DESIGN FOR MEN

Just another reason to be exciting about 2011 and what it shall bring – I am really digging the new collection for Spring 2011 from West Elm.     The following items are already on my wish list.  Topping the list is the great Windsor Chaise pictured above.

Parsons Mirrored Console Table

JOHN PAUL PHILLIPE ART RUGS…just amazing – love the line version as well as the neutral color version.

John Paul Phillipe Sketch Rug

John Paul Phillipe Art Rug

Ellipse Metal Canopy Bed

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Industrial Pendants

Upholstered Dhurrie Slab

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Industrial Metal Cabinets  and Foxed Nightstand

Images from West Elm

Victor Klassen, started by the artist/scupltor himself, features innovative wood-working technique from exterior doors and other wood doors, to coffee tables, home accessories and other unique modern furniture pieces. These contemporary styles always exude a life of their own. They get their inspiration from the blend of natural forms and the illusion of movement, which is why their artistic furniture designs curve and flow with an exquisite rhythm.  Speaking of simulating movement through dynamic form…the stunning buffet above features is a personal favorite featuring ubiquitous sweeping curves and integrated pulls.  The following are just a taste of the wonderful pieces on the site:

Curve Table

Skeletal Sofa simply wow!

Nook Coffee Table (also available as console and breakfast tables)

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Doors: Wave and Chaotic


All of their pieces incorporate the best quality materials including premium grade Red Cedar and American Ash which are mainstays in their collection. No wonder they pride themselves on modern furniture pieces that are perfect for longevity and stability.

Enjoy your journey through their site by clicking here, and be immersed in the artistic work of Victor Klassen.

IMAGES by Victor Klassen

Well Built, a new DC furniture shop focused on sustainable, modern furniture.  Loving their dedication to helping people realize that great design can be responsible to the environment.  Check out some from of my favorites.

Hepburn Bed

WD3 Desk

Double Octopus Pendant Also available in White

Deer Collection Side Chair

Sonic Classic Wood Clock

Many of the furnishings at Well Built are available in a variety of finishes.  Check out their website by clicking here.

IMAGES from Well Built

While in Rehoboth on a mini vacation, I discovered a gem of an antiques shop. I was in the store shopping for about an hour. I knew I had something was up when the owner ended up putting me to work. I helped him move some chairs. Ultimately, it was time well spent as I found some great things. The above was my favorite – this African serving tray. While I didn’t buy one this time, I just love it! Check out the following other great finds:

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FOR THE BAR…

Incorporate vintage pitchers, shakers, decanters to add sophistication for the bar. Had to buy this great wood/chrome ice bucket with matching tongs.

Mid-Century Chrome Side Table

Hat Box and Shoe Form

Hat boxes take me back…my grandfather had the best hats and the boxes were always really amazing. I couldn’t resist the shoe form which makes a great paper weight.

Creepy Old Portrait

Not sure why but I was drawn to this piece.

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Vases, bowls, oh my!

I always love to check out vintage accessories – if you choose carefully – you can enhance the decor of your place. I had to have the small black glass vase and the large grey ceramic vase. Both are the sort you might find at West Elm or Crate and Barrel, at a fraction of the price.

Mid-Century Magazine Rack

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WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WORK

This marble slab lamp only needed a new shade. And the oval back chair, reupholstered would make a great desk chair. The set of four splat back chairs were so charming and would be stunning with an upholstery update as well.

1960s Desk

ODDITIES

I absolutely had to have the Speedaway sled. Despite growing up in New Orleans where there are no hills and it rarely snows. And I like the irony. The vintage (working) projector was also tempting but the sled blew it out of the water.

MORE BARGAINS AND MORE ADVICE

When you are prepared to buy several things, you have leverage…so, try to get the price down! Also be on the lookout for backrooms where items are discounted. The vintage frames above were $2 a pop. It just so happened that they were running a sale on vintage books, $5 all you can fit in a shopping bag. I filled 3 bags…thanks mom for teaching me how to pack…I got a lot of bang for my $15.

It’s all about my obsessions lately – I have been really inspired (again) by the many uses for burlap, commonly used for coffee sacks.  Perhaps the combination of rugged texture with the bold typography seduces me.

Burlap Bench and Stool (above) via Lavender Hill Studio

Burlap Chairs via Apartment Therapy

Versailles Domed Burlap Backed Chair by Restoration Hardware

Burlap Headboard via Belle Maison

DIY Headboard via Imperfect

Pillows via Tatertots and Jello (l) and Belle Maison (r)

Upcycle Ottoman by Gus Modern. Click here to view previous article

Burlap Tumbler by Starbucks

I am already receiving tons of compliments on mine!  Would make a great gift.

Surrounded by construction, I have become incredibly inspired by scaffolding. All of sudden, it came to me – scaffolding would be great for creating a bed and perhaps many other pieces of furniture. So I am just inspired…I am considering making a headboard out of scaffolding for my place. The following are some great pieces for inspiration.

Scaffolding Bed above via Design Sponge
Constructed of scaffolding tubes and wood planks by the husband of Marijke Hukema of Restored in Amsterdam

Motel Out of The Blue via Dezeen

Designers Maartje Dros and Francois Lombarts used scaffolding to turn a construction site into a conference area. The project, called Motel Out of The Blue included meeting rooms , lecture hall (pictured above), dining room,  library and 50 rooms (above) for visitor accommodation.   I particularly love the day bed…I could see that transformed into something really comfy for indoors or outdoors.

Scaffold Board Table via Ryan Frank

Made (exquisitely I might add) out of planks from scaffold

Interior HomeScapes is an online retail store offering unique home furnishings from some of the industry’s leading manufacturers.  Perusing their site, I am inspired by the unique and eclectic mix of furnishings, lighting, and accessories.  Some of my favorites follow.  The Big Sur Media Cabinet is pictured above.

Special thanks to Chris at Interior HomeScapes for bringing the store to my attention andfor the great discount for DESIGN FOR MEN followers.    Enter the coupon code “designformen” for an additional 10% discount at checkout.  And hurry because there is already a sale going on.

Wooden Bench With Steel Les, Costello Stool

Regency Bar

Monahon Adjustable Tripod Brass Lamp, Elle Embossed Crocodile Leather Wood Cabinet

Pipe Chandelier

Small 6 Light Omega Chandelier, Hinkley Barstool

Images from Interior HomeScapes

Thank you Details for bringing these stunning Roeland Otten alphabet chairs to my attention.  Oh the fun I will have…these will be great for the studio.  I love the unity of typography and furniture design.  Pricing is by request which means expensive.

Images from Dezeen

This week, I will be guest blogging at Curbly.com. Today, I posted an article on a mural in my DC studio that I created by transferring the line work from a Marimekko wallpaper. I took some photographs and while I was at it snapped some shops of my place which is a work in process. I have started with the basics and I am about 50% done. I am only posting the the living room, which doubles as my home office and kitchen. Stay tuned for more on the design which will include painting accent walls, vintage industrial furnishings, and much, much more.

The color palette is monochromatic primarily because the walls are freshly painted an off white.  Accent walls will be different tones of gray. In my home office / office area, my I love the use of an IKEA kitchen cabinet for storage above my desk.  The walnut desk is temporary…I will be replacing it soon, with something smaller in scale.  Additionally, a cowhide rug, end tables and a custom bench will be added to the living room.  I despise the carpet but what can you do, it is a rental.

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My splurges thus far, have been the Blu Dot Paramount sofa which I absolutely love and a 42″ flat screen television.  The scale of the TV is questionable but it is great for watching movies, I feel like I am at the theater.

The kitchen will be receiving a chalkboard backslash wall and I have a plan to add shelving over the bar which I am excited about.  I am thinking toledo stools for the bar.  No photos yet of the bathroom and bedroom because they are still works in progress – however here is a sketch of the bedroom design…

The same curtains  from the living room will define the entry.  The accent wall will be charcoal gray and I plan to do a coffee sack inspired stencil on this burlap-like fabric which is left over from a project.  The nightstands (click here to view) and pendant will be vintage industrial.

Stay tuned for more on the design process!  And check out the article on Curbly by clicking here.

This weekend is the 11th Annual Side Walk Sale which is DC’s Downtown Neighborhood Hosts the Hottest End-of-Summer Weekend!  Stop by and enjoy special events, sales, restaurant deals, and family fun throughout MidCity!  Check out the MidCity Life site for more info, by clicking here.  The following are a few of my favorite spots participating.

RCKNDY
1515 U St NW
Save up to 80% on select furniture, décor, and gifts.
www.rckndy.com
202.332.5639

Urban Essentials
1330 U St NW

Floor samples discounted up to 70%, plus 15% off regular prices on everything else in the store!
www.urban-essentials.com
202.299.0640

Millennium Decorative Arts
1528 U St NW

Save 20-50% off Mid-Century furniture and decorative accessories throughout the store. www.millenniumdecorativearts.com
202.483.1218

Room and Board
1840 14th Street NW

Room & Board Celebrate Dog Days with dog biscuits and “people biscuits” from CakeLove for hungry shoppers and their four-legged friends.
www.roomandboard.com
202.729.8300

Images from MidCityLife