Relapse, Eames style

Just two days ago a friend made me insanely jealous by revealing, via Facebook*, that she has been gifted an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.

(via)

I was at work when the alert came through on my iPhone (don’t judge, I’m fragile right now) and may have let out a very audible gasp of excitement (mixed with anger and pain). Days later I am still trying to move past the envy and resentment, for the good of our friendship – and the hope that she lets me sit in it some day.

Now because we are close friends it’s ok that, after my initial pang of jealousy, I quietly question how she could have possibly “earned” such a fabulous gift. Some not so respectable things flashed through my mind in a moment of weakness however, now that the initial shock has worn off, I will say that my friend is wonderful and honourable and totally deserves this.

On a side note, I too am awesome and caring and 100% deserving of a gift like this too – just a casual FYI to any rich handsome benefactors out there…

It’s also because we are such good friends that I am helping her narrow down leather/wood grain combinations**, compare pricing and look for dealers in the area – oh did I forget to mention that she gets to handpick whichever chair she wants?

As it turns out, all this Eames excitement is too much for a recovering fanatic, my “research” has quickly spiraled out of control becoming a front for hours of iconic furniture stalking online (after the chair to “seat” ratio in our house surpassed 10:1 my internet privileges were limited). Meet my newest fixation, the Plycraft Lounge by George Mulhauser…

Isn't the mint upholstery killer? (via)

In some cruel twist of fate, Object Orange has a vintage Mulhauser lounge chair in stock right now, while all my furniture sits in storage and my money is devote to a trip through Europe.

The butter brown leather looks so soft in the pictures…

Take care,

Calli

*Everyone everywhere, if you ever find yourself in this predicament please take your chair obsessed friend somewhere public and break the news to them gently. Complement their outfit, make small talk, perhaps spring for coffee before completely crushing their soul.

**If this isn’t torture I don’t know what is; Jack Bauer holding a car battery is less upsetting than helping to pick out my dream chair for someone else. Straight from the movies, she’s marrying my Mr. Right and all I can do is thinking about his strong metal base, sexy curved back, and supple upholstery.

The Tale of a Tulip... and a Table

via Pinterest

I have been completely captivated by this dining room. I first saw it in a magazine a year or two ago (I believe it was Canada's Style at Home) and ripped it from the binding as inspiration for the new home I had just purchased. The dark floors perfectly ground the bright white curtains, sparkling chandelier, soft gray walls, and sky skimming mirror. I am also head over heels in love with the gray-blue colour of the chairs and the overall balance of old and new/modern and eclectic. But, my favorite piece by leaps and bounds is the table. I have wanted a Tulip table forever - smooth sculptural base, cool marble top - and, as I do not have one of my own, I live vicariously through this image. 

Can you believe that I have drooled over this table a million times without Googling the designer? According to good old Wikipedia, Eero Saarinen, a Finish-American architect and interior designer created the Tulip group of furniture in 1956. The table was produced alongside matching side and arm chairs, bar stools, and coffee and side table.

Fun fact - Apparently Eero Saarinen attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art where he befriended fellow students (and design legends!) Charles and Ray Eames!!! I apologize if I'm just a tad bit excited right now - but common, how cool is that! 

I really love the timelessness and versatility of the Tulip table (and chairs). It can work with different spaces and design aesthetics - acting as a showstopper or silently taking a supporting role. 

via Pinterest

Recently, I've seen a crazy amount of Tulip tables online used with mismatched chairs for an incredible eclectic look. Or, the opposite, Tulip chairs as an addition around a wood table creating a perfect miss-matched look.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Ikea's DOCKSTA table is actually a great knock off of the Tulip table and relatively affordable - Especially when compared to an original! I saw a couple original Tulip dining sets in a Vancouver furniture store this summer for an exorbitant amount of money, luckily my credit card limit is too low...

Enjoy!

Calli

Tartan is the new Plaid

A couple weeks ago at work we started Tartan Tuesday... it's probably not that exciting unless you a) Live in the back country or b) Are as big a dork as I am.

I guess Tartan Tuesday is really Plaid Tuesday but let's be honest, that doesn't sound as good. Also, we have some Aussies on site and apparently they call it tartan over there. Hence tartan is the new plaid.

It started as a bit of a joke with everyone (ok like 3 people) wearing their best plaid shirts to work. I guess you do what you can to make each day exciting. I only have one plaid shirt so I'm alternating weeks but the whole thing got me thinking about plaid in general.

I tend to associate plaid with cottages, hunting, fishing, and my electrician brother. I started wondering if plaid can ever look sleek, cool, and modern (not that you aren't bro!).

Plaid floor via Norine likes this stuff

Plaid Eames! via Today and Yesterday

Great Plaid Stairs via Matters of Style

What a great headboard!

Fantastic Plaid Wallpaper via iconicchic

Plaid rug via This is Glamorous

I know there isn't any colour but aren't some of the best things in life black and white? Oreos, Zebra's, Photography... I rest my point.

Enjoy!

Calli

Object Orange Obsession

My name is Calli and I am obsessed with mid-century furniture.

There is a fantastic shop in Kelowna by the name of Object Orange that enables my habit... Last time I was there I found an incredible teak dining table and original Solair Chair - now they both live with me. 

I think my credit card was screaming from overuse after that shopping escapade and I've tried to limit my visits ever since (for the benefit of my bank account and not my condos aesthetic...). 

I was fortunate enough to get 4 new dining chairs from Object Orange for Christmas (thanks Mom!) but when I was in the area a month ago I purposefully avoided the store entirely - I've realized that when it comes to mid-century furniture I can't only look and something always ends up coming home with me...

What a great Christmas gift!

Well now the store has gone and done it in true enabler fashion - Object Orange has a new website and I find myself falling in love with each new photo added...

Here's what has my attention right now:

Oh what I would give for an Eames Shell chair with an Eiffel base...limb, organ, first born child?

I'd be completely content to fill my house with only chairs, lamps, and amazing credenza's like this

This lamp (and it's curves!) literally makes my knees weak

Go check out Object Orange here: http://www.objectorange.ca/index.html

And hurry before I buy everything up!

Enjoy!

Calli

Lady in Waiting

The DIY to which all others will be measured...

My favorite furniture re-vamp to date is also the first one I ever took on. A while back my mom tipped me off to a chair that had taken up permanent residence in my grandparent's shop. She (the chair) had originally belonged to my aunt and uncle but had been pretty beat up. My grandfather rescued her during a visit one day but unfortunately the abuse didn't stop - there in the shop she sat, waiting in pieces, subjected to the harsh sun, dust, and occasional barn cat... unloved, her condition worsened.

Turned out my grandparents already had an identical chair, but in much better shape, in their office (might explain the reason my beauty had to live in the shop) so after taking a look at this (way nicer) chair and some encouragement from my Mom, I decided to take on the task of giving the old girl new life and convinced my Dad to help. 

I wish I had some more pictures to share showing just how awful she was before.

In my garage - reduced to just pieces of molded wood

Little did I know how gorgeous she could be - or of her infamous past. Like discovering your neighbour is a Pulitzer Prize winner, as I Googled, my beat up little chair became so much more. It turns out that she is an original Eames Lounge Chair - which I discovered is kind of a big deal.

Photo by Vitra

 Ok, ok, I know that might not mean a lot to some of you - so like a good inside joke you need to know the history in order to appreciate it...

The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman correctly titled Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671), were released in 1956 after years of development by designers Charles and Ray Eames for the Herman Miller furniture company. It was the first chair the Eames designed for a high-end market. These furnishings are made of molded plywood and leather. 

Herman Miller describes the Eames Lounge Chair...

It lives in museums like the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago and in stylish interiors everywhere. It has been the subject of documentary films and books. It even has its own fan website. Calling it a classic is an understatement. It's the quintessential example of mid-century design - elegant and profoundly comfortable.

                     

Herman Miller

It turns out that she is not only an iconic piece from mid-century design royalty, but the Eames Lounge Chair is everywhere - I just hadn't been looking. Once I realized it I started spotting this design all over the place - and got quite excited (she can be spotted on House MD, Frasier, and Gossip Girl to drop a few names).

Unfortunately my famous girl was in rough shape. Her curved wooden headrest was beat up from being banged against something and the wood was rubbed raw through the veneer. The leather upholstery had deteriorated in many spots and the foam cushions were worn. Her legs were also in need of some love and had a few rust spots forming. Although I would have loved to keep the original components intact she was too far gone - I had to take everything apart and start from scratch...

Her unveiling

Starting from scratch meant a good clean and new veneer (thanks Dad) but it also meant reinforced cushioning and new leather upholstery. We had a professional take on the leather work which ended up being the best idea ever - the job was way above any skills I have and I was not going to risk messing up genuine leather. The leather was an investment (and took the place of many Birthday and Christmas gifts) but when you have a classic piece like this it's important to use quality materials. 

 

Her new home - my living room

I am still thrilled, many years later, with how the entire project turned out and I think that we did a great job of keeping the integrity of the chair intact while replacing the parts that were too far gone. I know that this is one piece I will NEVER part with - not only because she is such a classic beauty but because of the time and effort that was put into making her shine. 

It means so much more when you have to work for it...

Enjoy!

Calli