CasaSugar

Weird Furniture: Globus

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 11:00:24 -0700

Although I've been feeling globe shapes lately, I must say the Michiel van der Kley Globus ($8,775) is one big piece of weird furniture. It is described as a "compact personal mobile workstation," but is basically a desk and and chair on wheels in a big white ball. Its rotating chair and pull-out table top are revealed when you crack open its globe shape, and you can close it up and roll it away if you want to work in another room. Honestly, I think a laptop is a much more versatile "workstation," and they don't look like something out of Barbarella or Google Zurich. What do you think? I generally don't think of myself as much of a traditionalist, but I guess I'm making an exception for the Globus.

Love It or Hate It? Artifort Chaise Lounge

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:00:23 -0800

The Artifort Chaise Lounge ($5,287) was designed in 1970 by Geoffrey Harcourt, which goes some way toward explaining its groovy lines. Its shape comes courtesy of a tubular steel frame and molded foam, and if you're not thrilled with the yellow wool upholstery, it's available in a number of other colors. Would you want to chill out on this chaise?

Vivienne Tam Launches Upholstery Furniture Collection

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:15:39 -0700

Fashion force Vivienne Tam is taking her modern Chinoiserie home - to your home. She's partnered with Rowe Furniture to create a new collection of custom upholstery furniture, including multiple sofa groupings and accent pieces. While designing furniture is a natural extension for many fashion designers, I think Tam's strength lies in textiles, so I'm excited to see a range of exclusive fabric designs used in the collection. "I want to bring beautifully designed prints, fabrics, colors and textures to create a truly unique line with subtle and sophisticated pieces inspired by my Chinese roots," she explains.

As for the furniture designs themselves, I'm most impressed with her Adler Sofa (shown here). There's a really harmonious balance between its sleek legs and plush cushions, blending formality and comfort. The way the rectangular shape of the legs is built into the sofa's arms themselves is very unique, but also derivative of Eastern styles. To see her chair designs and hear more details, read more.

To me, her Peony chair looks too much like a cross between the Artifort Apollo chair and the Ikea Skruvsta - not very original. Her Daniela chair is a slipper chair we've all seen before. And the Greek key arms on her Camelia chair are amiss paired with her cherry blossom print and Chinoiserie-style legs. But I do praise the textiles; each is understated, elegant, and youthful.

The line will start shipping at the beginning of next year, but will be unveiled at the Las Vegas World Market in September as well as the High Point furniture market in October.

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Found It! Christian Lacroix's Chairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 09:00:30 -0800

My recent post on Christian Lacroix's Paris pad, which is up for sale, was a hit with you all. Of course, who could argue with its gorgeous Parisian architecture? It was also chock-full of original art and a hodge-podge of one-of-a-kind furnishings. But Lacroix is also the proud owner of two gorgeous and readily available chairs that certainly caught my eye. To see where you can snatch up the green and purple chairs shown here, read more.

The avocado green chair is the Ribbon Chair by Pierre Paulin ($2,996-6,326), manufactured by Artifort. Designed in 1965, the chair won an American Institute of Architects award and is considered a modern classic. It's available in a range of fabrics and four lacquered base colors. Personally, I'm digging Lacroix's sharp green seat.

The dusk purple chair is also a Pierre Paulin design, the Oyster Chair ($2,690). Designed in 1960, it has managed to survive all trends, and was actually reintroduced in 1999 by Artifort, after manufacture ceased in 1979. Paulin once said, "A chair should be more than simply functional. It should be friendly, fun and colorful." I can see what he means, can't you? Now, if only I had Lacroix's theatrical style and copious amounts of cash . . .
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Trend Alert: Magical Mushrooms

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 08:00:37 -0800

Maybe it was a natural follow-up to the garden gnome trend, but it seems as if the interior design world has gone a little wild for the mushroom motif as of late. From high-end fungi such as the Artifort Mushroom Chair ($2,529)
to more affordable items like the Paper Cloud Mushroom Pillow ($75), there's no reason not to ensure that each of our homes has some fungus among us.

Whether you like your mushrooms modern and candy colored or woodsy and lifelike, there's plenty to choose from in the design world. To see some of my favorite finds, read more.