Now You Really Can Read Playboy for the Articles! (Trust us)
Yeah, yeah…we’ve probably all heard this phrase before to the point that there are even scholarly papers on the phrase (see: “I read Playboy for the articles”: Justifying and Rationalizing Questionable Preferences). But believe us when we say that there have been really great pieces of writing in the “questionable” magazine.
Such as this (lengthy) article from July 1961 titled “Designs for Living” where the first line reads, “Unfettered by dogma, the creators of contemporary American furniture have a flair for combining functionalism with esthetic enjoyment…”
The article itself is about some of our favorite designers here at Vastu, 5 of which are part of the Knoll Classics Sale that is currently underway.
1961 Playboy photo featuring (left to right) - George Nelson, Edward Wormley, Eero Saarinen, Harry Bertoia, Charles Eames and Jens Risom
Click below to read the original Playboy article.
“City of Trees” Featured on NBC 4
Congrats to Allen Russ and the Trust for the National Mall for being featured on NBC 4 here in DC.
From NBC 4 Washington,
“A local artist brings attention to the plant life along the National Mall, in hopes of preserving the plants for years to come.”
Remember, a portion of the proceeds from each piece sold go directly to the Trust for the National Mall. Restoration work has already started on the National Mall, as featured by Prince of Petworth, and is hoped to be completed by December 2012.
Click here to learn more about the Trust for the National mall and its mission or see our original post about “City of Trees: The Natural Monuments of Washington DC” to read about Allen Russ’s work.
View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.
Knoll Classics: Platner
Ready, Set, Go!
Today’s the official start of the Knoll Classics Sale and to kick it off here’s some info on one of the featured designers: Warren Platner
“Warren Platner studied architecture at Cornell University. Following his work with legendary designers Raymond Loewy, Eero Saarinen and I. M. Pei, he immersed himself in the creation of steel wire furniture, devising the method and tooling to produce the lounge chair in the line as well. Notable among his residential and commercial projects are the Georg Jensen Design Center and the Windows on the World restaurant in the World Trade Center, both in New York City” (via Knoll)
Some of Platner’s designs that are included in the sale are the Platner Lounge Chair, the Platner Stool and the Platner Dining Table.
Visually iconic, Platner really knew how to make his steel wire pieces beautiful!
The Knoll Classics Sale runs through March 4th.
Knoll Classics Sale: Come Get Your Favorite Mid-Century Modern Designs!
Check out our great window display for the Knoll Classics Sale (Monday, February 27th – Sunday, March 4th).
We’ve filled it full of fantastic pieces from Harry Bertoia. Including the… Read more
EcoSmart Fire: Safety First
Whether you’re currently using an EcoSmart Fire fireplace to keep warm on those chilly nights or you’re thinking about getting an outdoor style for the spring months ahead, it’s always important to know how to properly and safely operate your fireplace. After all, this is still a live fire you’re dealing with.
Decanting Your Fuel
Filling Your EcoSmart Fire Burner
Lighting Your EcoSmart Fire Fireplace
Check out these other great Fireplace Safety tips from EcoSmart Fire!
Supporting the Trust for the National Mall With Art
A portion of the proceeds from our current exhibit, City of Trees by Allen Russ, goes toward supporting The Trust for the National Mall. The Trust is the official non-profit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to improving and restoring the National Mall.
Simply put, our goal is to make the National Mall the best park in the world.
March 25th is the last day you’ll have a chance to stop by our showroom and see these gorgeous pieces in person, which is definitely recommended to feel the full effect.
“4 Cherry Trees and Moon” is one of those pieces. It really captures Russ’s long exposure technique with movement in the branches but clear, sharp surroundings. And then you have the amazing colors coming from the water, sky and, most importantly, the cherry blossoms themselves.
Oh yeah, and its size definitely makes sure you don’t miss anything. At 40″ high by 88″ wide, it’s massive and manages to pull you in to the scene making you feel like you’re there at the Tidal Basin. That’s something our small image here doesn’t quite achieve.
And just knowing that in buying this limited edition piece of art you’re also supporting the restoration and upkeep of a national treasure makes it all the more worth it.
Knoll to Acquire Richard Schultz Design, Inc
Earlier this month, Knoll announced that it had agreed to acquire famed outdoor furniture manufacturer Richard Schultz Design.
“The acquisition of Richard Schultz reflects our ongoing interest in remixing our business with high design, high margin specialty offerings which appeal to both commercial buyers and consumers worldwide”, said Knoll CEO, Andrew Cogan.
Richard Schultz has made classics such as the Petal Collection,
and continues to create great outdoor designs like the Fresh Air Chair.
It’ll be exciting to see when Knoll will add Richard Schultz products to their own offerings (and whether Vastu will have access through our relationship with Knoll). You’ll be the first to know, one way or the other!
Click here to read the press release from Knoll.
Coming Soon: The Knoll Classics Sale
Starting Monday, February 27th, you’ll be able to take 15% off classic designs from Knoll.
This includes pieces designed by:
- Harry Bertoia
- Marcel Breuer
- Florence Knoll
- Warren Platner
- Jens Risom
- Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
- Eero Saarinen
The Classics
What:
15% Off with The Knoll Classics Sale
When:
Monday, February 27th – Sunday, March 4th, 2012
Where:
Vastu
1829 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.VastuDC.com / 202.234.8344
Hours:
Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm / Sunday, 12-5pm
Color Naming: Practical or Just For Fun?
File this under your “Funny But Possibly True”. I came across this picture on Facebook and couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of fabrics we offer for custom pieces and the thousands of colors they all come in!
When you have various shades of a standard color you can’t just call them all the same thing (or maybe Blue #1, Blue #2, etc.). Pantone has made an entire business of standardizing colors, classifying and naming them. Like this year’s Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango.
Take, for examples, Ultrasuede from Knoll Textiles. There are about four different “blues” but they each have very different names.
When it comes to color, the name hardly matters when it comes to choosing one. What should matter is how that color will play off the others in your scheme or space. Will it be an accent color that you’ll use sparingly or will it play a large role such as a wall paint color or the on the fabric for a large piece of furniture like a sofa or sectional? While color names can be fun, sometimes a blue couch is just a blue couch (though saying your sofa was done in ‘Midnight’ Ultrasuede does sound pretty cool).
Goodbye Herman Miller Select 2011
It’s been nearly six months since Herman Miller announced that the Nelson Tray and Nelson Tray Table were the 2011 offerings as part of the Herman Miller Select program.
“The Select 2011 Edition is an inventive riff on Nelson’s bold clock face. The exquisite inlay pattern is created by juxtaposing walnut and santos palisander veneers in diamond shapes against a background of white ash.”
Limited in numbers, the Nelson Tray Table and Tray are a type of collector’s item. Both beautiful and functional these pieces are meant to be enjoyed and used.
If you weren’t able to buy yours then you may still have a chance, at least with the Nelson Tray Table.
We’re selling our floor model of the Nelson Tray Table and as soon as that’s gone, that’s it…end of the 2011 Select story.
So stop by today to check out this piece of art and design and possibly take it home with you!
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