Recovery

As you've likely heard, our fair city of St. Louis experienced a couple rough nights this week.  My heart goes out to everyone caught in the middle, including our friends over at Rocket Century who were right in the thick of it on South Grand.  Thankfully, they escaped unscathed, but many others were not so fortunate.

I hope that our community can make a speedy recovery and that those responsible for the unnecessary violence and destruction are swiftly brought to justice.

Getting back on topic, I thought that I'd follow up on my last post and link you all to the new MCM-inspired collection released by Ikea.  While many MCM enthusiasts may not hold them in particularly high regard, I actually really like a few of the pieces.  Check it all out here.  Apologies for the lack of English translation.

Chicago Trip

While most of my Chicago vacation was taken up with Halloween parties and Mexican food, I did make a few shopping trips.  You didn't think I'd come all that way and miss favorite Swedish homegoods store, did you?

It seems like every time that I pay Ikea a visit, they've got a few more MCM-inspired pieces on display.  Some might scoff at such things, but I'm actually a big fan.  These pieces look great and would suit anyone who is in the market for new rather than used.  Can't wait for the new location to open in St. Louis.

Aren't these armchairs cool? The one on the left is a reproduction of an actual model that they introduced back in the 1960's.

This surprisingly solid credenza is stained to look like teak and has all the wiring cutouts,  drawers, and shelves that you'd need for a modern media center.  My 1960's credenza required some jerry-rigging and cutting in order to fit everything inside, so that might be a big plus for some.

Minneapolis

We're back from our brief business trip to Minneapolis/St. Paul, and I must say, I kinda miss it. 

Minneapolis doesn't really come to mind when you think of "top places I'd love to live", but I've never seen a major city so clean and quiet.  The whole place was lush, serene, and gorgeous.  That's my kind of town.


They also have some amazing mid-century homes and the best thrifts I've ever seen.  I'm kinda freakin' jealous.  Too bad my suitcase was already full of  Ikea or I would have snatched it all it all up.

Speaking of Ikea, everything made it back safely save for a small scratch on one picture frame.  Whew!  I had serious doubts as to whether we'd be able to get those suitcases stowed. 

Now, I know that some of you retro purists may frown upon my Ikea-shopping ways.  In my defense, some of the stuff there is pretty cool and there's no way that I'm gonna pass up a $29.99 goose down comforter and $5.99 down pillows!

 

 

Shop 'till you drop

How much Ikea can a man stuff into one suitcase and two carry-ons?

We'll soon find out.

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

Dear Ikea,

Why do you not have a store in St. Louis?  Look, I know we're no Chicago, New York, or L.A., but c'mon.  We're still a major city - a dangerous, blighted, dying city, but a major city nonetheless.

I know that most of your furniture is nothing more than sawdust held together with glue and a prayer, but I can't resist your fashionable, cheap home decor.  Take these planters, for example (priced from $1.99 to $5.99):

They're sleek.  They're modern.  They're just what I'm looking for.  However, your nearest store is located in Chicago, a full 300 miles away.  I'm not going to drive up to the windy city just to pick up a few pots, so the obvious solution is that you open a retail store here.

How else am I supposed to get my mid-century modern planter fix? The only places you can currently find such things in St. Louis are artsy hipster shops where they charge an arm and a leg.  I beg of you.  We need your mass-produced Scandinavian wares.

Kind regards,

Nick