Monthly Archives: July 2011
Flea Market Find: Chrome Folding Chairs
| July 29, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under Design, Flea Market, found objects, furniture, vintage |
Earlier this week I wrote about flea market shopping in Ain’t No Ordinary Town, and mentioned a pair of chairs I picked up. Here they are – my fabulous finds from Big Bear.
I don’t know how old these are, but they are in awesome condition. The chrome has only a tiny bit of pitting underneath that can easily be scoured off with steel wool. They are shiny, unscratched and easily fold-able.
My best guess is that they are newer than the Eames era style they evoke, but that’s what timeless design is all about – to keep you guessing. I really like style of the cushion, though I will be replacing those before I send this pair to a new home. I picture them with a funky mid-century fabric or, playing on the stripes, a bolder more nautical stripe that would pop against that sassy chrome.
What do you think?
Edible Thursday: A Kitchen Must-Have
| July 28, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under Body, favorite things, food |
I get all excited about things that are designed well – cars, furniture and, of course, kitchen gadgets. So I fell in love when I saw this Collapsible Salad Spinner almost 2 years ago in a magazine.
Back then, it was still several months away from launching to the public and in my future online searches I had no luck finding this genius gadget. But then…I was scouring my local Sur La Table a few weeks ago, picking up and putting back every product they carry (it’s a habit), and low and behold my spinner was there on the shelf. I have been saving myself for this tool, and had even developed a useful but a slightly wasteful method of hand washing and drying my lettuce. So I picked it up without hesitation and made it all the way to the checkout without setting back down.
That’s when the fun started. I’m actually more happy with this thing than I imagined. Here’s why: Since it collapses, the parts need to separate so the inside pulls double duty as a colander and the outside seconds as a bowl. It’s actually large enough to fit a whole bunch of lettuce, unlike many cheaper versions I have seen. And, the kicker, I can fill up the ‘bowl’ with water and spin wash my lettuce too.
It’s small, cute, functional and has greatly increased my likelihood of eating a salad – all for $30. Obviously I had to share. Happy healthy Thursday
Mass Production + Mid-Century Modernism
| July 27, 2011 | Posted by Lauren Moss under design history, furniture, Guest Bloggers |
In the past few years, we’ve seen the proliferation of modular structures, from shipping container shelters to pre-fabricated homes, but the mass production of products began decades ago, and the prolific use of these designs today is a testament to a high-quality of design and construction, as well as a visionary spirit. I’m referring to the work of Charles and Ray Eames, pioneers of the concept of mass-produced furniture and icons of mid-century design.
Husband and wife design teams are fairly prevalent these days (in fact, I’m half of one at MYD studio), but this wasn’t necessarily the case early in the twentieth century. However, when partnerships were formed, they enabled women to participate in the modern design movement. This was the case for the Eameses, who are considered by some to be the most influential American furniture designers of the century.
Ray’s background was in painting and sculpture, while Charles was an architect and designer. Collaborating since their marriage in 1941 until Charles’ death in 1978, they produced designs still produced and widely used throughout the world today.
The first to experiment with molded plywood, their interest in the material began with a contract from the U.S. Navy to produce splints during World War II, which led to the generation of furniture prototypes, later mass-produced by the Herman Miller Furniture Company, who continues to manufacture their designs today. These plywood innovations won numerous awards from MoMA for lost-cost furniture and made good design accessible and available to a much greater demographic.
In the late 1940′s, the couple created another game-changing innovation: the molded fiberglass collection of furniture, also fabricated and distributed by Herman Miller, including the chaise (seen above), as well as chairs and rockers.
Things have certainly changed since then, and today, almost everything we use is mass-produced, which has spurred a recent movement back towards the handmade. However, next time you see an Eames rocker, chaise, or plywood chair, consider the spirit of innovation and experimentation that led to its creation. And make sure to have a seat; they are not only beautiful and iconic, but are some of the most comfortable pieces of mid-century design.
So, keep on rocking!
Ain’t No Ordinary Town
| July 26, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under antiques, Design, Flea Market, found objects, Inspiration, Outdoors, Places, plants and gardens, travel |
I’m clearing the haze away from my recent vacation and getting back into the swing of things. I mentioned last week that I was heading to the lake – Big Bear Lake in Southern California.
Big Bear is known for it’s ski resorts and lakefront homes, but I found something unexpected there: quality antique shopping. Most touristy towns offer quaint looking ‘antique’ shops that are more like garage sales than anything else. But I was impressed by several roadside venues that had some pretty nifty stuff.
I picked up a couple of chairs (that I will post in another segment) and got inspired to create some new container gardens using found objects like these old railroad carts.
Or this old bathtub. Wouldn’t it look great to have some spindly plants growing out of that tear in the side?
Though a tourist town, the locals seem to be more interested in keeping life simple than catering to visitors every whim. This was evident by the expressions on our Paddlewheel boat operator’s face when the “adorable” children aboard tried to use the upper deck as their personal bunk bed, as well as hubs getting yelled at when going to the wrong side of the chair lift a second time.
“Hey buddy, get it together,” he said. “That’s strike 2. One more and you’re walking down the mountain.” (I must also mention that David was all bandaged up from a knee injury and could hardly walk. This guy was hilarious.)
I also loved this sign:
All in all, a great place to get away when you’re in the mood for something rustic. Beautiful mountains, perfect size lake with plenty to do. One of the best meals I’ve had in a while was as Jasper’s Smokehouse - I rarely eat bbq since I prefer my pigs and cows living. But this place had white meat turkey and vegetarian bbq options and they were mighty good. Our meal came complete with a jolly (chatty) proprietor who gave us the lowdown on Big Bear. His claim to fame is the regular visits by George Clooney who has an estate in the area.
Stay tuned for my flea market finds later in the week. Happy Tuesday.
Interior Obsession: Summer Cabin
| July 22, 2011 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under bedroom, Design, Inspiration, interiors, kitchen, living room, Outdoors |
This weekend I’m headed off to Big Bear Lake for a relaxing weekend of woodsy fun.
Until then, I’m dreaming of stylish rustic lake homes like these:
Images courtesy of House Beautiful
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