Pretty Little Green Things

Archive for the ‘Furniture’ Category

I’ve been in an industrial furniture mood lately.  Something about the raw and textured metal together with beautiful wood full of character.  That combined with it’s practical beginnings gives each piece such history and interest.  While looking around for a work project, I stumbled on the fabulous collection of industrial chic furniture from Interieurs.  They have a particularly good collection so I wanted to post a few of my favorites.  Make sure to check out their entire antique collection online.

Photos from Interieurs

I was at the New York Design Center last week and took the opportunity to wander through the brand new 1stdibs showroom on the 10th floor.  For those of you who don’t know what 1stdibs is, it’s an online shopping destination for one of a kind vintage pieces.  It started out as a way to connect the numerous antique furniture galleries to potential clients and has since transformed into a marvelous curated website of all things beautiful.  You can find anything from the aforementioned furniture to home accessories, jewelry and clothing, all of which is valuable and most of which is vintage.  1stdibs’ latest transition has been from an online shop to a real showroom full of real pieces.  Each gallery owner maintains their own booth, but patrons can come wander the aisles and see everything in person.  Such an important thing when the piece you’re buying is, say, $30,000.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from the showroom.  I mean maintaining a website is one thing, but an enormous showroom full of one-of-a-kind furniture is quite another.  It looks like it’s not quite complete (they were painting the entry area), but there’s plenty of furniture to spend hours wandering and dreaming.  I took a few (okay, a lot) of pictures to show you what 1stdibs in person is all about.  Enjoy!

I just got back from a design meeting with Laurent Charlet, owner and founder of Charlet Design, a small custom furniture company based in Brooklyn.  His furniture pieces are really beautiful so I just had to share  it with you.  Laurent makes everything to order and sources reclaimed wood where possible.  You can specify the wood in an oiled finish rather than polyurethane, which is the non-toxic and, I think, much prettier way to go.  Plus if you live in New York, both the production and the delivery are local.  These are a few of Laurent’s pieces from his website, but since everything is custom, you can really get whatever you want.

Coffee table

Sideboard

Dining table (the picture is deceiving, the top is 10 feet long!)

A detail of the dining table

Another sideboard

Photos from Charlet Design

Okay, so I actually went to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show all within one day, but this is day 2 of your peek into the show, hence the title.  If you didn’t see yesterday’s post of my eco-chic picks from the show, take a look here.  As I said before, the show was the best I’ve seen with a great variety of amazing products and vendors.  I can’t wait to see what ICFF brings!

So without further ado, my eco picks, round 2:

When I saw this chandelier from Andre Joyau from afar, I actually thought it was made of fringe.  That of course made me immediately walk over and check it out (I mean who wouldn’t?).  It’s actually made from bits of recycled steel wire all strung together in a spiral shape.  Gorgeous, huh?  Then as Andre and I were chatting about the chandelier, I looked down and noticed this beautiful table….

If you notice from this picture, the table is on hydraulics!!!  Gorgeous table + raw reclaimed wood + totally functional for a New York City apartment?  I don’t think furniture could get any better! (By the way, if you don’t live in a teeny apartment, you’re probably thinking I’m off my rocker right now.  But let me tell you, I’m already fantasizing about what I could put in the corner instead of a dining table.  Hello ping pong table!)

I have been following Susan Serra on Twitter for quite some time now, so it was wonderful to finally meet her and see her Bornholm Kitchens in person.  I love the Scandinavian style of her kitchens – it’s not a style I see very often so I’m always happy to find a unique cabinet option.  The wood she uses is just gorgeous and every piece is finished with no-VOC waxes and sealers.

It was lovely to see the latest collection of beautiful carpets from Malene B, and I have to say she’s just as lovely as her rugs.  What I really love about her designs is the international ethic feel they have.  I mean, if you can’t get to Africa, you should at least have some of it in your house!

How cool are these stone tables from Snug Furniture?  I love the intricate almost lacy look of the fretwork style coffee table on the left and the bold artful lines of the ones on the right.  Co-founder, Maybelline Te and Snug Furniture are also on Twitter, so if you don’t already follow them, you should!

These stools and art piece come from Artists for Humanity, a non-profit in Boston whose mission is to “bridge economic, racial and social divisions by providing underserved youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts.”  Not only does this group do so much good in their own community, but their products are made from recycled and non-toxic materials.  Plus the colorful design is totally fun and unique.  I am going to follow up with an in depth look at Artists for Humanity so stay tuned.  In the meantime, you can take a peek at their range of products on their website.

Coney Island is such a big part of New York’s history  so I loved seeing these benches from Douglas Thayer.  They’re made from cross beams that held up the iconic boardwalk.  I love that when the wood was removed, it was ripped out with so much force that the screws bent.  Instead of removing all those screws, Douglas elected to keep them and just turn them into the center so they’re not dangerous.  The wood and screw combo gives so much character to this amazing piece of history.

Last but certainly not least is this movable art piece from Susan Weinthaler.  You can’t really tell from this picture, but each of those little reclaimed wood pieces is attached via magnet to the background sheet and is totally movable.  That means you can have as many pieces of art in your home as your creativity allows.  I bet this makes for an awesome party game!

I spent most of yesterday walking through the very crowded Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Pier 94.  I’ve attended the show for many years now and I have to say this was the best show I’ve seen in terms of quality of products and number of attendees. Maybe it’s due to the addition of Margaret Russell to AD (formerly the editor in chief of Elle Decor) or maybe it’s that projects have started to pick back up.  Whatever the reason you could feel the buzz and excitement in the air.  And the products and vendors I saw were absolutely the best of the best.  Of course I love looking at everything, but it’s always the eco-friendly or socially responsible products that really catch my eye.  Since this year’s show was so great and I found so many amazing things, I’m going to break my pics into two posts.  Check back tomorrow for more!

These are my top eco-friendly finds, in no particular order:

These gorgeous pillows come from D. Bryant Archie Textiles who also won an ASID Imagine Top Pick for her presentation.  Her wool blankets and pillows have always topped of my list of favorites and this award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving, talented and lovely person.  Her newest line made from metallic vintage fabric as shown in the two pictures on the right, is super chic.

This awesome little console table comes from Jeff Soderbergh, who if you remember, also made the beautiful reclaimed wood table featured in the 2010 House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year.  This new console is made from wood taken from the hull an antique schooner that was built in 1885.  I love the copper nailheads spotted all over the wood which gives it such character.  Jeff has plenty of this unique wood left so hopefully we’ll be seeing more pieces from him soon.

I’m really in love with these clocks from Palo Samko.  I’ve always known him as an incredibly talented furniture maker, so it’s great to see that he’s added accessories to his repertoire.  I would mind time passing by quickly if I had one of these clocks to stare at.

This gorgeous chandelier comes from Elizabeth Polish Design and it’s made entirely of paper (except for the framing of course).  I just love the organic feel of this fixture and I can only imagine the soft light it casts in a room.  Custom options are always available for any project.

How cool is this table from Studio Roeper?  I love the contrast of the salvaged bleached wood and the metallic faceted legs.

I have to say that my pictures don’t do any sort of justice to these stunning art installations from Moran/Brown.  They’re made of small copper tiles that have been heated so they change color into these vibrant shades you see here.  And all without any chemical processing.  You have to take a peek on their website at some of their larger pieces to really get an idea of what Moran/Brown can do.  I’m not sure I’d want Lady Gaga hanging on my wall, but you get the idea of their capabilities.

I’m always a fan of the industrial vintage look so I’m loving these light fixtures from Strawser & Smith who are based in Brooklyn.  Each one is made out of various industrial parts like chains, pipes and cogs.  The glass is also hand blown right here in New York.

And of course, I’m always a fan of the New Traditionalists and their elegant and tailored line of eco-friendly furniture.  They have a few gorgeous new finishes which was great to see in person.

I’ve talked a lot about certified and reclaimed wood, but what if you could find out exactly which tree your furniture came from?    Well, that’s exactly what TRACE Furniture does.  Not only do they create stunning furniture using old world techniques, but you can trace each piece back to it source: a single naturally felled tree.  If you take a peek at TRACE’s website, you can actually see pictures of each tree and the furniture pieces that have been made from it.  It’s sort of like a family tree (insert groan here).  Everything is handcrafted in their New York workshop and each piece is totally unique.  I’ve always been a fan of upholstered beds, but after seeing this first one, I’m totally changing my mind.  Stunning.

King canopy bed made from Tivoli maple trees

Reflection table made from Tivoli maple trees

Love lounge

Loop coffee table

Tivoli desk

Queen Canopy Bed made from Staatsburg walnut tree

J Coffee table made from John Jay oak tree

The Occasional made from Staatsburg walnut tree

Photos from Trace Furniture

Sometimes you find a company whose products aren’t what you would technically call eco-friendly.  But the intention behind their creation is so much more meaningful and important that it doesn’t even matter.  Case in point, Alpha Workshops.  This decorative arts studio was started in 1995 by Ken Wampler as a way to help the homeless living with HIV & AIDS.  He knew that by providing a creative outlet plus a meaningful job would mean all the difference in the lives of these people.  Fast forward 16 years and it has.  Alpha Workshops is going strong with a staff of 35 and decorative installations in a lot of amazing places like the Gracie Mansion and Prince George Ballroom.

This installation is at Lifetime TV’s New York office.

This is from Takashimaya, the Japanese department store, which is now unfortunately closed.

An installation of a faux marble floor.  It’s even better than the real thing!

Alpha Workshops’ main work includes gilding, decorative paint, Venetian plaster, faux finishes and other specialty treatments.  But what about the rest of us who can’t afford a skilled artisan to install something amazing in our house?  Thankfully Alpha Workshops also makes handmade wallpaper in a bunch of beautiful colors and patterns.  It’s sold through Thibaut in their Artisan line.  Here are a few of my favorite patterns.

Loom.  I’m also loving the drapery in this room.  I wonder where it’s from.  If you know, pass it on!

Maryse

Reverie

Verre Eglomise

One of my favorite products from Alpha Workshops in their new line of colorful furniture finished in the Negoro Nuri style.  Traditionally this finish is done with a black lacquer base and red lacquer top coat.  The red is brushed off to reveal patches of the black underneath.  But instead of these traditional shades, Alpha Workshops has branched out with some really gorgeous colors.  Love it.

Photos from Alpha Workshops & Thibaut

You know the saying, the shoemaker’s children go barefoot?  Well, sometimes that’s how I feel about my house.  The projects I do for work are amazing, but my own abode is sometimes lacking in style.  Sure we did a bit of a renovation and the walls and doors look much better.  But I have drapery left to hang, dining chairs that have been begging for reupholstery and my aforementioned lounge chair that has to go (apologies to my friend Lizz who has the same chair).  So I’ve decided that I’m going to tackle one project a week and finish up this house.  I may not finish each one every week, but you’ll get a peek at some of my DIY projects and I’ll finally get this ball rolling.

So first up, my dining chairs.  Here’s the before picture.

We inherited these bad boys from my husband’s grandmother.  I love the shape of the curvy shape of the frame and for both sentimental and aesthetic reasons, I didn’t want to change the wood color at all.  One less project to tackle too!  The seat fabric however was a different story.  It was stained from years of grandkids plus the light colored ikat-ish print is really not my taste.

Here’s a close-up of the old fabric.  See what I mean?  Time for a change.

Fortunately, I also inherited a large piece of silk from my best friend’s mother that I think was destined to be a sari.  It’s colorful, unique and oh so perfect for these chairs.  So here goes, my first attempt at reupholstery.

So first things first, I had to rip off all the old covers.  I cheated a bit because I could see the previous bright pink under the ones I ripped off, but I just couldn’t bring myself to take them off too and open up a potential can of worms.

Covers are off!

Thankfully the previous reupholsterer had added a bit of cotton batting to the top of the chairs, so all I had to do was put my new upholstery on.  If you look really close, you can see a bit of the pink fabric underneath.

And here goes nothing!  This was my first experience with a staple gun, and let me tell you, I sort of wish I had purchased an electric one instead.  My hand is all kinds of sore!

The new covers are on and the chairs are almost done!  All that I have to do here is add a bit of trim at the bottom to cover up the staples.

Ta da!  All done.  I decided to go with a navy blue trim to contrast against the lighter silk ikat.  I’m going to try to take a better picture tomorrow morning.  It was dark out by the time I finished up and my nighttime shots never seem to turn out as well.

Here’s a detail of the chair seat.  You can see the trim a bit better in this shot.

All in all, I’m super excited about my new chairs.  It was a bigger and tougher project than I anticipated.  I give reupholsterers and furniture makers so much credit for the amazing work they do.  As for me, I’m taking the rest of the night off.  And tomorrow I might just treat myself to a well earned manicure to clean up my hands after all that staple gunning.

When I was a little kid, I had a double duty step stool that also flipped up into a chair.  I loved that little thing so much that I would carry it around everywhere.  This Lex Mini Stool from Digs isn’t quite the same thing, but it’s so cute and colorful I just couldn’t resist.  At only about 10 inches on each side, it’s the perfect size for a little person.  And made from sustainably harvested Acacia tree wood with brightly colored recycled fabric for the woven seat, it’s just about as eco-friendly as it is fun.  These mini stools come in a variety of colors, and at only $35 each, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one.  Now if only they made a grown up version…

Photos from Digs

We’ve had a sad looking lounge chair sitting in our living room for what feels like forever.  Although I’ve eyed a few other options before, it’s finally time for this thing to go.  The reason is not so much that I hate the chair (even though I do).  It’s more because the low seat means that when you sit in it, you’re WAY to far away from our sofa to have any sort of conversation with even the nearest person.  So why haven’t I replaced it yet?   My problem is not that I can’t find what I want, my problem is that I have too many great options and I get cold feet.  Yes, it’s true, even designers get indecisive sometimes.  But I thought, why make myself crazy when I have all of you lovely readers.  So I gathered my top ten eco-friendly lounge chair choices for my apartment, in no particular order.  They’re all a bit unique, not too big, not too traditional and totally comfortable.  Tell me what you think and vote in the comment section below.

I’m always a fan of the casual chic style of Cisco Brothers.  The curves of this Grace Chair would complement our sofa quite nicely (in a fabric to match our decor of course).

My recent post on Kelly LaPlante’s new Jak furniture line may have been a bit selfish since this little Deleon barrel chair would look stunning in our apartment.  You’ll forgive me, right?

1stdibs is always a go-to for really elegant pieces.  Most everything is vintage so you’re good to go (I was going to say green to go, but even I was groaning at that one).  Much of what I find and fall in love with is well out of my price range, but I did find this cute chair from Lost City Arts just a few blocks from my apartment.  How’s that for local?  It would of course need some chic new upholstery fabric to pull the look together, but I’m kinda liking the unique lines of this piece.

I’m absolutely in love with just about every piece from Lawson-Fenning, so I couldn’t help picking two options from them.  This is the Rolled Arm Chair.  I love the slightly masculine look that’s balanced out with the curvy shape.

I’ve always been a wing chair fan.  Maybe there’s something about hiding behind those huge wings that really appeals to me (not that I normally hide behind chairs or anything).  This Wing Chair is also from Lawson-Fenning.

This really unique lounge chair comes from Suite New York.  It might get a bit too low and thus not solve my low-rider problem, but there’s no shame in looking, right?  I’m not a big leather upholstery fan, so of course I would pick a fun eco-friendly fabric to match our decor.

For something a bit more traditional, I also like this upholstered linen chair from VivaTerra.  It, unfortunately, only comes in two fabric options so the Java would be my choice.  And I’d add a few colorful accent pillows to spice it up a bit.

As always, the furniture from the New Traditionalists is elegant with a slightly irreverent edge.   I love this tailored take on a traditional barrel chair.  And the added strap detail at the bottom is quite chic.  Why let handbags have all the fun?

Don’t let the clean lines fool you, the Todhunter Club Chair from Q Collection is totally chic.  It would be the perfect contrast to the much more ornate Hepplewhite style dining chairs that are next to my lounge chair’s future home.

And last but absolutely not least are these fixer-uppers from Chairloom.  Although the crushed olive green velvet definitely needs to go, I love the lines and the raw potential of these two chairs.  I might not end up with these exact chairs, but I’m definitely leaning toward buying something from this awesome company just because I love what they stand for.  The wonderful people at Chairloom scour markets and dealers’ inventories to find interesting chairs that just need a little bit of love to turn them into the beauties they were meant to be.  Take a look at their gallery of sold chairs for a bit of inspiration.

So there you have it, my top ten eco-friendly lounge chair choices!  What do you think?  Which one is your favorite?  Vote in the comments section below and as soon as I get my indecisive butt in gear and purchase something, I’ll reveal my final choice!