This is the first cantilevered chair that folds up. It’s the handy work of product designer, Dror Benshetrit. Hang your Pick Chair on the wall for double duty as art.
Talented photographer, Angela Cameron, has new images available. These are from her Dormant Garden series. The photographs are available in a variety of standard sizes, starting at 16″ x 24″ on up to 40″ x 60″. Custom sizes are available. Contact Angela for pricing information.
Here’s a nice article, written by Annie Groer, from today’s Washington Post. If offers valuable advice on how to install a flat screen TV over a fireplace. I’ll just add here that I try to steer my clients in another direction. Since a fireplace is often a focal point, I think artwork looks better. But sometimes you just can’t fight city hall. So if you must, here’s how to do it. Take it away, Annie.
A screen displayed too high can be a pain in the neck in a small room or a close-in seating arrangement. To avoid having to look up rather than straight ahead — that “first row of a movie theater” feeling — you’ll want to sit 13 to 15 feet from the fireplace if the mantel is 64 inches off the floor, says Jean-Pierre Garcia, a home theater consultant.
When building or renovating a room for viewing, designer Debbie Wiener suggests using a low mantel and fireplace surround for closer-in seating.
Be sure the TV can be set back far enough on the mantel to be protected from rising heat or smoke — 12 inches if possible, says Garcia. Test heat levels — gas logs and wood-stove inserts burn especially hot — by taping a thermometer on the wall above a burning fire for at least 90 minutes, says home inspector John Vaughn. If the mercury hits 90 degrees, consider installing a glass fireplace screen or putting the television elsewhere. By all means, check the owner’s manual regarding your TV’s temperature tolerance. Design assistant Will Winebrenner neglected to take this step. “I ruined my own TV that way — a $3,000 mistake.”
Before mounting the set over a masonry fireplace in older homes, have a certified Fireplace Investigation, Research and Education (FIRE) inspector check the wall, firebox, smoke chamber and flue, Vaughn urges. Masonry damaged during hardware installation can create a hazard. Call in a certified electrician to install the outlet.
Wherever you display the TV, do not wedge it tightly into a niche or cabinet. The electronics generate heat and need room for air circulation, Garcia says.
Photos: Frances Janisch
I have one of Alvar Aalto’s iconic vases. Flowers nestle beautifully around its curves. Mine is white. FinnStyle has a red version for sale. It comes in two sizes that sell for $125 and $295.
Here’s a little Thursday morning inspiration for all you design enthusiasts. It’s the lobby of a sports center located in South Korea. I like the clean, crisp look. In particular I like the way the circular pattern is repeated throughout the lobby, including the lighting. Also note the use of the complementary color palette. (That means opposite colors.) The juxtaposition of bright red with a lighter tint of green makes it work. The result is a dynamic, cheery look that makes me feel like working out. Almost.
via: Frame
I would love to know everyone’s opinion of this chair. But first, the details. It’s called Rapport and was designed by Moni Beuchel for Karl Andersson & Soner.
Now, my opinion. I love the way this chair looks, but my knees hurt if I stare at it too long. Most people sit with their legs bent a little at the knee. Rapport requires one to sit up straight - kind of like a robot.
No can do.
I was going to compare this chair to high heels - sometimes fashion is more important than pinched toes. But there are too many beautiful chair choices to make a change of posture worth the effort. How long could you sit on this number?
I love this table from Cole Scego’s studio. He works with steel and aluminum and is an expert in powder coating. You can read his blog here.
Here’s a nice gift for the man in your life. He can keep his watch, cufflinks and even keys in this leather valet from T. Anthony. It sells for a reasonable (in my humble opinion) $195.
While you’re at it (since you’re madly in love and all) why not include some elegant silver cufflinks from Thomas Pink? These taxicabs sell for $150. I love their menswear.
Maine Cottage is having a sale that runs through the month of February. You save 10% on all their furniture and even more on their bedding. Here’s a look at some of their quilt and sham sets, which I particularly like. They’re perfect for a cottage look.
Fringe Benefits quilt: king size now $316
Orange Spool quilt: king size $360
I have a brief report on trends from this year’s Detroit Auto Show. I hope you will indulge me going off-topic a bit this morning. Cars rule here and The Detroit Auto Show is usually a lot of fun. this year, however, everything looked pretty much the same. There were 3 stand-outs. I liked the Ford Flex, Mini-Cooper’s new Clubman, and these cute Chinese electric numbers called Tang Hua Xiao Ya.
Other than that, I saw lots of burnt orange and blue/violet exteriors. The latter ranged from a pretty pastel to a more saturated hue. There. I promised to keep it brief. Do you like burnt orange? In my opinion, the auto world should go bright orange or skip it.
I visited last week’s annual Detroit Auto Show over the weekend. The College for Creative Studies boasts a well-deserved reputation for having one of the world’s best industrial design programs. Their exhibit at the show is always fun to see and this year didn’t disappoint.
It’s hard to believe that this is the work of 20-year olds. It looks so professional. And I have to say that their car designs were more appealing and fun than anything else I saw.
Don’t you wish taxis really looked like this? Click on the photos for a larger view.
Does this look comfy to you, or like something that would be a bitch to vacuum? It’s from Aqua Creations and is called Anana, which is close to being pineapple in French. It comes in microfiber (ugh), velvet and lots of colors. Hmmm…. I’m speechless.
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