Modern Squash by Christoph Niemann (And The Originals On Which they Were Based)

Here's a little eye candy...er, vegetable, for you. I came across this fun image created by illustrator Christoph Niemann for the New York Times and wanted to share it with you, along with the originals that it represents.

The image features mid century modern furniture classics, architecture - even a famous architect in his iconic eyewear - by well known designers crafted from squash and gourds.

In case you are unfamiliar with the originals that inspired them, I have culled them for you here.

1. Hang-it-All by Charles and Ray Eames, 1953


2. PH 4/3 Lamp by Poul Hennigsen, 1966


3. TWA Terminal in New York by Eero Saarinen, 1962


4. Philip Johnson (1906-2005)

above portrait by Luca Vignelli

5. La Chaise by Charles and Ray Eames, 1948


6. The Egg Chair by Arne Jacobsen, 1958


7. The Swan Chair by Arne Jacobsen, 1958



Christoph is best known for his work for the New Yorker Magazine. You can see more of his wonderful work at his website here.

Herman Miller Updates An Eames Classic With Wood. The New Molded Wood Eames Chair.

The Molded Plastic Chair (or Shell chair) that Mid-Century Modern design lovers have grown to covet is the epitome of the Eames process. Since its launch in 1950, details like color and height options, shock mounts, base variations, and use of upholstery have received constant improvements.



Manufacturing processes have been closely monitored and modified. And in the 1990s, when new findings revealed fiberglass-reinforced plastic shells to be less suitable for the environment, Herman Miller explored sustainable solutions and, in 2000, reintroduced the design in 100 percent recyclable polypropylene (shown below).



Now, in 2013, Herman Miller introduces the Eames Molded Wood Chair, a beautiful expression of this timeless design.




Today’s techniques cut wood veneer into small strips and then process them in a way that makes the wood flexible enough to mold into complex curves without splitting or popping. This allows the material to take on the authentic form of the timeless Eames design for the first time as a single wood shell.



Select from three veneers for the wood shell, including white ash, walnut, and santos palisander. Pair it with a choice of three classic bases: wire (often called the "Eiffel Tower") in chrome or black, 4-leg in chrome or black, or wood dowel in one of three finishes.




The Eames Molded Wood Chair’s range of finish and base options allows for 21 different combinations of this new seating—giving you the opportunity to mix and match a unique look for almost any environment.



A beautiful expression in of the timeless design, the Eames Molded Wood Chair honors the organic shapes, sleek lines, and honest materials of Charles and Ray’s classic work—and represents Herman Miller’s longstanding commitment to the Eames vision of continued exploration.



Lightweight and carefully contoured, the shell seats have high, flexible backs, deep seat pockets, and waterfall front edges so you can sit comfortably.

Swiveling glides keep the chair steady and level on uneven floors. The standard glide is also available with felt to protect hard-surface floors.



Learn more here and look for it to be available soon in the Herman Miller Stores.

Seeing RED At The Conran Shop. Over 40 Designers Do It In RED to Mark 25 Years.

THE CONRAN SHOP UNVEILS RED, A SPECIAL EXHIBITION FOR THE LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2012, 14-23 September 2012

The Conran Shop is pleased to announce RED, a special exhibition to mark 25 years at the Michelin Building during the London Design Festival 2012. The exhibition will include works by over 40 designers including Jasper Morrison, Thomas Heatherwick, Nendo, John Pawson, Ingo Maurer, Marcel Wanders, Raw Edges and Alexander Taylor.

Vintage Eames Lounge Chairs and Ottomans Get Maharam Makeovers for Moss.

Three unique vintage Eames lounge chairs and ottomans are being offered as one-offs by New York's Moss Gallery. Dutch designer Hella Jongerius and Moss take the 20th century icon and re-interpret these now 'classic' and ubiquitous symbols of Modernism as part of a one-off collection of special upholstered pieces they are collaborating on with Maharam. Over time, Moss hope to create an expanding dialogue between Maharam's contemporary textiles and strong iconic works from Moss' collective object-history.


above: The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman is part of the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York.

These rare, vintage Eames lounge chairs and ottomans are produced in Brazilian rosewood veneers, the original wood chosen by Charles and Ray Eames for the iconic chair when it was put into production in 1956. In 1992, Herman Miller ceased producing the chair in Brazilian rosewood due to a worldwide embargo on the endangered species.



above:
designers - Charles Eames and Ray Eames
design year - 1956
manufacturer - Herman Miller, USA
materials - Brazilian rosewood; aluminium; upholstered with Maharam Repeat Dot fabric (55% Cotton; 24% Polyester, 21% Rayon)

The third is another vintage Eames lounge chair and ottoman made with Brazilian rosewood and aluminium. Moss has upholstered this special chair and ottoman in 'Voyage' fabric, a rich blue wool produced by the renowned textile house Maharam. As with many of their textiles, the fabric is produced with reduced environmental impact and is 'Greenguard' certified for reduced indoor air emission.:


above:
designers -Charles Eames and Ray Eames
design year - 1956
manufacturer - Herman Miller, USA
materials - Brazilian rosewood; aluminium; upholstered with Maharam 'Voyage' (100% wool)

dimensions:
chair: 32.75" x 32.75", height: 32"
ottoman: 26" x 21.5", height: 17.25"

price for each:
$12,000.00
buy any of the three here


Maharam
Maharam, a fourth generation family-run business, celebrated its centennial in 2002. First renowned as a supplier of theatrical textiles, in the 1960s Maharam pioneered the contract textile concept, developing engineered textiles for commercial application. Though performance is an essential element of every product, Maharam continues to create innovative textiles through the exploration of pattern, material and technique.

Maharam pursues a holistic approach to design, embracing a range of disciplines as fundamental to its business philosophy; showrooms, graphics and accessories receive the same attention to detail as product design.

The Maharam Design Studio is responsible for the development of Maharam’s extensive textile collection, ranging from re-editions of enduring designs of the twentieth century’s most noted visionaries to fashion-forward concepts and materials. The Maharam Design Studio maintains a strong focus on new technologies and cultural markers, often finding inspiration beyond the textile industry, including collaborations with avant-garde industry outsiders. Conceived to foster an open dialogue across varied design disciplines, these collaborative projects also serve to introduce a fresh perspective and unexpected media into the world of textiles.

Maharam has textile designs in their collection designed by both Charles Eames (Dot Pattern) and Hella Jongerius (Repeat and Layers).




In the above book, Maharam Agenda, Maharam takes a holistic view of design, embracing a range of disciplines including architecture and interiors, furniture, fashion, accessories, graphic and digital media. The Maharam Design Studio oversees the cultivation of an extensive textile collection, ranging from re-editions of enduring designs by the twentieth century's most noted visionaries to textile-based collaborations with industry outsiders including Konstantin Grcic, Hella Jongerius, Maira Kalman, Bruce Mau, Jasper Morrison, Nike and Paul Smith, among others. The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the company's history, cultural markers and design projects. Abstracted product applications are featured through "Useless Objects," a collaboration with Jasper Morrison.

You can buy this first edition 2011 hardcover book here

Ethnos Eames Chairs, Ornate Versions of the LCW in Bronze and Aluminum

Designer Paolo Giordano of Italy created limited editions of these stunning ornate cast bronze and aluminum versions of the mid-century modern classic LCW chairs as an homage to Ray & Charles Eames. The chairs have identical silhouettes to the original wood chairs but are intricately engraved bronze and aluminum versions.

Close-up look:

"The application of ethnic Indian decoration to modern design icons is at first sight provocative. It is the layering of ornamentation on pieces that originated precisely in the refusal of decoration; the uniting of thought and ideas that were historical opposites.

I believe, however, that these objects acquire a new identity as distinctive yet indefinable hybrids, somehow so coherent they make us forget the reasons of the separate initial gestures.

An example of how visual language leads its own spirited life." -- Paolo Giordano

cast aluminium chair
limited edition, 20 + 1 AP
68 x 56 x 61cm
Price £9,773.00
Buy it here



cast bronze chair
limited edition, 7 + 1 AP
68 x 56 x 61cm
Price £18,108.00
buy it here




Made in Italy for I and I
info@i-and-i.it

About designer Paolo Giordano:
Born in Naples 1954, he studied architecture at Milan Politecnico and graduated in 1978. He now lives and works in Milan.

In 1996, Paolo founded the I+I company, with the idea of producing a contemporary design collection for the home with products made by hand from different continents. Since then he continues to direct the I+I company from both a creative and commercial point of view. He also collaborates as an artistic consultant for Italian furniture companies (textile and accessories) and has participated in numerous international exhibitions.

5 Artist Painted Eames Rockers Are The Bait In Herman Miller's Design For You Contest

As a company Herman Miller is known for great design and working for a better world around you. Their new DESIGN FOR YOU contest, which began September 8 and continues through November 2nd, is a smart marketing ploy for Herman Miller to add people to their database. By entering, you are signing up for the Herman Miller Lifework (Retail) e-mail subscription. The more people who enter, the better the prizes.

How exactly does it work?

As more people submit their e-mail adresses, more prizes are unlocked. Each prize is better than the last.



For the grand prize, you could win one of five artist painted Eames Rockers by Andrew Holder, Philip Lumbang, Christopher Lee, Mark Giglio, and Josh Cochran. Each chair is one-of-a-kind (more pics of each chair later in the post).


See detailed images of all the chairs after the making of video below.

The 5 Artist decorated Eames Shell Rocker Chairs:  

Andrew Holder:

   

Christopher Lee:

   

Phil Lumbang:

   

Josh Cochran:

   

Mark Giglio:

  A drawing takes place each week if they reach the sign-up goal for that week. If they don’t meet the goal, there is no drawing. The contest goes on to the next prize. Design for You Contest Prize List: (1) Herman Miller Design coffee table book autographed by John Berry. Unlocked at 100 entries to be awarded. (1) Eames Hang-It-All. Requires at least 250 entries to be awarded. (1) Steve Frykholm autographed Lemonade Herman Miller picnic poster. Requires at least 500 entries to be awarded. (1) Leaf light. Requires at least 1,000 entries to be awarded. (1) Setu task chair (slate grey frame / Alpine Lyris). Requires at least 2,500 entries to be awarded. (1) Eames molded plywood splint. Requires at least 5,000 entries to be awarded. (1) Embody chair (white frame and mango textile) (IRS Form 1099 required). Requires at least 7,500 entries to be awarded. (5) Grand prizes, hand-painted Eames Plastic Armchair with Rocker Base (IRS Form 1099 required). Requires at least 10,000 entries to be awarded. (1) Aeron chair (IRS Form 1099 required). Prize awarded to the entrant who refers the most people to successfully enter the contest. Legitimate entries will count as a "referral". No credit will be given for invalid e-mail addresses or entries. The last prize listed above is the one thing I don't like about the contest. This part is as akin to spam as it gets... if you get the most people to sign up by entering a ton of email addresses, you are entered in a drawing and can win an Aeron chair, but you can skip that part.

 

 Enter here.