Friday, April 10, 2009

The Eames Lounge Chair and Baseball

I am thinking about baseball and the Eames Lounge Chair. It is home opener day for the Cleveland Indians. Break out the mitts; baseball season is here!

I am also thinking about the classic Eames Lounge chair. Did you know that designers Ray and Charles Eames's vision for the chair was "the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt"?

I can see that.








Today's version of the Eames Lounge chair (Herman Miller) is made with seven layers of molded plywood and a sustainable Palisander Rosewood veneer - retailing for around $3,200 (with ottoman.) Ahhh, the original model...released in 1956, it consisted of five layers of plywood with beautiful Rosewood Veneers and the soft black leather upholstery.


I've been thinking that I would like to own one or two of these beautys. The chair is sooo comfortable. I could see two of these with an ottoman grouped together - perfect for reading, watching TV, or blogging.

Then the question is - new or old?

I have made custom Eames chairs in the past using wonderful Edelman Leather. As they say "to die for"!!

Click here for the Eames Blog.

I was invited to the opening game today but the weather here in Cleveland is cold, rainy and it has me left me feeling a bit discouraged. Then I saw this photo...LOVE it!



Photo by Jessica Rolland

Hope you have a wonderful Easter!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Journal Posting - Plumbing Fixtures

We are in the process of finalizing our plumbing fixture selections for Lawry's timberframe home. The selections took two trips to our local plumbing showroom; one trip Lawry did on his own, and on the second trip I went along.

Only going twice - that's amazing!


We made several changes to his original list and I think we may still have a few minor revisions to go. I am bothered by the chrome in our laundry area. I know it is a secondary area, but...I think that it needs to be oil rubbed bronze. As you enter from the cooking porch you will pass by the laundry and may catch a glimpse of the chrome. The adjacent Powder Room and Kitchen will have a bronze finish, so I am lobbying to have bronze in the laundry room as well. We'll see how it turns out.



I will include photos of a few our selections thus far.





Perrin & Rowe - Aquitaine with side spray in English Bronze




Shaw Lancaster Fireclay in Biscuit



Allia Prep Sink in Biscuit




Perrin & Rowe Bar Faucet in English Bronze






Rubinet Raven Faucet in Oil Rubbed Bronze






Shaw Belmont Sink in Biscuit

Extra deep for the grand kids to use

Kohler Mendota Tub in Biscuit for Guest Bath





Toto Supreme in Beige





Kohler Kathryn in Biscuit






Hansgrohe Raindance in Brushed Nickel

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Musing About "Perfect" Designs

I am very new to the blogging world, and so far I love the experience. I enjoy seeing and absorbing what others are doing and thinking. I delight in all the different styles and viewpoints. Some blogs are light and fluffy; some are straightforward and informative, while others are just downright disturbing. And they all serve a purpose, whether to the reader or the writer, and they are specific to each author’s agenda.


The word I often find in blogs is musing; the writer is often musing about this or that. I think that it is the perfect word, musing. It is true for me; I muse. There is a great feel to the word.

Today, I am musing. I am musing about interior design and our “finished product.” I am finding that more and more I am disturbed by “perfect” spaces. These are rooms that I see in print or on line that look as if they were just assembled with all new items from some furniture showroom. They leave me feeling flat.


The Muse Reading, Louvre - picture right

At some point everything is new, of course. But the question I pose is “do we want our rooms to look that new”? Perfect? Perhaps some of us do; perhaps that’s the goal – looking perfect, new, and fresh.

I can see that I am evolving. I am noticing that I see perfect spaces and I am left wanting. I think I that am looking for some soul or some connection to something in the space; be it the designer, the client, or the architecture. Today, perfect somehow feels too contrived. I think that these days I am looking for some soul, depth, and character in designs. But…if it’s a new space, is it honest design to make it look new? New appearing as new?

So I muse some more. Are these “perfect” looking designs a style? Or…is it a lack of style? I think I am looking for something that grabs me and makes me want to know more. Perhaps it’s some quirky and not so new thing in the space that tells me a story. Perhaps it is the avoidance the “matchy matchy” at all cost (cardinal rule #1). But I think it’s more than that. Whatever the methods or devises used to enrich a space, I wonder if we instinctively know when it’s successful or it’s not. We feel that the space engages us or it doesn’t; it’s too perfect or it’s approachable, soulful, and is the cumulative expression of the designer and the client’s style.

I spent nine years working for a local architect. I was fortunate to win several design awards, I was published, I was on TV locally; it was great, but it had inherent constraints. I am now in a new chapter and a new adventure. One of the great joys of this new chapter in life is that my musings can be fodder for what comes next.


So I am wondering what you think. Do you notice “perfect” rooms and spaces? Are you bothered by them or do they speak to you in some way? Is it good design, a style, economics…or…?


Some rooms by designer Vincent Wolf.


15 Union Square - note the mix of materials, styles, and the variety of table accessories

The Hamptons - Danish Modern, Modern, and a wonderful brick floor




The Hamptions - again a mix of styles, periods, fabrics, and metal

Tribeca, NYC - Mix of scale, period, materials etc.

Please check out the great post by Eddie Ross showing his mix of old and new.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Your home = Your personality

I often fall in love with fabrics that I discover at the Design Center or that reps will show me. Occasionally, I think that this linen or that leather would make an excellent skirt, jacket, or cute little dress. I am sure it says something about my style and personality...loving great silks, textures, and blends. My guess is that all designers fawn over fabrics and their possibilities.

I thought this little number (pictured right) would be a big hit with a few designers. The art is by surrealist Aaron Goodman and the theme for the piece is "the way you decorate your home is a reflection of your personality."

The picture has me thinking about designing my "home dress" based on my personality.

What would yours look like?






I think that I should print this image and paste it on my fridge.

Summer will be here soon!

I am sure that someone in my house can relate to this one.

Look for more of Aaron Goodman's art on this excellent art web site Té la mà Maria - Reus.