As I type this post, I'm riding shotgun in a  truck on my way down to southern Utah to a Buddhist Retreat. No, I'm not having another dramatic change of faith, I'm actually going to install cabinetry. The retreat was designed by a local firm Imbue design that continues to impress me with both the quality and caliper of work they are doing. The rendering above doesn't do justice to just how cool this project is. The exterior is dominated by gabion walls and the interior wrapped in Ipe. In fact even the cabinets I'm installing with Modern Union are made of Ipe. I'm excited to be working with such great architects and clients on this job. 

I'm about 4 hours away from the job site right now. Check out the Modern Union Facebook page for pictures and updates. 

Modern Union

Imbue Design

Also, while you are at it, make sure you read the write up that City Home Collective did on the Buddhist retreat a few weeks ago.

I've been designing a bookcase for my new home and in anticipation of it being finished I was looking for a good turntable to compliment it. Yesterday my girlfriend sent me a link to this mint Braun PC3 turntable, and by mint I mean BRAND NEW. The PC 3 SV is part of the famous SK4 or "Snow White's coffin" that Dieter Rams" designed for Braun back in 1956. Despite it's relatively expensive price ($500 for a 50 year old record player) I couldn't resist the temptation, and I'm happy to report I'm the new owner of this beauty. Despite the fact that it's absolutely pristine, I do plan on playing records on it, and hope to give it the life it's been waiting 50 years to live. I'll be sure to update everyone when my bookshelves are finished and this beauty takes center stage.

Braun PC 3 SV (also listed on Etsy)

I always love a good pendant light.

About:

ShapingYourDay is a brand new Danish brand, created by Mencke & Vagnby, and the first creation is the pendant Snowflower.

Sustainability and lasting design that moves you are the key features “shaping your day”. With a focus on simplicity and functionality of the Scandinavian design traditions, the founders and designers Karina Mencke and Marcus Vagnby have always had an international approach, making their impact around the globe. 

Snowflower Pendant $249

I woke up this morning in the mood for little Harry Bertoia and I hit the jackpot over at Archive.org with this 1965 documentary. You know when the video starts out with Harry lighting his pipe with a cutting torch that it's going to be good.

 UPDATE: You may need to follow the link below, Archives.org's embed is struggling. 

Harry Bertoia's Sculpture (1965)

I'm not sure what it is about this little table, but I absolutely love it. It's a vintage piece, and there is only one available, but for $20 the price is right. Available from the fantastically curated Forage Modern Workshop which has a great collection of vintage and new modern pieces. 

Turquoise Triangle Table $20

It's been a while since I have checked in on Double Butter, and I'm happy to report that they are still doing great. In fact they are doing better than great. They are continuing to add more and more great designs everyday and it sounds like they have a successful business model that is paying off. Hats off to you gents!

Double Butter 

Asymmetrical Turtle Desk 

Over the weekend Fab had a sale on Ginko Home Furnishing items. I had never heard of them before, but I was sort of blown away at the prices. Of course they were steeply discount because of the Fab sale, but even some of the retail prices on the stuff wasn't bad at all. The designs for the most part are very classic MCM and the construction looks good. Has anybody seen these in real life? Did anybody manage to pick anything up during the Fab sale? It looks like a lot of the good stuff is sold out, but the sale goes for another 5 day's and there are still some good bargains. 

Ginko Home Furnishings on Fab

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I'm going to close out this week with a sexy little wood and metal table I found on themodernshop.ca. It's called the Adaptable Table as it's available in multiple different color combinations. The table was designed by TAF Architects and is made by Muuto.

Adaptable Dining Table $2495

You can go ahead and add this to the list of yet another brilliant idea that I wish I would have thought about.  The Butler is an iPhone storage/charging station that even has a spot for you wallet, keys, and other sundry items you may need to drop after a long day's work.  It looks just as brilliant without the iPhone as it does with it. It turns out designer/craftsman Curtis of the micklish has all sorts of brilliant ideas you should check out. 

 The Butler $170

Follow micklish on Facebook

I'm not usually one to get excited about Kidrobot toys, but I thought that these Misko Mini series edition ones were pretty spectacular. These lavishly painted wood figures feature scalloped collars and pointed ears and come in a delightful arrangement of colors.

Misko Mini Series $9

Welcome back from Memorial Day! Over the weekend between trips to the pool, and smoking ribs I stumbled across these Fika Cups and instantly fell in love with them.  To say that their simple folksy/scandinavian art reminds me of Alexander Girard is an understatement.  I had to check the description several times to make sure I wasn't missing something. I suppose we can just call them Girard inspired. Speaking of inspired, they also come in an equally charming decorated gift box. 

Fika Cups £24

It's been a while since I've looked through the home section on Gilt.  This morning I was browsing through it when I came across this Aluminum Yukihira Pot. I had never heard of a Yukihira pot before, but apparently it's a pretty common item in any Japanese kitchen. I especially love the hammered detail of the aluminum pot and the turned wooden handle.  Those nice little details and the $37 price tag make this a great little pot.

Aluminum Yukihira Pot $37

Not a member of Gilt? Sign up now. 

Paul and Paula is the latest work to come out of the German based Moorman offices. I love the physical and visual tension of the red cables. It actually reminds me a bit of the camping gear from Snow Peak. 

Paul and Paula table

I like clever objects. I also like simple objects. So when a side table manages to be both clever and simple at the same time, it's almost a guarantee I'm going to like it.  Throw in a little white Corian and some hand oiled domestic hardwood and I'm powerless to resist. Bravo Ampersand. Bravo.

Bundle side table

For sale on Fab today!

Ralph Rapson isn't a name I had ever heard before, and I'm betting this may be the first time you have heard of him either.  I recently received a book called Ralph Rapson: Sixty Years of Modern Design and I've been inthralled ever since.  Though he's been designing furniture since 1939 it seems he may only just be getting the appreciation he deserves.  Several pieces he designed back in the day are just being re released and can be found at Y Lighting. My particular favorites are the Greenbelt series (rocker shown above).

Has any else heard of Ralph Rapson? What's your favorite piece of Ralph Rapson Furniture?

I spotted this on Svpply this morning, and found myself strangely attracted to it. It has a certain Maurice Sendak charm to it if you ask me. I'm equally interested in the fact that it is Laser Etched Solid European Oak Heartwood. While the dice sadly appears to be sold out, the poster is still available.

Monster Dice by Geoff McFetridge

Hot on the heels of yesterday's debut of new work by Volk comes a 2012 ICFF update of another one of my favorite furniture makers Asher Dunn.  I fell in love with Studio Dunn's Scandinavian influenced furniture the first time I saw it.  It is modern day americana at its best.  Asher continues to delight my eyes with careful attention to detail and flowing joinery details. I'm happy to see he continues to design things besides just furniture too. 

Studio Dunn

Narragansett Bowls

The shell-like Narragansett Bowls highlight the simplicity of natural utility.  Drawing from the sea, Native Americans in Rhode Island had assimilated a variety of shells for plating food.  Available in brass or cast iron, the Narragansett Bowls create an earthy vessel to display edible or decorative items.  Exposed edges embellish angular shadows thrown from their bends, while the weight of the material anchors the humble receptacle.

Bristol Console Table

Find yourself entranced in the Bristol Console’s flowing pillars and waves.  Indulge in the intricacy of its endless streaming lines, forged by its slim contours, branch-like stretcher, distinctive connection points, and the surface’s cusp.  The console’s hardwood construction and sizeable top sends a personal invitation to a serene space while also playing host to casual use. 

Coddington Vase

The dark shallow waters of the Coddington Vase illuminate the subtle radiance of sun kissed flowers.  Pointed and sleek, the seafaring inspired stainless steel grate crosses with the exotic and precise art of Ikebana.  With a cast aluminum base, its durable body emits a touch of masculinity and a rugged natural patina that’s gentle enough to embrace the most delicate beauty.

 

Corliss Chair

The spitting image of revolution.  The Corliss Chair cleverly integrates traditional American hardwood construction in its maple seat with a graceful, comfort driven, and handcrafted aluminum backing.  Its true connection a secret between them, this union of sustainable and recyclable materials harmoniously joins along a curved plane.  Paying homage to George Corliss, the founder of the first independently-powered steam engine, the chair naturally innovates any setting.

About

Studio DUNN was founded in 2010 and launched its first collection, the Rhode Island Collection, at the ICFF in 2010, winning the Editor’s Award for Best New Designer.  Studio DUNN has recently been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New England Home, Wallpaper*, and Dwell.  This past April, founder Asher Dunn was awarded New England Home’s 5 Under 40 Award given to five individuals under the age of 40 for significant contributions to their design field.

One of my favorite craftsman at ICFF last year was Volk. I posted about some of Brian's amazing work that I saw while I was there. With ICFF looming on the horizon this year (shame I can't make it) Brian was kind enough to pass along a photo of one of the projects that he has completed since I met with him last. Stunning is the only way I can describe this Walnut dresser with hutch. It's made of solid walnut with inlaid brass details and custom brass drawer pulls. The hutch top has a sliding door with an inset Harris Tweed panel. It's finished off with a classy oil and wax finish. Volk furniture really has to be seen and touch to appreciate it, so if you do find yourself at ICFF make sure you stop by booth 2453. Make sure you tell Brian that Grassrootsmodern say's "hey". 

Volk Furniture

Continuing with my obsession for unique bottle openers, I present to you the Whale Bottle Opener. It is made of cast iron so I'm sure it will have a nice heft to it, and it's perfectly sized to fit in the palm of your hand. The $10 price is pretty perfect too.

Whale Bottle Opener $10

I felt like I just won the lottery when I stumbled across "Kinzco's" flickr stream.  There is so much well photographed MCM goodness I could barely believe my eyes.  To sweeten the whole thing up even more, Kenny has a good amount of furniture that is available for sale.  So it's not just eye candy, you could own some of that goodness.

Kinzco on Flickr