Ooooh, PRETTY...

The Campari

Seen here for $111 and here for $179! Well, I can dream, can't I?

The Uncommon Modern Television

Note: Originally published at the 2Modern Design Talk blog.

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?
Micro TV

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, 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

Sofa Showdown: Round Two

Sure these sofas are not exactly bargains, but they are more affordable than the offerings I have seen recently in some home magazines. I can't remember what magazine, but recently I saw someone suggest both a $7,000 and a $9,000 sofa. My car cost only $10,500! Of course, that was ten years ago, but still. I feel good about that purchase but how would I feel if I had bought a sofa for nine grand ten years ago and now I want a different one? I think the cheapest sofa they had pictured was $2,500.

So I feel fine about posting these very beautiful sofas from lesser known manufacturers. Most of the sofas below are offered in both full-length and love seat size.

The sofa on the left is from Dania Furniture. I may have featured it before, but it is worth a second look. Though the Paramount is pricey at $1,395 it is still quite a bit cheaper than Design Within Reach's same-size, near look-alike Bantam for $1,950.

These next four are from Rowe Furniture's Cosmopolitan line and their MiniMod small-scale sofa collection.

Gayton

Martin

Greer

Caren

Hudson

Sofa Showdown: Round One

Mid-Century Art Glass*

Note: Originally published at the 2Modern Design Talk blog.



Mid-century furniture has made a return over the last few years. We now can appreciate Eames, Le Corbusier, Saarinen, Bertoia, et al. The furnitures style with its new fluidity and curves was the artistic focus of decor. It was a big change from the fussier and heavier designs of earlier years. But what about the accessories, the background items that "dress" the room?


25" tall floor vase and 11" tall table vase

The 50s and 60s introduced new shapes and colors in decor with ceramics and glass. Some glass work falls under a category called art glass. One style of art glass that I admire is known as the "swung" glass vase. It is created with a technique where hot glass is held by its base with a special tool and swung in a circle before the glass cools, therefore, pulling and elongating the mouth of the piece.

I used to see art glass at thrift stores all the time in the 1980s. They come in great rich shades of blue, red, amber, green, and purple. Almost all of the American glass manufacturers were based in West Virginia and some of the names to look for are Blenko, Kanawha, Morgantown, Pilgrim, Rainbow, and Viking.

Blenko

The most well known one would be Blenko, whose pieces now fetch huge prices and exhibit in museums around the country. Their design control and color artistry is amazing. Purchasing a Blenko would be an investment. However, if you cannot afford one, there are many gems to be found at your local thrift store or neighborhood yard sale. It is true that some people do not know what they have; you might get lucky.

*Forgive the lame title, my brain was fried.

Can I make it work?

A few years ago I saw a lamp that I really wanted on sale. The above Colette lamp from JCPenneys. However, I made roadblocks for myself;

Did I want one or two?
Could I justify buying two?
Would they go on sale further?
Which color did I want, orange, yellow, or green?

This went on until they went back to their original price, which I couldn't justify spending at the time. They never returned to a sale price and then sold out. I have regretted it every since.



Every lamp I've seen since (see above) has been $100 or more over their regular price, some even four times the price! Looking back, I most definitely should have bought it at either price.


The lamp would go next to the bed on a blue nightstand.
New situation: Target has a sale lamp in a similar shape, available in white with a black shade. To make this the lamp into one I would be happy with, I will need to change the shade and spray paint the lamp base. The price is $30.

The question is: should I? If not, will I regret this too?

Help!!!

Isabella's New York Loft

Isabella Rossellini is half Italian, half Swedish. This HG article was written by her and in it she discussed the difference in styles from both sides of her heritage and how it related to her decorating this particular apartment. What I loved about it was that it was full of whimsy and her love of animals was apparent everywhere. It also highlighted the talents of her friend, John Ryman*, with the wonderful items he created with iron and grillwork for her home; the living room tables, the bed, and the storage in the bathroom. Enjoy.









*I tried to track down what he is doing right now and couldn't find a single mention. I'm sure he's doing fine though with that kind of talent.

A Small Jewel Box of a House

Years ago, I saw my first Henry Doelger-built home on Flickr and immediately had to know more. A book, Little Boxes by Rob Keil, was published two years ago that has even more delicious photos of these funky little houses. In fact, a whole group of these mid-century designs preside in the Westlake neighborhood of Daly City, a suburb of San Francisco.

These houses were built by Doelger's firm but designed by a small group of architects who must have loved their jobs from the look of the designs. Just check out what they did to the garage doors.

Westlake Garage Doors 1958-1965

It must have been great to have that much artistic freedom. When was the last time you noticed a garage door, let alone it actually looked different than all the other garage doors.

Another great thing about this book is that it includes my favorite thing, FLOOR PLANS! Yes, I love floor plans, especially of small homes. I enjoy studying the beauty of their clean uncluttered spaces and in these cases, their efficiency in design. It is strange how much I love these things.

You should also check out the Westlake section of the official Daly City history site that Rob collaborated on, this was where I received my first dose of Doelger background.

The Little Boxes Book website also has links to articles on Doelger architect Ed Hageman, who designed the "fish and chips" house shown at top. In addition, the site provides tips and resources for restoring and taking care of a Doelger-built home and its period fixtures and materials. This kind of information could be valuable for anyone owing a mid-century abode or just trying to emulate one.

If you have any information on these homes, (you know someone involved in the construction, who lived in one of the houses, or you posses vintage photos or film footage of these homes, I'm sure Rob would love to hear from you at robertjkeil@yahoo.com.

Source: all pictures from littleboxesbook.com.

So what was up with that?

Yesterday, I was interviewed by a local home magazine about this here blog. It was a great honor and a truly interesting experience.

However, there was one disturbing thing about it...I felt myself compelled to make excuses for my home; a truly "I'm not worthy" vibe was going on. I am not comfortable with that and will have to look into why I felt the need to make those types of noises.

Regardless, I am extremely proud of this blog and what I've accomplished. So whatever comes from this interview, I will definitely keep you in the loop.