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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Modern Design Deck

Is it possible to have a crush on a product? I think it is. One look the Modern Design Deck by Jen Renninger, and I was smitten.

In 2007 the illustrator, whose client list includes The Washington Post, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Harper’s, Better Homes and Gardens, Urban Outfitters, Penguin Books and O magazine, was going through what she describes as "a creative funk."  Her photographer husband suggested that she work on a painting of his favorite chair, an Eames RAR. What ultimately resulted was a series of paintings that became a set of flash cards called the Modern Design Deck.

Renninger now makes single prints of the original designs available in her Etsy store pleasebestill. She also sells a poster of the 30 original illustrations A-Z, as well as a limited edition, numbered and signed box set of the Modern Design Deck flash cards, which is the birthday gift I'm buying for myself this month when I celebrate turning 65. That's all the excuse I need to have this box of beauties on a side table in my living room.

From jenrenninger.com, etsy.com

All images from etsy.com - pleasebestill


Limited Edition Modern Design Deck

Limited Edition Modern Design Deck

E is for Eames

W is for Wegner

N is for Nelson

K is for Kofod-Larsen

V is for Vodder

Poster

Giclee print

28 comments:

  1. Oh Dana! I love them!
    So nice to see something other than a kangaroo for K!
    Popping over to please be still NOW!

    p.s. when's your b'day?

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    1. I was a goner when I saw that she used Kofod-Larsen for K. My birthday is June 27.

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  2. What a fabulous idea! Birthday? Hmmmm, would that be a good time to send you a vase? Hehe.

    The kidling's birthday is this month as well.

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    1. If you can't treat yourself to a birthday gift at age 65, when can you? To answer your question, it would be fantastic...unless you're realizing you're too attached to it, in which case my answer would be "Hang onto it as long as it brings you joy."

      My Jenn was due in June, but she decided to be a July baby instead.

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  3. That´s a great find. The poster is a wonderful idea. I always have my own christmas gift, so I could understand your own birthday gift, go for it. But do you realy need an excuse to give something nice to yourselve?

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    1. One thing I've never had a problem with is being generous with myself. :)

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    1. Don't you hate seeing a typo just as you hit Enter?

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  5. Great choice, how could you not!! x

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  6. Fantastic find Dana...love the poster, some great pieces in the store too.

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    1. Yes, I saw several other things I loved there too.

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  7. Hi everyone! Jen Renninger here- the illustrator behind the design deck.. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments!

    And Dana, thank you so much for the amazing post! I just received an email about it and am so thankful! I fell in love your blog instantly and am definitely going to be a regular reader from now on.. your 'about' snippet at the top of the site pretty much mirrors why I made the design deck:)

    By the way, If anyone has any questions about the series (- or suggestions for additions !! ) let me know.. I love getting feedback and suggestions!

    xo - Jen

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    1. Jen, welcome! I was going to send you a link today. I'm glad someone saw the post and let you know.

      Your work is beautiful, and you can count on an order from me! One of my favorite chairs is my Kofod-Larsen Easy Chair, so I was delighted to see that he represented K.

      I look forward to having you as a regular reader.

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    2. Thanks Dana! Oh- I saw the Kofod-Larsen chair in your tour! I was pretty much instantly smitten with everything you've done.. Such a beautiful home you've created!

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    3. Jen, your boxed set of cards will be right beside the Kofod chair! I'm so glad you like my home. I think you'd like my son-in-law's store too.

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    4. Jen, your boxed set of cards will be right beside the Kofod chair! I'm so glad you like my home. I think you'd like my son-in-law's store too.

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    5. Dana!! I feel so honored by that!! Where is your son-in-laws store?

      ps- Happy Early Birthday!! My husbands is at the end of the month too (as are all wonderful people :)

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    6. He and my daughter have a store in Dallas, TX called Mid2Mod. They're in the process of moving to a new location and will open there on July 1, but you can check out their vintage inventory at mid2mod.com or deconet.com. They also carry several lines of new modern, including Rapson-Inc, Eastvold, Gus and Bend.

      My birthday is the 27th, so he and will probably be celebrating around the same time. :)

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  8. Fantastic, what a great present! Happy (momentous) Birthday...a little early. I'm going to link over and visit her Etsy site.

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    1. I have a feeling I'll be visiting her Etsy store often!

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  9. Dana, I'm just found your blog and I love this post. I was teasing my daughter the other day about how I needed to find a desk of flash cards so I could teach my new grandson about modern design. My two daughters and I have a real thing about modern design. I'm glad I found you. I'll be back.

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    1. Great to have you as a new reader! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post, and I look forward to seeing you often.

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  10. Just bought one the posters after seeing it here on your blog. Thanks!

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    1. Fantastic! I just bought my Modern Design Deck too.

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  11. Love it! That's my kind of alphabet! Happy almost b
    Birthday

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    1. They're the coolest flash cards I've ever seen. I can't wait to see the ones I ordered. Thanks for the bd wishes.

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  12. Dana thanks! I am ordering too. You know how I always struggle with the names of the furniture I see in all the houses and have to write you secret emails or simply ask you to clarify in the comments of the post. This is a great product and really clever. My mom will enjoy as well and she will get some for her birthday too.

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