2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Dealing With An Addiction

We can't say we suffer from magazine addiction. I'm certainly not in pain when I cruise the pages of home decor magazines looking for the latest fix. The best way to deal with magazine addiction, in my opinion, is to simply feed it by purchasing more. Here's a quick list of magazines that I seriously recommend for the design junkie in all of us:

Abitare - International design magazine, bilingual, published monthly. The leader as far as I am concerned.

Atomic Ranch - Celebrating post-war era (1945 to the present) modern ranch and modernist tract homes. Published quarterly.

Canadian House + Home - I like to know what's going in design over the border. I bet you do as well, eh? Published monthly, this magazine delivers decorating tips, shopping information, DIY projects, recipes, and a Canadian source guide.

Domino - I enjoy Domino because it's an easy read and everything they feature is within reach, unlike other design magazines that sport $15,000 antique chinoiserie furniture. Domino caters to the young hipsters that are looking for a quick shopping fix, the hottest trends, and crafty DIY projects. Most people refer to it as more catalog than magazine, and in some ways, I have to agree. However, that's by no means a negative because unlike your standard catalog, Domino selects the best from dozens of resources - they shop around so you don't have to. Published monthly.

Dwell - Clean polished magazine that promotes fresh innovative design and architecture right here in the US of A.  Their profiles are my favorite, this month they feature designer/director Marcel Wanders of Amsterdam. Published monthly. (psst: Download modern photography from their site to your desktop here.)

Elle Decor - I don't know what I'd do without Elle Decor. I love their focus on international design and their travel stories (they visit an amazing city each month). Another favorite feature, the Designer’s Dozen -The 12 things [insert hot designer name here] can't live without. Designer's Dozen is so over the top, but I absolutely look forward to them because I'm ntrigued by what these great minds look to as being a must-have item. Published monthly.

Metropolis - Examining contemporary life through design, Metropolis is now celebrating their 25th anniversary -- you won't want to miss their April issue.  The well written, conscientious and thought-provoking articles inspire the designer in us all. I appreciate Metropolis because it's devoid of insider jargon, even those not working in the design world can enjoy the magazine and find it a good read. Published monthly.

Poplife - Fresh creative magazine designed for urban-minded Gen-X and Gen-Y readers who crave to learn more about modern architecture and design. Features hot trends, up and coming design, and inspires creativity through interesting articles and stunning photography. Lots of full size product shots for the ultimate eye candy. Published quarterly. ReadyMade - The ultimate DIY guide for people that just like to make cool stuff for their hip pads. If you can't wait for the next issue, they even have a blog that updates daily. Published bimonthly.

Other design magazines that you may enjoy:

Wallpaper, Surface, and I.D.

Coming Soon!

Blueprint magazine - Blueprint is said to be a shelter mag for thirty-somethings looking to buy their first homes, scheduled to launch in May by Martha Stewart. It will also feature a lifestyle component plus fashion tips. Click here for a free premiere issue.

Contributed by Holly Becker at decor8.

Visit Holly's design blog at http://decor8.blogspot.com

Ooba Nest Bassinet

I love that there are options for a stylish bassinet. The Ooba Nest Bassinet is sleek and functional. Comes with a mattress, mattress pad, slip cover and two fitted sheets! Everything you need for the first months. After baby has grown out of thier nest, the bassinet can double as storage for toys, laundry, blankets and other necessities.

Rosa Mexicano

Went out to dinner last night at Rosa Mexicano (1063 1st Ave)...Midtown East.

I will say this: It was very yummy, and I am not a huge Mexican food fan.  Zagat 2005 has it as "The gold standard for upscale modern Mexican cuisine...".

What even made it more yummy was the modern decor, which is why I am posting about it in the first place.

Josefina Howard has a very good taste for food (think very upscale mexican dishes) and very good taste for a modern dining environment.

There are locations at 61 Columbus Avenue and 9 E 18th as well.

For those outside NY: Atlanta, DC and Miami have Rosa Mexicano as well.

Enjoy!

Plasma turned Art

I have been looking for some visual eye candy for the Plasma screen. Sort of the screen-saver when you are not watching TV, but want some background interest.

I have seen a lot of waterfalls, sunsets and the sort. But I am looking for something more visually stimulating or interesting. Not in-your-face loud, but something in the background, that if noticed, is kind of cool.

I looked into Colorcalm : a 180 minute DVD designed by Dutch graphic designer Irma Boom and artist/MIT professor John Maeda. It is supposed to be really cool, but their site could use a serious update to show that.

Looking into it, I saw there was a review by Apartment Therapy and MocoLoco.

I will let you know if I get it. If anyone else has suggestions, please let me know.

Thanks!

G

OFS Modern Office

I continue to get inquiries regarding more Modern Office Systems. I oblige.

Here is one that is not necessarily one of the best, but they are on to something.

OFS

OFS has a relatively smaller offering, most of it in the 'mid-market' category and in my opinion, rather ordinary. HOWEVER, someone there designed a very innovative, eye-catching modern office reception/lounge area. I was quite impressed:

The London Lounge

Snow Table

Snow is melting but the Hightower Snow Table is not. White lacquer snow flakes and a clear glass top make this cool table float in your room. Comes in square and rectangle.

Modern Kitchen XVI

The Modern Kitchen review continues...Keep the suggestions coming!

Reviewed so far:
Arclinea
bulthaup
MAISTRI La Cucina
Boffi
Poliform
Poggenpohl
Snaidero
Berloni
Rational
Scavolini
DuraSupreme

Today we look at another European Powerhouse: ALNO

The foundation of ALNO was laid in 1927 when Albert Nothdurft opened a small carpentry shop in the town of Wangen bei Göppingen.

In August 2003, ALNO was acquired the Casawell Service Group, a network of companies active across the globe in the fields of kitchen design and technology.

Big you ask? How about $550,000,000, 3,000 employees world wide and the production of 2000 kitchens a day, ALNO is among the largest manufacturers of kitchens in the world.

A sneak peak at their designs:

Go Postal On Them

A quick conversation with a guy we'll affectionately call
numb skull.

"So, how long has it been since you emailed someone?"

"Um, like two seconds ago, dude."

"Okay. How long has it been since you sent someone a handwritten card?"

long pause. scratching of the head. slight nose twitching.  eyes roll.

"C'mon, a card? Duuude, only like grandparents and girlfriends send those."

Ding! Ding! Ding! That answer is wrong, sir. Cards are for everyone. Even if you can't imagine yourself sending one, you can at least attach a card to a box of chocolates and BAM! your mojo is back in action.  If that's still too much for your manly man ways, have you thought of framing a card to display in your hip surfer dude love shack?

Here are some great stationery stores that offer stunning cards adorned with modern graphical prints that you can send, frame or just keep on file for the next time you royally screw something up and need a quick way to redeem yourself.

1201 AM         
16 Sparrows
Angela Adams - Utopia
Atelier LZC Notecards   
Celandine    
Denyse Schmidt Quilts Stationery Box    
Eames Textile Patterns Collection  
Luxe Paperie         
Objects of Design Postcard Box
Robert Delaunay Note Cards
Tobi Wood Designs

- Holly Becker, Design Talk Contributor

Visit Holly's design blog, decor8, at http://decor8.blogspot.com/

(photos: Top: Robert Delaunay cards from MoMA. Bottom: Grass collection from Tobi Wood Designs.)

Campbell Laird Vencka Series

A new series from one of my favorite artist, Campbell Laird. The Vencka Series is superimposes organic shapes with transparent lines in a bold but natural color palette. Enjoy!

Richard Meier

Following my recent post on the Getty Museum, I wanted to provide a profile of one of the best modern architects of our time: Richard Meier.

His accomplishments are nearly impossible to list, but here are a few highlights:

The Getty Center in Los Angeles, the High Museum in Atlanta, the Frankfurt Museum for Decorative Arts in Germany, the Canal Plus Television Headquarters in Paris, and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art.

Awards include: The Pratt Legend Award, The Pritzker Architecture Prize, American Institute of Architects (gold medal), Guild Hall Lifetime Achievement Award & The Frate Sole International Award for Sacred Architecture.

  Getty

(Via an interview with Pritzker)...Explaining his own roots, Meier says, "Le Corbusier was a great influence, but there are many influences and they are constantly changing. Frank Lloyd Wright was a great architect, and I could not have done my parent's house the way that I did, without being overwhelmed by Falling Water." Meier continued, "We are all affected by LeCorbusier, Frank Lloyd Wright, Alvar Aalto, and Mies van der Rohe. But no less than Bramante, Borromini and Bernini. Architecture is a tradition, a long continuum. Whether we break with tradition or enhance it, we are still connected to that past. We evolve."

In 1963, he established his private practice, and working from his apartment, launched the business with a commission for his mother and father, a residence in Essex Fells, New Jersey. "Thank God for one's parents," said Meier, "and their faith in us." In 1965, one of his early residential commissions, Smith House in Darien, Connecticut thrust him into national prominence.

Museum of Contemporary Art, Barcelona

Looking back on it now, Meier spoke of "the clarity of the building, the openness, the direct articulation of private and public spaces, how it relates to the land and water." He added, "It's been over 17 years, and what was innovative and captured a great many people's imagination and admiration then, is already a part of our language, and somewhat taken for granted today."
Other commissions for private homes followed, along with some more public projects. In 1967, he began work on the conversion of the old Bell Telephone Laboratories in Manhattan's Greenwich Village to accommodate some 1200 people in 383 apartment units. The result was hailed in the architectural community as the first evidence that ultimately, Meier's greatest achievements might lie in larger-scaled more public works. "This too is an example of how quickly we assimilate," said Meier. "'The phrase, 'adaptive re-use,' wasn't even in the language then. We were really pioneering a new area."

Jubilee Church

In 1979, after devoting nearly five years of work to it, Meier completed another work, which prompted Ada Louise Huxtable to write in the New York Times, that the building advances "conventional modernist practice provocatively beyond established limits." The building referred to is known as The Atheneum, situated on the banks of the Wabash River in the restoration community of New Harmony, Indiana.

On an even grander scale, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia was completed in 1983. It opened to enormous media attention and Paul Goldberger, architecture critic of the New York Times, wrote in the June, 1983 issue of Vogue: "It is no accident, then, that Richard Meier is becoming one of the preeminent architects of museums."

In addition to the High Museum, he has designed a major museum for Frankfurt, Germany, an addition to the Des Moines Art Center in Iowa, as well as many other types of commissions around the world.