ICFF NYC day one: what we found in NoHo.

Here are a few things we found in NoHo. What do you think? Any keepers? Can you guess which light was designed by David Weeks?

Tour the Irwin Miller House by Eero Saarinen.

Photo: Indianapolis Museum of Art

This May, visitors to the Columbus, Indiana area have the opportunity to tour the Irwin Miller House, completed in 1957 by Eero Saarinen. Thanks to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, patrons may arrange private and group tours of the home and its adjoining gardens. 

The Irwin Miller House was the third project (and second residence) that American businessman and modern architecture patron Irwin Miller comissioned from architect and designer Eero Saarinen. Irwin and Eero had met years earlier when Irwin's grandfathers -- who were both preachers -- asked Eliel Saarinen to design the Tabernacle Church of Christ (later renamed the First Christian Church) in Columbus, Eero accompanied his father on the trip.

ICFF and other NYC events this weekend.

The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) begins tomorrow. It's open to the trade Saturday-Monday, and open to the public on Tuesday. There are other design-focused events happening all over the city, like Model Citizens at Chelsea Art Museum, which includes an exhibition of the work of 90 designers, as well as a pop-up shop. Another must-see is the NoHo Design District, described as "an exciting incubator for new ideas and emerging talents." We'll be reporting from various events all weekend. Stay tuned!

Fate of Breuer's Whitney Building.

On May 24, the Whitney Museum will break ground on its new building designed by Renzo Piano. This will mean abandoning its current home, a 1966 Brutalist building (above) designed by Marcel Breuer (shown below in his Wassily Chair). The fate of the iconic Breuer building has been the topic of hot debate, but finally there is a resolution. The Metropolitan Museum of Art will take it over and use it for educational programs and exhibitions. This change will occur in 2015, when construction is complete on the new Whitney. Bravo to the Met for stepping up to the plate!

The wonderful home of Finn Juhl.

DWR was recently treated to a special tour of Finn Juhl’s home, which he completed in 1942 and lived in until his death in 1989. Today, it is part of the Ordrupgaard Museum in Denmark. Juhl designed his home from the inside out, starting with the plan view and adding the facades afterwards. As described by the museum, “the house is composed of two blocks standing at right angles to one another. One block contains the public functions. The other comprises the more private spaces. A neutral entry foyer joins the two parts of this clearly articulated open plan.” Photo above by Bonnie Edelman. MORE PHOTOS...

What is DWR-founder Rob Forbes up to?

After founding Design Within Reach, Rob Forbes started PUBLIC, a San Francisco-based bicycle company. PUBLIC designs and sells urban bikes, as well as cool gear that makes biking more enjoyable.

PUBLIC Bikes: Design Matters from PUBLIC Bikes on Vimeo.

Q: Why bicycles?

The 20th century was dedicated to cars and freeways and parking lots. Let’s dedicate the 21st century to design, people, and their communities. Bikes can play a part. Also, I look at the entire world through the lens of design and I simply adore the iconic form of the bike.

Q: Do you remember your first bike?

One of the first bikes I had as a child was a blue Schwinn that I won at a carnival in Pasadena. When I stepped on the brakes it would change gears – cutting edge technology at the time.

Happy Birthday! Jens Risom turns 95 on May 8.

Running into legendary designer Jens Risom in the halls at DWR headquarters is just one of the many pleasures of working here. On a recent visit, we asked Risom what he thought about the longevity of his 1943 chair (shown below), to which he replied: “When a piece is sufficiently neutral, and sufficiently well thought out, it sticks around a while.” More than 70 years later, Risom still prefers to work in wood. “I’m a wood man,” he says. “Danish design is all about construction, craftsmanship and the selection of materials – especially wood. Nature is full of excitement.” (Shown below: Risom in print ad, circa 1950, and Risom with his Lounge Chair designed in 1943.)
 

2011 Design Leadership Summit in Copenhagen.

Our CEO John Edelman has just returned from the Design Leadership Summit in Copenhagen (thus, the design quizzes we’ve been posting recently). An exclusive annual gathering of leading architecture and interior design firm principals in the U.S., the summit features a veritable who’s who of design professionals. We look forward to the inspired ideas that will develop from this summit. Here are just a few of the folks who attended:
  
SHOWN: Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, interior designer; John Edelman, DWR CEO; Newell Turner, House Beautiful editor in chief; Philip Gorrivan, interior designer.

“The most comfortable, stackable chairs you’ll ever find in your life.”

Take a tour through Untitled, the restaurant recently opened by Danny Meyer and David Rockwell at the Whitney Museum. Not only do they describe the concept behind the space, but also the reason for choosing the Gas Chair by Jesus Gasca for Stua.

 

STUA-furnished Acropolis Museum short listed for Mies van der Rohe Award.

Visit the Acropolis Museum in Greece and experience the beauty of furniture by STUA - the Spain-based company with whom we've worked for more than a decade. STUA completely furnished this museum, which has been named as one of the six finalists for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, also known as the Mies van der Rohe Award. The museum was designed by Bernard Tschumi Architects. MORE PHOTOS...

Architectural challenge: Can you name this building and its architect?

Hint: It's a museum, and this month we're focusing on Nordic design. Photo by Bonnie Edelman.

A cool (and calm) airport terminal - can you guess where it is?

What's the location of this airport terminal? Photos by Bonnie Edelman.

 MORE PHOTOS...