You know that feeling...

You know that feeling when, in a moment of pure idiocy, you forget to save the blog post that you just finished and your computer freezes right before you hit the "publish" button?

Yeah, I've got that feeling.

Another Craigslist find

 Well, look what I drug home on this dreary Saturday morning.

A little late-night browse on Craigslist turned up a listing for an "Mission retro table."  However, as any MCM fan would recognize, it isn't Arts & Crafts at all.  It's a Herman Miller by George Nelson Platform Bench, or at least a fairly decent replica.

The Herman Miller website has the following to say:

"Introduced in 1946, the Nelson platform bench remains a landmark of modern design. The clean, rectilinear lines reflect designer George Nelson's architectural background and his insistence on what he called "honest" design—making an honest visual statement about an object's purpose. The bench serves as a multipurpose display and resting place in offices, public areas, and homes."

Personally, I prefer the natural wood finished tops, but for the price I can't really complain.  In the end, I offered double the listing price, because the seller already had a buyer lined up and I wanted to get the first crack at it.  Still, 2 x practically 0 = not much at all.

Even with the double offer, I thought that I'd lost out at one point.  When I showed up, the seller mentioned that someone had called and offered her $200(!) for the bench.  Obviously someone out there either REALLY loves George Nelson or has cash to burn.  Turns out, she refused because she thought that it sounded suspicious that someone would give her so much for a bench.  I'm not sure if I would have been able to resist an offer like that. What's a little kidnapping/serial killing if you can bring in that kind of dough?

I didn't notice any tag or mark, so I thought that it might just be a replica, but the more I look at it, the more I think that it might be an actual Herman Miller.  The angles, shape, and dimensions (14 x 18 1/2 x 48) are certainly correct.

The construction is what really has me convinced.  The originals used dowel rods to connect the slats along the ends...

source: Design Addict

... a doll rod at each side and a row of nails in the middle...

and phillips head screws to connect the base

Generally speaking, The best way to tell a replica apart from the real deal is to take a look at how it is is put together.  Most replica-makers used inferior materials and methods, taking short-cuts or deviating from the original in some manner in order to lower production time/costs.  For example, they might use screws instead of doll rods in a piece such as this.

I cant be 100% sure though.  I'm pretty fresh to this MCM stuff and I'm certainly no expert.

Overall, the condition is fair.  I'm not sure what the correct carpentry term is here, but one of the crenelations along the side had chipped and cracked a little.  Other than that, there's just the usual scuffs, scratches, and dirt.  I was thinking about giving it a fresh coat of paint or perhaps stripping the top and putting a natural finish on it, but since this might be an original, I think I'll leave it alone for the time being.  

While I was in the living room, I also took the time to rearrange the Plycraft lounge chairs.  The chartreuse one has a few scuffs on the back and I really wanted to show off that replica Eames Lounge's sexy rump, so this works much better.

10,000

We've finally reached 10,000 hits!  It's been a long, slow climb, but I've had a great time and met some very talented, interesting people through this blog and made a few friends as well.  I hope that you've enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

There's much more to come, so stay tuned and stay awesome.  Thanks everyone!

Plans for this week:
*Test sputnik chandelier (and put it up?)
*Install dimmer switch in dining room
*More thrifting
*Get started on the roof (bye bye savings account)

source: Zazzle

Wish List Part 1: The Kitchen

Man, January just flew by.  It seems like the year only just started and here we are in February.

You've seen my 2012 to-do list for the house, but I thought I'd also start on a list of items I'd like to pick up throughout the year as well.

Part 1: The Kitchen

1. Blown glass succulent terrarium

source: Shelterness (I believe this is The Brick House)

2. Saarinen Tulip/Noguchi Cyclone-style kitchen table

 

source: Treadway Gallery

source: Office Designs

3. Eames shell/Bertoia wire-style chair (x2)

source: St. Houzz

source: Blogspot - Room Lust

source: Knockaround

4. Scandinavian dinnerware (Ikea 365+ - $29.99 18pc set)

source: Ikea

5. Scandinavian flatware (Ikea Lärd - $24.99 20pc set)

source: Ikea

6. Scandinavian glasses (Ikea Svalka - $4.99 6pc set)

source: Ikea

7. Bamboo placemat (Ikea Toga - $1.99)

source: Ikea

8. A trash can that doesn't look terrible (much harder to find and more expensive than one would think)

source: Amazon

Reflection

I know.  I know!  You are probably all sick to death of rugs, but I went to the girlfriend to speak about the purchase, and now I'm more confused than ever.  This whole decision has been taking far more time and energy than necessary, and I think I've figured out why.

I've got conflicting ideas of how I want the place to look!

On the one hand, I really the look of an eclectic mix of antique/vintage and modern, more of a typical european style.  It's super classy, grown-up, and sophisticated.  It also matches well with my current home, a 1940's gingerbread-style with a lot of beiges, browns, and other earth tones as well as antiqued brass hardware.  If I went this route, I'd probably need to pick a flat-woven kilim rug in a more muted rust, beige, or black, a natural-colored jute, a natural-colored shag, or a cowhide.  Obviously, I'd also need a more traditional pattern or solid as well.

On the other hand, the typical Mid-century Modern style look also appeals to me.  It's a bit more "kitsch", funky, and fun. As far as rugs go, I could use something more modern with brighter colors and bold patterns.  It might go a bit better with the teal sofa and chartreuse chair too.

I've never been a very stylish/artsy person (at all), so I think that by starting out with a set list of rugs that I'd put together and checking a few off, I kind of limited myself.  I need some input from my keen-eyed, fashionable readers, who are likely far better at this sort of thing than me.

Of course, both of the rugs that were picked last time around are still solid options...

... but lets see what you all can find.  What type of rug do you think I should go with (material/color)?  What works with my space?  If you feel up to having a look around (bonus cool points), I have a budget of about $140 and the rug needs to be around 5x8 in size.  Overstock.com is a great place to start.  They have a huge selection of low-priced and stylish rugs.  Who knows, you might even find one for you like for your own place!

Here is my abode as it stands:

Go crazy folks!  Thanks for all of your help!

The final countdown

Today is the final day of Rugmania 2012, so get your final votes in and we'll hopefully be placing the order tonight!  Have a little trouble visualizing what they would look like last time around?  Well, I've put my excellent Photoshop skills to work...

As it stands, the vote tally is at 4 for rug #1 and 5 for #2.  Every vote counts!