Akemi Tanaka's Futaba Coffee Table

Hi all,

I have so little time for posting today, which may be a good thing since I can't be as long winded, but I really wanted to talk about this brilliant piece by Akemi Tanaka who I saw a few days ago on Small Space Big Style. As a coffee table, the Futaba is already a stunning piece but it also opens up into upholstered seating. It's a bit hard to see in the pictures, but it has a really comfortable sloping back-- the base indents slightly so that both sides fit perfectly together. The wood is actually bamboo plywood, so it's also very eco-friendly. It's just a geniusly designed piece for a small space, and also very beautiful. You can learn more about Akemi here, and the Futaba is for sale at Inmod (for close to 5k).



I will post about some really cool handmade art, a little later in the day.

Sonia Covertible Sofa at Chiasso

Last year I suffered through a long and frustrating search for a sleeper sofa. Personally, I am not sure that there is really an exciting modern sofabed at any price level, so my budget wasn't really the issue. Chiasso which had one of the better convertible sofas (the aero ), has just added a new one to their spring line that I do rather like. And, goodness! it actually has arms, which already makes it a catch. Like the aero, it only comes in white, although this seems like more of a cream color and the price is super low, just $800. I think overall it might be a good choice, but still not a very exciting one. The best idea for those of us with lots of friends and family out of town may be to buy a regular sofa (like the yummy Bantam ) and accommodate our loved ones with an air mattress.

Legare Furniture

Legare is a very innovative modular furniture design company that specializes in office furniture, and was, much to my surprise, recently added to the 2modern catalog. They sell basic desks, corner desks and "bridges" which can be combined and arranged for different uses. Their pieces are actually starting to grow on me--for all it's usefulness, I wasn't sure they were particularly attractive. And the thought of putting together these elaborate customizable desks brought back many an Ikea nightmare. But if, as they claim "In just 3 minutes, you can build an entire system with no tools, no screws or bolts and best of all, no hard labor" it can a real option if you want to create a specific home office configuration. And in the home settings of the product photos, they even look somewhat cool. You can check out the rest of their collection here.

The Marais AC Chair (at DWR)

These very handsome powder coated steel chairs are new at DWR--and being described as the classic French Cafe chair. My local cafe has humble wooden chairs, which are charming, but far less dramatic. These are actually designed for public use and super hardy (what with being made of steel and all) with rubber encasings over the legs to avoid damaging the floor. But what I really want is a couple around my patio table.

($188 here) almonte

Spotlight: Modern Kids

Check out the power of the modern aesthetic to transform the dowdy into the really amazing. I was recently surfing through some modern kid's stores in search of a gift, and was struck by how the clean lines and well-executed design made furniture that I would have never considered stylish--baby cribs, changing tables--to be really beautiful.

My favorite piece of updated kid's furniture is probably the Two Wide changing table (above); the indentation of the circles keep it playful but it's really a very sleek and sophisticated piece--hard to believe it's a pooping station. I also really love Ooba's Nest Crib, which uses the most gorgeus tone of maple and would make such a sweet little home for a baby. Both are available at ModernTots.

Spotlight: VivaTerra Live Edge Dining Table

This is quite the dining table. The VivaTerra Live Edge table is carved out from a single tree (half becomes the table top, and half are the legs) and then more or less left alone, with all the organic movement and texture of it's source, the tree. It's such a simple way to use wood, and one that really highlights its beauty. Available at Viva Terra and (as you can guess) is really expensive but completely unique, made from sustainable wood, and generally a very cool piece.

Midcentury Modern on Ebay

And to make amends for my earlier post, some really fantastic vintage mid-century modern furniture from ebay.

To bid on these gorgeus pieces click here:

Sofa

Desk

Credenza

Some picks from UO

I have to admit I am sort of impressed by some new pieces (or new to me anyway) in Urban Outfitter's furniture line.

First I have to say that I think it's hard sometimes to find the balance when you appreciate design but are young (like me) without the ability to really invest in pieces. When in this predicament I mostly champion craigslist as the best resource for furniture, but I do occassionally peek over to places like UO who do budget style and sometimes even do it well. While I can't speak to its quality or durability, I really do like this mid-century"style" sofa. Gosh darn it, it's really rather attractive and at only $480, also really affordable. I feel similarly about the companion piece, this side table ($120)which has an aluminon top--an unexpected detail that makes it a bit more interesting. Both are available with an extra shipping charge at Urban Outfitter's.

Well, that's my blog of shame. And now for back to our regular programming of unique, independent design.