Furniture Trend I Like: Painted Table Legs

Pops of color in unexpected places can add just the right touch to a room. Lately I've been seeing painted legs on furniture all over the place (perhaps most notably the neon pink table legs recently featured in a house tour on Apartment Therapy) and I love the idea. These cute tables from Slow Wood, designed by Christien Starkenburg, feature brightly colored bases and are handcrafted by local craftsmen in Fryslân, Netherlands. I'd love a little side table to brighten up a corner.

No. 14

No. 1

No. 9a

No. 2

Images: slowwood.nl

Chevron Dreams: Ariele Alasko's Coffee Tables

With an(other) impending move on my mind, all thoughts have turned to furniture. I imagine that an x-ray of the ideas in my head at any given moment would resemble a Tetris-like pileup of chaise lounges, credenzas, a random assortment of ceramics, and the like. The prospect of fiiiinally having a place of my own to decorate with furniture I actually planned to keep has me giddy with excitement.

Though I'd been saving up for a Nakashima splay-leg table, Ariele Alasko's beautiful work caught my eye via The Makers Project and I was instantly smitten with her chevron-striped wooden wonders. A California girl now living and working in Brooklyn, she creates beautiful furniture and home accessories from reclaimed lath. I reached out to her and was elated to find that although there was a waiting list, she was willing to work with me on a custom design for a coffee table. We'll be getting started in a few weeks, and I can't wait.

brooklyn to west 

A former tabletop

brooklyn to west

Ariele at work on a headboard. She made the wall covering in the background out of dried eucalyptus leaves.

the makers project

Love the incorporation of painted pieces in the tiled pattern.

the makers project

A gorgeous window bench

brooklyn to west

Cheeseboard

brooklyn to west

Office Space: DWR's Celine Desk = Perfection

I've found my deskmate.  It's been ages since I had a desk, and I can no longer ignore the fact that I sorely need one. The Nazanin Kamali-designed Celine desk and I were meant to be together because:

a) She is named Celine (!) -- how could I not?
b) The simple, streamlined design won't take up too much precious space.
c) The tapered splay legs and white drawer add just the right dash of character.

I road-tested her over the weekend and we got along famously -- perfectly proportioned for moi. I'll let you know how she wears once the big move rolls around and I can give her a proper home. In the meantime, I shall hunt for the perfect chair.

Celine Desk by Nazanin Kamali, exclusive to Design Within Reach:

Images via DWR

Fall Obsession: Seeing Yellow

I am back from the most lovely vacation ever to San Francisco + Big Sur. It was so wonderful to visit my former home after so long, see my brother, and reconnect with old friends in SF, and I'm pretty sure I I left my heart in Big Sur. Pictures to come!

I returned from my NoCal excursion to be greeted by fall in NYC. This weekend abruptly marks the end of the in-betweeny weather and the arrival of true jacket-wearing, leaf-crunching, crisp-smelling fall. Central Park is going to be gorgeous in a couple of weeks, and though I'm being good and saving up for some big ticket purchases, it's all I can do to resist the fall merch arriving in stores. I'm also coming out of my orange phase and really embracing yellow in all forms. From marigold minis to goldenrod sofas and lemon-hued desk lamps, here are some recent discoveries in the key of yellow:

Vintage clip light by earthseawarrior on Etsy. The bright blue cord sets it off perfectly. UPDATE: Sold out :(

earthseawarrior

Love the 60's-futuristic design of the FAVN sofa by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen and it's gorgeously articulated in these hues. If the Jetsons went upscale, this would be their fancy sofa.

The Contemporist

Acne's Rama Lux wool-crepe mini skirt is selling like hotcakes on Net-a-Porter.

On a yellow-related note, while researching a fall foliage destination story for a client, I learned something new: the colors of fall in North America and East Asia are quite different from fall colors in Europe. Europe's leaves only turn yellow, unlike ours, which erupt in a panoply of warm hues, from yellow to burnt orange to fiery crimson. Apparently it has something to do with chlorophyll.


Europe, you're still pretty.

Live Science

Fantasy Friday: More Chair Porn

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

How could I possibly find more chairs to covet and crave? Lately I've been hankering after Jonathan Adler's Camille dining chair. Have you ever looked at something so perfectly beautiful it sent chills down your spine? Well, its lovely lines, rich walnut base, and nailhead details do it for me. I want to be sitting in it at my desk right now, happily typing away on my imaginary Olivetti Valentine. The fact that its name is a nod to Brigitte Bardot's smolderingly sexy character in Contempt doesn't hurt either. While I can't afford to outfit a whole dining table with them, I hope to at least have one as a desk chair in my next apartment. 

I also snapped this one while dining at Gorki Park in Berlin. I don't know its make or provenance, so if anyone has a clue, please help a girl obsessed. 

Photos:
1-2) www.jonathanadler.com
3) © The Shoptometrist

Fantasy Friday: Umbra's Rolly Table

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

An inevitable result of spending more time indoors in the winter is that my attention turns to my home decor. I long for the day I'll have a place to furnish as my own, and have a running wish list of items I'd get if I could play art director for my home environs. If and when the day should come, I've got the perfect little side table in mind. The beautiful, three-legged Rolly table has a clever little sliding door that allows you to show or hide as you please. Designed by Matt Carr for Umbra. $315 @ Mxyplyzyk.

Photos: www.mxyplyzyk.com

Fantasy Friday: Chair Porn

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.
  
I've been in love with Jonathan Adler's adorable blue Mrs. Godfrey chair since spotting it online, and I recently stopped by the Greenwich Ave. shop to check it out in person. Alas, the shop had closed at 7, but there it was perched in the window, looking so, so fine.  I stood and stared for a good five minutes, salivating over it on the sidewalk. It achieves the magical balance of style and comfort, and has such personality. Sigh. I must start saving.

The Mrs. Godfrey is actually the companion chair to the Mr. Godfrey. Though he's stylish in his own right, she's a bit softer and more chic than her man. You can choose your own fabric, but I rather like it as is. Prices vary depending on the fabric grade and start at $1,495.  It's shown here in Cashin Ocean in a Grade 5, which would set you back $1,695. It comes with an espresso base, but if you want walnut legs, you'll have to cough up another $300.

My dream team of chairs:

The Cherner armchair. Our CCO at work has a couple of these in his office and I am stabbed with longing every time I catch sight of them. I love the rich walnut hue, beautiful, streamlined shape and embracing arc of the arms. $1,149 @ Design Within Reach.

I've always wanted a set of Tolix A chairs scattered about my kitchen to use as all purpose furniture (perhaps as a handy step stool, balcony chair, or improvised shelf). 
Here's a pretty red one, $275 @ The Conran Shop.

A fun, bright green screams Spring. $275 @ Antiquaire (where you can custom order any color your heart desires).

Or go for a raw, rustic look with the unfinished Brut Verni Mat.

For more eye candy, check out the Tolix gallery at Antiquaire! Beautiful vintage finds, including this 18-piece set:

And for dining? Thonet's Bentwoods are my dream bistro chairs. Classic and chic, they'd add a sophisticated touch to any meal. Designed by German cabinet maker Michael Thonet in the 1800's, they're made in Poland and the Czech Republic at original Thonet factories. The No. 14 chair runs $361 a pop (including shipping) at Bauhaus 2 Your House.

And here's the cafe-ready 14 with a cane seat:, $395 @ Bauhaus 2 Your House.

Fantasy Friday: Sitting Pretty on Flocks Poufs

In which we shop with imaginary money and indulge our fanciest fancies.

I first started seeing these chunky knit ottomans/poufs by Christien Meindertsma (aka Flocks) on the design blog circuit last year and instantly fell for their cute shapes and cozy, tactile appeal. I've held off on posting them due to their exorbitant price tag, but it's Fantasy Friday, New York is buried under snow, and I'm craving some warmth in my life. I want nothing more than dry socks on my feet, an enormous bowl of hot chocolate to cup with both hands, and a comfy pouf on which to sit and collect myself after a miserable day of trekking 'round in the slush.

Flocks Urchin Pouf, $800 for the medium size @ DWR.

Actually, there is one more thing that would make this little scene complete: Christien coming to my apartment with her giant needles and rope-like yarn to knit yard after yard of soft, chunky material with which to blanket my home, like so:

Looks like spaghetti!

Flocks also makes the Texel Ottoman, which looks like a giant ball of yarn. Me likey.

If you're snowed in and feeling arts-and-craftsy, you can try your hand at knitting your own pouf.

Photos:
1) thedesignfiles.net
2) dwr.com
3-5) www.christienmeindertsma.com

Design Obsession: Smithshop + Stor

Before I plug his blog and business, I should disclose that Quentin Smith is a friend of mine. I know him to be a man of exceedingly fine taste, so when I found out he'd launched a line of bespoke furniture and design objects, I expected it to be reflective of his keen eye and curatorial skill. However, with Smithshop, he somehow managed to exceed even such lofty expectations -- the shop is full of the kinds of treasures I crave with every bone in my body.

The L.A.-based Smithshop's collection of handcrafted furniture and interior finds will be available for purchase at an upcoming pop-up installation at Khastoo Gallery from March 1-22, along with a tightly edited selection of high-end objets trouvés from his other venture, Stor. If you can't get to L.A., don't fret -- he's got a webshop for your viewing pleasure.

Some covetables from his blog:


Benoit Missolin's Miss Fortuna beaded bunny ears, $354.

Smithshop Non-Folding Chair, $1,695, made to order.

These 1960's Carlo Moretti cordial glasses would have been right at home in Julianne Moore's house in A Single Man. Set of six, $125.

1980's Judith Leiber Clutch, $199.

Smithshop's Tray Table was inspired by a t.v. tray. $1,475, made to order.

This massive 1940's Oak Swivel Armchair, would be the perfect seat for plotting and scheming. I would totally ask people to come into my office just so I could swivel around to face them in this. $2,475.

Please keep it coming, Q!

Photos: www.quentinsmithblog.com

Acne's Foray Into Furniture

I was saving this for a Sunday Linkage post, but I can't restrain myself any longer.  Acne, the Swedish denim (and now clothing, footwear, and jewelry) label worshipped by all who encounter its divine, hand-treated creations,  recently unveiled a furniture collection that promises to be just as swoonworthy as its beloved blues. According to Corduroy, the limited edition pieces bear all the hallmark features of minimalistic Swedish design, but a play on proportions and interesting upholstery choices (including, of course, their denim) create visual and tactile interest. The collection includes an new take on Carl Malmsten's iconic New Berlin sofa. If a foray into furnishings seems like an odd move, consider that the brand's head designer, Jonny Johansson, was actually a furniture designer prior to getting into the fashion game.

 

  

  

 

Photos:
1) Corduroy
2) Coolhunting
3) Selectism
4) Purple Diary

Spring Mood

The mind-numbingly cold temperatures of the past few weeks have me eagerly awaiting the arrival of Spring. Since my runny-nosed whimpering doesn't seem to be hastening its arrival, I've decided to bring Spring indoors, via the addition of fresh green and sunny yellow for the home. Some color therapy to try:

Don't need this, but a cute little yellow sofa to fill up with all my friends would = instant happiness. Parlour sofa, $999 @ CB2.  

I have this curved telephone in red in my room at my parents' house, and it's so pretty in person that it makes me consider getting a land line just so I can get one for my place. Doughnut Phone, $59 @ Pottery Barn Teen.

A sun-drenched carpet to warm my feet. Andalusia Rug, $39 - $649 @ West Elm.

 

Found this nubby accent pillow on BluDot for just $39!

 

This Y(o)uzen recycled notebook would make a lovely addition to a desktop. $6 @ Fey Handmade.

Photos: 

1) www.cb2.com

2) www.pbteen.com

3) www.westelm.com

4) unknown

5) www.feyhandmade.com

DIY Design Marvel: Poppyseed Living's Refurbished Dresser

My move is still two and a half months away, but I can't help imagining what my new space will look like. Come Feb. 28th, I'll be downsizing to a bedroom half the size of my current room, and it lacks a closet (don't gasp -- there's a small one in the hall). After having lived in twelve different bedrooms of various types over the course of ten years (seven in DC, two in SF, one in NYC, and two at the parents' in VA and MD), I consider myself extremely well versed in creative closet solutions. One of my favorite space-saving tricks is putting a dresser inside the closet. Shirts and skirts can sit comfortably on the rod above it, and there's usually enough space on the sides to let longer items hang.

I've found a great little dresser, but it's just too pretty to keep tucked away in the closet. Once an eyesore discovered by Jelena of Poppyseed Living, it was transformed into the loveliness you see before you via a colorful coat of yellow paint, new knobs, and a darling wallpaper-lined interior. $250 @ Poppyseed Living's Etsy shop. Note that it ships from Canada.

 

P.S. It used to look like this:

Photo credit:
1 & 2) www.etsy.com/shop/poppyseedliving
3) www.designspongeonline.com