The Rest Sofa by Norway’s Anderssen & Voll for Danish manufacturer Muuto is simply unapologetic. It is the antithesis of what is popular currently in the modern lounge category where form seems to supersede function. The Rest Sofa balances these ideas beautifully in how it’s soft cushioning and overstuffed look screams comfort and relaxation, while its rounded solid oak legs and playful yet artful seams say I’m fun to look at too.
Undoubtedly Scandinavian, the Rest Sofa sticks to what a sofa should be about, relaxation and togetherness. Anderssen & Voll said this about the sofa’s design,
Rest is a sofa series with an inviting and warm appearance. The contrast between the defined back and bottom frame and the soft cushioning tells a story of the comfort that awaits you. – Sit back and relax
The Rest is available in a 2-seater, 3-seater and pouf and can be upholstered in a number of Kvadrat fabrics.
The Cut Of The Day today is “Cloud 909″ by Lone from the album Emerald Fantasy Tracks on Magic Wire Recordings.
There’s a bit of majesty to it that really makes it vibe with me. It reminds me of old Detroit stuff but doesn’t sound dated or nostalgic. I hear a lot of Derrick May, Carl Craig and Kevin Saunderson in there but its been processed through the mind and creative production of a young man from Nottingham England named Matt Cutler. It really is excellent listening music as well as a great dance floor mover.
I used to buy guitars based on their price tag. An expensive guitar must be a great guitar right? I then realized that amazing tone and playability can come from guitars without the marquee name on the headstock. This leads me to what will undoubtedly be my next major instrument purchase, Washburn‘s HB30.
I’ve long been a fan of the Gibson ES-335, mainly because it was Nick McCabe’s main guitar for the early Verve recordings, but it was also in the arsenal of legends like Chuck Berry, B.B. King and Eric Clapton. It’s also been a large component in the sound of another of my favorite bands, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. However, a new Gibson ES-335 costs $4,000-$7,000 which makes me want to look at it a lot more and play it a lot less.
I’ve played the Gibson ES-335 and the Washburn HB30 is a serious rival at a much lower price. All of the elements are there; thick maple semi-hollow bodied sound, extremely comfortable neck and great diversity in tone. However, the HB30 comes with a $700 price tag making the inevitable scratches and dings that come with regular use a little bit more bearable. Although it may not have the glory or prestige of the Gibson, it is a great workhorse guitar that will sound amazing for many years to come and I can’t wait to use it on the projects I’m currently working on. Stay tuned, demos coming soon!
Denmark’s Verner Panton has long been one of my favorite designers. While I was in design school I wrote a paper on his and Eero Aarnio’s respective work and its correlation to the world’s fascination with futurism and outer space in the 1960′s and 70′s. In my mind, each of these designer’s progressive use of shape and cutting-edge materials were the design equivellient of sending rockets into space, and in the case of Panton, many of his interiors made you feel like you were there.
So, a few months ago when I heard Verpan, the manufacturer of Panton’s lighting, was going to be manufacturing some new furniture pieces I was truly ecstatic. Vitra has long held the reigns to the classic Panton chair, the Cone series, the Amoebe, the C1 and the Living Tower but now Verpan is digging up some new items from the Panton vaults and there’s no better place to start than the much sought after System 1-2-3 chairs.
Taking 3 years to design, the System 1-2-3 chairs originally comprised 20 different models with variations in seat height, arm rests and feet. In true renegade Verner Panton form he stated “I wanted to design furniture that grows up out of the floor – to turn the furniture into something organic and never with four legs.” These chairs certainly align themselves to that credo with their conical bases and sculptural, organic form. Originally manufactured in 1973 by Fritz Hansen and named 1-2-3 after the 3 qualities of upholstery offered, System 1-2-3 chairs have long been sought after by collectors and have sold for hefty sums at auction. Now, with the re-introduction of the lounge and dining versions by Verpan, these amazing chairs are well within the grasp of everyone.
Officially licensed, and approved by Mrs. Panton herself, the chairs have been slightly updated to use foam rubber for increased sitting comfort and to ensure a tight and even upholstering. Still true to the 1-2-3 name they can be covered in either fabric, leather or deluxe tufted leather. The chairs are available in America exclusively through Design Within Reach (lucky me!) and are just the beginning of more models to come from Verpan in the coming years.
Check out some of Verner Panton’s otherworldly environments below then come see me and both versions of the System 1-2-3 at Design Within Reach – North Avenue Studio in Chicago. Not in the Chicago area? Call me at (312) 482-8661 to order yours!
The Eames Lounge and Ottoman is nothing new. It is a classic. Its in movies, T.V. shows, photo spreads, ads, etc. However, this brand new version with white base, Ash veneer shell and supple pearl MCL leather is a combination Charles & Ray Eames didn’t have in mind.
For Herman Miller, one of America’s oldest, most well respected and conservative furniture manufacturers, this is a bit of a departure. To offer this drastic of an update on a core product like the Eames Lounge and Ottoman is a serious step forward for the Michigan based company, a trend we’ll most likely be seeing from HM in the near future.
Herman Miller calls this new variation “Perfect for today’s lighter, airy interiors” and I would agree. While updated, the chair still retains its level of class and distinction and with the new leather offerings its even closer to Charles Eames’ wish for the chair to have the feeling of a well-worn first baseman’s mitt.
Purchase one for yourself through me at Design Within Reach – North Avenue Studio Chicago (312) 482-8661
I have a thing for watches. I just love a good watch, especially ones with a unique design. I get many compliments on the ones I wear and many people inquire about where to find them, but none more so than The Rotolog by Nixon.
Nixon just makes really cool stuff and my dark wood Rotolog was something I coveted after and is one of my favorite things I own. There are many other Nixon watches I’d like, but this is by far my favorite. I’m seriously considering getting the Teak and White versions as well.
I am definitely a Hans J. Wegner fanboy, but for good reason. The man was a genius when it came to designing a chair and for me it doesn’t get much better than the ‘Teddy Bear Chair’ as proof.
Originally designed for A.P. Stolen in 1951, this chair has become an enduring symbol of comfort, craftsmanship and class. Its nickname of ‘Teddy Bear Chair’ derived from a critic who had referred to its armrests as “great bear paws embracing you from behind”, but the assembly of this piece is in no way child’s play.
As early as 1953, Danish manufacturer PP Møbler began supplying the frames for the ‘Teddy Bear Chair’ to A.P. Stolen. However, the chair fell out of production in 1969. Then in 2003, as part of the PP Møbler workshops 50th Anniversary, it resumed production of this amazing chair.
Each PP19 takes at least two weeks of thorough work by Danish craftsmen who create the frame from beech, then upholster the chair using only four basic natural materials; cotton fibre, palm fibre, tow and horse hair. Only the seat cushion is made up of foam. This is truly a dream chair and one that will be with you for life. There is a very good video about the PP19, including interview footage with former PP Workshop manager Ejnar Pedersen, on their website. View it by clicking here.
Note: There is a version of this chair that has been produced by California based company Modernica since 1994 that they claim to be to Wegner’s exact specifications. However, in comparison to the current PP Møbler and original A.P. Stolen productions there appears to be some differences in scale, finishes and materials. Modernica never worked with or for Wegner on any projects and does not own any licensing to this chair.
So many amazing things to say about this album, and most have already been said so I’ll leave it at this…
Its one of the most inventive, unique and sonically mind-blowing records of all time. If you’ve never heard it you must, immediately. Released on my birthday in 1991, its been the gift that keeps on giving.
Yet another awe inspiring selection from the Roll & Hill catalogue is the Excel Floor Lamp by the design group Rich Brilliant Willing. RBW is made up of Theo Richardson, Charles Brill and Alexander Williams who choose to work together in order to let each of their unique ideas meld together to make broadly appealing products.
In the Excel Floor Lamp they’ve captured something magical. Simple in form yet sophisticated, this deceptive lamp has classic, contemporary and modern appeal all at the same time. Part of its beauty is how I can picture it in a woodsy mountain cabin just as easily as I can in a modern, International Style residence filled with the furniture of Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe.
Roll & Hill describes it as…
“A spare and economical form, the Excel Floor Lamp is part of a new family of fixtures made from simple and elegant structures supporting illuminated shades. Excel’s hidden secret is a metallic reflector located inside the shade, which emits a warm light.”
This beautiful lamp, as well as the coordinating Excel Desk Lamp and Excel Chandelier are available at http://www.rollandhill.com/ or through me at Design Within Reach – North Avenue Studio in Chicago (312) 482-8661.
Just sublime Detroit styled deep house with a tinge of techno on Moods & Grooves from Brad Peterson. This is perfect listening for a sunny Sunday afternoon or the perfect fuel for sweating it out at 2am on a dark dance floor.
Moods & Grooves is a Detroit based label run by Mike Grant with consistently excellent deep house and deep techno output.
The Rest Sofa by Norway’s Anderssen & Voll for Danish manufacturer Muuto is simply unapologetic. It is the antithesis of what is popular currently in the modern lounge category where form seems to supersede function. The Rest Sofa balances these ideas beautifully in how it’s soft cushioning and overstuffed look screams comfort and relaxation, while its rounded solid oak legs and playful yet artful seams say I’m fun to look at too.
