Pretty Chinoiserie Furniture from Guild Master

Going to trade show requires tons of stamina, let us tell you. You usually walk floor after floor of showrooms, and because you don't want to miss everything, you try to stop at almost every single one of them.

Until your eyes glaze over and everything starts to look the same...

At any rate, we saw this line toward the end of our trip at High Point. Although we were dead tired, it caught our eyes and we thought we show it to you. It's Asian and rattan, two things that we normally don't like, but these are done very well. Although, we have to warn you, they are a little...pricey.

Here are some examples from the line.

The items run between $1200 chair to $1800/barstool--pricey, don't you think? They are very high quality though.

For more information on the line, visit the GuildMaster web site. The site is for the trade only, but it has contact information so that you can be directed to a dealer nearby.

Pretty Chinoiserie Furniture from Guild Master

Going to trade show requires tons of stamina, let us tell you. You usually walk floor after floor of showrooms, and because you don't want to miss everything, you try to stop at almost every single one of them.

Until your eyes glaze over and everything starts to look the same...

At any rate, we saw this line toward the end of our trip at High Point. Although we were dead tired, it caught our eyes and we thought we show it to you. It's Asian and rattan, two things that we normally don't like, but these are done very well. Although, we have to warn you, they are a little...pricey.

Here are some examples from the line.

The items run between $1200 chair to $1800/barstool--pricey, don't you think? They are very high quality though.

For more information on the line, visit the GuildMaster web site. The site is for the trade only, but it has contact information so that you can be directed to a dealer nearby.

Five Favorite Round Dining Tables

We love round dining tables, mainly because they are cozy and pretty. People say round tables make for more intimate conversation, but we don't think that's the case. It's not like you can't have an intimate conversation with a square table or a rectangular table!

At any rate, we think round tables are sexier and they fit better in a small room or a kitchen nook. Here are five of our favorites:

This one is a perential classic. It is called a Versailled Pedestal table and it's from Nichols & Stone.
This one is made of solid iron. It's from Noir.
This one has a stone base with a top that can be custom-finished. It's from Hickory Chair.
We love this one. It's from Oly Studio. We sell tons of these. It's fabulous in a black glossy finish. It's from Noir. If you need pricing information for any of the above, drop us a line.

Check our post on some fabulous dining chairs that you can use with these tables.

Five Favorite Round Dining Tables

We love round dining tables, mainly because they are cozy and pretty. People say round tables make for more intimate conversation, but we don't think that's the case. It's not like you can't have an intimate conversation with a square table or a rectangular table!

At any rate, we think round tables are sexier and they fit better in a small room or a kitchen nook. Here are five of our favorites:

This one is a perential classic. It is called a Versailled Pedestal table and it's from Nichols & Stone.
This one is made of solid iron. It's from Noir.
This one has a stone base with a top that can be custom-finished. It's from Hickory Chair.
We love this one. It's from Oly Studio. We sell tons of these. It's fabulous in a black glossy finish. It's from Noir. If you need pricing information for any of the above, drop us a line.

Check our post on some fabulous dining chairs that you can use with these tables.

Chic Furniture from Noir

Being in the decorating business for a long time, we watch many manufacturers come and go. Sometimes it's heartbreaking, especially when a company has been in business for years and years. On the other hand, we also see some companies started out really small, and with sweat and tears and ingenuity, they grow it into something special.

Noir Trading is kinda like that. We first know them as a custom furniture maker. George, who came from Germany, makes the most amazing custom cabinets and furniture around. Then he started Noir Trading a few years ago. At first it wasn't that interesting, to be honest. Just the typical dark wood furniture and Budha--boring Asian import crap, basically. However, in the recent years their quality and style has gone up several quotients. If you like Oly Studio and think it's too expensive (which it is), this might be great alternative.

Here are some great pieces that we just love:

To see more of Noir products, visit the web site here. If you need help with pricing, drop us a line.

Chic Furniture from Noir

Being in the decorating business for a long time, we watch many manufacturers come and go. Sometimes it's heartbreaking, especially when a company has been in business for years and years. On the other hand, we also see some companies started out really small, and with sweat and tears and ingenuity, they grow it into something special.

Noir Trading is kinda like that. We first know them as a custom furniture maker. George, who came from Germany, makes the most amazing custom cabinets and furniture around. Then he started Noir Trading a few years ago. At first it wasn't that interesting, to be honest. Just the typical dark wood furniture and Budha--boring Asian import crap, basically. However, in the recent years their quality and style has gone up several quotients. If you like Oly Studio and think it's too expensive (which it is), this might be great alternative.

Here are some great pieces that we just love:

To see more of Noir products, visit the web site here. If you need help with pricing, drop us a line.

Tidal Datum Tables

2007
steel / walnut / hardware
18” h x 18”w x 72” l

The body of work titled “Tidal Datums” is the result of my senior thesis project. The collection consists of a variety of objects inspired by the formal language of data graphics, intended to be a representation of analytic information through the medium of furniture. My work process began by gathering data graphs from NOAA’s historic tide database followed by translating the empirical information into tangible materials. The forms modeled from the data not only reveal a dynamic pattern, they facilitate a new way of experiencing information by enabling a physical interaction of tidal patterns with the body.

(Click on image for a larger view)


NOAA Tidal Graphs converted to Vector and Layered - 30 Days of Information


Furniture Sketches

Process photos

Suspension Cabinet

2005
african mahogony / maple / aluminum rod
18” x 18” x 43.5”

This piece is about suspension as well as deconstruction. The central cabinet unit is suspended from four points within the maple frame. The outer structure is bolted together and deconstructs into component parts. The aluminum rod functions as the connection point for the hardware, as well as acts as a buffer between the wooden components, while the hardware is presented as an accent rather than hidden from view. The overall design brings attention to the structure of the frame -as a container, protecting the contents of the shelf.

Tessellation Table

2005
steel / brass / mahagony / maple
38” x 42.5” x 16”

tes'sel·la'tion n.
“to cover the plane with a pattern in such a way as to leave no region uncovered.”

This tessellation is based on a hexagon, and arises from a personal fascination with geometry. Component parts create a flat surface that plays with concepts of perception and visual illusion. Contrast of materials from wood to metal within the pattern adds to the illusion of the three-dimensional quality of the flat plane of the table..

Air House Bench

2005
cherry / upholstry
18” x 36” x 18”

The concept for this piece was inspired by a residence in Japan titled the Air House. Featuring floor to ceiling windows creating the walls, the house is almost completely surrounded by water and the natural environment. Following the formal aesthetics of the space, the upholstered piece floats in a thin, airy frame of cherry wood. The shape of the upholstery is representative of airflow, and the seam-lines reflect and emphasize this aspect of the bench.

Floating Back Armchair and Ottoman

2004
solid walnut / upholstery
24” x 28” x 33”

This chair is an experiment of the structural integrity of wood joinery. The back of this armchair floats seemingly with little support from the base of the chair. The only connection is through the armrests - a thin piece of walnut joined to the base with a mortise and tenon joint. Although it appears fragile, the structure is solid.