Newly restored Kristian Vedel “Modus” set c.1960

fully restored 1960 Kristian Vedel "Modus" set

I fell in love with this Kristian Vedel chair and table set when I first laid eyes on it.  However, I did not realize what a remarkable find I had discovered until I conducted some research.  Perhaps Vedel’s most iconic work, the award-winning “Modus” chair and side table set was designed by Kristian Vedel and manufactured by Soren Willadsen in 1960.

The chairs were in need of new leather cushions and the ottoman/side table required a new rosewood veneer, but I was inspired after seeing photos of the set in their mint glory.  Luckily, I had a leftover black cowhide from a previous design project, which worked perfectly for the new cushions.

I paid a visit to dear friend and talented woodworker Delaney Kelly at Creative Woodworking.  Delaney was happy to make a new book-matched veneer for the side table.  He recommended we check out Gilmer Wood for the closest match to the original Brazilian Rosewood.

Myles Gilmer, the knowledgeable owner of Gilmer Wood, was kind enough to give us a tour of the warehouse.  He took time to answer our questions about some of the hundreds of exotic species stocked there.  He explained that the Brazilian Rosewood originally used for the chairs is now a protected species, but he found a close match in a Rosewood board from Madagascar.

Before

Kristian Vedel "Modus" chairs - before

Restoration

new black leather cushions

Gilmer Wood warehouse

Delaney Kelly - making book-matched veneer from our Rosewood board

restored side table with new veneer

pigeon toe ceramics

I love the elegant, formal simplicity of Pigeon Toe Ceramics.  Fine artist & designer Lisa Jones’ work reflects careful restraint and a refined aesthetic.  Her work evokes a Scandinavian sleekness yet represents an old-fashioned, rustic quality.  The retail storefront features Pigeon Toe’s own vases, pots, bowls, pendant lamps, votive holders, and string lights with other pottery, gifts, and table top accessories from other designers.

Pigeon Toe Ceramics

737 SE Morrison

Hours:  Wednesday – Saturday 11-6
or by appointment

(For Holiday hours click here).  Pigeon Toe Ceramics will also be participating the 5th annual Sunday Best Holiday Sale December 4th & 5th at the Ace Hotel (1022 SW Stark).

porcelain pigeon toe vase, with turquoise interior on table left.

photos from SBaird Design home staging

photos courtesy of Pigeon Toe Ceramics’ website

Indigo is the Color of My Dreams – exhibit at Japanese Gardens

Among the oldest dyes used for textiles, indigo was widely used throughout India, China, Japan, the Middle East, and West Africa.  In Japan, during the Edo period when silk was outlawed, indigo dye became especially prominent as cotton began to be used for textiles. Even today, indigo is the dye of choice for summer kimonos.

Indigo textile artist Shihoko Fukumoto’s beautiful linen and flax panels are currently on display at the Japanese Garden. Bridging traditional and modern methods, Shihoko masterfully achieves deep blue tones using traditional Japanese dye techniques.

Indigo is the Color of My Dreams

October 30 – November 28, 2010

Monday 12 – 4

Tuesday – Sunday 10 – 4

*Tea ceremonies will be held Sundays from 1 -3 pm in the Fukumoto Indigo Cube in the center of the pavilion.

Alameda Progress – Week 9

I’m consistently amazed at the progress at our weekly on-site progress meetings.  Vermont Danby marble counter tops are being installed tomorrow in the kitchen, master bath, and hall bath.  The master bath window is in, the master bedroom walls are painted, tile work in the master bath is in progress, and new custom doors have been installed.

Next:  more painting, cabinet painting, hardware, tile, and hardwood floor refinishing

 

 

 

Excited about – Little Winter Market – Ace Hotel this weekend

photo courtesy of the little winter website

At the cleaners at the Ace Hotel | 1022 SW Stark 503-228-2277

11-6 Saturday, November 6 | 11-5 Sunday, November 7

www.littlewintermarket.com

vendors |

• Abby Try Again
• Amanda Blake
• Hetterson Clothing
• Cori Kindred
• Favor Jewelry
• Fieldguided
• Forestbound
• Garment House
• Herriott Grace
• Jordan Ferney
• Julianna Swaney
• Kiki + Polly
• My House Party
• Mossiere
• Paul Ferney
• Secret Pocket
• Shanna Murray
• sulu-design
• Tokketok
• Twigs & Honey