Finland Celebrates its 90th Anniversary

I think most of us think of Finland has having been around forever. Not so (go ask the Swedish and the Russians). Anyway, let’s all help Finn Style celebrate. Happy Birthday! Here are some new and favorite things.
Heikki Orvola, the designer of his 24h dinnerware, is considered one of the driving forces in Finnish design. These dishes (I love the color combination) was awarded the Design Plus Award in 1997.

Aino Aalto originally called the glass collection that carries her name B??lgeblick. Iitalia has released a set of four tumblers to celebrate the 75th anniversary of her design.

I’ve always loved this block lamp, designed by Harri Koskinen. This truly unique design has been part of the Museum of Modern Art New York collection since 2000. Now the lamp comes in three cord color options: white, red and black.

Swank Lighting

Here’s a story I love. It’s even true. To paraphrase from Swank Lighting’s site:

The Edward P. Paul Company originally imported these high-end lamps from the finest Venetian glass houses. They were marketed under the BALBOA trade name and were sold exclusively at their New York City store.

Changing tastes and mass production techniques in the 1970s compelled the Edward P. Paul Company to focus fully on their gilded iron furniture business, leaving hundreds of lamps crated, untouched and all but forgotten in an east coast warehouse.

When [Swank owners] Ed and Doug came upon what can only be described as a 20th Century archeological find, they purchased the entire contents of the warehouse. They took seven months to uncrate these timeless works of art from Murano and Venetian craftsmen. They then completely restored the lamps using UL Certified hardware.

Why don’t these things happen to me? Check out their site. Some of the lamps are still over the top. But as you can see, most are fantastic. One complaint, the guys really need to set their prices online. Come on guys, commit! Also, the shades could be better quality. But the lamps are wonderful.

Eero Saarinen’s Design for General Motors

Detroit is going through some difficult times right now. But one thing we’ve always had going for us is a great sense of design and a fearlessness when it comes to the avant garde. Even if the corporate culture got the best of the auto companies for a while, there were always talented designers fighting to keep the dream alive.

For any of you who think of Detroit as backward, take a look at this office designed in 1956. How forward looking could a company be?

The office, with its streamline design, cherry wood , and aluminum accents, was designed by Eero Saarinen specifically for Harley Earl, then General Motors’ head of global design. The tradition has been passed down to every design chief. The current occupant is Ed Wellburn (top photo).

I think this is the coolest office ever. Except for Martha Stewart, who wouldn’t want to work here? I think they’ve probably replaced the original phone (too bad – see middle photo – so awesome), but the rest is original. It seems that Wellburn’s daily surroundings are beginning to rub off. Check out the new Camaro, set for release in 2009.

Chair of the Day

Here’s a bench I adore. It turns boat design on its head. This won first prize at last year’s Concorso Internazionale. This is just my personal opinion (because this is my blog), but I think this bench will become an iconic design. It’s so perfect. From what I read (in my awful Italian), it won the prize as a prototype, so I don’t know if it’s in production. Can anyone update me?

Bravo to Danish architect, Friso Dijkstra. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next.

UPDATE:  It actually is in a limited production with the Italian company, Morelato in Cerea.

Chair of the Day

Today’s chair looks like a lot of fun. It was designed by Ron Arad in 2001, and is manufactured by Magis. I’m sure you can find it in the US, but a friend of mine from Norway sent me this link. Thanks Maria! It’s a happy chair. And lots of fun for kids.