Wish List: Everyday Scandinavian from Muuto

Irwin Weiner ASID - The clean lines and elegant simplicity and humor of Scandinavian design are celebrated in a line of home goods created by Muuto (based on the Finnish word for "new perspectives"). Design lovers have to appreciate where this company is coming from - they seek out the best Scandinavian designers and design agencies and have them come up with solutions to everyday objects, from sofas to pendant lighting and tabletop. Four Flower VaseI've included a few of my favorites below - and feel free to stuff my stockings with any of them. You know how much I admire home goods that are beautifully designed, fully functional, and well made. Visit the Muuto website for more information on each item, as well as insights into the designers behind the collections.

Bulky Tea Set

Keep Table

Stacked Shelf System

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Wish List: Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co.

Irwin Weiner ASID - I just received the catalog for Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., and I must say ... I was impressed. The crunchy-granola, green-oriented Portland, OR lighting company just matured into a full-blown purveyor of home goods and furnishings. Everything ties together in a retro, industrial, casual, relaxed way that I think will be a big hit with consumers. Here's a video from eco-friendly interior designer Cheryl Janis that gives you a bit more background on the company and their home base.

I picked out some of their items for our Design2Share holiday wish list. Click on each photo for more info.

Simon Pearce Revere Bowl

Natural Cork Umbrella Stand

Aria Shades

Ana Striped Candles

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Fire Farm Lighting Lights Our Fire

Irwin Weiner ASID - It's difficult to keep up with every interior design vendor in existence, but with that said, it's always a joy to come across someone that's been around for awhile, knows their craft, and can offer stylish merchandise at good value. I'd say that Fire Farm Lighting, a firm started in California in 1990 and now located in northeastern Iowa, fits that bill. Look at some of their lovely designs - the delicate Magnolia pendant (top photo), the clever Juliet flush mount ceiling fixture (bottom, top photo - in bronze dupioni silk), the amazing custom acrylic sunset/sunrise chandelier (bottom, middle photo), or the incredible grouping of custom oval laminated linen pendants (bottom photo) - and you'll keep going back to select stock and custom lighting solutions for your home or, if you're a designer, your clients.

 

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Richard Lavigne Sells Witty Goods at Knollwood Antiques

Irwin Weiner ASID - Still so many memories from the invitation-only opening night preview of the latest Antiques, Art & Design at the Armory show this past September 21 at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC, co-hosted by Ellie Cullman, Jamie Drake, and Dr. Eva Andersson-Dubin.

Besides being one of the nicest dealers in Manhattan, Richard Lavigne of Knollwood Antiques has just launched his new showroom space at Center 44, one of our favorite open showrooms (over 25,000 square feet of awe-inspiring furniture and decor in handy Midtown). This gives Richard great access to all those designers and clients who prefer to shop online and do their research before bringing out the credit card. Smart thinking.

So what caught my eye? So many things that were either tongue in cheek or just plain cheeky. I loved the camp 1970s silvered resin faux rock console table (top photo). How about the pair of stylized coral estate lamps? (middle photo) I love their upright block shape, so easy to fit on a narrow end table and leave room for setting down a cocktail or snack plate. Richard's booth at the show was dotted with wonderful touches of coral accessories. And a home is just not a home without a wooden African baga tribal fetish (below, top photo) or this pair of delicate, stunning 1950s wrought-iron Italian lanterns (below, middle photo) or the megawatt glitter of a pair of Italian bronze and glass leaf design light fixtures (bottom photo). 

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