Inspiration – Process – Design we love
This morning the lovely Caitlin Kerr did a gorgeous Thanksgiving window to inspire everyone to jump on our 20% off all iittala sale and 15% off table linens sale. Her favorite is the black beet! So cool. Don’t you love her style? Stop by the shop and she can help you make selections for a beautiful Thanksgiving spread!
With great pride, I want to congratulate my parents, Gordon and Carole Segal for creating and sustaining Crate&Barrel, now celebrating 50 years this day! Surrounding themselves with creative and talented people along the way, they executed their passion for good design at affordable prices. Their inspiration came from the beautiful products around the world, from vendors like Torben Ørskov of Denmark, Armi Raitia of Marimekko Finland, and Bernt Dibbern of Germany. Their staff of Barbara Turf, Lon Habkirk, Tom Shortlidge, Raymond Arenson and countless others, all equally shared their passion and without them would not have created the strong company that exists today. Now under the current direction of Marta Calle and the Otto Group, cheers to another 50 years of success and great design in people’s homes and lives!
Even though Chicago is experiencing record breaking temperatures this spring, it is still worth taking a stroll in one of the nations oldest greenhouses, the Garfield Park Conservatory. It recently reopened it’s doors after near tragic destruction from a hail storm last summer. I credit their amazing outreach and the sincere love of the parks that Chicagoans have for their speedy rebuild. Built in 1908 and designed by legendary landscape architect and pioneer conservationist Jens Jensen, it truly is a treasure in the city. The Fern Room provided great inspiration for me, full of ancient plants and old world naturalistic settings.
Some areas are still under repair, like the Desert Room, so it’s not too late to help out!
I am head over heals for Serbian furniture designer, Ana Kraš. Her work is young but embodies an old soul that one would expect to find in an old country like Serbia. Her presentation is beautiful and relaxed – self-shot photographs of her side tables, lamps, and clothing racks within busy but breathable, well-lived in spaces. Here are some of her recent creations:
The noodle side table is made with a steel wire frame and a loose circular top that can be used as a tray. Turn the base upside down to get a different look!
Bonbon lamps are made with colorful strings knitted by hand over a metal wire frame. They can sit or hang.
The Hive Lamp uses the Bonbon shade, which hangs on an oak frame. The height can be easily adjusted by pulling the cord through the base. It can also easily break down into just a few pieces.
Our friends at The Post Family were recently interviewed by the BBC, highlighting their hands-on approach to screen printing, letter press and woodworking. To them, there is no disparity between digital and analog fields, it’s all craft. Watch this inspiring documentary. Well done guys!
November 13, 1906 – December 30, 2011
Eva Zeisel, one of the greatest industrial designers and design teachers, died just before the new year. Her persistent philosophy on following natural forms and human relationships never failed her through a prolific career designing successful products, from ceramics to tableware to furniture. She also practiced and spread the word that designing product is not just about production techniques or social need, it was about the search for beauty and enjoying the design process – which is something we all can appreciate.
Robert and I had the chance to meet Mrs. Zeisel after she spoke at the Modernism Show in Chicago a few years back. We were in awe of her vitality and her interest in making things and exploring design. Talking with her we were amazed at her humility and candidness. When posing for a photograph together, she insisted that a white shopping bag be moved out of the picture. She was obviously always thinking ahead – an aesthetic person in every way! We will miss her presence as a testament to hard work, sharing of knowledge, and the endless search for beauty.
Photograph by Talisman Brolin
