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Architectural ceramics

I have a thing for old-school ceramics. And when I say old school, I guess I really mean the stuff that reminds me of the 70s...chunky, clearly handmade stuff that feels solid in your hand and lends some earthiness to the machine-made feel of so much of my modern furniture/design.

Case in point - I registered for white on white dinnerware from Bennington Pottery when I got married. White, but with some real individuality to every piece. (I should note that Bennington Potters has been doing their thing for 60 years, so not really a 70s thing, but that's my point of reference, anyhow). I love Bennington's stuff b/c I have such fond memories of visiting their Potter's Yard in Vermont during my years in the Berkshires (years that were slight on modern design, I might note). In fact, one of my first purchases for the kitchen of our new house a few years ago were a set of brown splatter Bennington coffee mugs on eBay...bringing a little more of my Berkshires life to my mod LA existence, I guess.

I recently learned about Architectural Ceramic Design Online. It's not the most brilliant website - you have to realize that there are multiple pages in each category to find the goodies.

Definitely a seriously 70s feel to this stuff, but a few pieces I really dig - like this small bird feeder in white. Or the simple lines of the cobbler dish. A set of their simple tea cups would make a great gift...I'd probably go for white again.

You can get this sort of stuff for less money, of course, from Target or whatever. But there really is something special, for me, to knowing that someone carefully created each of these pieces to be coddled and enjoyed by crazy design freaks like me. And you.

Bennington Potters
Architectural Ceramic Design Online

Now open: Le Depot

One of my favorite furniture haunts in Venice, French 50s 60s by Michele Sommerlath, has been sadly shuttered since last summer as construction drags on...

Michele doesn't let a little thing like the loss of the primary address for her business slow her down, though. She's been running Galerie Sommerlath on Venice Boulevard for several months, and today announced the opening of yet another location, Le Depot, in Jefferson Blvd. (In case you haven't caught on - all of these addresses are in LA).

From Michele:

Originally we intended just to consolidate our many storage locations but soon after we stumbled upon this particular warehouse, we realized the potential of the space.  The plan quickly mushroomed into a floor to ceiling restoration and the result is the biggest showroom yet. 

Michele's specialty, no surprise, is mid-century French design, but I've found such a range of amazing finds with her, there's no end to her ability to find something unique and incredible (and fairly priced, I always find) to satisfy your modern sweet tooth.

Can't make the trip to LA? Visit online, too.

Le Depot, 4321 W. Jefferson Blvd., Culver City, CA - now open 12-5 Saturdays and by appointment
French 50s 60s, Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA (closed till summer 08 - we hope)
Galerie Sommerlath, 9608 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA

 

Oooh...teak wine rack

This teak wine rack is so gorgeous. I hope my friend Jill buys it.

 

Teak wine rack, current high bid $41.00, eBay.com

Living room rug

I think I may have found it. The Kelly rug, in Suede (shown at left), from Angela Adams could be the answer. Contemplating the round version. The warm pale browns in it mixed with the smattering of blue could be perfect for our living room - or too on the nose. In which case the Dusk color may work. May have to memo this one to take a look in situ.

(Note - like counter stools, a rug for the living room has been haunting me for some time. Unlike with counter stools, not sure I'll pull the trigger on this yet).

The 8' round version is widely available at $1399; I found it for $1192 (lots of great Adams rug prices here, definitely worth a look).

8' round Kelly Suede or Dusk rug by Angela Adams, $1192, PaylessRugs

Off my rocker

UPDATE: I tested the IKEA rocker at a friend's house recently. It's too low for baby rocking use. Bummer - 'cause it's nice and roomy and generally simple and good looking. But too low is a deal-breaker.

On the one hand, I loved using our banana yellow Eames rocker to feed Will many a bottle after the early ugly-glider days.

On the other hand, I really wasn't ever completely comfortable (though to be fair, a decent foot rest or ottoman would have solved much of the problem). Lack of cushioning, and sometimes just the cold-seat factor, were a bummer.

Today the banana rocker is a hit in his room - he stacks toys on it, climbs into it, can move it around himself. All good things for a three year old. But as little #2's arrival becomes ever more imminent (early summer), I'm thinking of heading in a different direction.

So all this is a long prelude to asking your opinion (esp. those of you who've spent hours rocking kiddos, but really anyone who cares about comfortable seating) how do you think the indecently cheap IKEA Lillberg rocker ($139!!!) would work? Seat height is 16 7/8," just under a foot and a half. Too low?

Lemme know if you've tried this out or have thoughts, thanks.

IKEA Lillberg rocker, $139, Ikea.com

See Jane Save. Save, Jane, Save!

I was searching for the best price on the Mixko Delight Light. It's a great pendant. It's felt, which is certainly unusual, and has these lovely butterfly cutouts. And it forces you to be energy-savvy - use anything stronger than a 15 watt compact florescent bulb and the felt will burn. 

I found the light for $89 one place, then for $161 at Rose and Radish (which usually runs a little expensive, but jeez!). Finally, stumbled across the lowest price I could find - $85 at 2Jane.com. Okay, that's great.

While I'm on 2Jane I also got excited when I noticed they they carry my beloved Mibo pendant shades. And while I don't remember what exactly I paid for mine, it was probably around $92, which is what Design Public charges. Not bad - but at 2Jane, they're $76!! Wow. Oh, wait, they charge separately for the ceiling fixture. When you add that $16, voila, you get $92. And Design Public's selling the whole kit and kaboodle at that same price, so I guess not so exciting after all. In fact, I'll take away points from 2Jane for selling those things separately, seems sort of sneaky.

But I still love the great price on that Delight light. You're still in my good graces, Jane.

Mixko Delight Butterfly Light, $85, 2Jane.com
Mibo Small Pendant Shade & Fixture, $92, Design Public.com

Great side chairs from Jennifer DeLonge

I was checking out Jennifer DeLonge's website b/c I remembered that she makes some great gliders that are perfect for mamas and newborns. The gliders are lovely but not my thing after all, but while I was visiting I discovered that she's doing a new line of Fresh Vintage - one of a kind pieces that she discovers and refurbishes.

My favorite (and the most deal-ish) choice was this pair of side chairs. I'd change the lime cushions but really love the lines of the chairs themselves. They're  curvy and appealing, yet still mid-century sensible. Not bad at $499 for the pair.

Back to my glider search...

Jennifer DeLonge Fresh Vintage Pair of Side Chairs, $499, JenniferDelonge.com

Dwell Bedding at Target

It's here! It's here! Oh, what a difference 3.5 years can make. When I was looking for reasonably-priced modern choices during my pregnancy with Prince William, my choices were David Netto's collection ($$$$$) or Ikea. And while I do love the highlights of Ikea, I could never get quite comfortable with the idea that a crib might be not quite up to snuff in terms of construction & safety. So I ended up going with the simplest white crib I could find.

Well, times they are a'changin. Last week Dwell Studios launched a new line at Target, and it's not just the sheets they've become known for over the last couple of years. Great cribs, a decent and semi-modern looking glider (oh my stars and garters that's a major addition to the universe) and great crib sheet sets. A few non-baby things too, that seem less fleshed out or interesting, but also worth a look.

Get'em while they're hot - the Dwell collection will not be available forever at these prices!

DwellStudio for Target, $4.99 - $289.99, Target.com