House Beautiful: my own home - II

My last move with in the previous city was into this one bedroom house. I made some amazing friends for life while living in this complex. And also spent the initial days of my pregnancy here before we moved back to India. This home was where most of my furniture came in. I religiously scouted thrift stores and craigslist to find vintage mid century pieces of my choice, So here we go.

Welcome home...

The front door and entryway. 
We had a shoes and jackets closet on the left and a Jack and jill bathroom on the right.

Living and dining room all in one :)

we bought a mid century piece initially and then brought home a Drexel's Declaration dining set designed by Kipp Stewart and Stuart Macdougall. Thats the dining area with the accent wall and a peek into our tiny kitchen.

A peek into the kitchen...The cabinets were very neat and very clean line..the way I like :)

a few more pictures of my kitchen on my food blog's kitchen tour post >> Kitchen Tour 

And back to the living area- a glance at how our furniture collection evolved. I picked up some lovely lamps and accessories from the 50-60s and tried to remain true to the vintage vibe with an addition of our Crosley radio :). Though we let go a lot over time, my husband and I have fond memories of all the lovely pieces we had. 

view of our dining area from the living area.

Mantle decked up with my set of Maparachi dolls and a frame of the embroidered elephant and a few other curios :)

The mantle decked up for Diwali, our festival of lights

clicked from while on the rocking chair. Oh yes I have a thing for rocking chairs :). Read more about the rockers I owned over time > Here and Here 

A few tablescapes :) with our priced possessions

My love for plants and greens indoors :)

The bedroom

 I miss this apartment and the group of friends we had memorable times with :).

Jens Risom : An Icon Speaks...:)

How much I admire his designs :). I feel like a starry eyed fan right now.

Vintage love ~ 50's Umbrella Stand

A hammered, solid  brass Umbrella stand.

Period: 1950s

Country of origin: Italy

handmade!

Love the literal design :)

pic and info: nyshowplace.com

Friday Finds ~ Yarn Chair

I was tagged in a conversation to identify this chair..I had no information, but this picture to begin my research...Just like most of the things I write about....An interesting three hours later, this is what I found :)

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Gaetano Pesce Up Collection

Since its first appearance, the Up series, designed in 1969, has been one of the most outstanding expressions of design. The exceptional visual impact of seven models of seats, in various sizes, has made them unique in time. Up5 is the collection’s most famous, a female figure tied to a ball-shaped ottoman symbolizing the shackles that keep women subjugated’. 

A large sculpture that celebrates both the modern and the traditional, the UP7 “foot” is almost an archaeological relic of the modern era, expressing a fusion of art and design. Elastic fabric cover is available in black, red, yellow, blue and dark green, besides the beige and orange striped solution.

Structure: 
Bayfit® (Bayer®) flexible cold shaped polyurethane foam

Cover: 
jersey fabric

Bottom base: 
fabric 100% jute

Information and picture source: bonluxat.com

Beautiful isn't it..a cool stretch of imagination ...it looks like the ottoman/ball of yarn is going to roll away any moment!! A classic 60's design. I feel good when I find sufficient information about an object / piece or furniture item when all I had was a small picture or a minute long glimpse at the antique mall to start with. It does make every blogging minute worthwhile! :)

Vintage Love ~ Sornay's Floor/table Lamp

Here is another one for the wish list!! Andre Sornay's floor/table lamp. Simple, clean line yet so classy

Dreamy :)

Found this impressively designed Megaphone and couldnt resist sharing :).

Designers::Henry Bosa, a product and interior designer
                      Isabella Lovero, product and jewelry designer

About this yummy plug and play device...called...Megaphone :)
"Passive Amplifier for iphone made of ceramic. the form is designed to amplify and optimize the best sound output. the amplifier is based on a thin wooden frame that allows the object to float off the table. this in order to increase the vibration of the object and to optimize the emission of sound. designed for the iPhone is perfect for listening music without headphones, for audio conference to hear the person on the phone as live voice.
Compatible with iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch with case." 

Here is how it sounds...



Want to know more about the designers and their projects....hop over to - enandis designs

Image and content via enandis.com

Vintage Love ~ Marcy's Saginaw Wall Unit

Marcy of rhanvintage recently shared her new(old) Saginaw wall unit. I couldnt help documenting it under my Vintage love series. I am on a serious wall unit and credenza hunt this very moment and hope to find something this nice very soon :)

It looked like this when she bought it... 

Her and her husband's hard work and patience made it look like this

I am drooling over the beautiful curves and the stacking design . (Another serious one for the wish list) :-). It is such a wonderful addition to her beautiful furniture collection. Want to see more of her wonderful home. Do check out the tour I shared earlier.>> Here.


Images: Marcy @ Rhanvintage :)

Friday Finds: Brazilian Designer: Semana Carlos and his Reclaimed Wood Furniture

This week's Friday Find is a Furniture Designer who believes in being Environmentally responsible...(me likes!!!).  After I had posted about Thomas Wold and his super creative work>> HERE, Divya of Sound Horn Please shared her find with me. (Thanks Divya)...:-). I immediately created a draft post and somehow forgot to publish it the next time. Sorry about that...

So here I go...

“Good design has a social and environmental responsibility,” says Motta, who makes many of his chairs, benches, tables and desks from wood salvaged from demolition sites. “A piece of furniture has to last for a long, long time, because we don’t change how we sit, sleep, eat, write, and so on, so the overall attitude should stay the same.” Motta, who says he likes to design for people who have the same basic needs as he does, calls the use of reclaimed wood in furniture “a simple matter of sustainability.” To follow is a selection of furniture that will be shown at the exhibition. 

Read more: source

A few of his creations

Motta’s Butantã bench, which he says is “made of reclaimed wood from an old bridge demolition."

Motta calls this Aroeira-wood table Jaraguá—“another beautiful Brazilian Indian name,” he says. “This wood was once part of a post used by the English company Light, when they came to Brazil in 1910 to install power lines from São Paulo to inland towns.” 

The Mantiqueiras sofa, designed in 2001 of peroba rosa. “This is a very low sofa, so you sit very close to the floor,” says Motta. “I made the first one for my house in the mountains, to go right in front the fireplace.

Designed in 2009, the Butantã bench is held together by small, patinaed iron I beams.

Horizonte desk in waxed peroba rosa and cabriúva wood, iron and leather, from 2009

Named after a surf spot on the São Paulo coast, Taguaíba was designed in 2008 of peroba wood. Motta says that he strives to “stay far away from the ephemeral and what is en vogue,” in his designs, which he hopes “fulfill their utilitarian function and are comfortable and durable, with a good aesthetic

I really loved his wholisitc approach to using reclaimed wood and mixing it with other reclaimed material...Isn't he an artist :-)

Read more about his work >>Here and >>Here

Images and quotes : dwell 

Vintage Love ~ Teak Lounge Chairs

I have had this chair in my inspirations folder forever now..:)...Have been trying to find more about them ever since I saw them. Any input would be highly appreciated!!

beautiful detail

source: ebay

Vintage Love ~ Scoop Chair with arms!

My hand and shoulder injury have been keeping me away from blogging. I have been on the system only when it is really necessary, so blogging has taken a back seat. (snifff!!). My cousin spotted this chair on SF craigslist and sent me the link (sweet!!), and I had to share it here :)

Item: Scoop Chair

Manufacturers: Carter Brothers, Salisbury, NY

Period: Circa 1950

Status: Awesome, Drooling!

Made from a single piece/plank of plywood, bent to form the body of the chair. 

Measures: 23" wide x 19" deep seat, 21" high back, 13" to 10.5" seat height, 30" top of back to floor. Legs are removable. Weighs about 16 pounds.

source

The seller says " This chair can also be found with a single cushion, but the two cushion one is very rare and was discontinued in 1958."

Nominally priced for a vintage MCM piece, in beautiful condition. I admire people who maintain their homes and their furniture/furnishings well!! 

Vintage Love ~ Pascoe Plywood and Iron Side Chairs

I have spoken about my love for using wood and metal in furniture design. But then use of metal has to be in simple and clean lines for me. When I saw these on another blog I follow, I had to share it :-) 

 (circamidcentury blogspot com)

This chair were designed in late 1951by Clifford Pascoe for Modernmasters Inc, and was included in the 1952 Museum of Modern Art Good Design show. This chair has a bent/sculptural molded plywood backrest, black metal frame, and a vinyl upholstered seat. Pascoe chairs are considered a cheaper reproductions of Paul Mccobb's chair, the #1535 side chair of the Planner Group. 

Another reproduction of Paul McCobb was out in 1960: A design by Reilly-Wolfe 

source

vs

Pascoe (year: 1952/53)

A huge thank you to Jonathan of http://paulmccobb.blogspot.com), Here is what he has to say on identifying the original Paul McCobb vs equally good looking Pascoe's chairs :)\

How do you tell them apart? Here's a list of the major differences:

1. Paul McCobb chair has a metal stretcher across the bottom between the front and rear legs, the Pascoe chair does not have this.
2. Clifford Pascoe chair incorporates an upholstered foam rubber seat, the Paul McCobb chair a carved wooden seat.
3. Where the Pascoe chair uses bolts through the back of the backrest to attach it to the iron uprights, the McCobb backrest is connected invisibly at the bottom of the backrest.
4. The McCobb backrest is more sculptural and less angular than the Pascoe backrest     

  (source:  paulmccobb blogspot)

Found a pair of Pascoe plywood and iron chairs on D.C. craigslist :) (sigh) 

These chairs would look so good in a sunroom, breakfast nook or a balcony..I am sure whoever buys it will be pretty happy :). These pieces work well in small spaces, as they are stack-able and contrary to their looks are pretty comfortable. What I love about clean line furniture, is the airy and well ventilated affect they bring to any decor :)..But then, as I always say, they have to be done right!!

Amazing Antiques ~ Chrome and Glass furniture

Yes, you heard me right, Chrome and glass antique furniture. I always thought that Chrome and Steel with glass were a thing of the 80's. Thats until I came across some iconic designs by the talented Irish furniture designer and architect, Eileen Gray. 

source

Furniture: Side table

Period - 1920's

Designer  - Eileen Gray (1878-1976)

This particular table was coded - E1027 and was designed circa 1924. E-1027 was both compact and open. I think it was very futuristic, coming from someone born in the Art Nouveau period. Eileen is said to have been persuaded to explore her interest in architecture by a fellow Romanian Architect, Jean Badovici. The codename is derived from: E for Eileen, 10 for Jean (J is the tenth letter of the alphabet), 2 for Badovici and 7 for Gray.

Another iconic chair from Eileen Gray's kitty: Bibendum chair

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Bibendum chair is considered one of the finest and most recognizable furniture pieces of the 20th century. This chair was called the "triumph of modern living" in the 1930's. Bibendum chair fused the tubular steel design of the Bauhaus Modernists with the comfort of padded upholstery. I feel that her need to move away from her previous traditional designs resulted in this chair and many more later on.


As such Eileen was also known for her love for lacquer, and her very works are an ode to Art Deco period. must have been inspired by the tubular chrome platted furniture designed by other modernists and remarkable designers of her times - Mart Stam and Marcel Breuer. (remember my post on bentwood furniture!!)

Who would have imagined that one could envision such exquisite design in times when Art Nuveauo was in vogue..hmm... this reminds me of The Fountain Head..

Now, compare the Bibendum with the Chairs which were popular in the 20's (worldwide I guess :)...and now imagine the break-from-the regular design trend by Eileen, Mart, Marcel etc... :)..

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 or this

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More on Bibendum

She designed the chair as part of re-design assignment for Madame Mathieu Lévy's apartment on rue de Lota in Paris. Levy was a successful boutique owner who sold stylish hats and hoped to have a home with new and original, with innovative designs. The project took four painstaking years, from 1917 to 1921, and Eileen Gray created the Bibendum chair along with the interior walls, furnishings, rugs and lamps. 

Ever since I found out about Eileen and her designs, I was hoping to do this post...but wanted my write up be an honest attempt at showcasing the creativity of an icon who passed away before I was born :). What surprises me most is that these designs are so inspiring and in use even today. While on this blogging journey, I hope I am able to convey my awe for design and creativity and document what I learn.  And before I leave, here is a peek into Eileen Gray's apartment

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Want to know more about her work...hop over to > Eileen-gray Designs. and hey...not before you leave your comment here :P