Showing posts with label modern interiors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modern interiors. Show all posts

Sunday, December 27, 2009

An up-and-coming interior designer you must check out

House Beautiful had an exciting article in the Dec/Jan 2010 issue called "The Next 20 the Next Wave," which showcased 20 designers their editors picked for keeping an eye on. Danielle Fennoy was one of them and I think you guys will really appreciate her beautiful, practical, fuss-free design sense - and her philosophy that design is not only for the privileged, but "good design should be accessible to everyone." I agree.

The perfect bedroom - pretty and serene


The above are from a West Village apartment.
"The goal of this project centered on accentuating and filtering the light, restoring the original character of the building, adding modern conveniences, and making the place look and feel like home. In this case, the floors became the most major transformative feature of the project. Instead of staining them, we chose to “whitewash” them with a hint of blue tinting. Although each room has a specific mood and function, the continuous blue floor became a unifying feature throughout the entire apartment."



I love the bedroom in this one too, modern, yet still warm and pretty.

The above two are from a midtown apartment.
"With an open living/dining space and closed kitchen at one end, the goal of the project was ultimately about “defining” space without putting up physical walls. In order to achieve this, we created more functional and intimate zones that created an open kitchen with peninsula and nearby dining area."

The amazingly large kitchen above from a Lower East Side apartment.
"In addition to giving the place an overall "vintage chic" aesthetic to go with her collection of vintage furniture and barber's accessories, we also changed how the space would feel and function. What was once a closed eat-in-kitchen became a large open kitchen with lots of storage, a dining peninsula, and views of the living room, terrace, and the gorgeous city beyond."

This shot is from a Chelsea apartment.
"This was previously a segmented studio alcove apartment.... a unifying color scheme ties it all together. All these elements really made the space look and feel spacious while still providing the necessary functions of a modern day NYC apartment."


What do you think of her style? You can see more and read her philosophy on her company site, Revamp.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A fabulous, fashion inspired interior designer

I discovered Nicole Hollis in Metropolitan Home's November issue. I really liked what I saw and looked her up online to find more pictures to share with you guys. What do you think?

Isn't this staircase just beautiful?


One thing I picked up on right away was how versatile her work is.






via Nicole Hollis

Monday, December 22, 2008

Modern Design Icon 101

George Nelson is a modern design icon. He is most well known for his relationship with furniture designer Herman Miller. He actually got the attention of Herman Miller when Life Magazine featured one of his designs in a 1945 issue. Herman Miller founder D.J. DePree saw the article and met with Nelson in New York, and he soon became Herman Miller's director of design. Nelson also went on to found George Nelson & Associates, his own design firm.

His partnership with Herman Miller "shepherded design into the modern era," where he worked over 25 years. Modern classics like the Marshmallow Sofa and the Coconut Chair are still must-haves in modern homes, offices and museums. You would probably recognize Nelson from his Herman Miller designs- including my favs, the Swag Leg Series of tables, desks and chairs and his Platform Bench. Here is a little history for ya on both designs-

Swag Leg Series
Originally introduced in 1958, the Nelson Swag Leg Group is just as relevant today as it was in the late 50s and 60s. The perfect addition to any modern home office, the pieces can be used together or separately. The desk has just the right amount of work surface, and those colorful little cubbies make desktop organization a snap. The Swag Leg Chair is probably one of the better known pieces from this series - its separated seat and back have a sculpted look and feel, flexing with the sitter for supreme comfort.

"Swaging" is the process in which the legs in the series are manufactured by "using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube." The goal with this series was to create stylish yet easy to assemble pieces that could ship flat to cut down on costs. Nelson received permission from Charles and Ray Eames to use their patented plastic molding process to make the shell, going a bit further and creating two separate shells - one for the seat and one for the back. Today, while the design itself hasn't changed, the shells are made of recyclable polypropylene for an added eco-friendly benefit.

Nelson Platform Bench
The Nelson Platform Bench made its first appearance in 1946 and was part of Nelson's first collection for Herman Miller. It was reintroduced in 1994. Made of solid maple, the Nelson Platform Bench is a perfect addition to any living room, vestibule, bedroom or office. The slats were spaced to let air and light through and finger-jointed legs make it extra durable and strong. The Nelson Platform Bench is a quintessential multipurpose piece and can be used as either a low table or as a bench.

While there's no substitute for a Herman Miller chair, (I have an Aeron at work and it’s done wonders for my posture) it’s not all office furniture. Over the years, Herman Miller has been a modern design magnet, attracting some of the most famous and talented designers, including Mr. Nelson. Which piece strikes your fancy?





*love love love* the platform bench

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Ode to Modern Retro!

Modern retro is one of my favorite styles of interior design. I love it due to it's roots in clean Scandinavian furniture design. The furniture has aged beautifully, and it's clean lines and attention to material deters it from looking like a badly-aged trend. Tasteful application will also keep a room in this style from looking too kitschy. What are your thought on modern retro, and how do you define it?





photos by Dan Magree


*gasp* breakfast in the conservatory? Don't mind if I do!


via IdealHome

Can you imagine coming home to this serenity?
via Skona Hem


via Design Sponge


via Desire to Inspire

via A Beautiful Abode

One of my favorite photos in general
via Emma's Designblogg