White Whale: Hans Olsen's Roundette Set for Frem Rojle

I think I may have discovered my white whale. Hans Olsen's Roundette Set for Frem Rojle tortures me. Well, technically, the source of my torture is the seemingly endless font of individuals on Pinterest, Apartment Therapy or Flickr who leave comments like:

1. "Oh, my parents had one of these sets when I was growing up. They sold it at a garage sale for $20."
2. "I have this dining set! Scooped it up at a thrift shop for $40."
3. "My husband rescued one of these funny looking dining set off the curb just the other day. Not sure if I really like it..."

What!? Who are you people (especially you, no. 3. Cherish thy dumpster diving husband) and where do you live? I suspect I know the answer to the latter question-- it's "Not in NYC." This may be the greatest city on earth, but it's also a place where people recognize the worth of danish modern designs. But perversely, New Yorkers are the square-footage deprived population most in need of ready and affordable access to Olsen's ingenious design!

via Pinterest

I've run nearly 80 google searches using any and every word I could think of to describe the object of my desire to no affordable avail (FYI, the Bible is mute on the subject of coveting thy neighbor's vintage dining set.) Sure, there's an original Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle Dining Set available via 1st dibs for a cool $2,315 (not including shipping from the Netherlands.) Or Chelsea Textile's Olsen-inspired "Round Table with Four Chairs", which mystifyingly rings up for more than a vintage original at $3,282. (Although Chelsea Textile's color options are appealing.) But when do I get to stumble upon a garage sale gem or a garbage-heap dinette set?

Left: via 1st Dibs; Right: via Chelsea Textiles

I thought I'd experienced a breakthrough last night, when I stumbled upon this set of three vintage 3-legged chairs on Ebay described as "in the style of Hans Wegner" (a fairly common mix-up stemming, I think, from the similarity of Wegner's 3-legged Heart Chair. Also, I guess, they're both named Hans...) The seats needed new upholstery and the wood refinishing, but I was excited to restore them to their former glory. I spent dinner day dreaming about the magnificent transformation we'd undergo together, outside in the June sun, with a gentle sanding block and a sponge brush. I even sketched out a plan to build a corresponding table using parts from Tablelegs.com.

via Ebay listing

In retrospect, I was silly and naive to imagine that I could win an Ebay auction my first time out of the gates. I was the winning bidder for 3 hours. 3 hours in which I compulsively checked my email for news that I'd been outbid-- news that never came. Glued to my computer, I watched the auction count down to the final seconds when the Olsen chairs (at $40 a pop) would be mine. Then...a pop-up notification: "Sorry. You didn't win..." Huh? How is that possible? Clicking through the bidding history, I discovered that a much more savvy Ebay-er had waited until the final seconds to outbid me. So that I'd have no opportunity to bid again before the auction closes. SO SNEAKY! I feel robbed. (Albeit a little wiser on how to play the Ebay game.)

And so the whale hunt continues...

Habit | Habitat: Destination Austin

Growing up, my family always played a type of game on family vacations: what would it be like to relocate to our vacation destination? What neighborhood would each of us choose to live in? What would be our favorite neighborhood dining spots? What would be our go-to outfits as we attempted to fit in with the locals? (The latter being a higher priority discussion for my mother and me. My father is not known for sartorial variety.) Our answers usually turned into spirited debates over a final meal or while waiting at the terminal for our flight home.

Even though I don't always tag along on my parent's trips these days, I still like to keep the tradition alive when I travel on my own. It's particularly tempting to imagine relocating to Austin, where the lifestyle is active, the climate is hot and dry, and an abundance of creative energy is all around. (And the legendary food trucks aren't exactly a turn-off...)

I'm no fashion maven. But when I travel, I do like to observe what people are wearing in an anthropological way. Hence the the launch of a new column, HABIT | HABITAT. I started with a clothing that struck me as capturing Austin's distinct style-- a unique mix of cowboy, borderland, rock n'roll and indie. Then I translated that style into a room in my imaginary Austin home.

Hope you find Austin's laid-back, eclectic look as inspiring as I do. And if you're so inspired as to book your own trip, I absolutely recommend the very mod Airbnb rentals we stayed in-- a 2 BR House in South Austin and a 1 BR Guest House in East Austin.

HABIT | HABITAT

Habit | Lila Mini, LemLem - $170

Habitat | sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Plant Pods by Domenic Fiorello, via Design Public - $100
2. Vintage Safari Chair by Arne Norell, via LiveAuctioneers.com - no longer available (see similar here and here)
3. Sunbathing by Beth Hoeckel (17x20" art print), via Society 6 - $35
4. Tivoli Audio LLC Model One Radio (Frost White / Sunflower Yellow), via AllModern - $179
5. Beep Lamp, Design by Conran for JC Penny - $260
6. LAX Series Entertainment Shelf, via Smart Furniture - $980
7. Navajo Rug/Weaving, via Allard Auctions - no longer available (see similar here)
8. Knitted Basket by Ferm Living, via Fab.com - $55

 HABIT | HABITAT

Habit | Demma Embroidered Dress by Isabel Marant Etoile, via La Garconne - $505

Habitat | sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Pearl Accent Lamp, Design by Conran for JC Penny - $175
2. Herringbone Woven Throw,  Design by Conran for JC Penny - $70
3. You Rock My World Postcard, Sugarboo Designs 
4. Long Horn Cow Decal by wallsneedlove, via ProjectDecor - $30
5. Brimstone Cabinet, Design by Conran for JC Penny - $2,295
6. Beam Bed, Dylan Design Company - starting at $1,840
7. Neutra Boomerang Chair (2nd ed.), via House Industries - $1,500
8. Eames Wire Base Low Table (Red.Orange), Herman Miller via Design Within Reach - $275

Until tomorrow,
Alex

PS As you might have spotted, I couldn't resist styling a few favorites from the Design by Conran for JC Penny collection. It's just too good!

Recap: Austin Vacation

For me, a good vacation needs two qualities: relaxation and inspiration. Austin knocked it out of the park on both counts. 

Our schedule in Austin was fairly unambitious-- in the best way. We stayed in two awesome Airbnb rentals, took Hektor on a tour of Austin's dog parks, read our books, picnic'ed on a pontoon with friends, paddle boarded for exercise and turtle watching, hiked in Pedernales Falls State Park, scoped out UT's School of Architecture, ate tacos for almost every meal and fell asleep, bone tired, by 10pm every night. Happiness.

Tomorrow's post is chock full of Austin-inspired style. But for today, here's a quick instagram recap of our Austin vacation:

Until tomorrow!

Alex

High-Low Collaboration: Conran and Jonathan Adler for JC Penny

And we're back! (With April jam-packed with my Interior Design final presentation at Parsons, a bustle of activity with our freelance design clients, a staffing crisis at my law firm day job, my Austin vacation and my mom's trip to London and Paris, we decided an impromptu blogging break was advisable in the interest of preserving sanity.)

But I'm excited to return to blogging with a really fun announcement: JC Penny has launched collaborations with Sir Terence Conran and Jonathan Adler. The collaborations are part of the store's efforts to transform following years of diminishing sales and recent operational troubles. The "Design by Conran" collection is more furniture-heavy, with the "Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler" weighted more towards bedding and accessories, although the collection does include a few furniture pieces. My quick assessment is that the Conran collection is stronger than the Jonathan Adler collection, but then again, my aesthetic aligns more closely with Conran's and I suspect that a minimalist style may lend itself to a 'high-low collaboration' more smoothly than Adler's signature look. 

I rounded up my favorite pieces from each collection below. Which collaboration do you prefer? What items are you coveting? I'm particularly in love with the Lucina Table Lamp.

DESIGN BY CONRAN

Sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Beep Lamp - $260
2. Colored Woven Throw (Yellow Lime) - $175
3. Lucina Table Lamp - $175
4. Candelabra - $70
5. Hyale Console Table - $425
6. Monk Chair - $1,125

Sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Lucina Floor Lamp - $345
2. Coridon Storage Cabinet - $1,875
3. Candlestick Holder - $30
4. Grid Throw - $70
5. Stacking Trays - $185
6. Lulworth Sectional (right-arm facing chaise) -$2,895

HAPPY CHIC BY JONATHAN ADLER

Sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Wood Triangle Leg Floor Lamp - $250
2. Pedestal Bowl - $50
3. Charlotte Ribbed Table Lamp - $28
4. Bleecker 80 Sofa - $2,795
5. Bleecker Nesting Tables - $485
6. Bleecker 63 TV cabinet - $1,195

Covet List: Anticipating Austin

In 16 days, I'll be in Austin, TX. I once read that roughly half the psychological benefit of a vacation is derived from the planning and anticipation. I believe it! Just thinking about our upcoming trip puts a smile on my face. (Even if I am a smidge nervous to travel with the pup-- his first plane ride. Any tips?)

While I appreciate Austin for its famed live music scene, epic BBQ and near perfect climate, what I dig most about the city is its vibe. Austin has killer style! So with the countdown to Austin rapidly approaching zero, I find myself gravitating towards objects with a funky, modern Southwest vibe. 

Here's what I'm coveting now:

This vacation is, in part, to celebrate the conclusion of my drafting class at Parsons, so these architectural silkscreen prints by Ben Kafton ($30 ea. via Etsy) seem especially appropriate to include. Now if only the drawings for my final presentation looked so good...

I'm a little late to the party on this one, but the Jason Wu for Brizo Collection is intensely covet-worthy. Oh, that shower head! ($340 for the full shower kit, via ebay). Although Brizo does offer the collection in a range of traditional finishes, the matte black is a stand-out.

How neat are these kilim shoes? ($129 via Etsy) One day, I'd love a giant vintage kilim on my floor. But until my budget catches up to my covet list, I'll happily settle for a kilim on my feet!

After spotting Horne's Tabletop Hi-Fi console ($1,800) in the April edition of Lonny, I immediately fired off an email to Ryan (subject line: I want I want I want.) He responded, in true boy form, "very cool. very expensive." Yup. That just about covers it.

Speaking of cool/expensive, check out the FEDRO Floor Rocker, by Lorenza Bozzoli for DEDON, spotted on Design Milk. Even though Austin's Hotel San Jose is quite possibly one of my favorite places on the planet, we opted for the Airbnb route this trip so that we city kids (and city dog) can experience the joys of private outdoor space. Maybe one day I'll have a reason to shop for outdoor furniture, but until then, I'll content myself with admiring these strange and beautiful creations in Dedon's Soho showroom.

Beach Bums

I don't like to count my chickens before they hatch, but I might have a fun project in the pipeline for this spring-- a beach house bedroom on a budget. (Sorry for the mouthful of alliteration. I hereby swear to come up with a more succinct, less corny working title a.s.a.p.) This project is really more of a zygote at the moment, but I'm hoping I can convince the client to use an arresting beach photography as a jumping off point for style and color palette.

With temperatures hitting 81 degrees in New York (insert happy dance), I'm in the right mindset to research beach photography. The term "beach photography," however, casts a dangerously wide umbrella. What I'm searching for is really a very specific subset of the genre. I want a photograph that perfectly captures the sort of bizarre rites of beach-going. I want a photo that's principally about the bathers-- their interaction with the environment and with each other. The sun and surf is somehow incidental. 

But most importantly, I want that overexposed quality that visually mimics the feeling of returning home after a long day of the beach. Your eyes are hazy, your skin feels sun baked and salt dried-- you just feel light, relaxed, and sort of...bleached? Weird choice of words, maybe, but that's more-or-less how I feel after beach bumming it up.

Oh, yes, and I want it to be affordable. A somewhat complicating factor when it comes to art. (If cost wasn't a consideration, I'd happily to turn to the undisputed master of the genre, Massimo Vitali.)

My search continues, but here are a few top contenders right now:

Sources (clockwise from top left)

1. A La Plage by Gray Malin, via The Design Ark (see Trend Land for more photos)
2. Overhead Beach Series #003, Judith Gigliotti
3. Anakena, by Richard Silver (30 x 40 print, edition of 50) via ArtStar - $450
4. Photography of Alicia Bock, via The Jealous Curator
5. Unt., by Margarita Kazanovich (23.6 x 35.4 print) via Saatchi Online - $850

Top Photograph:
Beach of St. Peter-Ording II, by Margarita Kazanovich (via Saatchi Online) - $900

Also on my short list are beach scenes by Antoine Rose (who likes to dangle out of helicopters with a camera in hand.) I highlighted his piece "The Red Canopy" in my scouting report on the NYC Affordable Art Fair last week.

The overexposed beach photography of Christain Chaize would be at the tip top of my list, but I'm not sure where to obtain affordable prints of his work now that 20x200 is on hiatus (or, maybe permanently closed? Does anyone what the deal is? 20x200 was one of my most reliable sources of affordable art!) 

Source: Praia Piquinia, by Christian Chaize

If the scenery looks repetitive to you, it's because the photographs were taken from the same spot overlooking Portugal's Praia Piquinia beach at different times of day on each day of Chaize's vacation. Cool concept, right? Check out an enormous print from his Praia Piquinia series in the Manhattan apartment of Kiane and Charlie von Mueffling:

Interior Design by Iain Halliday via Elle Decor

I've checked all my go-to's for affordable art (Saatchi Online, Society6, Art Star, Etsy, exhibitors at the Affordable Art Fair, etc.), but maybe I missed a great spot? Drop me a comment if you have any suggestions for where to find Vitali-esque beach photography at non-Vitali prices!

The Look: Over-sized Art in the Bedroom

Isn't this bedroom inviting? It's spacious, dramatic, bohemian, lived-in, a little off-beat...

via luellaloves tumblr

I like the over-sized art above the bed. Especially how the geometric theme contrasts with the patterned bedspread, but stays in the same color scheme (a great example of complement|contrast in a real space.) I even like the velvet euro shams in the back-- in any other context, I think I might hate them, but here they really work by adding texture and stylistic contrast. And those charcoal floors! Yes, I could happily live here.

But since the family that actually occupies this bedroom (and their adorable mop-head kid) might object, here's an idea for how to achieve a similar look in your own space:

Sources (clockwise from top left)

1. Architectural System Organism Machine by Simis Gatenio (38.6 x 37 x 1 Acrylic on Wood Panel), via Saatchi Online
2. System Organism Machine by Simis Gatenio (33.5 x 47.2 x 1 Acrylic on Wood Panel), via Saatchi Online
3. Provence Sham King, Calypso St. Barth Home - $180
4. Austin Velvet Euro Sham, via Black Forest Decor - $49.95 (*sale price)
5. Provence Duvet King, Calypso St. Barth Home - $675
6. Diamond Linen Quilt (King), Pottery Barn - $299 (try the quilt as a casually draped box spring cover)
7. TraversSide Table, Anthropologie - $498
8. Tizio Desk Lamp for Artemide, via DWR - $525
9. Off-Black (No. 57), Farrow & Ball 

If a pair of over-sized canvases aren't in your budget, try hanging a single piece of art work centered over the headboard or off to one side!