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...

TOUCH gets InDisposed

TOUCH specializes in innovative eco-aware products for the home, so it's no surprise that they are hosting InDisposed. Originally an off-site exhibit at this year's ICFF, InDisposed is a collection of new works by design luminaries that address the notions at war in modern design: sustainability vs. wastefulness, and preciousness vs. mass production. The curators of InDisposed, Jen Renzi and Dan Rubenstein, challenged designers to create pieces that are environmentally sustainable, portable, easily disposed of, and easily mass-produced. The results range from trash bags to a bird feeder made of bread dough and paper plates made of food-grade recycled paper. A favorite in the furniture category though, is the Auto Cannibalistic Table. Check it out... and see InDisposed at TOUCH LA June24 - July 10.

Buyers Be Where?

PC headed down to Atlanta for the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (K/BIS) last week, and we've  been waiting since for UPS to show up with boxes of notes, press releases, media kits, images and samples. Today is the day; they have finally arrived!

I just ripped open the boxes, searching for evidence to weigh the accuracy of my memories and corroborate my sad, digital snapshots. I found that the boxes were rather light compared to previous years, when the tradeshow floor was packed with shoppers and press room stuffed with folders, brochures, cds, dvds and samples from manufacturers jostling for position in front of media eyes. Yes, I got my slim folders, with a single page describing the product and a royal blue link to the website. I even received a few cds, and three USB Flash Drives replete with images and links. Gone were the notebooks, pens, and well-crafted press kits created in sync with the manufacturer's aesthetic.

It seems my memory is accurate. The contents of my boxes reflected a slower show, with less buyers, less exhibitors, less money and less marketing.  That's not to say the show was a flop. It wasn't.  Reports coming out now and the line towed there, match - the traffic was light but the people who came, came to buy. And, depending on what they were after, they should  not have been disappointed.  Among the trends displayed at K/BIS were a focus on bold design, color and eco-savvy materials.  Stay tuned to PC to get the details. I'll be digging through these boxes to bring you the best.

In the meantime, here's a look at the show floor on Saturday, May 2.

Enter to win a Paul Thatcher canvas

Inspired by his music and love for guitars, Paul Thatcher has created some of the most beautiful and vibrant abstract Giclees. To kick off their new line of canvas art by Paul Thatcher, Advance Furniture is giving away one 30 x 30 canvas. Contest ends on April 25th 2009. Winner must reside in the USA.

Register now!

-- allie

Tags: modern art, contemporary digital art, modern furniture, Advance Furniture, Paul Thatcher

Designer Night

Robert Sonneman pioneered modern lighting, making it an art form. Since 1967, his world-famous designs have been the subject of countless articles and exhibitions, many of which have become classics of the modern era.

-- allie

Tags: modern lighting, Robert Sonneman, Lighting by Gregory, contemporary lighting

100 years of High Point

High Point Market -- celebrating 100 years of showcasing the best in home furnishing!

April 25th through the 30th

 

-- allie

Tags: High Point Market, furniture show, modern furniture, design expo