Lucky Chair Score

Would you believe I bought 4 Ron Arad "Tom Vac" chairs for a mere $99? Well, I did, and they're not knock-offs. They are lovely but large. This means you'll find them on eBay now for a still merciful price. There are many other modern goodies that might interest you so bid, bid, bid! It will enable my spending habits, you know.

Speaking of retro modernism...

I got a Nissan Cube today! Vico Magistretti would be proud of this one or else it would be right at home in a episode of Space: 1999. The 18 month old Versa it replaced was already tired. I went to have its oil changed and left it at the dealership where I was surprised to find a Cube configured exactly how I wanted it. That never happens! Buying it wasn't super prudent, but it's better to trade in sooner rather than later.

Sleeper Design

Belying the satire of Woody Allen's science fiction love letter to Charlie Chaplin is some rather exceptional design. Real post-modern architecture and furnishings are consistent throughout the film, which features Kubrick-esque cinematography to boot. It's amazing how the current notions of modern designers haven't moved that much beyond this. More progress has been made in execution and manufacturing processes than design per se.

The 15 frames below capture every significant location (save for one observatory) and manufactured design object I could spot. I have identified some, but I need help with the rest. Later I will post a follow-up as a guide for getting the Sleeper look for your own space, but you'll have to find an Orgasmatron on your own.

(larger on Flickr)

1. Denver Botanic Gardens
   
2. Sculptured House, 1963 by Charles Deaton
3. FLOS Chiara, 1969 by Mario Bellini
4. Heller dinnerware, 1964 by Massimo Vignelli
5. Panton Chair (black), 1960 by Verner Panton, unknown chrome table, Arkana chairs & table, Maurice Burke
6. This one might be a model.
7. Bean bags! I believe these are the original Italian Sakko design, though.
8. I have no clue.
9. It's not a Xanadu foam home, but what is it?
10. JVC Video Sphere
11. Marimekko pillows
12. JVC Video Capsule TV model 3100 (knocked over on table)
13. National Center for Atmospheric Research
14. Future McDonald's?
15. This might be a composite with a model.

Got milk?

U.K. designer James Burgess for Colin Ross Design created this classic milk carton shaped vase in semi-matte ceramic. I got mine at CB2 (Crate &Barrel's answer to IKEA).

It's an avant garde bargain for a mere $6.95, but the Chinese made quality is not exactly Droog.

Unbeatable?

I suppose it serves IKEA right for its long history of knock-off violations, but if Walmart wants to copy IKEA's PS Vållö watering can, they could at least make their version cheaper instead of twice the price!

Of course, this just shows how any good design - no matter the source or price - will be copied.

Blund done?

I went to IKEA today, and none of the $2 teddies were in the bins. Blund also seems to be missing from the IKEA site (regardless of country). I hope they're merely "resting" Blund and bring the bear back later. It's just not IKEA without Blund!

Lacroix, Sweetie

I love R Gallery, but only for reference. Their prices are not in touch with reality - and I'm not ignorant about the cost of high end modernism. One wonders how they make any money at all.

Yesterday I wrote them with a little more information about this fantastic Stilnovo light. According to Les Années 50 (a great little book despite the use of photos of Vitra miniatures instead of actual chairs), this lovely thing is Lacroix. The contact form was for a price quote, which I mentioned I wasn't looking for, but I figured I could impart the info via this path anyway. I was wrong and received this form response:

Thank you for your interest in our pieces! Here is the information you requested:

Chandelier in brass & enameled metal in yellow and white. Produced by Stilnovo, Italy, circa 1950. 31" (L) x 33" (H) x 7" (D) (HL538).
$30,000.00

$30,000? Bwahahahahahahaha! Even a 2-shade Serge Mouille fixture doesn't go for anything like that. This was a mass-produced item (still uncommon, though). I can't see anybody paying more than $5000 for it - especially these days.