Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Well-accessorized man

A catch-all or valet is essential for the modern man who's in possession of various accessories, such as a phone, wallet, watch, etc. Not only is it a tidy way to keep all your miscellaneous items organized, it'll also save you from any last minute panicking, wondering where you'd put your keys or wallet last.

The leather catch-all is an ideal place to start. Adding a monogram would be an elegant touch:





Sleek nickel finish for a more modern approach:



If you've acquired an arsenal of portable electronic devices or need more compartments for other accessories, i.e. rings, glasses, cuff links, look into the larger sized valets:





A deluxe leather valet to sit atop a dresser or desk:



On the go? Here's a great looking travel valet in a glen plaid fabric:



The above products may be found at Pottery Barn and Red Envelope.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Pillow talk

The association with throw pillows for men tends to lean toward the category of flowery, frilly, and feminine, but there's a large selection out there for more masculine spaces, too!

If you'd like to add a basic splash of solid color, then the gender-neutral hues at Crate&Barrel are good choices. Shown below is the Tempo in a rich velvet fabric:

Take a look at the Somerset and Grasscloth if you desire a more casual appeal:



Want to modernize your space with some geometric graphic textiles?


Black & white YY and Crest by PlushLiving.


The Athena and Pallas in brown, also by PlushLiving.

How about nature-inspired, organic graphics, such as the following by Inhabit:



And these timeless designs are by Thomas Paul whose artistry I've always admired:


A closeup look at one of his linen Indigo pillows:


Go the classic or retro route:


Pinstripe pillow by Designer's Eye, and the Matthew by Ona.


Framed Bodoni by dwell and the small dot pattern by Eames.

Or perhaps you'd like to make more of a statement with these postmodern, pop pieces:


Pin-up and Rider silk pillows by PlushLiving.


Air Traffic and Secret Service, both from re:modern.


London Bridge at WDH, and Woodstock peace pillow at Henry Road.

For unique, one of a kind pillows, here's a sustainable, handmade one using seat belts by TING:


To view more pillows, 2modern and wrapables both carry a wide selection at various price points.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Super Swede

The most stylish air purifier to date:


"Leave it to the Swedes to make an air purifier look cool. Removing all aspects of nerd-factor, the IonFlow 50F Air Purifier is an energy-efficient and quiet machine that's been proven to remove more than 99% of airborne pollutants in fewer than five hours and without producing any ozone."

For more clean air info, check out the IonFlow 50F at DWR.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

What's a trivet?

–noun
A small plate, usually a metal stand with short feet, for use under a hot serving dish to protect a table.

My guess is that you haven't thought about purchasing one yet, but as you start to invest in more quality dining & coffee tables, the trivet will come in mighty handy. It's also a lot more attractive in appearance than a newspaper or magazine ;)

A modern, handsome trivet is the Puzzle Trivet in a classic houndstooth pattern:

The 12 pieces of reconstituted cork can be arranged into different sizes depending on how much surface protection you need. They can be broken up to be used as coasters, or you can connect two sets together to cover a larger area or use as a table runner.


Fun, fashionable and environmentally friendly.
Currently on sale for $14.99 at Chiasso. May also be found at MIO culture.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Blank canvas

Not sure what to do with your bare space and all white walls (sorry, Swiss Coffee does not count as a real color) or a setup that isn't working out and needs a fresh start? If you're in either situation, the following thoughts have probably been plaguing your mind - Where do I start? What should be my inspiration? How do I make the place look pulled together?

First of all, every guy has a distinct style sense already. For some it screams more loudly while for others it might be lying dormant. To get an idea of what your vibe is or could potentially be, let's have a peek into your closet.

What's your clothing style? Are you sporty, urban, a trendsetter, casual, all about comfort, eclectic, rock 'n roll, modern, high fashion, conservative, formal, etc? What colors do you normally gravitate toward? Think of dressing up a room the same way you would dress yourself. The same principles apply: color combinations, textures, proportions, and balance. You wouldn't pair that orange polo with navy pinstriped suit pants, so have some faith in knowing that you already instinctively know what could look right or wrong together.

If you're a color-phobe like a lot of men out there, think about taking a shirt that you enjoy wearing a lot and pulling the color scheme from it as inspiration. Let's use the following as an example:

You could pick out the blue for the walls, white for trim or accent, the khaki for a neutral sofa, the black (or dark brown) for furniture with touches of silver (stainless steel), and the green as a pop of color. Pretty simple of a process right?

Second, browse through magazines and catalogs.

Familiarize yourself with what's out there in terms of furnishings and decorating styles. The more you expose your eyes to, the bigger your visual vocabulary will become. Start compiling "tear sheets" which are simply pages ripped from magazines that have caught your eye whether in a good or bad way. Knowing what you dislike is equally helpful in determining your own decor style. As your collection of tear sheets grows, you will start to see a trend.

Next, try writing down a list of words and phrases describing what you want your space to look like.

The more specific you are, the stronger your ideas will form. As you start shopping around for furniture and accessories, make sure to stick to your list so that in the end you will have a cohesive look to your place.

Lastly, if you're still at a loss for ideas and inspiration, or you lack the courage to fully commit, seek professional help. Utilize the services of an interior designer, stylist, or consultant.

Happy idea gathering!

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Kicking it off

What better first piece to feature other than the Eames lounge chair & ottoman. Classic in every sense of the word. Iconic mid-century. Every man needs to take pleasure in sitting in one of these at least once in his lifetime. It's masculine without being geometric or too harsh, and well-designed and dignified while maintaining warmth and comfort (you won't want to get off).




So that you may be learned and stylish, here's a brief background of the chair:

The Eames lounge chair and ottoman is the culmination of Charles and Ray Eames' efforts to create comfortable and handsome lounge seating by using production techniques that combine technology and hand craftsmanship. Its heritage goes back to the molded plywood chairs pioneered by the Eameses in the 1940s, and it's part of the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Charles Eames said his goal for the chair was the 'warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt.' Every one is a special refuge from the strains of modern living.
Did you know...
  • The first lounge chair and ottoman, produced in 1956, was a birthday gift for friend Billy Wilder, the Academy Award-winning film director.
  • It made its public debut on Arlene Francis' Home show, which later became the Today Show.
  • The chair & lounge has appeared on the television series House M.D. It's featured in Dr. House' apartment and also as a corduroy-upholstered model in his office.

It is indeed a hefty investment, but if you have a showpiece such as this displayed in your abode, forget about furnishing the rest of the living space (well, somewhat true...) The chair & corresponding ottoman come in a variety of leather upholstery and the shells are 7-ply cherry, natural cherry, walnut, or santos palisander veneer (shown above).

Most popular is the black leather:



Tan and ivory leather offer a sophisticated aesthetic:



You can find it at 10% off right now at DWR and hivemodern. The Herman Miller sale ends this Saturday, June 16.

Welcome

In celebration of father's day this coming Sunday, I'm deciding that it's an auspicious time to launch this blog in hopes of reaching out to the design-phobic gentlemen out there who will benefit from some interior styling tips. Personal experience has shown me that too many men are at a loss when it comes to sprucing up their dwelling places, due to lack of inspiration and resources. Here's to a partnership that will undoubtedly help you fellows elevate your domestic surroundings, cheers!

Check back often for ideas and cool finds.