Wine Decanter by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen for Iittala
To decant or not to decant? With Anotonio Citterio and Toan Nguyen’s wine decanter for Iittala, the answer is simply yes. This beautiful carafe is simple and modern and allows just enough air through it’s slim neck for wine to breathe.
Decanter by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen for Iittala - photo: iittala.com
Designed in 2004, this piece is handblown and is destined to be a classic dining accessory amongst design enthusiasts. It is perfectly paired with any of Iittala’s extensive selection of drinking glasses from Essence…
Essence by Alfredo Haberli for Iittala
To Ultima Thule…
Ultima Thule by Tapio Wirkkala for Iittala
See these and other products by Iittala on our website, here.
Visit Iittala’s website, here.
This past March was a month of reuniting between the design house leader, Knoll, and iconic mid-century designer Richard Schultz. After 20 years apart, the two have come together again Gabriel Ross’ selection of exquisite outdoor furniture grows larger.
1966 Collection by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: knoll.com
Schultz began designing for Knoll at the start of his career in 1951. His first iconic work, the Petal table, was designed to work with Harry Bertoia’s Diamond Chairs – Bertoia and Schultz were colleagues together at Knoll. The table eventually earned a spot in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art.
Petal Table by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: richardschultz.com
He also designed his 1966 collection for outdoor – a series of tables, chairs and loungers with classic clean modern lines in the finest materials durable enough to withstand the elements.
Adjustable Chaise Lounge and Contour Chaise Lounge from the 1966 Collection by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: knoll.com
I designed the collection in 1966 at the request of Florence Knoll, who wanted well-designed outdoor furnishings that would withstand the corrosive salt air at her home in Florida.
Richard Schultz
1966 Collection Lounge Chair by Richard Schultz for Knoll
Swell Seating by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: knoll.com
Dining Chair with Arms and Table from the 1966 Collection by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: knoll.com
A design departure from the minimalist 1966 Collection, the Topiary collection is more organic and decorative. It is also available in a variety of colours including “daffodil yellow” as seen below:
Topiary Chair by Richard Schultz for Knoll - image: knoll.com
I wanted to design a chair that looks like a shrub pruned to look like a chair. I am fascinated by the way sunlight comes through the leaves of shrubbery, producing dappled shadows.This furniture acts as a light filter, disappearing into nature.I wanted to design a chair that looks like a shrub pruned to look like a chair. I am fascinated by the way sunlight comes through the leaves of shrubbery, producing dappled shadows.This furniture acts as a light filter, disappearing into nature.
Richard Schultz
Topiary ignited Schultz to start his own business and design firm 1992. He re-ignited the classics, continued designing new work, and built up the value of his work just in time for Knoll to scoop up the brand in 2012. A brilliant acquisition for Knoll, the Schultz collection is a perfect fit and will once again nestle up next to Bertoia’s wire chairs.
Perhaps you’ve adorned your own home with stainless steel appliances, mid century modern furnishings, polished concerete floors and Italian lighting…
What’s next?
Share the love! Share your modern design-savvy love with the birds. Â
Bird Feeder House by Blomus
Blomus, German manufacturing and design house, offers an extensive selection of modern stainless steel accessories for the home – inside and out. This of course includes some sleek and sexy eateries for our feathered friends.
Fuera Bird Feeder by Blomus
Half Moon Bird Feeder by Blomus
If mobiles are more your style, Danish mobile company Flensted offers a bird feeder also.
Bird Feeder by Flensted
View these bird feeders and other fabulous outdoor accessories by Blomus on our website, here.
View the bird feeder by Flensted and other hand crafted Danish mobiles on our website, here.
If you haven’t driven down Bay Street in Victoria, BC recently, here’s what you’re missing:
Gabriel Ross' Future Showroom Space - Bay Street, Victoria BC
There is all kinds of heritage modernization going on at Bay St. and Rock Bay Ave., and we are bursting with excitement over it. Our future space is coming along … new windows, fresh coat of clean white paint and a brand new front entrance worthy of a giant cluster of George Nelson Bubble Lamps.
Front Entrance
Corner View
These warehouse windows have retained their heritage bones, but received the all star treatment with new glass and finishings. They will make the perfect backdrop for our modern lighting and furnishings.
Here’s a shot of the back of the building with the old blue paint remaining. So long blue. Hello new!
Back View
If you’re curious, check out this project at the corner of Bay Street and Rock Bay Avenue, or connect with us on Facebook and/or Twitter for the latest updates.
Have you always wondered what the *real* difference is between original design vs. knock offs? We all know what the issues are around registered licenses, copyrights, and artistic/intellectual property theft. We can see and definitely feel the proportional inconsistencies between an original Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman and a knock off. And have you ever tried to pick up a knock off Panton Chair? (use your legs not your back!).
How about quality and longevity though? In case you’ve ever questioned the quality difference between an authentic well made piece of furniture and a knock off, Fritz Hansen has put it in perspective for us. Check out this video recently posted to YouTube by Fritz Hansen. It’s a quick and simple comparison of their authentic Series 7 Chair by Arne Jacobsen (designed in 1955) compared to 2 other knock offs. The results speak for themselves.
Also, check out our previous blog post to read more about the Series 7 Chair in a commercial application right here in Victoria BC!
For only $28, set a twinkly mood in your backyard, at your front door, or in potted patio plants. This stainless steel tealight torch by Blomus is a great modern and sophisticated alternative to the well known tiki torch.
Tiki Torch - photo: tikitorchesforhomes.com
While Tikis can be fun for a theme party or particularly beachy backyard, the Blomus Tealight Torch is a little more discreet and little more fire safe. Available in frosted or clear glass, FARO torches can also be un-assembled for storage over the winter (the stake is comprised of sections that unscrew from each other).
FARO Tealight Torch with clear glass by Blomus
The FARO collection features a few different tealight holders including a 3 piece table top set, single table top holders, and a stand up floor cylinder set.
FARO Tealight Stand up Cylinder Set by Blomus
FARO Tabletop set of 3 cylinder tealight holders by Blomus
View these and other great products by Blomus on our website, here.
Now is the time to start thinking about patio furniture. Ok, in some climates, all the time is the time to think about patio furniture… but we can’t all be that lucky. Victoria has been sporting some cold temperatures during spring so far, but this weekend the sun has come out and summer looks close by.
For mid-century modern lovers, bring your Eames and Nelson classics outdoors this season! Love them inside, love them out … thanks to Herman Miller, these pieces are now available in finishes to take on the sun, wind and rain.
Aluminum Group by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. photo: hermanmiller.com
Aluminum Group by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. photo: hermanmiller.com
The move to outdoor is actually a return to roots for the Eames Aluminum Group series. It was originally developed for outdoor use – designed specifically for the famous J. Irwin Miller’s mid-century home. The outdoor weave fabric on the chairs come in four different tones, all perfectly chosen to compliment the graphite and white frame choices. As always with Herman Miller, these pieces are environmentally friendly, composed of 64% recycled materials and is 95% recyclable itself.
George Nelson Pedestal Tables for Herman Miller. photo: hermanmiller.com
The Nelson Pedestal Table comes in various sizes – two heights and two diameters to choose from. Much like the interior version, this makes it easy to exactly the table configuration that you need.
George Nelson Pedestal Table for Herman Miller. photo: hermanmiller.com
View these products and other modern patio furniture on our website, here.
Learn more about the history behind these mid-century modern classics on Herman Miller’s website, here.
It’s that time of year again that we all know and love. Knoll sale time. Save 15% on your favorite mid-century modern classics by Marcel Breuer, Florence Knoll, Warren Platner, Jens Risom, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Eero Saarinen and my personal  favourite Harry Bertoia. This is the time to own that Tulip Table, Bird Chair, or Barcelona Bench.
Round Dining Table by Eero Saarinen
Bird Chair by Harry Bertoia
Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Couch
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe designed the Barcelona in 1929. The Bird Chair was created in 1952 and 1956 marks the birth year of the Tulip Table – 60 years ago. It never ceases to amaze that these, among many other mid-century classics, are still considered modern (in the contemporary sense) today and remain design icons to reference, interpret and collect. This era produced a bounty of magnificent design and thanks to design houses like Knoll, we can continue to collect and enjoy it today and for years to come.
Heracleum, a suspension light fixture by Moooi, combines the beauty of nature with modern lighting. Inspired by the Heracleum plant, this design is also a marvel of lighting technology - powered by Moooi co-founder Marcel Wanders’ “Electrosandwich” technique of building conductive layers into the frame of the fixture itself. With this technique , wires are no longer needed which offers up a whole new field of light design possibilities. Â
Heracleum Plant
Heracleum by Bertjan Pot for Moooi - detail
The “leaves” or “petals” of the fixture can be moved/adjusted to any angle position desired. It’s also dimmable, which creates a romantic and twinkly ambiance. This is a fun a playful piece that really paves the way for future lighting design. The low voltage LED technology is environmentally sound and it’s delicate presence will work beautifully in compact spaces.
View Heracleum on our website, here.
See more of Moooi’s products, here.
Visit Bertjan Pot’s facinating website, here.
It’s not all that often that you find an iconic mid-century chair in a public/commercial space in Victoria. Wouldn’t it be grand if though if you did? Walking down Government Street and seeing Bertoia Wire Chairs outside the ice-cream shops… Lounging in an Eames Aluminum Group Chair while you’re waiting for your flight… Sitting on an Arne Jacobsen Series 7 chair while you’re eating lunch…
Sol Fine Foods, Victoria BC
That’s right – that last one … you can do that here in Victoria at Sol Fine Foods Restaurant. In fact, you and 44 other people can eat lunch while sitting on a Series 7 chair at Sol.
Series 7 Chair by Aarne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen
The chairs have developed a beautfiul patina after 15 years of commercial use and look better than ever. While Sol’s owner, Colleen, admits the chairs weren’t inexepensive as an initial investment (starting at $483 on our website, here), if you break down the cost per sit over 15 years they are incredibly cost efficient.
If you’d like to see a superb example of the quality, longevity, and environmental sustainability of Fritz Hansen’s products, I strongly encourage you to visit Sol at 2955 Jutland Rd, suite 101.Â
Sol Fine Foods, Victoria BC
Located on the Selkirk and Gorge waterfront, Sol Fine Foods Restaurant offers a tasty menu, daily fresh sheet, and catering options. View their menu on their website, here.
View the Series 7 collection including barstools, children’s chairs, and task chairs, on our website here.
