Wednesday, November 30, 2011

The Goods: Tansu Furniture

One of the aspects of interior design I enjoy so much is the depth of design knowledge to be found from every culture that enriches the lives of client and designer alike.  I have recently been working  with Japanese tansu furniture for a project and have found them to be a real insight into the Asian arts and culture.



Japanese tansu are much more than items of furniture. Extraordinary and versatile wooden cabinetry, dating as far back as 7th-century Japan, tansu represent a rich folk heritage unique in the world. Although created primarily for function and portability, these pieces of furniture reflects equally the masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility found in the finest Japanese art and design.  Furniture as an expression of art and way of communicating ones trade and status.


Tansu have been traditionally fabricated from fine woods such as chestnut, elm, cedar, kiri, and sipo (similar in property to mahogany).  There are many different categories of tansu ranging from pieces that would have been used as staircases, in the kitchen, for clothing storage, sword storage, and merchant inventory.  Functionally and visually the common thread they all share  in addition to the beautiful woods and fabrication are optimal storage solutions, and beautiful hardware that serve an aesthetic and functional purpose. 



A contemporary  four-step tansu (Kaidan-Dansu)
Courtesy of Eastern Classics (http://www.tansushop.com/)

A modern interpretation of the tansu concept

I am struck by how the German Biedermeir movement might have drawn inspiration from the tansu tradition.  Simplicity, utility, and masterful craftsmanship also being the hallmarks of these equally intriguing pieces.


Birch Biedermeier Secretary
2nd Quarter 19th Century
Courtesy:  Christie's




Mizuya-dansu being used in a ktchen designed by Michael S. Smith

Mizuya-dansu (kitchen cabinet)

tansu as bed side storage
 While antique tansu furniture may be out of reach for many design projects, companies like Eastern Classics specialize in authentic high quality tansu fabrication that can be customized to meet your specific storage and design criteria. 

Bye for now.
CG

Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Sunday Stroll: SOMA-San Francisco

This weekend I took a stroll through the neighborhood of San Francisco's Financial District which overlaps with the SOMA neighborhood .  In addition to the wonderful galleries, museums, hotels in this part of town, there is a wonderful crispness in the air and a certain palpable optimism and energy.


One of my favorite discoveries was the 2002 Cesar Pelli designed J.P. Morgan Chase Building at 560 Mission Street.  This has to be one of the finest examples of how corporate architecture can add to a neighborhood in a positive way. From its low hung eaves, to its perfectly selected dark forest green steel structure lends it a wonderful organic feel and softens what could be an otherwise imposing structure.  The building also features a  tailored and art filled courtyard designed by Hart Howerton Architects which is inset from the sidewalk and provides an uxpected respite from the busy street.



2002 Ceasar Pelli
560 Mission Street, San Francisco
J.P. Morgan Chase Headquarters

560 Mission St. Courtyard, San Francisco
Design:  Hart Howerton Architects





550 Mission Plaza features Human Structures by Jonathan Borofsky



550 Mission Plaza features Moonrise Sculptures by Ugo Rondinone

The always busy Salt House (www.salthousesf.com) with its lovely industrial rustic chic interior is worth a visit for a little nibble and a well deserved cocktail.






Custom light fixtures at the Salthouse

Bye for now.
CG


Thursday, October 13, 2011

The Goods: USPS Commemorative Issue

If you haven't already don't forget to support the USPS and pick up your commemorative set of stamps:  Pioneers of American Industrial Design.  They are really quite lovely and a nice touch for those upcoming holiday cards.

Art director Derry Noyes selected objects designed by 12 of the nation’s most important and influential industrial designers to feature on this colorful pane of self-adhesive stamps.
Each stamp includes the designer’s name, the type of object, and the year or years when the object was created. The pane’s verso includes a brief introduction to the history and importance of American industrial design, as well as text that identifies each object and briefly tells something about each designer.




The Peter Müller-Munk stamp features a photograph of the “Normandie” pitcher, introduced by the Revere Copper and Brass Company in 1935. The photograph is from The Liliane and David M. Stewart Collection at the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal.
The Frederick Hurten Rhead stamp features a photograph of two pitchers from the Fiesta dinnerware line designed for The Homer Laughlin China Company in 1936. Denis Farley photographed the pitchers for The Macdonald Stewart Foundation.
The Raymond Loewy stamp features a photograph of a pencil sharpener prototype created in 1933. The photograph is from Christie's Images.
The Donald Deskey stamp features a photograph of a table lamp that Deskey designed around 1927–29. The photograph is from Wright, the auction house, in Chicago, Illinois.
The Russel Wright stamp features a photograph of a fork, knife, and spoon from the “Highlight/Pinch” line of flatware designed by Wright in 1950. Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the flatware for the stamp.
The Henry Dreyfuss stamp features a photograph of the Model 302 Bell telephone introduced in 1937. Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the telephone for the stamp.
The Norman Bel Geddes stamp features a photograph of the “Patriot” radio, designed for Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corporation in 1940. The radio is part of the John C. Waddell Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York.
The Dave Chapman stamp features a photograph of two sewing machines from the Special Collections Research Center at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.
The Greta von Nessen stamp features a photograph of the “Anywhere” lamp, designed in 1951 for Nessen Studio, Inc. The photograph is from the Museum of Modern Art in New York, New York.
The Eliot Noyes stamp features a photograph of the “Selectric” typewriter, which was introduced by IBM in 1961. Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the typewriter for the stamp.
The Walter Dorwin Teague stamp features a photograph of the “Baby Brownie” camera, introduced by Eastman Kodak Company in 1934. Sally Andersen-Bruce photographed the camera for the stamp.
The Gilbert Rohde stamp features a photograph of a clock created for the Herman Miller Clock Company in 1933. The clock is part of the John C. Waddell Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, New York.
The stamps on the Pioneers of American Industrial Design pane are being issued as Forever® stamps. Forever stamps are always equal in value to the current First-Class Mail one-ounce rate.

Bye for now.
CG

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Goods: Bolon Flooring

A flooring product that I find versatile, fun, easy to install and eye catching is Bolon Flooring from Sweden where it is widely used  in kitchens, bathrooms, and other high traffic, spill prone areas.  The product is impervious to water, and has a great look that works in both contemporary or more traditional settings.

The flooring lays flat right from the get go, so if you are sprucing up a rental this is a great option to use which you can install yourself and not have to pull up the flooring underneath.

Bolon allows you the flexibility of sourcing the product in rolls or in tiles.  Ideal uses for the product are really any space where you want to introduce some texture and a soft look but are concerned about durability or spills.  Commercial and retail settings are also ideal.


Bolon Flooring at the new Capellini showroom in Paris


Sisal like weave



A more modern custom installation

To see more of Bolon, visit http://www.bolon.com/

Bye for now
CG

Monday, September 5, 2011

Happy Labor Day


A day of rest...
Vintage 1956 US Postage Stamp





Last chance to wear those summer whites...




and a good excuse for something off the grill...

Bye for now.
CG

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Gentleman On the Go: California Bespoke Exhibition


Recently my studio was engaged to design an exhibition showcasing a variety of artisinal product designed and fabricated in our great state of California. 

This sort of design project always is exciting to me, as it is more conceptual and poses a challenge to the space but allows for great creative freedom, not unlike the Dreamscape installation I wrote about some months back.

As I began developing the concept and how I would showcase the varied products such as furnishings and textiles to stationary and soup bowls....even surfboards designed by the incredible Thomas Meyerhoffer (http://www.meyerhoffer.com/

I decided that the answer, at least part of it, was in the beauty of California's natural landscape.  


Half Dome in Winter
Yosemite, CA



Joshua Tree, CA




Big Sur, CA

With the concept set we began developing a space which would simultaneously provide a neutral backdrop being curated by our friends over at The Editor at Large (http://www.editoratlarge.com/), and at the same time force you to engage some aspect of California's beautiful landscape through either imagery, greenery or through the artisinal quality of all the various products.

It was an absolute pleasure collaborating with the producers of the exhibit (Merchandise Mart Properties), as well as the entire team at the Los Angeles Convention Center, not to mention having an opportunity to meet many of the very very talented artisans producing so many beautiful things that have the ability to inspire us in all aspects of our lives.



California Bespoke
Photo: Jim Harris


California Bespoke
Photo: Jim Harris



California Bespoke
Photo: Jim Harris



California Bespoke
Photo: Jim Harris

Bye for now.
CG 





Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Gentleman on the Move


Literally been moving.  Forgive me for  not posting.

I am happy to report that we are settling into our new digs and more importantly we are out of boxes!  I still have not kitchen counter...therefore no kitchen but what is life without a few bumps in the road.  I do have hot water now which is so nice after three days of cold...very cold showers. 

The micro cottage is a concept in small space living measuring in at a whopping six hundred square feet.  Yes you read correctly.  It is a surprisingly efficient space.  We have found ourselves making quick decisions of what is really necessary and what we can let go.  Interesting how easy it is to simply your life this way.  What you quickly learn to do in a small space is make your daily life tools objets d' art.  From plates to towels these are the elements that count the most because they are the things you connect with on an intimate level....a great closet is also important. 

The home, built in the 1940's by an architect for the park service also has a wonderful garden space which our dogs are enjoying exploring and making their own.  We intend to do some gardening and make it an extension of our living space.

I've also just returned from a trip to Los Angeles having designed and installed an exhibit for the California Gift Show called "California Bespoke".  I will share the details in an upcoming post.  So stay tuned and I will share some pictures as our space comes together. 

Bye for now.
CG
 

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Gentleman On The Go: The de Young Museum

I had the pleasure of spending a delightful afternoon at the Golden Gate Park,  touring the de Young museum which currently has two exhibits of giants in art and fashion, Pablo Picasso and Cristobal Balenciaga.  I remembered to take my camera so here are a few fun images from the day.

The museum itself, designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron is both monolithic and intimate.  Located in the music concourse of the park, the juxtaposition of the de Young against the classically designed Spreckels Temple of Music made for a memorable afternoon of people watching.

Don't miss these shows.  The Balenciaga exhibit was particularly inspiring for all of its attention to detail. 

For you fashion junkies, be sure to check out the site for the new Balenciaga museum located in Balenciaga's home town of Getaria, Spain.  http://www.cristobalbalenciagamuseoa.com/ The museum opened this month. 

Bye for now.
CG

de Young Museum








de Young - Main Lobby











Music Concourse


Friday, June 10, 2011

Icon: Alberto Pinto


Known for his sumptuous and harmonious interiors, Alberto Pinto is certainly at the top of my icon list.  A native of Morocco, studied at the l'ecole du Louvre and began his career photgraphing interiors.  With the trained eye of a photographer, he became further focused and informed through his travels leading to the exhuberantly eclectic interiors he continues to create along with his fifty five person Alberto Pinto Agency, established in Paris, France in 1968.













In addition to beautiful interiors, Mr. Pinto has designed among other things, several lines of textiles for Pierre Frey, jewel like faucets for THG, silverware, china, the list goes on. 

The prolific Pinto among his many influences credits Luis Barragan, the Mexican architect and designer for his bold use of color and David Hicks, the English decorator and designer for his practical know how.  However, make no mistake, Alberto Pinto is a true original and whether he is designing an apartment, villa, palace, corporate interior, hotel, jet, yacht, china or fabrics the look is timeless, sophisticated and elegant.

For more on the work of this remarkable designer visit http://www.albertopinto.com/



Bye for now.
CG