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December 28th, 2011
Our Boxing Week Clearance continues until December 31, and nearly everything in the store starts at 20% off. Maybe you need to replace the dishware that was broken in that over-rambunctious Boxing Day party. Perhaps you’ve decided to replace that uncomfortable chair you’ve been stuck sitting in since your family arrived and took over the good seats. Or maybe it’s just that piece you’ve had your eye on all year – there’s no better time than our annual store-wide sale to address all of your needs. From flatware to bookcases, lounge chairs to dining tables – all are available in this once a year event. Check the Specials section for highlights, but as we simply can’t post everything, you’re best bet is to come down to the showroom.
December 3rd, 2011
 photo via dfortyex.wordpress.com
With the Herman Miller sale in full swing, and our December floor model clearance just underway, there is no time like the present to pick up a gift for yourself or your loved ones. This year, we’ve tried to make sure we have enough holiday items to keep up after selling out last year. We’re especially excited about the Superstar Christmas Tree (pictured above) by Modernica and the gorgeous Georg Jensen tree top stars (and you can go here to see what a Danish language Christmas commercial looks like – not that different, but in Danish!). That said we have fun, colourful and shiny pieces of all sorts and prices to brighten up the holidays, including Marimekko ornaments, table runners and tablecloths, ornaments by Whigby and a wonderful collection of Christmas cards that put Hallmark to shame. And don’t forget that the Herman Miller sale continues until December 12!
November 22nd, 2011
 November 23 until December 12, we’re proud to be a part of the Semi-Annual Herman Miller Sale! Designers such as Eames, Noguchi and Nelson are available for 15% off in-store and special order purchases. The Lifeworks portfoliio and Aeron Chair can help you ease through a winter season of work while small delights like the Nelson Swag Leg table and the Eames wire base tables can solve those entertaining “where do we put our drinks?” problems. Pick out a present for yourself and order it up – by phone, email or best yet, in person. We’re happy to help, and bring authentic design into your home for the holidays. Be sure to check out the Herman Miller site if you wish to shop from the convenience of your chair, and remember what Charles Eames said: “It makes me feel guilty that anybody should have such a good time doing what they are supposed to do.” Have a good time making yourself feel guilty during the Herman Miller sale.
November 7th, 2011
 Norman Cherner’s career as an architect and designer is a storied one. Perhaps best known for the Cherner Chair (pictured above), his work is inextricably linked with Herman Miller, Plycraft and the Mid Century Modernism movement. His work, long sought by collectors after it was phased out of production in the early 1970’s, was reintroduced in 1999 by his sons Benjamin and Thomas. Both architects and designers in their own right, the Cherner Chair company not only produces the furniture Norman designed over 50 years ago to the exact specifications of the originals, but also new designs by Benjamin that reflect the Cherner tradition. The Cherner story is an American one – innovation (by improving the design of a George Nelson chair to arrive at the armchair), Norman Rockwell and a particularly noteworthy lawsuit all make an appearance.
We’re happy to have the Cherner dining table, side chairs, stools and (of course) the classic armchair as part of our current showroom collection. See the craftsmanship and elegant, playful beauty for yourselves, and have a seat in a piece of furniture design history.
October 26th, 2011
It’s been too long a wait but we’re very excited to launch our newly expanded web site. We’re featuring more brands than ever and bringing you much more background on what’s happening in the world of design for the home. And if that’s not enough, we’re drilling down even deeper into what grabs the design community with our blog, Pullupasofa. And if you’re in a hurry, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and we’ll come to you.
October 26th, 2011
 The recently unveiled revisit by Herman Miller of a handful of their classic designs is just the latest in a busy year for the venerable furniture manufacturer. In an effort to evoke the sensibilities these pieces had when first introduced, the company has added a dash of drama and a stroke of elegance to already beautiful pieces. In re-examining the pieces, Herman Miller developed a new leather option for the Eames Lounge and Ottoman and the Eames Aluminum Group and Softpad Group chairs meant to mimic the look and feel of the original issues. Containing more grain than that of the leather used in the past couple of decades, the texture is wonderful, and promises to develop a rich patina over time. They coupled this with new finishes for all the lines: oiled Walnut or Santos Palisander as well as the breathtaking White Ash shells for the Lounge and Ottoman. In keeping with the development of new leather, the white ash shell is notable for its special finish, which the company promises will prevent yellowing with age. It only makes sense they used this option to expand the available wood types for the Noguchi base as well.
The Aluminum Group’s new coatings arose from the same desire to reclaim the original intent. As they put it:
“Herman Miller began producing the Aluminum Group chairs in 1958, originally promoting the chairs as the “leisure group” or alternatively the “indoor-outdoor group.” It didn’t take long for the Aluminum Group to move inside exclusively, perhaps to due to their lithe form. Now, that distinctive design returns to its birthright with materials, finishes and hardware fit for the Miller House terraces and all outdoors, in addition to providing new options for its interior application. With new satin graphite or white powdercoat finishes, graphite and white outdoor suspension mesh, MCL leather, and the original 4-star base, the Aluminum Group now moves seamlessly from outdoor to indoor, leisure to workplace, just as the Eameses first intended. “
While revisiting classics is controversial, in this case the results are fascinating – not a complete remake, but rather a tweaking that is subtle and even slightly glamourous without sacrificing any of the original beauty of the pieces.
Notably, Herman Miller maintained they’re strict environmental commitment, ensuring as much of the pieces are recyclable as possible. Given the hints of further announcements regarding more classic pieces are forthcoming, one can only wonder what is next.
October 26th, 2011
If nothing else, Tom Dixon is a man with a vision. Articulate, thoughtful and unafraid to put his words into action, whether inspiring others in his manifestos or expressing his unbending zeal in his work, Dixon is one of the most vital and brashest designers of the past two decades. A quick glance at his work reveals as much.
The Void Light was inspired by Olympic medals, but the unique folding of stainless steel also takes a material so often associated with rigidity and strength and reframes it with fluid lines.
The Pressed Glass series was developed using technology originally created to manufacture automobile headlight covers. The technology was abandoned by the auto industry in favour of polymers and plastics, but Dixon saw an opportunity to create unique, lighting that, while visually “light” is actually composed of glass compressed to nearly a half inch thick.
Most pertinent to this post, however, is that with all this talk of industry and heft, Dixon maintains an elegant side, which is no better expressed than with the newly issued White Powder Coated Beat Light series. Originally only available in black with a handbeaten brass interior, the newly minted white version – in much the same manner as Herman Miller’s Eames Lounge and Ottoman re-issue from earlier this year – adds a certain element of femininity to his work. It’s a feature that has always been present (the marble top on the Screw Table , for example), but not made as explicit as these wonderful lights.
October 26th, 2011
 They refer to it as “Craftsman Modern,” but when we uncrated our first order from Bassam Fellows, “luxury” was the first word that came to mind. Dramatic but understated, Bassam Fellows pieces exude attention to the smallest of details that create pieces even greater than the sum of their parts. The small design company was founded by Scott Fellows and Craig Bassam; Fellows, a former creative director, and Bassam, an architect and designer who worked with Marcel Breuer protegé Bruce Eeles, dedicated themselves to marrying modernist principles with natural materials. The result is as close to art as it is craft perfection. Leather is selected from multiple hides so only the softest and richest is used, and each joint is hand crafted. Striking, to be sure, and enough so that the cream of the design world has celebrated their work. While there is a price to be paid for this unique version of modernism, these pieces radiate both the elegance of materials and purity of vision to which the duo have dedicated themselves. In their own words:
“The collection is centered around the values of honesty of materials, solidity of construction, utility, and beauty without elaboration.“
October 26th, 2011
Over the past few months, we’ve been excited to add several lighting lines to our collection, all with history, philosophy and individual design sensibilities. We thought it would be a good time to offer some insight into all these new lights brightening our showroom.
 Anglepoise may appear unassuming, but it is a lamp rich in history. Developed by George Carwardine between 1931 and 1934, the lamp utilized weights, levers and springs to allow it to be moved and set in innumerable positions. As with so much Mid Century Modern design, its true function and form is developed during and after World War II. It was marketed as the only suitable light to use during the frequent air raid blackouts owing to its directional nature, and following the war, aluminum replaces steel owing to short supply of the latter. Remarkably the lamp’s functionality remains the same to this day, albeit with wall, floor and ceiling versions available.And yes – it is the logo for Pixar.
Wästberg is a company born as much of philosophy as design. You can read the philosophy here (and if especially enthused, click on the link on the bottom of that page for his full manifesto) but in short: too much light was a problem that needed to be alleviated through the use of soft, directional lighting suited to the situation, rather than all too common lighting of general space. It is a concept embraced by all the designers involved withthe company, including such luminaries as designer and architect Maarten Van Severen and James Irvine, whose w082 design (pictured below)is emblematic of the Wästberg aesthetic.
Perhaps most widely known, Jieldé have been presenting distinctive, colorful and utterly unique lighting design since 1950. The original design by Jean-Louis Domecq of the Signal Lampremains unchanged to this day (save for the addition of a wider palette of brilliant colours). The look of their lights – part alien, part robot – have endeared them to designers, collectors and aesthetes the world over, and continue to capture the imagination while providing that which is so often taken for granted.
While we continue to expand our lighting collection continuing into the new year, look for more updates and features on lighting that is much more than a bulb and a switch.
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