Design Legend: Milo Baughman

While trying to research the history of my last post's vintage chrome chair I stumbled across the work of Milo Baughman.  Who is Milo Baughman you ask? As it turns out, he was one of the fathers of modern design during the second half of the twentieth century.  He designed furniture for companies including Mode Furniture, Calif-Asia, Design Institute America, Henredon and Drexel, and most famously for Thayer Coggin, Inc.  His style was 'distincly American' and became a staple for the 'California modern' movement.

Baughman's furniture used simple materials typical of the movement namely, walnut, iron, and formica. The 'X' base was a staple in his desks and stools while the 'Z' shape was introduced to chairs for a style that is purely Baughman.  His styles have been reinvented and recreated and continue to be reproduced to this day.

Mr. Baughman practiced design in California throughout the 50's and 60's. Get this-  in 1969 he was invited by Brigham Young University to start the Department of Environmental Design and taught there on and off until his death in 2003.  Who said Mormons where all traditional and had no style!!!  He could quite possibly be the coolest thing to come out of BYU (well, him and the fact my parents met there and spawned your truly, but he still might take the cake).

Have you seen this GORGEOUS desk before?  I can't remember if I've used it in a post before but it has been in my design file under 'lust list' for a few years now.  You know anything with an 'X' base gets me going, but pair it with orange lacquer and chrome??? Be still my heart!

"Good Modern has already proven to be the most enduring, timeless and classic of all design movements." 

Amen Brother Baughman. Amen.

{all items are vintage via 1st Dibs}

Madeline Weinrib's Brooke Rug

Yep. Looks like these rugs are accurately named. They are definitely Brooke rugs.

Check out all of Madeline's fabulous rugs here.

{images via Madeline Weinrib Atelier & Decor Pad}

A Little Oomph

Sometimes a room just needs a little Oomph.  What better than glossy lacquered tables and pretty printed pillow?

This is called the Siamese Chair.  Cute, no?

Love this orange lacquered console. Love.

Find these and more at

oomphonline.com

Can This Be Made Into A Room? Rachel Zoe

I go bah-nah-nahs over Rachel Zoe, celebrity fashion stylist and guru.  Her personal style is always on-trend, yet so unique and so, well, Rachel Zoe.  I saw the below image of her a few months back and haven't been able to get it out of my head.  I wondered, "could I make her outfit into a room?" In this post I'm taking on the challenge!

Interior design has similar concepts to styling an outfit.  First, choose your main piece/pieces.  In Rachel's outfit, it's the chiffon maxi dress and for my room, it's the sofa (William Sonoma Home). After the main items are selected, one moves to accent pieces. Rachel's main accents are her leather clutch and gold platform sandals.  My main accents are the leather klismos chair (Arteriors), leather steamer trunk (Restoration Hardware), and to add some height and to break up the horizontal lines, a gilded gold wooden screen (Arteriors).

Rachel always piles on the glamor with her accessories.  Her jewelry collections alone should be in archived in a museum.  I interpreted her wrist full of gold bangles and pendant necklace to be a collection of brass starburst mirrors (Ballard Designs), a brass and marble top Directoire end table (Global Views), and a glass display box (Arteriors).

The piece de resistance of both the outfit and room?  Fur. Gorgeous, soft, luxurious fur. The faux snow leopard throw I included (William Sonoma Home) would be gorgeous hanging just about anywhere in this room- the chair, the steamer trunk, the shoulders of a fabulous lady reclining on the sofa. Sigh. So pretty.

(P.S.  Maybe I am still reeling over yesterday's post on Garrow Kedigian room, but I just had to pop in the Greek inspired pillow (Thomas Paul).   Doesn't it seem fitting?)



Garrow Kedigian Kips Bay 2009

I couldn't post about Kips Bay without posting my all-time favorite Kips Bay room by Garrow Kedigian from last year's showhouse.  Mr. Kedigian was a newcomer to Kips Bay and got stuck with the most undesirable room of the entire house- a 95 sq. ft maid's room on the 5th floor.  Boy, did he stand up to the challenge! 

Classic Greek mythological themes are used throughout.  Notice the Greek Key pillows, carpet and the ancient-looking bust. Adore.

This room follows the same principle of Katie Ridder's entryway from this year's showhouse- go big and bold in a small space!  I love the over-scaled painting, chandelier, and floral arrangement.  They really pack a punch.

NY Times article on the 2009 Kips Bay Showhouse



The orange lacquered wall help reflect light in this small space.  The white 'moldings' were created with white paint which is more graphic than traditional molding and less expensive! Win Win!!

Garrow Kedigian Interior Design

 http://garrowkedigian.com/