An Award Winner Gets a Makeover
Winner of the 2011 Good Design Award, Australian International Design Awards, the 2011 DesignEx Best New Product Award, and the 2011 IIDA/HD Award for Excellence, the Stix fireplace from EcoSmart Fire is undoubtedly cool.
Designed by Barcelona-based Japanese designer Hiroshi Tsunoda, the Stix fireplace looks good both indoors and out where it resembles a traditional camp fire.
“Consisting of varying-sized tubular stainless steel ‘sticks’ that are secured around an efficient 3 litre burner, the EcoSmart Fire Stix is powered by clean-burning, environmentally friendly bioethanol.”
Stylish, as well as practical (it can heat a 215 square foot space and last for 7-8 hours), Stix is sure to be a hit no matter where you use it. And now that it’s offered in a Gun Metal finish as well as Black, it’s easy to incorporate it in various settings.
Gun Metal Finish
Black Finish
It’s National Design Week!
Running from October 15th to the 23rd and sponsored by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, National Design Week is its “largest education initiative, [which] aims to draw national attention to the ways in which design enriches everyday life.”
As the 2011 winner of the 2011 National Design Award for Corporate and Institutional Achievement, Knoll knows a thing or two about good design.
Generation Chair by Knoll
Whether its an office chair you sit in everyday or a lounge chair that’s equal parts “art and industry”, Knoll products for both home and office are created by some of the best designers on the planet. This is something that Knoll has always strived for since its inception in 1938 by Hans Knoll. He founded the company “based on the conviction that good design enriches and improves our lives.”
Barcelona Chair & Ottoman
So what do you think? Where do you see design improving your daily life?
Herman Miller: Through The Ages
Having been around for more than 100 years gives Herman Miller a few things: experience and knowledge of the industry, a loyal following and an interesting and diverse logo history.
In 1905, Herman Miller actually started out as Michigan Star Furniture CO.
Continue reading below to see a visual history of the Herman Miller logo. Read more
Eames Designs
Are you a fan of Charles and Ray Eames? Do you day dream of their furniture designs, architecture or even films? If your answer is “yes”, then you need to check out EamesDesigns.com! Described as a “A Virtual Encyclopedia of all things Eames”, EamesDesigns.com has loads of images, interviews, catalogs, portfolio work and even this fun feature called Eames Spotting.
Eames Wire Base Table
In Eames Spotting, you can view pictures of classic Eames pieces in movies, tv shows, tv commercials, print ads and magazines. For example, the Eames Wire Base Table shows up in this 2005 W Magazine shoot featuring Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.
Photograph by Steven Klein
Even if you don’t know that much about the Eames’s past work, the site is easy to navigate and full of interesting information and media.
Stoking the Flames
Stix Fireplace by EcoSmart
This morning in DC was a little chilly, which only served to remind me that summer is just about over.
And while it’s been great and fun, I can’t help but get excited for Fall! The air smells different. There are some great holidays right around the corner. Fall clothing brings rich textures and colors to outfits everywhere. And there’s always the opportunity to cuddle up with your loved one under a cozy blanket, preferably by a warm fireplace.
Fireplaces are great in that they can serve as a fully functional heating source, a beautiful design element in your space or both! Regardless of how they’re used, fireplaces (in all their shapes, sizes and styles) bring a touch of character and romance to your home.
Check out how Vastu’s designers have incorporated fireplaces, originally existing or not, into their designs! (Pictures Below) Read more
Colorful Glass Eye Candy from the West Coast
Check out what we just got in yesterday to the showroom!
Bulb Incalmo Vase
Tube Top Vase
These glass vases are made in Portland, Oregon and come in different sizes, shapes and colors to suit your fancy. Read more
Back to School
HGTV’s Blog recently had a gallery post on “8 Stylish Dorm Room Updates”. In it, interior designers Vanessa De Vargas, Summer Thornton and Lana Kole shared tips on creating dorm rooms that not only looked great but helped students study hard and get their work done. That got us thinking, even though the back to school season is right around the corner for many (if not already here) these tips could really extend to anyone living in smaller spaces. Read more
HOW TO: Buy Steven Anthony Furniture During Dog Days
In anticipation for the weekend, we thought we’d put together a short how-to for buying Steven Anthony furniture so you can get your 20% discount during the MidCity Dog Days sale!
Step 1: Choose a style.
Steven Anthony builds custom sofas, sectionals, chairs, dining chairs, benches, ottomans and beds. Within these different categories are several styles and variations.
Step 2: Indicate a size and/or dimensions.
All sofas and sectionals are available in any length in 6 inch increments (e.g. 60″, 66″, 72″, etc). Benches, ottomans, and upholstered beds are fully customizable to any dimension (think length, width, and height).
Step 3: Select a fabric or leather and color.
If you’ve ever stopped by the Vastu showroom, than chances are pretty high that you’ve noticed the two very large walls full of fabric samples. Steven Anthony pieces can be done in fabric or in any leather. All you have to do is choose one that fits within your space.
Step 4: Decide on finishing details.
When we say our Steven Anthony pieces are fully customizable, we mean it. You can choose between metal or wood legs, the color stain used on wood, the height of your legs, the number of seat and back cushions on your sofa or sectional, whether or not they’re tufted, the firmness (or softness) of your cushions, and finally the seams! All of these variables can instantly change the look of the final product.
Step 5: Pay and get your 20% Off Dog Days sale discount!
To receive your Dog Days discount, you do have to place your order during this weekend. With 20% off, you could be saving hundreds off a one-of-a-kind piece of custom furniture!
If you still need help narrowing down all your choices during the Dog Days weekend, just find a Vastu staff member and we’ll be happy to provide any advice or assistance you may need.
For other MidCity businesses and their Dog Days sale, check out the full list here.
Getting Ready for Dog Days!
MidCity’s Dog Days, one of the biggest neighborhood-wide sales of the year, is only a few days away!
As a reminder, here’s what we have going on at Vastu…
20% Off All New Steven Anthony Custom Upholstered Furniture Orders!
This includes sleek sofas like the Dupont, charming chairs like the Astro, and beautiful benches like the Lowell (among various other styles of sofas, sectionals, chairs, benches and ottomans).
Buy your tickets before they’re gone! Tickets are $100 and ONLY 30 are available.
One lucky grand-prize winner will receive a Hugo sleeper sofa designed and built by Steven Anthony (valued at $3,500). Also, every entry into the Dog Days Raffle comes with a beautiful throw pillow (valued at $150).
Need not be present at store to win. Raffle winner will be chosen at random and notified the week of August 8, 2011.
To see the full list of participating businesses in the area and their offers, head over to the MidCity website.
Etsy Find: Eames Small Dot Clutch
Check out this precious Eames Small Dot clutch purse from Etsy seller Upstyle.
From the seller’s product description:
“Chances are if you were drawn to this clutch you know all about Ray and Charles Eames – American designers who’s work exemplifies Mid-Century modern style.
This clutch is made from authentic Eames Small Dot fabric by Maharam featuring an off-white design on a black background. (I completely SPLURGED! on this fabric.)”
Maharam is a favorite upholstery supplier of Vastu’s, and the Small Dot Pattern by Ray & Charles Eames was designed for the Museum of Modern Art’s Competition for Printed Fabrics in 1947.
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