Happy Birthday…
…to Ultrasuede(R)! The vibrant, versatile and incredibly resilient microfiber available from Knoll Textiles.
Invented in 1971, Ultrasuede comes in 22 standard colorways (and tons more with a minimum yardage). This great fabric has a 200,000+ double rub Wyzenbeek rating, is inherently stain resistant and easily cleanable.
Whether you use Ultrasuede on a classic piece from Knoll or a personalized sofa from Steven Anthony, Ultrasuede is sure to last and look good while doing it.
Upholstered Tulip Chair
Fashionable Additions to Knoll Luxe
Dorothy Cosonas, KnollTextiles and Knoll Luxe creative director, recently designed 3 new fabrics for the Knoll Luxe 2011 collection that were inspired by current fashion trends: Arabella, Grammercy, and Vermeer. Arabella and Gramercy are both large-scale velvet upholstery fabrics while Vermeer is more like a classic Knoll knubby-textured fabric.
The colors are great, and as upholstery fabrics they’re a fabulous way to bring the fashion industry into your home and onto your Knoll pieces.
Knoll Luxe Arabella
Arabella Upholstered Tulip Chair
Knoll Luxe Gramercy
Gramercy Upholstered Platner Chair
Knoll Luxe Vermeer
Vastu is an authorized Knoll Space dealer.
Etsy Find: Black Tulip Chair Pillow
The idea of furniture imagery on an accessory like a pillow becomes very meta, but we’re loving the way Lisa Pascarell for Studio Tree pulls it off with this pillow cover featuring a Black Tulip Chair from Knoll.
Even better, the pillow cover is eco-friendly!
“The chair has been sewn using ecospun felt , which is made from recycled water bottles, except for the red seat cushion, which is natural wool felt. ( sustainable resource).”
Designer spotlight: Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen, 1910-1961
Birthplace: Finland
Knoll Products: Saarinen dining and low tables, executive chair, executive side chair, Tulip chairs, Womb chair and ottoman
The son of architect and Cranbrook Academy of Art director Eliel Saarinen and his wife, textile artist Loja, Eero Saarinen studied sculpture in Paris and architecture at Yale before working on furniture design with Norman Bel Geddes and practicing architecture with his father. He collaborated on several projects in furniture design with his friend, Cranbrook alumnus Charles Eames, and opened his own practice in Bloomfield Hills in 1950. Among the many buildings for which he is known are the Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC, The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, and the TWA Terminal at Kennedy International Airport in New York. He was the recipient of numerous awards and the subject of many exhibitions.
(image and bio via knoll.com)
Etsy find: Dodeline
We stumbled upon this fun birthday card on Etsy. This handmade card from Dodeline features the iconic Saarinen Tulip chairs. A perfect way to send birthday wishes to the mid-century modern lover in your life!
From the archives: Knoll posters
Not only is Knoll responsible for producing some of the most sought after furniture designs in the world, they’ve developed some incredibly creative ad/poster designs over the years. Below are some of our favorite Knoll posters passed featuring iconic pieces such as the Tulip chair, Womb chair and Diamond chair.
Etsy find: Jason Hill Design
We stumbled across the Jason Hill Design Etsy shop and just had to stop when we saw these screen prints of two Knoll mid-century modern classics – the Tulip chair and the Bertoia diamond chair. Great size, great colors, great gift!
Etsy find: the bees knees designs
Etsy shop, the bees knees designs, features this silhouette of a Saarinen tulip chair painted on pine wood. A frame isn’t required for this great little piece – it’s ready to hang! As a retailer that loves mid-century modern furniture, we think this would be a fun addition to any MCM fanatic’s home!
How to spot a design classic
As a proud Knoll retailer, authenticity and the preservation of design integrity is important to us. A member of the Knoll team shared an article with us from Elle Decoration’s June 2007 issue. Though the article is a few year’s old, there are some GREAT tips on how to ensure you’re getting an authentic Knoll Barcelona Chair or Tulip Chair.
Look what we found! #3
It’s never too early to expose the little ones to timeless design. Etsy shop, TinyModernist, sells professionally finished, Mid-century inspired children’s clothes and accessories. These are great for the offspring of Mid-century modern fanatics.
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