Mid2Mod: CB2

Showing posts with label CB2. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Umbra...quality modern design

I recently bought a matte black rubber-coated soap pump for my kitchen from CB2, one of my go-to sites for cool modern goods. I've been buying from CB2 since their website first launched, and I've been satisfied with every purchase...till now.

Admittedly, at $4.95, I wasn't out a fortune, but I did expect the pump to last longer than two months. With normal use, the top cracked, and soap started to leak down the sides of the dispenser. I went to the site to leave a review and found that I wasn't the only person to have this problem. Knowing it would be more trouble than it was worth to return the pump, I simply tossed it and ordered something different.

The offending bottle...No bargain at $4.95

My order arrived from Wayfair a couple of days ago, and I am thrilled with my new Umbra Penguin soap pump. First of all, I think this pump bottle is even more aesthetically pleasing than the one from CB2. More importantly, though, the product seems designed to last. The entire black sleeve screws off to reveal a tall, clear container that holds a whopping 15 ounces of liquid, and a narrow window in the sleeve shows how much is left in the bottle. Also, it has the same matte "soft touch" finish as the one from CB2. It was three times the price, but I expect it to be worth every penny.

Umbra Penguin soap dispenser

In case black isn't your color, the Penguin also comes in white, red, avocado and nickel. (And, no, I haven't embarked on a career as a product reviewer. I've just found some things the past couple of days that I thought you'd love. We will now return to our regularly scheduled program.)

Saturday, December 17, 2011

It's beginning to look somewhat like Christmas...

...at least in the CB2 mid-century snow globe I bought for myself the other day. Thanks to Justin at Mid-Century Austin Living for posting about the globe, because I hadn't seen it. As soon as I read his post, I rushed to the CB2 site and ordered one.

The snow globe is large...8" high...and contains a smaller version of the CB2 Neville House, complete with bright yellow 50s fireplace (like the orange one we have in the store). It is utter mid-century holiday fun...and with weather forecast in the 50s and 60s next week for North Central Texas, this is probably as close to snow as I'll come.

Oh, and did I mention that it was marked down from $39.95 to $19.95, and shipping was free? :)

CB2 snow globe with a lot more white stuff falling than we're likely to see

Side view of the roofline

Close-up of fireplace

CB2 Neville House

Monday, October 4, 2010

Modern make-overs

Mid-century modern is enjoying a renewed popularity, and reproductions, reissues and current day interpretations of classic 1950s chairs, tables, and sofas are cropping up everywhere. While vintage furniture by famous mid-century designers and even reissues are prohibitively expensive for most of us, some of the new knock-offs are excitingly affordable.

You can find pieces reminiscent of Platner, Knoll, McCobb, Wormley and others that start in the $200 range and fit right into the MCM homes of even the most discerning collectors. While not exact replicas, the "inspired by" styles give more than a passing nod to their original designers. I have the CB2 Tornado and Ergo tables alongside vintage furniture in my home, and I love them both.