Our Holiday Wish Lists: Jae Hah

Job: Northeast Area Manager

Favorite Holiday Song: An old Johnny Cash Christmas record I found in a vintage store in Kewaskum, Wisconsin while I was visiting my husband's family one year. I'm not sure what the title is because the cover was in tatters when I found it. That's my soundtrack of choice during the holidays (especially while housecleaning).

Best Holiday Treat: "Dduk Guk," a Korean soup made of savory rice cakes and stuffed dumplings in beef broth traditionally consumed on the morning of New Year's Day. My mom only makes it once a year, and although it can be ordered at Korean restaurants anytime, her version is obviously the most delicious.

Wish List: The Grasshopper Floor Lamp designed by Greta Grossman is on my wish list, in Blue Grey. It reminds me of a louche, worldly woman. Or a dandy silent film star with jazz hands. Or, The Thinker. It has so much personality that it trips off a reel of delightfully anthropomorphic images in my mind every time I look at it. And the understated, perfect color. I want all the walls in my house to be that color; Benjamin Moore doesn't quite have it down. It's the new neutral.

Happy Birthday Ray!

Today marks the 99th birthday of artist, designer, filmmaker and innovator Ray Eames – and she's had quite a year. With last month's premiere of documentary film Eames: The Architect and the Painter, the Eameses have been enjoying a renewed presence in the cultural spotlight. Ray's fashion sense was recently chronicled on the New York Times' fashion blog, and this Monday, December 19, PBS will premiere the much-talked about Eames documentary as part of its American Masters series.

For more information on the film and to check local listings, visit pbs.org.

 

DWR Outlet Sale: Herman Miller samples from Art Basel.

This weekend: Incredibly fabulous NJ DWR Outlet Sale. Our partners at Herman Miller have agreed to let us sell the 340 products that they just showed at Art Basel | Miami. This includes new products, and new finishes on classic products. You'll find an Eames® LCW in white ash; Nelson Swag Leg Chairs with white legs; a new Tuxedo Sofa (below) by BassamFellows that's to die for... there are many wonderful finds. Take 20% off the lowest marked price during this Two-Day Sale. There are also great buys on Photo Samples, Customer Returns and Gift Items. Mark your calendar and catch the FREE SHUTTLE from NYC. Find details at dwr.com/outlet.

Watch: The Eames Lounge Chair's 1956 Debut.

Eames Lounge Chair debut in 1956 on NBC from The O on Vimeo.

To celebrate the last day of our Herman Miller Sale, we're rewatching this vintage NBC clip of Charles and Ray Eames introducing their now-iconic design to the world. Save 15% on the Eames® LCW, Eames® Lounge Chair and other great items through midnight tonight! Sale ends December 12. 

The Andy Warhol Experience.

Not long after arriving in New York City in 1953, a young artist named Andy Warhol began to make his way in the world of commercial illustration. Edelman Leather was one of Warhol’s first clients and over the course of several years he worked closely with owners Arthur and Teddy Edelman, producing everything from advertisements to showrooms. Their relationship culminated in a coloring book that could have only come from the mind of Warhol, created especially for clients' children for Christmas in 1961. Now back in print, A Coloring Book: Drawings by Andy Warhol (1961/2011) will amuse and charm a new audience, both young and old.

We recently had opportunity to speak with the Edelmans (if the name sounds familiar it's because they're our CEO's parents) about Warhol and what is was like working with the young commercial illustrator who would go on to become the most famous pop art artist in the world.

DWR: Describe the first time you saw Andy Warhol.

New York Times: Shopping for Bar Carts.

Imagine being the global brand ambassador for Bombay Sapphire gin and living in NYC ... so many bottles, so little cabinet space. Fortunately for Raj Nagra, there are many smart Bar Carts to choose from, and he showcased his favorites in The New York Times. Among the finalists: The Barboy designed by Verner Panton in 1963. The Barboy is available at Design Within Reach.

Popuphood.

Did you know that in the early days of DWR, our office was based in West Oakland? This is a place that is near and dear to our heart, and we're excited to report that the city has just implemented an interesting new way to revitalize it's beautiful downtown historic district. "Popuphood" is a new urban initiative that placed six new locally-owned retail shops in previously vacant store fronts with six months free rent. Watch the video to get the full scoop on this cool community-based initiative.

Wright Auction Preview: Panton Chairs, Cobra Lamp, Frank Lloyd Wright House.

Here are a few highlights in next week's Important Design Auction at Wright in Chicago. The lot I'm especially eager to watch is a set of eight very rare bent plywood chairs by Verner Panton. First conceived in 1956 for the German WK design competition, it wasn't until 10 years later that he found a factory able to produce them. Lot estimate: $15,000-$20,000. There's also a Double Cobra table lamp by Greta Magnusson Grossman, with an estimate of $5,000-$7,000. Earlier this year, DWR worked with Gubi to bring this authentic collection back into production (and priced at a very reasonable $455.). Last but not least, the auction includes the Kenneth Laurent House and Furnishings, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Estimate $500,000-$700,000.

Ice Cube Celebrates the Eames House.

 

As an extension of “Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980,” today the New York Times’ profiled Ice Cube in a Q&A and video about LA and Charles and Ray Eames. In it, the Los Angeles native – who studied architectural drafting before becoming a rapper – discloses his a fond admiration for the Eameses and their innovative techniques.

“Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980” is a multipart event that celebrates the birth of the LA art scene. Over the next few months, more than 60 arts institutions across Southern California will host exhibitions highlighting every major art movement made in LA from 1945–1980. Theoretically, that’s everything from mid-century modern design to gangsta rap – or from Charles and Ray to NWA.

 

Hall of Fame Documentary: Patricia Urquiola

 

Interior Design Editor in Chief Cindy Allen visits with the 2011 Hall of Fame Inductee in Milan. Hear more about Patricia Urquiola's approach toward work and life in this engaging piece by Interior Design magazine. Also, be sure to notice the Wire Baskets behind Urquiola when she is interviewed sitting at her desk. These are the Baskets in our assortment, which Urquiola creates from stainless steel.

The Eames Living Room: Packed, Moved and Reassembled in 1:29.

 

Located in Pacific Palisades, the Eameses' Case Study House is an extension of their consummate performance, decorated with objects from their adventures and Ray's carefully considered vignettes. Its interior has remained virtually untouched since her death in 1988, until recently, when the living room was meticulously packed up and moved – a little more than 12 miles away – to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for inclusion in its exhibition California Design, 1930-1965: "Living in a Modern Way". It’s a daunting task to imagine, but thankfully, we don't have to. As the Eameses' living room was disassembled and reassembled, the LA Times' Bryan Chan captured the entire process on film and compiled it into a beautiful time-lapse video. 

California Design, 1930-1965: "Living in a Modern Way" is on view at LACMA through June 3, 2012. In addition to the Eameses’ living room, it includes more than 300 other objects that demonstrate the Golden State's role in shaping material culture.

Best of Year!

We’re thrilled to announce that the System 1-2-3 Lounge Chair was named Interior Design Magazine Best of Year in the Residential Lounge Seating category. We had impressive competition in this category, with the other finalists being Holly Hunt, David Edward and Karim Rashid. Congratulations to everyone honored in last night’s ceremony, held at the IAC Building by Frank Gehry. The unique trophy, which features an upside down lightbulb on a colorful base, marks DWR’s second win. We took home the BoY award for our Raleigh Collection last year.

Filmmaker Q&A: Eames: The Architect and the Painter.

 

Now in theatres, this is the first film about Charles and Ray Eames to be made since their deaths. Filmmakers Jason Cohn and Bill Jersey take you inside the crazy, exciting, and sometimes sad worlds of Charles and Ray. You’ll hear from people who worked with them in their Venice Beach studio, as well as from Charles’ daughter, Lucia and grandson, Eames Demetrios. The name of the film came from the fact that Bill was “interested in the relationship between Charles [the Architect] and Ray [the Painter] and felt really strongly about getting into the lives of these two.” As for Jason’s goals with the film, “I wanted people to see design differently,” he says. Indeed, neither disappoints with this in-depth, intriguing film. It’s a must-see for anyone who loves design.

To learn more about Jason Cohn and this film, DWR’s Suzanne Shrekgast interviewed the filmmaker. He shares insights to his process, as well as hints of what you’ll find on the soon-to-be-released DVD.

DWR: What inspired you to make this film about Charles and Ray Eames?

DWR's John Edelman named one of "12 to Watch" by House Beautiful.

House Beautiful has released the names of its "12 Design Visionaries to Watch" for 2012. Our CEO, John Edelman, is on this list of "movers and shakers" which also includes Aerin Lauder, Kelly Wearstler, Chris Burch and other exceptional artists, designers, politicians and taste-makers. "Here are our picks of influencers you should keep an eye on," writes Barbara King. "They're shaping the way the world looks, and the way we live." Congratulations to everyone. We look forward to watching you in 2012. Photo above: John Edelman with Eames Lounge and Ottoman in new white ash frame.

At the Glass House with Barry Bergdoll.

If you’re going to tour the Philip Johnson Glass House with Barry Bergdoll, Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design at MoMA, you better be prepared for a pop quiz. This is a man who thrives on complex conversations, and he took us for a wild ride last night at the final Conversation in Context event for this season. (Regular tours are available for two more weeks – book your ticket today.) Bergdoll’s questions included “How did the Glass House evolve out of Johnson’s debates with Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Karl Friedrich Schinkel?” And “In the 1930s, the entrance to the Museum of Modern Art was a revolving door at street level. Can you think of any other museum that had a revolving door at that time?” (We couldn’t.) “Why not?” Post a comment with your response, or join an online conversation at the Glass House website. A video of the tour with Barry Bergdoll will be posted soon.

The Sculpture Gallery at the Glass House.

A DWR Film: The Genius of John Kostick

A combination of mathematics and art, the Foldable Star Sculptures by John Kostick are as mesmerizing as the designer himself. We recently spent an afternoon with Kostick, and it was like attending a lecture at MIT. As he explained (very patiently) the principles of tensegrity and non-Cartesian axes, he continued to spin, fold and unfold his bronze Stars, which he refers to as “mathematical truths that you can hold in your hand.” Step into the fascinating world of John Kostick, designer of the Foldable Star Sculptures.

P.S. That flame that he works with is over 3000° Fahrenheit. His only protection from it: a pair of Ray-Bans.

 

See the Foldable Star Sculptures

Music: "Every Night For A Year" by Patrick Ellis. "I Am Running Down the Long Hallway of Viewmont Elementary" by Chris Zabriskie. Licensed under Creative Commons.

Eclipse + Calder = Miro.

Our friends at Stua just shared this great photo with us. "The natural shapes of Eclipse Tables, with a Calder Mobile, create an image that looks like a Miro painting," says Jon Gasca. "Good ingredients are key to create an interesting result." We couldn't agree more. The photo below was taken in the lobby of a NYC hotel. Can you guess which one?

Auction watch: Scandinavian Design at Wright.

Here are a few highlights in tomorrow's Scandinavian Design auction at Wright in Chicago. The 1930s Lounge Chair with Reading Stand by Swedish designer Bruno Mathsson is a dream come true for a modern-loving bibliophilia, and if standing is more your style, his Book Stand is a great piece and a furniture form that is rarely seen today. (The description doesn't mention it, but it appears that this Book Stand is height adjustable, so you could use it while seated if you so desired.). In the "eye candy" category, there is a Vase by Stig Lindberg and Wastepaper Baskets made of rosewood and teak by P. S. Heggen. RESULTS: Lounge Chair with Reading Stand: $3,000 (estimate $700-$900). Book Stand: $1,063 (estimate $500-$700). Vase: $1,625 (estimate $1,000-$1,500). Teak Wastepaper Baskets: $16,250 (estimate $3,000-$4,000).

Michael Brennan’s Muhammad Ali.

On Thursday evening, DWR Beverly Blvd Studio in conjunction with Artworks Gallery Pasadena, showcased the black and white photography of subject Muhammad Ali by National Portrait Gallery artist Michael Brennan. “The original image [“1977”] resulted from a unique intimacy between Michael Brennan, and Ali, who wanted to be helpful to the young photographer."

Reporting live from the DWR Outlet Sale.

These photos show you just a few of the great buys you'll find at the DWR Outlet Sale. We're open until 6pm. Tomorrow the doors open at 11am. Catch the Free Shuttle from the DWR Studio at 408 W 14th Street in NYC. Details at dwr.com/outlet.

Outdoor Cushions for $10.

Wishbone Chairs by Hans Wegner.