Martini Side Table

The new 'Martini' side table caught my eye during a trip to West Elm this past week. At only 15" in diameter, they are the perfect size for smaller spaces and lightweight. So, they can easy to moved around the room to provide a convenient landing space for all those extra drinks during cocktail parties. Go for classic white or opt for sizzling persimmon. Both are powder-coated aluminum and can stand up to outdoor use --- Those summer soirées are just around the corner (I know it's hard to believe when so many are  buried in snow at the moment!). The silver is equally as stylish, but not recommended for outdoors. Did I mention the price is just $129? A total steal!

A Rare Gem: Pierre Koenig (1966)

Pierre Koenig, famed architect who created such architectural gems as the Stahl House (Case Study House #22), has many masterpieces scattered throughout Southern California. Among them is this beauty in Rancho Palos Verdes, located near the Pacific Coast just south of the city of Los Angeles. Built in 1966, the four bedroom, 2.5 bath home recently sold. Let's hope the new owners keep the architecture in tact, including the beautiful walnut paneling, built-ins, and terrazo floors!

All images courtesy of SoCal Modern

New Arrivals From Ferm Living!

There's an exclamation in the title for a reason. I don't think I've been this excited about a pillow in my life! (Given my affection for textiles, that's really saying something...) I spotted the Peacock pillow in the Ferm Living catalog what feels like a century ago, but it was not available in the U.S. until now. Also available in rose, it has a silk cover with 100% down fill and behold the bold blue and yellow combo contrasted with a white background and that black piping! Other new goodies available stateside are fresh kitchen textiles, ceramic designs, and a new line of children's products. For all the latest Ferm Living designs, check out the U.S. shop. 

All images courtesy of Ferm Living US

Eames Aluminum Group + Setu Chair

You'll be kicking your old office chair to the curb in no time after seeing this new option from Herman Miller. With classic styling inspired by the 1958 Eames Aluminum Group chair, the Setu Chair  also incorporates innovative features that make it suitable for today's office. The flexible spine and high tech fabric mold to your body. Gone are the days of tilting and adjusting your chair to get it just right. The Setu will take care of it for you!  For the full scoop, check out the product specs at Herman Miller. 

Top to Bottom: New Herman Miller Setu Chair, 1958 Eames Aluminum Group Chairs (See all the options for finishes and bases for all chairs at Herman Miller)

Heath Ceramics Factory Visit

Remember that not-so-little project, Roxie Rancho, that we took on three months ago? Well, we have been taking a break from renovations on our Cliff May and have recently been distracted by other work, various projects and social commitments. I'm happy to report, however, that we took a trip last weekend to the Heath Ceramics factory in Sausalito and got all the tile we need for the kitchens and baths.  Hooray!  I am anxiously awaiting installation, which will hopefully be happening in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned for photos of the Ranch.  In the mean time, here is a glimpse into the Heath factory and factory store. Enjoy! (Note that great triangle tile combo of brown, blue, white, and green! Plus, that blue/green plate that I've never seen for sale.  A sample that's on its way to stores, perhaps?)

Win a Sunset Tour of the Eames House!

Here is a rare opportunity to take an interior tour of the Eames House! House Industries is releasing three fonts inspired by Charles and Ray Eames and to celebrate, they're offering three people a chance to attend a sunset tour of the Eames House. The Pacific Palisades home, completed in 1949 by Charles and Ray Eames, is Case Study House #8.  The Case Study Program was started by John Entenza in the mid-1940s and continued through 1966.  Many modern milestones were reached as Entenza published a series of groundbreaking homes in the pages of Arts and Architecture magazine.  For a full history of the Eames House click here and to enter for a chance to win one of three interior tours, visit House Industries.  Don't miss out!  If you don't win, however, here's another tip for getting inside the Eames House. Become a member of the Eames Foundation and attend the annual Member's Appreciation picnic at the house, where Eames family members will be on site to give personal tours of the home.

Pigeon Toe Tripot

I visited the Heath Ceramics factory in Sausalito over the holiday weekend and I can't wait to share photos with you later this week of my visit!  In the mean time, I saw some other pottery that knocked my socks off from Pigeon Toe Ceramics.  I'm particularly in love with this three-legged Tripot, available in a rainbow of glossy colors.  It would be perfect by the front door or bedside as a catch-all for change, keys, and miscellaneous items or beautiful displayed with nothing in it at all.  Check out the Pigeon Toe Ceramics shop at Velocity Art and Design.

Desk 51 Debuts In Slate Gray

Big news landed in my inbox from Blu Dot over the weekend. Desk 51 is now available in slate! This beautiful gray would look fantastic in any office and the roomy work surface means not only does it look good, but you will have plenty of elbow room to bust through any task.  For more details and retailers, check out the official Blu Dot site. 

Ellen Hanson + All New Content Next Week

Yikes! It's after 3pm in the afternoon and I have yet to do a blog post today. Not only that, but I've missed the last two days and I can't even tell you the last time that's happened. This must mean one thing, right? I've totally bored with blogging? Of course not! There's just been a ton of good things happening at Grace Hilton and my work as the Residential Chairperson for the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee.  As I have mentioned, there's a home tour in the works for Sunday, April 18th, 2010 in the Brentwood area to celebrate 'The Sixties Turn 50'. Plus, I'm writing an article that will be featured in the next issue of CA Modern magazine about 1960s architecture. This is on top of my regular 'to do' list, including an install coming up next week and a mini break in Tahoe for the holiday weekend. Anyway, enough with my excuses. I must apologize for my less than dependable blog posting this week and promise to return to my regular Monday-Friday schedule with fresh content starting on Tuesday, February 16th.  Everyone, enjoy the long weekend and I will leave you with these beautiful images from Ellen Hanson Design.

In Memory of Lucienne Day

Lucienne and Robin Day, often compared to U.S. contemporaries Charles and Ray Eames, were a British power couple in post-war era design. Sadly, Lucienne passed away on January 30, 2010 at age 93. She is best known for her textile designs which were hugely popular in the 1950s and 60s, but also had partnerships with leading carpet, wallpaper, and ceramics manufacturers such as Rosenthal, Rasch, and Wilton Royal.

Read more about this duo on the London Design Museum website and you can buy Jack Purcell sneakers with Lucienne Day designs right here.

Top to Bottom: Robin and Lucienne Day, 1951 Milan Triennale room setting with furniture by Robin and textiles by Lucienne (Both images courtesy of Design Museum), Textile patterns via Design Boom

A Perfect Pair: Emeco Aluminum + Wood Collection

In collaboration with British designer, Michael Young, this new collection (called Lancaster) from American company, Emeco, will debut this April in Milan at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile and will be available for order in May 2010. The combination of carved ash and aluminum is a whole new look for Emeco and I like it! Young paired the two materials after learning that Emeco partners with an Amish factory in Lancaster PA, where the ash wood components could be produced. He is "passionate about working with natural materials that live for ever" and considers wood and metal two that humans easily connect with. Also to note, the chairs can be stacked five high - smart for a space that needs flexible seating! 

On the horizon for Emeco is a chair made from recycled plastic that will retail for a fraction of the price of the already affordable and classic Navy collection. I'll keep you posted about that as more details become available! 

Show Your Table Some Love!

Plan on making a special dinner for your significant other or friends on Valentine's Day? Dress up your table with this runner and napkins from Unison Home. The beautiful color, called Punch, will totally put everyone in a lovey dovey mood. And did I mention, both the runner and napkins are on SALE. Get it right here!

The Opdahl Residence

I'm racing out the door this morning to Brentwood, where I'm meeting a couple of other LA Conservancy folks to scout some homes for our 1960s residential tour. (Sunday, April 18th - Mark your calendars!) Before I go, I thought I'd share a house here in Long Beach that I saw over the weekend. It's the 1957 Opdahl Residence by Edward Killingsworth. This home is incredible and it can be yours! Its for sale right now.  Check out Unique California Property for more details.

All photos via MLS from Dwell Magazine

Ply Me To The Moon

Okay, I admit that the title is horribly corny! When it popped into my head though, I decided that I just had to use it. Take a look at the Wall House by F.A.R. Architects and you'll see why. The exterior shell reminds me of a geodesic dome (and could kind of pass for a moon, right?) and the interior is clad in plywood which the complements steel, concrete, and glass structure. I also love the accents of red and black throughout, but its really the ply built-ins and walls that caught my eye. Also to note, plywood is a relatively super inexpensive building material, keeping the budget for this home in Santiago, Chile in check without sacrificing style.