Saturday, August 31, 2013
Featured: 360 West
The store was given a full page in the September issue of 360 West magazine that came out on the newsstands on August 26. If you'd like to read the article online, click on the link above, then click Thumbs. You'll find us on page 59. Thanks to Babs Rodriguez for a great write-up!
Friday, August 30, 2013
In the store: Amazing case goods
Till now, the largest credenza we've had was one designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen. Note that I said till now. We just got an 8' solid teak credenza by Johannes Andersen, and it's massive. Aside from its size, it has another feature that's unique: rounded sides. As if that weren't enough, it's finished on all four sides...a real top-quality piece.
If gargantuan is not your thing, we have something for you too. These beautifully restored chests by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb are exquisite. They measure a modest 36"W x 20"D x 33"H (91 cm x 51 cm x 84 cm), but they make a large statement, in spite of their relatively small footprint.
 |
| Johannes Andersen credenza |
 |
| Alternate front view |
 |
| Open view |
 |
| Close-up of open view |
 |
| Close-up of rounded end |
 |
| Back view that gives you an idea of how immense this thing really is |
If gargantuan is not your thing, we have something for you too. These beautifully restored chests by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb are exquisite. They measure a modest 36"W x 20"D x 33"H (91 cm x 51 cm x 84 cm), but they make a large statement, in spite of their relatively small footprint.
 |
| Ebonized chests by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb |
 |
| Close-up view of chests |
 |
| Close-up of pulls |
 |
| Even the original Widdicomb label says elegance! |
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Thayer Coggin
 |
| Thayer Coggin |
As a boy, the younger Coggin asked for a claw hammer for Christmas and then promptly made his own bedroom suite. He earned college tuition money as a teenager making rocking chairs and cedar chests and attended High Point College (now High Point University).
His college education was interrupted by World War II, as he enlisted in the U. S. Army after his freshman year and served as a medic in North Africa. After the war, he had a difficult decision to make: go back to college or open a furniture company. He chose his first love and founded James Manufacturing.
He chose to produce sleeper sofas and rocking chairs that were primarily sold by Sears Roebuck and Company. He felt the designs were mundane, but he knew his choice was a pragmatic one for a new company. In the early 1950s, still dreaming of producing innovative designs, he went to Europe and saw modern design for the first time. He said of the experience, "The simple clean lines appealed to my sense of beauty...(their impression) hit me like a ton of bricks."
He became a contemporary furniture convert. He just needed to find the right designer. In 1953, he met with Milo Baughman, and Thayer Coggin, Inc. was formed. Of the meeting, Baughman would later remark, "For about an hour, I showed him my designs. Thayer suddenly stood up and said, 'This isn't like anything I have ever seen before, but I like it. Let's do it.'" For the next 50 years, Thayer Coggin and Milo Baughman would maintain a close and highly successful business arrangement creating furniture with sleek, horizontal lines, synnonymous with the ranch style homes that characterized post-war suburbia. Interestingly, both men died in 2003.
From thayercoggin.com
 |
| Slipper chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Foyer table by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Club chair by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Sheath collection aluminum-clad table by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Swivel chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Leather sofa by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Cube chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Chrome and leather credenza by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Lounge chair by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Credenza by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
 |
| Barrel chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1stdibs.com |
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
In the store: More Wormley chairs
As if the six Edward Wormley dining chairs we have in the store weren't enough, we now have four more gorgeous chairs designed by Wormley for Dunbar. These elegantly styled armchairs have woven backs and are in excellent original condition.
 |
| Edward Wormley chairs for Dunbar |
 |
| Side views |
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Part 4: Herman Miller WHY
This is my fourth post sharing with you the Herman Miller WHY series.
Work Life
This segment of the Herman Miller WHY series focuses on collaboration. For a year, the company's Insight and Exploration team observed various workplaces and came up with a universal "anatomy of collaboration." Even though how workers collaborate appeared to vary widely, the team identified 10 activities that go on in all offices every day.
Senior Researcher Shilpi Kumar notes that, “outlining these collaborative work behaviors will empower designers and decision makers with a greater understanding for how people really work, and will enable more informed choices in regards to office spaces.”
Work Life
This segment of the Herman Miller WHY series focuses on collaboration. For a year, the company's Insight and Exploration team observed various workplaces and came up with a universal "anatomy of collaboration." Even though how workers collaborate appeared to vary widely, the team identified 10 activities that go on in all offices every day.
Senior Researcher Shilpi Kumar notes that, “outlining these collaborative work behaviors will empower designers and decision makers with a greater understanding for how people really work, and will enable more informed choices in regards to office spaces.”
 |
| Chat hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Converse hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Co-Create hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Divide & Conquer hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Huddle hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Warm Up, Cool Down hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Show & Tell hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Process & Respond hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Create hermanmiller.com |
 |
| Contemplate hermanmiller.com |
To read the entire piece with an explanation of each activity, visit the Herman Miller site.
Monday, August 26, 2013
In the store: Edward Wormley #5436 dining chairs
Talk about glam! We've got it.
Look at this lovely set of #5436 dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They're made of dark mahogany and still have their original fabric. Finding six in wonderful condition is almost unbelievable.
Look at this lovely set of #5436 dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They're made of dark mahogany and still have their original fabric. Finding six in wonderful condition is almost unbelievable.
 |
| Edward Wormley #5436 dining chairs for Dunbar |
 |
| Front view |
 |
| Side view |
 |
| Back view |
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Just look away
Did I mention I have a fear of heights? Well, I do...and these photos my SIL posted on Facebook haven't helped one bit. Last week I was at the store when he was hanging a light, and, as usual, the experience was harrowing. Admittedly, it was a small light that was easily carried up a ladder, but that did very little to allay my anxiety. I noticed a gigantic Sciolari chandelier on the floor awaiting installation and made a mental note not to be there when it went up.
Whenever he climbs a ladder while I'm at the store, I go into full-blown phobia mode: knot in stomach, heart in throat and creepy-crawly feeling on the backs of my legs. He's up and down, leaning and stretching, balancing on the top rung in all sorts of precarious positions. Despite his assurances that he's OSHA-compliant and that it's only my vantage point and my propensity for melodrama causing the distress, I keep repeating, "OMG, I can't look. I really can't look," to which he responds, "Then don't. Just look away." After putting up with a few rounds of my hand wringing and squealing like a little girl for him to be careful, he invariably asks me to hand him something, requiring me to A) grope my way in his general direction, my eyes covered with one hand and a pair of pliers held out to him with the other or B) look.
A couple of days ago, he hung the massive Sciolari. He had said it would probably be a two-man job, although I thought four sounded much better. Rather than wait for help, however, he decided to do it alone, without so much as a mother-in-law there to call 911 when he plummeted to the concrete floor. The captions below are his.
If I had been writing the captions, they would have said "Perilously tall ladder. Terrified woman. Faint." and "My grandsons still have a father."
Whenever he climbs a ladder while I'm at the store, I go into full-blown phobia mode: knot in stomach, heart in throat and creepy-crawly feeling on the backs of my legs. He's up and down, leaning and stretching, balancing on the top rung in all sorts of precarious positions. Despite his assurances that he's OSHA-compliant and that it's only my vantage point and my propensity for melodrama causing the distress, I keep repeating, "OMG, I can't look. I really can't look," to which he responds, "Then don't. Just look away." After putting up with a few rounds of my hand wringing and squealing like a little girl for him to be careful, he invariably asks me to hand him something, requiring me to A) grope my way in his general direction, my eyes covered with one hand and a pair of pliers held out to him with the other or B) look.
A couple of days ago, he hung the massive Sciolari. He had said it would probably be a two-man job, although I thought four sounded much better. Rather than wait for help, however, he decided to do it alone, without so much as a mother-in-law there to call 911 when he plummeted to the concrete floor. The captions below are his.
 |
| One man. One Sciolari. Fight! |
 |
| Man wins. |
If I had been writing the captions, they would have said "Perilously tall ladder. Terrified woman. Faint." and "My grandsons still have a father."
Saturday, August 24, 2013
In the store: Great ladies in old dresses
The old saying "Clothes make the man" may be true, but an out-of-style dress can't hide the elegance of a true grande dame.
So it is with each and every one of these lovely chairs by Arne Vodder. Their upholstery is a little dated, but their beauty still shines. That said, these great old gals will soon be getting new duds befitting their station in life.
So it is with each and every one of these lovely chairs by Arne Vodder. Their upholstery is a little dated, but their beauty still shines. That said, these great old gals will soon be getting new duds befitting their station in life.
 |
| Arne Vodder dining chairs |
 |
| Side chair |
 |
| Side view of side chair |
 |
| Arm chair |
 |
| Back view of arm chair |
 |
| Arne Vodder dining chairs |
Friday, August 23, 2013
In the store: Classic Robsjohn-Gibbings
We're very pleased to have in the store this classic lounge chair designed by British-born T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb. The solid mahogany chair has been restored and is in lovely condition. Always elegant and understated, pieces by Robsjohn-Gibbings are a happy marriage of traditional and modern design.
 |
| Classic lounge chair by T. H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb |
 |
| Side view |
 |
| Back view |