Congrats to Mad Men

I’m currently addicted to AMC’s Mad Men. Everything about it is fun. The plot, the fashion, and (of course) the set design. I read that all the furniture and accessories are true vintage. But I’m not sure if I believe it. At any rate, it’s fun to see that not everyone lived in a Herman Miller Mid-Century world.

Congratulations to the design team of Bob Shaw, Amy Wells and Christopher Brown, who won an Emmy for their most excellent work.

Have you seen the show? It’s on AMC, Sunday night at 9:00. I’d love to know what you think of the sets, and if you have a favorite accessory. I think mine is the series of giraffe prints hanging in Phil’s apartment. I also like the fact that no one bothered to hide the ugly, metal curtain rods in those days. Did they think no one would notice?

White House Redux

The Storefront for Art and Architecture, in association with Control Group has announced the winners of this year’s White House Redux design competition. The mission statement was: What if the White House, the ultimate architectural symbol of political power, were to be designed today?

Participants were challenged to design a new residence for the world’s most powerful individual. The best ideas, designs, descriptions, images, and videos were selected. The top three winners, chosen by “some of the world’s most distinguished designers and critics” will have their designs featured in a month-long exhibition at Storefront for Art and Architecture in October 2008. All three winners will be flown to New York to collect their prizes at the opening party.

Revenge of the Lawn

This year’s winning entry was called Revenge of the Lawn, and was designed by J.P. Maruszczak, Ryan Manning (assistant), and Roger Connah. I can’t quite understand what they had in mind, except that it looks like something to do with killer bees. But it’s a lot of fun to look at and really creative.

Another winning entry by Jorge Rocha Antunes

If you’re a design student, or just love design, take a look at their site, which details all the entrants’ work. They’re a lot of fun.

Dining Design Inspiration

We’ve seen benches used in place of dining chairs for a while. I suppose we could say sofas aren’t really a totally new idea either. But, I like the way the sofa was used at Bourbon Steak, in Miami, Florida. It got me thinking that this would work really well in a residential setting as well – especially one in which space is limited.

The space was designed by Tony Chi Architects. I like the way they used Moroso’s Newtone sofa as an alternative to a banquette. The curved lines create the suggestion of the old classic style of restaurant seating. The sofa sort of hugs the customer – making the space more private than it would otherwise feel if the seating were more open.

There’s no reason why this look couldn’t be recreated in a residential space where the sofa backs up to a wall. Or, the sofa could act as a room divider.

How would you use this idea?

Inspiration from My Marrakesh

It’s been raining too much here in Grosse Pointe. I needed a bit of sun today, so I tool a virtual trip over to Marrakesh via My Marrakesh – one of the most visually inspiring blogs around. She takes awesome photos and writes beautifully about her life in Morroco.¬†

I invite you to skip the expensive plane fare and join me today in a cybertrip to My Marrakesh – where the sun in always shining.

Parisian Inspiration

I bought a wonderful book last weekend at Anthropologie. On assignment for Esquire magazine in 1962, fashion photographer and filmmaker Jerry Schatzberg documented the ultra-exclusive world of French haute couture. Paris 1962 is a beautiful photo journal of the Dior show, and Yves Saint Laurent’s first collection.

The photography is amazing. Here’s a decorating suggestion. Buy two copies. Put the first on your bookshelf. Use the other for framed art – a relatively inexpensive way to add a touch of chic to your home.

You can find Paris, 1962 via my Amazon Shop, and possibly at your local Anthropologie shop. It’s not on their site.