CasaSugar

Ask Casa: Claude Lalanne Sheep Sculptures

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 06:15:03 -0700

Hi Casa,
You featured some imitation Claude Lalanne sheep sculptures in June. I have been looking for these for 10 years, since they were featured in an issue of House & Garden in September 1998! Can you let me know where I can purchase them?Thanks!
Stily

To hear my response to Stily, read more.

Hi Stily,
I don't blame you for seeking out Lalanne's sheep; they're highly coveted objets d'art, and Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne have recently become hotter than ever in the States. Even Marc Jacobs has one! Although the sheep sculptures that I featured in June have since been sold, I've actually found a few other options for you.

The Sheep by After Francois-Xavier Lalanne ($4,800) is from 1975 France. Overall it is in fine vintage condition, but it does have a small loss to one foot and its casters do not roll smoothly.

The Claude Lalanne Attribution Sheep ($5,000) is made of lacquered wood and wool, has slightly matted fur, and its casters do not roll smoothly. On second thought, it may be the same sheep as above, as they're both from the dealer Wright Now.

The French Sheep In the Style of Francois-Xavier Lalanne (inquire for price) is from 1970 France. It is in great condition with only minor scratches on the brass due to age. It has a solid wood body.

My other suggestion to you is to contact 1stdibs, which specializes in antiques and art pieces, and ask them to keep an eye out for you. Until then, perhaps try counting sheep!

Hope that helps,
Casa

Ask Casa: Where Can I Find This Chair?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Dear Casa,

We're currently shopping for a new dining room set, and I've been searching for chairs similar to your office chair. i think it would be a great way to keep the space open and deter from the high back chairs that come with all the Mission/ Shaker tables we like. Do you know the manufacturer or style? Most furniture stores don't understand what I'm trying to describe. Your insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Meghan

To see my answer for Meghan, read more.

Hi Meghan,

Thanks for saying kind words about my office chair; it's a favorite of mine (read the crazy backstory about this chair's origins here, if you're curious). The chair was designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball in the 1950s, and is made of maple. Not only is it handsome, it's also very comfortable. I think it would be a great choice for your dining room. While these chairs can go for quite a bit of money (two are on 1st Dibs right now for $950), I'd do some snooping around to see if you can't find anything cheaper. Look at antique stores, on eBay, at flea markets, and on Craigslist. There's actually a set of six Russel Wright chairs and a dining table on sale for $2,995 right now on eBay.

If you want to buy something off the rack, so to speak, you can also check out my finds below.

Good luck chair hunting!
Casa

Salt Chair - $98.00	Ikea Stockholm Chair - $99.99
Halden Side Chair Beech - $249.00	Osaka Round Back Armchair - $119.99
Kyoto Chair - $125.00	Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black - $699.00
Knoll straight chair - $634.00	Carl Hansen & Son ch20 elbow chair - quick ship - $980.00

Interview: Todd Oldham on Top Design

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:15:25 -0700

As you may know, Bravo’s series Top Design will be back for its second season on Wednesday, Sept. 3, with a new look, new producers, and a new host. Lucky me, I recently had the chance to participate in a conference call with the new host, celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks, as well as world-renowned designer Todd Oldham, who has moved over to a new role as the contestant's mentor. It was really a blast to hear from both of them, and I can't wait for the season to begin.

Here are some of the highlights:

On designing on a budget:

It’s an old-fashioned notion to think that style has anything to do with money. Top Design, this season especially, has a great evidence of that because many of the challenges had . . . don’t have anything to do with money but have to do with ingenuity. I’ve seen very, very rich affairs that look pretty awful. So I’ve never been too confused what money gets you.

On common design mistakes that people fall into:

I always find that one of the worst disasters I see is just people having someone else decide what they need around themselves. No matter how beautiful [something] is, if it doesn’t really suit the person I think that’s a much bigger disconnect than maybe having some tastes that everyone might not like.

To hear more of what Todd had to say during the call, read more.

On his new role as mentor:

I’ve been sort of crazy blessed with opportunity right now. My schedule is very tight. When I first joined Top Design, I was able to do both roles, but the amount of time that that requires is off the charts. So I was able to just really kind of clear the schedule for the mentor, which I was happy [about] because that’s my favorite part.

This was the no homework job. It was really fun just to get to show up and be very present. It was really fun and organic. I love being in the moment and reacting, and sort of responding to the energy from the contestants because, you know, they’re - I wouldn’t say they’re in panic mode, but they’re about as revved up as they can get.

On the judges (Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, and Margaret Russell):

I think all of - what I was impressed about all the judges is that they’re fans of design. There’s no, you know, no one’s a brutal nightmare. All the information is constructive. I think that the contestants are really lucky to have such fair sort of, you know, good-hearted judges.

On what each contestant brings to the show:

It’s very nice to mix it up. I actually always prefer some idea influenced by more of an outsider point of view. LA and New York are terrific but, you know, the influences here are very broad and sophisticated. Sometimes being sort of less exposed or exposed to more hybrid ideas leads you down more interesting paths.

That’s what’s great about this show. There’s like, there’s every kind of person and thought process you could find. There was all kinds of ages, points of view, ethnicities. It’s really - it’s an interesting microcosm of design and also the world. It’s a really good mixed point of view.

On his preference for design styles (mid-century v. traditional):

Most of my friends are a little more eccentric and [have] kind of gone more the individual route. I think ultimately it’s a hybrid of anything that leads us to more interesting ways. So I think the Frank Lloyd Wright house with the big mushy cushions might be a better way to go about it.

On his own home's style:

Mine’s very cozy. I think I have a different philosophy about home and design than others because I find a lot of people, clients, like the design to end. I think of it more as a garden where it’s just constantly going and adding to, and painting on top of, and layering in. I have a lot more fun with that. So then I don’t get so attached, and it makes it more interesting.

Stay tuned to hear what India Hicks had to say!
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