News And Updates
With the holidays here, it’s time to find those whimsical gifts that take tons of time and store-after-store to find. Sounds fun, right? Well, let me save you a few steps. I’ve visited a few of my favorite local design shops in the city recently, trying to find the best of the best. And where better to start than Best of Boston Award-winning Koo de Kir.
What I love about Koo de Kir is, it’s urban without being harsh modern or owing too heavily on our Victorian-Brownstone past. It’s sustainable and local without losing a sense of style. And it’s not just one room, or one type of item, so you’re always bound to find something you need.
Know someone that loves whiskey? These Whiskey Rocks cool down your drink like a “whiskey on the rocks”, without diluting the whiskey. And they can be rinsed off and stuck back in the freezer time and again. Get the Whiskey Lover – rocks with two tumbler glasses – and a bottle of good whiskey, and you’ve got a winning gift.
This beautiful handmade bar set (see a trend starting?) would look equally good on a Paul McCobb credenza as on a French antique one. They’re all made here in Massachusetts, too, so you’re keeping it local. I’ll raise my glass for that.
This Tic-Tac-Toe set is visually striking, with it’s white porcelain-on-black wood layout. Perfect for when the cocktail party starts to lull. This would be great on the coffee table or credenza of a home with or without children – though I can guess which it would get more use in!
Know someone with that huge book case, with an amazing assortment of books, arranged just so. These are the bookends for them. I have a journalist friend these would be perfect for.
Pillows probably aren’t the easiest or most frequently-given gift, but if you know someone that needs a few (like me!), you can’t go wrong with these pillows by local designer SeemaKrish. With bright, vibrant patterns and colors inspired by India, where she grew up, SeemaKrish pillows are great accents that would work in a variety of interiors.
If you’re looking for local, it doesn’t get much closer to home than Barbara Lynch. Chef-owner of a number of local icons — No. 9 Park, B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, Drink, and Sportello — Barbara has now released her first cookbook, “Stir: Mixing It Up In the Italian Tradition.” This, plus a bottle of Italian wine, make a great gift idea.
Stay tuned as I explore more local stores and highlight the best selections for gifts for the holidays.
Do you have a favorite store that you just HAVE to go to when shopping for presents? Let us know in the comments!
Tomorrow night, Nov 24, at 10pm the documentary Objectified will be featured on the PBS show Independent Lens.
With the film, director Gary Hustwit explores the complex world of industrial design and our relationship with everyday objects. This thoughtful follow up to Helvetica features interviews with world renowned product designers and talented individuals that influence everything we do via the objects we interact with daily. Although the running time has been shaved down to 53 minutes from the features original 75 minute runtime, the spirit of the film remains intact. Also check the Independent Lens site for additional air dates and times.
Just a reminder that the full length feature is available on DVD, and can be pre-ordered on Blu Ray.
I had a chance to visit the Morson Collection for the first time since they relocated to Lincoln St, and I have to say, I’m impressed. It’s a beautiful new showroom. Two walls of windows really make all the beautiful, Italian-made furniture shine.
I only had a few minutes to spend, so I made a quick round of the store and took a few shots of some of my favorite chairs at the Morson Collection – pieces that I could see somehow fitting into my decor (whether current or dream decor is up for debate).
The Francine Club Chair, designed by Studio F & L, has a classic, almost midcentury, square shape blended with chrome steel feet for a very up-to-the minute look. I could see this chair in the living room of my brownstone apartment in Charlestown.
The wide, low profile of this Diller lounge chair suggests a subtle sophistication. Its tubular steel legs hints back to such icons as the Wassily Chair. It’s the type of chair I could see in my bedroom – if I had the room for such a thing.
Like many of his pieces, Philippe Starck’s magnificent Monseigneur Armchair takes a classic shape and updates it. This chair will sit as comfortably with modern pieces as with antiques, and could even be the bridge between the two. I absolutely love the floating chrome front legs/armrests with the ebonized back legs – like a furniture version of “putting your best foot forward.”
The Hopper Armchair, designed by Rodolpho Dordoni, has a striking, laid back feel. The cowhide gives the square-framed chair the perfect amount of texture (you can see the solid version on the Morson Collection site). I can see this chair in Kevin and Joyce’s loft, a well-curated space filled with relaxed, thoughtful designs.
The Morson Collection is continuously updating their inventory, so they consistently have amazing deals on floor unit models. In fact, the basement level is reserved solely for discontinued floor models at steep discounts. One floor model was this Bertoia Diamond Side Chair, reduced to only $317! I immediately took a photo with my phone and texted it to Christopher, who is a big Bauhaus/black-and-chrome fan.
This is of course only a small taste of what The Morson Collection offers. I love their new space, and their ever evolving line of furniture. I’m going to visit there again soon when I have more time to spend!
The Morson Collection
76 Lincoln St
Boston, MA 02111
617-482-2335
Looking to get a start on your holiday shopping, but want to get something a little more special than what’s available at the big box stores? You’re in luck: The Design Salon, the group of Boston-based professional women designers, is hosting its 2nd annual holiday sale.
Browse from a curated selection of goods and rub elbows with the designers. Of nearly 50 submissions by Design Salon members, “The Salon” jury picked the following 19 exhibitors:
I’ve met many of these designers (did you see my last post?), and think a curated “Made in Boston” event is a great idea.
The Design Salon holiday sale is on Saturday, November 21, from 10am to 5pm, at the Kingsley Montessori School. Come out, support local designers, and come away with great finds for the holidays (and for you!).
Design Salon
2nd Annual Holiday Sale
Saturday, November 21
10am-5pm
Kingsley Montessori
26 Exeter Street (between Newbury and Commonwealth Avenue)
Boston, MA
Last night, Christopher and I met up at South Station after work, then walked across the channel to get to the Point.
“Get to the Point”, as it was named, was a party to celebrate the opening of a new studio shared by four local designers: Jill Rosenwald, Jennifer Hill of JHill Design, Jessica Sutton of Jessica Sutton Graphic Design, and Lawrence McRae of Switch.
The space is an expansive loft on Congress st, a remnant to Fort Point’s history as the oldest artists’ community in Boston. Their particular unit has it’s own infamous recent history in the area – but that just adds to the feel that this isn’t your hip new-Boston place.
That vibe works perfectly for these four designers – two potters and two graphic designers. The space is expansive enough for each of them to have their own work areas, plus plenty of space for Jill and Lawrence to kiln and store the ceramic lamps, bowls, and other pieces they had on display throughout. A fifth designer, Elements Interiors owner Erin Gates, will soon to join them, in another room that’s currently unoccupied – the space is THAT big.
A number of other local designers were on hand, as well. It’s always great to see Kelly Smith of Etcetera Media. I also had the pleasure of meeting stylist Adwoa Gyimah Brempong, jewelry designer (and snap Craigslist scourer) Keyse Angelo of Flauxy, and swimwear/activewear designer Jill Palese. Jill told me about the Boston-area Design Salon, a group of women professional designers that meet monthly. But, by far, the guest of honor was Oscar.
“Get to the Point” was a great night. I look forward to featuring each designer more in-depth in the near future.
Be sure to check out all the photos from “Get to the Point” on Flickr!
Earlier today, I was in Harvard Square with Christopher and DesignKid. Christopher says, “Let’s go to Design Research.” I object, noting that D/R closed over 30 years ago. “Hm, you’ll see,” comments Christopher. We walk down to 48 Brattle St — lo and behold, there’s Design Research, in all its Mid-Century Modernist glory.
Until this year it was a Crate and Barrel — the first C&B in Massachusetts, in fact. But before that, from 1969 – 1978, was the headquarters for Design Research.
Founded in 1953 by architect Ben Thompson, Design Research (or D/R, as its sign read) was the first “lifestyle” store, selling a collection of international modernist home decor, clothing, and accessories. D/R was the first U.S. store to carry such iconic European brands as Iittala, Artek and Marimekko. Thompson’s store has become the archetype for nearly all lifestyle stores and those who start them, including Jonathan Adler, Crate and Barrel’s Gordon Segal, and Franklin Getchell of Moss.
“Design Research: A Retrospective” is to celebrate 40 years since Design Research moved into three floors at 48 Grove, a striking modernist building designed by Thompson. The effort was spearheaded by Thompson’s widow, Jane, and executed by the Rhode Island School of Design, and is filled with a wide assortment of period pieces. Marimekko has contributed a selection of pieces from it’s collection ranging from the 50’s to the 70’s. There are even some pieces that were originally sold at Design Research!
The display is absolutely beautiful, a display of what Mid-Century Modernism was like before it was vintage. The layout shows an honesty to the pieces that’s missing from a display of the same pieces at a modern store.
Understandably, Design Research can only be appreciated from the sidewalk, and is only temporary. “Design Research: A Retrospective” runs through April 2010.
Also of note: According to this NY Times blog post, Jane Thompson, along with Alexandra Lange, have written a history of Design Research, “D/R: The Store That Brought Modern Living to American Homes” set to be published in 2010 by Chronicle Books.
Check out DesignBoston on Flickr to see the entire set of photos from “Design Research: A Retrospective”.