…but it’s for a good reason!

When I should have been writing about the great designers I’m coming across, I’ve been working with Joyce — not just a blogger but also a freelance photographer and graphic designer — on designing and programming a new DesignBoston.org.

The basic layout is all set, but there’s still much to be done. We’re hoping to be finished in the next few days. When that happens, the site will be unavailable for a short time while we make the switchover.

In the meantime, I’ll be sure to post as often as I can.

Thanks for your patience!

(Yes, I was dared to put this old school .gif up. )

Merry Christmas!

@ theBrimfield Antique Show Fall 2009

My husband Kevin and I went to the Brimfield Antique Show Sunday on a whim. Sometimes this is ok, but more often than not you get completely overwhelmed with the abundance of so much cool old stuff! For the most part we did all right. We did have a small plan of action that kept us from straying to much… to find a white side table (or something we could paint) for our entrance way and some eastern influenced decor for the bedroom. We ended up with 2 side tables, neither which were white! One, a metal side table with extendable sides, perfect for our “state hospital chic” design aesthetic, that we scored for only $30. This table will be the one we will most likely use and for the entrance once it is painted white. And the other table is a beautiful blue french antique table I fell in love with instantly.  (Yes, I know french antique and “state hospital” chic is tough to pull off, but have some faith! We have nothing blue or french antique in our space, so this will definitely be a challenge!)

A little about the show. It is the largest outdoor antique show in the world, held since 1959, three times each year, with thousands of dealers attending.
In a quaint New England town with rolling hills this show has more of a festival or town fair atmosphere than flea market feel. It attracts all kinds of people which makes for good people watching. You can get fried dough and apple cider, what could be better?

Some of our other purchases:

Buddha head $10 - I have been looking for a good Buddha for years now, so this was a great find for me + I like that it’s an off white Buddha as opposed to the metal or stone ones you always see. And the price was right for Kevin to agree to letting me buy it.

Tibetan Wool Shawls $23 - From Ayana Sofia Imports, these were so beautiful and were more like blankets than shawls, perfect for a cool fall afternoon.

Chinese Revolution Posters $2/each - A perfect compliment to our Shepard Fairy “Make Art Not War” poster.

Swim Baskets $20 – These are very hard to find, so we grabbed 3 for organizing random kitchen accessories.

Wall Tapestry from India $32-$70 - Purchased 2! They are made from old wedding sari’s, makes the perfect wedding gift and/or window covering to block out that obnoxious street lamp out side my window!

Mini Japanese Comic Book $2 - Fueled our bargaining power and really who doesn’t love a Japanese comic book?

To check out more images of the show, check out our flickr photostream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/designboston/sets/72157622253462055/

To get more info on the show and dates for next year, visit the Brimfield site:
http://www.brimfieldshow.com/index.html

As I mentioned previously, I’m organizing a fund raiser, called Social Media for Social Change. Here’s the basic idea of it:

The social media world has proven that, though still a young and small community within a multitude of industries, we have the power to exact great change.

Social media has broken down walls and created conversations. IBM does product testing in Second Life. Old college classmates reunite on Facebook. Zappos does intra-office communication via Twitter. All great, paradigm shifting events.

But we believe something more is possible.

The event is going to raise funds to benefit Jane Doe, Inc., a Boston-based anti-domestic abuse organization. It’s going to be held Friday, October 10, at the Harvard Club on Commonwealth Ave.

It’s one event, but it’s shaping up to be a movement. One that brings individuals, startups, companies, corporations and the causes we value together to change the lives of those who need it most.

How can my friends in the design world do to help?

For the back story, check out the SM4SC blog.

If you are an individual looking to help out, find out how to get involved now.

If you are a designer, store or firm looking to earn some fantastic karma, check out how to sponsor our event.

And thank you.

Yesterday afternoon, I was walking along Main Street in Charlestown and happened upon an antique shop. Normally, it’s doors are closed when I walk by, but today it was open. I walked in and greeted the owner. I told her I was really into modern design, and was suddenly on the receiving end of a twenty minute lecture on why antiquity is superior, and that only the uneducated are into modernism.

Okay.

I bid adieu and walked out. I needed to get a fix of Mid-Century Modernism – stat! I hopped the bus to Harvard Square and walked down Concord Avenue to Reside. I wrote about the vintage MCM furniture store about a year ago, but hadn’t been back since.

As I walked in, I remembered what I loved about the place. Whether it’s Scandinavian or American or other types of modernism, they have it. My apartment in Charlestown has a tiny living room, too small for a full-sized sofa. There were two great options for me:

A loveseat by Steelcase with crome legs

Or a Danish sofa with teak arms and legs

Either one would fit into the space. The unfortunate thing is, I don’t have the money for it right now, and by the time I do, these beautiful pieces will be gone! On the bright side, Pamela and the rest of Reside are always bringing in new pieces, so there are always new things to see – and buy!

Reside, Inc.
265 Concord Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

First off, Happy New Year!

Okay, I know it’s a little late. As I’ve mentioned before, my internet connection is spotty at best, but I’ve also been busy job hunting.

I need to take some time off from school and concentrate on working full time. As you can (hopefully) tell by reading DB, I’m a design fanatic and would love to work in the industry. If you or anyone you know is looking for an articulate, knowledgeable, design-addicted workaholic, please drop me an email.

Think of it this way: It’s in your best interest to help me find a job, because I’ll spend more time blogging and less time job hunting.

Best wishes to you in 2008, and as always, if I can be of any help to you, please email me.

Earlier today I was walking down Concord Ave in Cambridge. I was happy to find Reside, a store in who’s windows I have drooled many times (because it’s always been at night), was open.

Reside sells “original works of great design as well as rare and hard to find pieces by some of the era’s greatest designers and manufacturers.” What does that mean? Wall to wall modern furniture.

Right as I walked in, the mid-century modernist in me bugged out. Right in front of me as I walked in was a Wassily Chair in brown leather, and behind that was an Eames lounge chair – my favorite. I didn’t have much time, so I only gave the store a quick walk through. All I can say is, I will SO be back.

Reside
266 Concord Ave.
Cambridge, MA
617-547-2929
info@resideinc.com

Yeah, I know, it’s not design, but it’s for a good cause: The 20th Annual Boston Can Share Food Drive. The city, along with FedEx, has placed a trailer in Government Center to collect cans of food. All donations will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank. They’re hoping everyone working in the shops and offices downtown “will respond to this appeal and bring canned goods to City Hall Plaza on their lunch or coffee breaks”. The city’s goal for this week is an astonishing 20,000 lbs of food, so get down to Government Center with some cans!