herman Miller, Fritz Hansen and more!  I was so excited. 

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

I grew up studying these designers as an studio art and art education major in college and coveted their original designs. There are so many copies and cheap reproductions these days, I was blown away in the presence of greatness! I don't think Bethany quite gets my fascination, but I know she appreciates and loves great design.  Here is a great overview of the chairs DWR carries:

 I feel like these pieces are so relevant today and that they are timeless.  Do you agree?

~Nancy

The buzz on MCM

Who would have thought the furnishings we bought when we first were married from DC store 'SCAN' is now called MID CENTURY MODERN?  That makes us sound like dinosaurs!

I have a lot of it scattered around my house, but I researched it the other day, and found out the core reasons why I still love it.  It boils down to these main points:

• Iconic furniture designers: George Nelson, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, Naguchi, Milo Baughman, Bertoia, to name a few.  Im in love with this Barcelona chair (I want it in a caramel leather, please) by Mies Van der Rohe in 1929:

The Barcelona chair won the Museum of Modern Art award in 1977.

The Womb chair by Saarinen for Knoll

Isamu Naguchi table

• Nature-inspired themes: bringing the outdoors in, earthy colors and neutrals with bright accents:

                                                                         Hammer Architects

                                                                      designer Gary Hutton

• Graphic patterns: bold statements:

via Houzz

• Sleek streamlined lines: as in these kitchens:

                                                                   Vision Homes & Remodeling

                                                                            Designs By Lisa

                                                                Brennan + Company Architects

• Period art: from artists like Alexander Calder, Roy Lichtenstein, Jackson Pollack, David Hockney :

                                                                      I love Calders mobiles.

  Roy Lichtenstein

• Statement lighting: is like art in a room. Among MCM lighting designers are George Nelson, Poul Henningsen's "Artichoke" light, the "Sputnik" Chandelier, Arco Floor lamp

The Sputnik by Gino Sarfatti

Nelson's bubble lights

My love for MCM marvels the simple lines, pure forms, organic style, ease of living, natural materials, lots of wood, and bold statements.  That is me! ( with the addition of blue and white porcelains, soft layers, a little shimmer...)

                                                                  Beth Dotolo, RID, ASID

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Nancy on Pinterest

I see so much of this style resurfacing these days.   Do you have some Mid Century Modern?

How do you feel about this style? I'd love to know your thoughts.

~Nancy