Summaries
I had a chance to visit the Morson Collection for the first time since they relocated to Lincoln St, and I have to say, I’m impressed. It’s a beautiful new showroom. Two walls of windows really make all the beautiful, Italian-made furniture shine.
I only had a few minutes to spend, so I made a quick round of the store and took a few shots of some of my favorite chairs at the Morson Collection – pieces that I could see somehow fitting into my decor (whether current or dream decor is up for debate).
The Francine Club Chair, designed by Studio F & L, has a classic, almost midcentury, square shape blended with chrome steel feet for a very up-to-the minute look. I could see this chair in the living room of my brownstone apartment in Charlestown.
The wide, low profile of this Diller lounge chair suggests a subtle sophistication. Its tubular steel legs hints back to such icons as the Wassily Chair. It’s the type of chair I could see in my bedroom – if I had the room for such a thing.
Like many of his pieces, Philippe Starck’s magnificent Monseigneur Armchair takes a classic shape and updates it. This chair will sit as comfortably with modern pieces as with antiques, and could even be the bridge between the two. I absolutely love the floating chrome front legs/armrests with the ebonized back legs – like a furniture version of “putting your best foot forward.”
The Hopper Armchair, designed by Rodolpho Dordoni, has a striking, laid back feel. The cowhide gives the square-framed chair the perfect amount of texture (you can see the solid version on the Morson Collection site). I can see this chair in Kevin and Joyce’s loft, a well-curated space filled with relaxed, thoughtful designs.
The Morson Collection is continuously updating their inventory, so they consistently have amazing deals on floor unit models. In fact, the basement level is reserved solely for discontinued floor models at steep discounts. One floor model was this Bertoia Diamond Side Chair, reduced to only $317! I immediately took a photo with my phone and texted it to Christopher, who is a big Bauhaus/black-and-chrome fan.
This is of course only a small taste of what The Morson Collection offers. I love their new space, and their ever evolving line of furniture. I’m going to visit there again soon when I have more time to spend!
The Morson Collection
76 Lincoln St
Boston, MA 02111
617-482-2335
Looking to get a start on your holiday shopping, but want to get something a little more special than what’s available at the big box stores? You’re in luck: The Design Salon, the group of Boston-based professional women designers, is hosting its 2nd annual holiday sale.
Browse from a curated selection of goods and rub elbows with the designers. Of nearly 50 submissions by Design Salon members, “The Salon” jury picked the following 19 exhibitors:
JHill Design
Stonehouse Studio
Etcetera Media
Albertine Press
I’ve met many of these designers (did you see my last post?), and think a curated “Made in Boston” event is a great idea.
The Design Salon holiday sale is on Saturday, November 21, from 10am to 5pm, at the Kingsley Montessori School. Come out, support local designers, and come away with great finds for the holidays (and for you!).
Design Salon
2nd Annual Holiday Sale
Saturday, November 21
10am-5pm
Kingsley Montessori
26 Exeter Street (between Newbury and Commonwealth Avenue)
Boston, MA
Last night, Christopher and I met up at South Station after work, then walked across the channel to get to the Point.
“Get to the Point”, as it was named, was a party to celebrate the opening of a new studio shared by four local designers: Jill Rosenwald, Jennifer Hill of JHill Design, Jessica Sutton of Jessica Sutton Graphic Design, and Lawrence McRae of Switch.
The space is an expansive loft on Congress st, a remnant to Fort Point’s history as the oldest artists’ community in Boston. Their particular unit has it’s own infamous recent history in the area – but that just adds to the feel that this isn’t your hip new-Boston place.
That vibe works perfectly for these four designers – two potters and two graphic designers. The space is expansive enough for each of them to have their own work areas, plus plenty of space for Jill and Lawrence to kiln and store the ceramic lamps, bowls, and other pieces they had on display throughout. A fifth designer, Elements Interiors owner Erin Gates, will soon to join them, in another room that’s currently unoccupied – the space is THAT big.
A number of other local designers were on hand, as well. It’s always great to see Kelly Smith of Etcetera Media. I also had the pleasure of meeting stylist Adwoa Gyimah Brempong, jewelry designer (and snap Craigslist scourer) Keyse Angelo of Flauxy, and swimwear/activewear designer Jill Palese. Jill told me about the Boston-area Design Salon, a group of women professional designers that meet monthly. But, by far, the guest of honor was Oscar.
“Get to the Point” was a great night. I look forward to featuring each designer more in-depth in the near future.
Be sure to check out all the photos from “Get to the Point” on Flickr!
Earlier today, I was in Harvard Square with Christopher and DesignKid. Christopher says, “Let’s go to Design Research.” I object, noting that D/R closed over 30 years ago. “Hm, you’ll see,” comments Christopher. We walk down to 48 Brattle St — lo and behold, there’s Design Research, in all its Mid-Century Modernist glory.
Until this year it was a Crate and Barrel — the first C&B in Massachusetts, in fact. But before that, from 1969 – 1978, was the headquarters for Design Research.
Founded in 1953 by architect Ben Thompson, Design Research (or D/R, as its sign read) was the first “lifestyle” store, selling a collection of international modernist home decor, clothing, and accessories. D/R was the first U.S. store to carry such iconic European brands as Iittala, Artek and Marimekko. Thompson’s store has become the archetype for nearly all lifestyle stores and those who start them, including Jonathan Adler, Crate and Barrel’s Gordon Segal, and Franklin Getchell of Moss.
“Design Research: A Retrospective” is to celebrate 40 years since Design Research moved into three floors at 48 Grove, a striking modernist building designed by Thompson. The effort was spearheaded by Thompson’s widow, Jane, and executed by the Rhode Island School of Design, and is filled with a wide assortment of period pieces. Marimekko has contributed a selection of pieces from it’s collection ranging from the 50’s to the 70’s. There are even some pieces that were originally sold at Design Research!
The display is absolutely beautiful, a display of what Mid-Century Modernism was like before it was vintage. The layout shows an honesty to the pieces that’s missing from a display of the same pieces at a modern store.
Understandably, Design Research can only be appreciated from the sidewalk, and is only temporary. “Design Research: A Retrospective” runs through April 2010.
Also of note: According to this NY Times blog post, Jane Thompson, along with Alexandra Lange, have written a history of Design Research, “D/R: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes” set to be published in 2010 by Chronicle Books.
Check out DesignBoston on Flickr to see the entire set of photos from “Design Research: A Retrospective”.
Houston, TX-based modern home plan company Hometta is on tour, and they’ve just hit Boston.
Currently showing at the Pickcomma Gallery, “Welcome Hometta” showcases the young company’s innovative approach to design delivery:
Hometta is a web-based modern home plan company offering small, sustainable home designs from internationally recognized architecture and design studios. The company is committed to making design accessible and affordable to a large cross-section of prospective homeowners. Unlike traditional stock plan companies, Hometta partners with progressive architects and provides resources to guide subscribers through the home-building process
“Welcome Hometta” features a number of diverse designers, including Boston’s own Kiel Moe, over,under (, and Project_. The show is running through Friday, November 9.
pinkcomma gallery
81B Wareham Street
Boston MA, 02118
617-426-4466
This year, BoConcept is hosting a world-wide release party for their 2010 collection. The celebration began in mid-August across the pond and will be celebrated right in our own backyard at the Cambridge location on the 22nd.
I have to say that the 2010 collection has a different flavor than previous collections. Clearly the company is drawing upon its Danish roots. The 2010 collection has pieces in it that are a bit whimsical, less serious, and bright in color.
The Designboston crew will be there to kick the tires on these new pieces and find out firsthand if the fine folks at Bo Concept can make a good cosmo. Join us for a night of frivolity and furnishings. For more details, visit boconcept.com.
Cosmic Thing 2002
Earlier this week, I was priveledged to attend a preview of the lastest exhibit ‘Damian Ortega: Do It Yourself ‘ at the Insitute of Contemporary Art.
I have to say that there is something utterly fascinating about seeing a Volkswagon Beetle exploded in an all white space. It feels like something out of the Matrix. Ortega has a way of pulling apart everyday objects and putting them back together in an uncommon way that’s refreshing and bold.
Skin
His work is thought provoking and fun. An installation that I particularly enjoyed was Skin. With Skin, Ortega took three modernist buildings that serve as public housing and has cut out the floorplan of a single apartment unit in leather. The leather floorplan was then hung from a meat hook from the ceiling. It shows the contrast between architectural theory and the end result. Soft hanging scultpures that are based on architects’ attempts to solve the problem of overpopulated urban living. Skin as a border of the body and the wall as a border of a home. An image of the housing structure that the floorplan belongs to is cleverly tattooed on each piece. With Skin, Ortega provides further proof as to how an architect like Le Corbusier failed in his meglomaniacal attempt at public housing and how the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The exhibit opens today to the public and runs through January 18th.
Red Line (Close Up 1) by Ben Willis
South End Open Studios is this weekend. For all who are unfamiliar with Open Studios, it is an annual event that allows the public the opportunity to visit with South End artists in their workspaces and view/purchase their work. Over 250 artists are featured in this event.
Parallel Universe by Ben Willis
This is a great opportunity to purchase art outside of a gallery environment. This makes the art purchase all the more personal and meaningful because you’ll have the opportunity to meet the artist and discuss their inspiration for the pieces at great length. You can also find a lot of one-of-a-kind original works at great prices.
When Will I See You Again? by Ben Willis
This Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm in Boston’s South End. Make a day of it. Grab brunch at one of the South End’s many great restaurants (Tremont 647, Francesca’s, Pop’s, Banq). After that, pick up a pair of diesel jeans or a Modern Amusement shirt at Uniform. Then see some art.
@ theBrimfield Antique Show Fall 2009
My husband Kevin and I went to the Brimfield Antique Show Sunday on a whim. Sometimes this is ok, but more often than not you get completely overwhelmed with the abundance of so much cool old stuff! For the most part we did all right. We did have a small plan of action that kept us from straying to much… to find a white side table (or something we could paint) for our entrance way and some eastern influenced decor for the bedroom. We ended up with 2 side tables, neither which were white! One, a metal side table with extendable sides, perfect for our “state hospital chic” design aesthetic, that we scored for only $30. This table will be the one we will most likely use and for the entrance once it is painted white. And the other table is a beautiful blue french antique table I fell in love with instantly. (Yes, I know french antique and “state hospital” chic is tough to pull off, but have some faith! We have nothing blue or french antique in our space, so this will definitely be a challenge!)
A little about the show. It is the largest outdoor antique show in the world, held since 1959, three times each year, with thousands of dealers attending.
In a quaint New England town with rolling hills this show has more of a festival or town fair atmosphere than flea market feel. It attracts all kinds of people which makes for good people watching. You can get fried dough and apple cider, what could be better?
Some of our other purchases:
Buddha head $10 - I have been looking for a good Buddha for years now, so this was a great find for me + I like that it’s an off white Buddha as opposed to the metal or stone ones you always see. And the price was right for Kevin to agree to letting me buy it.
Tibetan Wool Shawls $23 - From Ayana Sofia Imports, these were so beautiful and were more like blankets than shawls, perfect for a cool fall afternoon.
Chinese Revolution Posters $2/each - A perfect compliment to our Shepard Fairy “Make Art Not War” poster.
Swim Baskets $20 – These are very hard to find, so we grabbed 3 for organizing random kitchen accessories.
Wall Tapestry from India $32-$70 - Purchased 2! They are made from old wedding sari’s, makes the perfect wedding gift and/or window covering to block out that obnoxious street lamp out side my window!
Mini Japanese Comic Book $2 - Fueled our bargaining power and really who doesn’t love a Japanese comic book?
To check out more images of the show, check out our flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designboston/sets/72157622253462055/
To get more info on the show and dates for next year, visit the Brimfield site:
http://www.brimfieldshow.com/index.html
