Win a $10,000 Gift Card to DWR!

Wanted: New Business Strategy

What's worse for these South Carolina interior designers - being robbed or the fact that they only had $8 in the till? (See article)

Is business this bad everywhere out there? Let us now how it's going in your neck of the woods.

Modern Architect Paul Rudolph

Documenting architectural losses could produce enough work to fill all of New York's galleries. Here's just one, sad example...

A masterfully poignant new photography show featuring images of abandoned, soon-to-be destroyed homes designed by modernist maestro Paul Rudolph is now on display at Auburn University's Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. "After You Left, They Took It Apart: Demolished Paul Rudolph Homes," running through April 17, consists of 15 digital C-prints taken between 2006 and 2007 by architectural photographer Chris Mottalini.  

See more images of Paul Rudlph's work.

Spring Design Trends Revealed -- from Las Vegas Market

-- allie

Alexander Purcell's Spiro chairs wins 2010 CH+D New Product Design

With a slight lean to it's back, the Spiro chair exudes the laid-back style that Purcell's new designs seem to reflect. The chair also features a raised, heat-formed pattern on its seat, which is fully customizable.

__________________________________________

Related Stories

More Design in the News

-- allie

Tags: modern chair, 2010 CH+D, Alexander Purcell, modern lounge chair

Mad Modern

Inspired by the cable television show “Mad Men,” University of North Texas interior design senior Stephen Walsh created a mid-century executive office suite that won first prize in a Teknion Student Design Competition.

“I was trying to create a high-end executive line that coordinates with Teknion's existing line called ‘District,” he said. “It’s what used to be called cubicles. A lot of them are more open now and they look more residential and don’t look as confined and uncomfortable as they used to. I was trying to do a mix between that and mid-century furniture. I wanted it to feel fresh."

In his winning entry, Walsh wrote that the furniture creates “a sense of nostalgia, while beveled edges and contrasting storm white laminate and medium walnut veneer offer a sophisticated, modern and confident personal office line.”

All I need now is a sassy secretary and a smart cocktail.

-- allie

Tags: modern office furniture, Mad Men, office furniture, modern desk, home office

Discounts on Luxury Furniture

The French contemporary furniture company, Ligne Roset will offer an unprecedented promotion of 15% off all store items for 15 days, starting September 12th. It's happening at all the showrooms in the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Julius Shulman, Photographer of Modernist California Architecture, Dies at 98

By ANDY GRUNDBERG

Published: July 17, 2009

Julius Shulman, a renowned architecture photographer who depicted modern houses as the ultimate expressions of modern living and helped idealize the California lifestyle in the postwar years, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 98.

See his work at the New York Times.

Oops They Did it Again

Introducing the OOPS DESIGN AWARDS. This snarky commentary on design's worst blunders zeros in on three coveted categories: the ugliest, silliest, and most useless product designs of the year. 

The awards are new for 2009, but to give us an idea of what they're after, the creators of OOPS have bestowed prizes on some would have been contenders of 2008. A few of the worst include the Flock lamp, which looks like a bunch of partially inflated used condoms, and the One chair, a melting pile of gelatinous fat. 

The awards are all in good fun, and it's nice to see them pick on big manufacturers, like Vitra, along with little guys just trying to break in. And the whole thing does have a point: that design solely to be different or to shock is often useless in terms of functionality, aesthetically marred or, as the award categories spell out, just plain silly.  See them all, and get a look at this year's nominees at www.oopsaward.jimdo.com

Fall Decorating Ideas

Get into the mood for Fall with a special event at West Elm locations this Saturday June 20th. All West Elm stores are hosting fall Design Events that take place prior to opening (time depends on the location but most are either 8-10 or 9-11).

Once you're in, West Elm's  in-store team will talk through fall design tips and show the new pre-fall assortment. If you're interested, call your local store for details and to RSVP.  To find the store nearest you go to westelm.com/stores. Participants will receive 10% off any purchases made that day, just for attending class.

And for those who can't make it, here's a sneak peak at what West Elm has in store for Fall...