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Chair of the Day: Adler’s Claude Modular
What’s up with this strange chair from Jonathan Adler?
I think a lot of his designs are spot on. But his new Claude Modular bench is just wrong, in my humble opinion. The idea is that you start with the base and add things to create your own special whatever. I’m okay with the drawers, which you can add on to create a double dresser. The bench version is out of proportion and looks like it’s going to tip over. It also looks like something from IKEA, and at $1,045, I say skip it.
How about you – pass or fail?
Jonathan Adler Diffusers
I’d really like to know your opinion on diffusers. Do you like them? I’m on the fence. I used to think they were totally ick. I guess because I don’t want to foist my idea of a nice scent onto everyone in my home. But I’m beginning to think they’re not so bad.
I use scented candles because I can turn them off. As long as they’re in a small space like a powder room, the scent is enclosed. And diffusers are looking rather smart these days. I like this style from Jonathan Adler. ($68.00).
Let’s have a show of hands. Diffusers: bliss or blech.
Colorful Enamel Accessories from Jonathan Adler
No one does the Preppy Palm Springs look better than Jonathan Adler. If that’s your thing (and it’s an easy thing to love) then embrace it.
These enamel accessories are (try this with your jaws clenched and a pseudo British accent) sooo the bomb, dahling. Where are the cocktails? To shop these can’t lose accessories, go to Jonathan’s shop righ here.
Get that look! Preppy Stripes, part two
Welcome to part two of my exciting Get That Look! post. To read Part one, click here. Today, I’m finishing things up with the lighting, accessories and art in order to recreate this room.
Lighting, & Accessories
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To complete the look in a way that makes this room your own, I suggest checking estate and yard sales, which are just getting underway at this time of year. But we’re clicking today. Tomorrow we’ll be sewing the fabric I found for the sofa pillow. :-)
- Alessi-like Stockholm Bowl ($39.99) from IKEA
- Basisk Floor Lamp ($29.99) also from IKEA. Their lighting is weak, but I got lucky.
- Chocolate Pearl Ribbon Pillow ($130) from Hable Construction. If you can sew, you’ll save. Worth learning!
- Synops Sculpture ($19.99) IKEA – again! Actually, you get 2 sculptures for one low price. Yay!
- Waverly Garden fabric ($15.30) from Online Fabric Store
Art & Accessories
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Ick, I don’t like the art in the original. I chose my own. The one designer element is the Jonathan Adler pillow. It’s a splurge, but we deserve it.
- Hibiscus Print, ($116.58) matted and framed from The Fulcrum Gallery
- Jonathan Adler Palm Beach Pillow ($110) from his site.
- Tall Sphere Vase ($29.99) at West Elm
- Rubix Table Lamp ($299) from Mitchell+Gold
That’s it. Done. Phew! Now all you have to do is get out your paint brush, your sewing machine, and your wallet! I’ve done all the work.
Two questions. Should I do another room? and… What element do you think is the biggest waste of money?
Adler’s “cruelty free” zebra rugs
Jonathan Adler receently introduced these “zebra” rugs. They retail for $875. Not exactly a recessionista price. But they come with a designer name.
I like many of Adler’s things, but I’m having a hard time picturing these looking good in a room. The first thing that comes to mind are these rugs, after a few years, keeping company with other cast-offs in a frat house.
Where do you see these? In a funky bedroom? As a wallhanging? What’s your vision?
Chair of the Day: Jonathan Adler’s Baxter Sofa
I like Jonathan Adler’s Baxter Sofa for a lot of reasons. First, it’s got some modern style.
Second, the color is neutral. It will fit into a contemporary or traditional setting and be styled to match the surrounding elements with toss pillows or a throw. Third, the price is realistic. It retails for $2,950. That’s not bad for a sofa with a designer name associated with it.
The only downside is that it doesn’t look like it’s a high quality product. I don’t know who manufactures for Adler, but some of his other sofas look a little lumpy. It’s one of those things you have to see in person.
But it begs the eternal question, should you save up for a more expensive version that you’ll own forever? Or do you save the money and risk tossing this out after several years?
Ten Great Table Lamps
Before I became a mad blogger I thought great lamps were really difficult to find. Well, I was wrong. Here are 10 fantabulous table lamps – all found in cyberspace.
Athena lamp by Metalarte (I really love this lamp)
Shine Home’s Lapis Lamp available at Cottage & Bungalow for $440.
Lacemaker Lamp from Anthropologie for $198.
Whittier lamp at Jonathan Adler for $375.
Mercury Lamp on sale at Y Lighting $149
Natural wood and enameled metal lamp from Bleu Naturevia Apartment Therapy
Sometimes I’m in the mood for a lot of razzle-dazzle. But mostly I like clean, sinuous lines on a lamp. How about you?
Top Ten Contemporary Chandeliers
When we think of the word Chandelier, we think of lots of crystals and a beautiful ballroom. But your ballroom (or even dining room) would also look great with a contemporary fixture. So, to kick off Lighting Week, I’m starting with ten of the best contemporary chandeliers.
This beauty reminds me of the Eiffel Tower. It’s called Lightweight by Tom Dixon.
From Hive Modern for $4,999.
From Flos, The Zeppelin is available at Hive Modern for $2,760
Kind of like Add-A-Bead, make you own chandelier by David Weeks Available through Ralph Pucci
The Magdelena from Terzani
One of the first contemporary light fixtures, PH Artichoke From Y Lighting. $6,500
L’Eclat Joyeux by Ingo Maurer
The Meurice: from Jonothan Adler.It comes in polished nickel or antique brass – $625.
Handmade Glass Chandelier from Grey Design Studio. $4,500Mezzanine Interview with Joe Posch
Here’s some great news for Detroit as well as for those of us who appreciate modern design. Joe Posch is putting the finishing touches on Mezzanine, which he has relocated from Ann Arbor. The new store is on the second floor of The Merchant’s Building on the corner of Broadway and Grand River. Joe was kind enough to take a few minutes from the hectic pace that always accompanies an impending grand opening, to talk to me about his store and his opinions on design in general. Here’s the interview.
DH: Why did you decide to move Mezzanine to Detroit?
JP: More and more of my clients were coming from Detroit where there’s more interest in modern design. I also wanted to be in an urban environment and most Detroiters are familiar with the building.
DH: What lines do you carry? Will you have accessories for sale?
JP: We carry the best in modern furniture. Knoll, Moooi, Artifort, to name a few. We also sell lighting and accessories like Jonathan Adler. We were was one of the first stores anywhere to carry Adler.
DH: I love accessories. What else besides Adler?
JP: We have Allesi, Rosenthal and some other smaller producers. I think it’s important to have a good mix of the big names and smaller outfits who offer great design, but are up and comers.
DH: That’s a full plate.
JP: Yes. Our plan is to open with the furniture, lighting and accessories and in a couple of months add a separate area for books, magazine and lifestyle products focused on design. We’ll have a tabletop and barware section as well as a bridal registry. We also sell things online. We’re available to all your readers.
DH: What are your thoughts on the currently saturated (in my opinion) mid-century modern trend? What will be next?
JP: I think there will always be purists who like the minimal aesthetic. The key is that certain pieces are timeless; they’ll never go out of style. But I think we’re beginning to see movement into a more eclectic look; an iconic Knoll sofa, with pieces from other eras to shake things up a little. This is reflected in what we sell. We’ve got a mix of both the iconic and modern pieces from today’s top designers.
DH: IKEA recently moved into the area. Do you think their presence will increase Mid-Westerners’ appreciation for modern design?
JP: I think not just mid-westerners, but Americans in General understand the Scandinavian aesthetic that IKEA offers. Natural materials and lots of craft in their work. You see the same thing in Shaker designs. We have a lot of Scandinavian designers at Mezzanine. It’s more accessible to Americans.
DH: Any other thoughts you’d like to share?
JP: I really would like people in the area to spend more time shopping at the independent retailers instead of running to the mall. It’s the only way to find a look that will be different.
DH: Thanks Joe and good luck with the new store. Here are some important facts: Mezzanine will open around the first of April. It’s located on the 2nd floor of the Merchants Building located at 206 E Grand River. The store hours are Wednesday through Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday 12:00pm – 5:00pm. The phone is 313-887-0900.