WALLPAPER WOW

This post was originally going to be about one of my favorite lifestyle magazines, Wallpaper.

Then, of course, I began thinking of actual wallpaper and the fact that most of us have sadly, though perhaps rather sanely, opted to pick up paintbrushes instead of wallpaper rolls in our own DIY projects. And really, who can be blamed when you consider the prep time and mess involved?

That having been said, though, these tasty wallpapers from Wallpaper from the 70s are making me completely rethink my "it's too much work" anti-wallpaper bias.

Available by the roll, the options range from fabulously floral to totally psychedelic. And unlike stumbling across that random roll on eBay, you’ll actually be able to calculate and buy the amount you need for your project. Best of all, generous A4-sized samples are available for a mere $0.67 each, plus shipping from the UK.

Not bad. In fact, pretty damn good, I think. And right now, it's making me think twice about ever using a paintbrush again. Well, within reason.

[IMAGES OF SAMPLES SHOWN: Top left, in room, Dusares; Three samples, from left to right, Iduna, Electra, and Poseidon.]

THANKS A LOTTE

I love Danish Modern design. In fact, I keep thinking I was born 50 years too late. Either that or 500 years to early, but that’s for another post.

Well, in my pursuits, one of the greater pains I’ve experienced was that of trying to find mid-century lighting that didn’t look like it had been through WWII, as well. Thankfully, one day I decided to actually look at those small ads in the back of Dwell and spotted one for Lotte Lamps.

I immediately went to their site where I not only spotted one lamp I loved, but several. I was surprised to find pin-up lamps—not shown—among the styles they offer. Mostly because I didn’t even know these were still in production anywhere.

Now, I’m not sure whether or not to call these stoneware gems reproductions, since they’ve been in production since 1957. Regardless, they are most definitely worthy to light your beloved Eames lounge.

Available in a variety of classic mid-century modern shapes including floor lamps, prices start at $125 and go up to about $475. You also get your choice of 14 yummy colors, as well as matt or gloss finish.

So, if you’re looking for mid-century lighting, visit their site and download their bountiful catalogues. You can’t order online—their “How
to Buy” button is essentially an email to the company—but I’m sure that ordering the “old fashioned way” works just as fine.

All images via Lotte Lamps.

Why I love MCM.

The above is a picture of a furniture piece that recently sold on eBay for $371.00. The reason I'm posting it here is because I actually own this tasty mid-century modern magazine/end table myself.

I, however, purchased mine at the Farmer’s Market in Royal Oak, Michigan about three years ago. The price? A delicious $18. It was selling for $24, but I haggled.

All in all, it just goes to show what a smart investment mid-century modern furniture can be. I mean, I seriously doubt anyone will ever make money in 40 years on a Rooms-to-Go dining set.

Just wanted to share. And, yes, gloat a little.

MOD POD

Having been working on several hotel accounts, I’ve been considering making use of one myself. More specifically, of treating my blushing groom to a weekend getaway in a city he’s been to but only for Grateful Dead concerts: NYC.

Now, while I do work on one account in The City, the chances that I’ll be comped a room for my stay is unlikely, not that I’m not going to try. Still, I’ve been toying with staying somewhere that won’t bankrupt us or assault our senses and think I’ve found the very answer.

The Pod Hotel.

Located on E 51st Street, between 2nd and 3rd Ave, the former Pickwick Arms is not only conveniently located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan’s East Side, it’s nicely priced. A four-night stay for Valentine’s Day weekend would be around $826, plus taxes.

For The City, that’s a great deal and the rooms, or I suppose pods, are rather stylish. Mod but not posh, the minimalist décor is more than fine for a space we’ll be using just a few hours each day. Granted, my 6’ 2” hubby may find the pod-sized rooms a bit of a challenge, but the money we’ll be saving, and spending elsewhere, will be well-worth a stubbed toe or two, me thinks.

I haven’t read the reviews on Tripadvisor yet, but I probably will before we book, if we book.

For now, though, I’d like to live with the illusion that a groovy NYC weekend is kinda, sorta doable.



[IMAGES: View of hotel interior (via cool-hotels.net); Shot of double room and roof top deck via The Pod Hotel.]

DESIGN GODS & PORCELAIN THRONES

Why a post about a toilet?

Well, because:

A) It's a damn fine toilet.
B) It's a Starck 3 toilet, designed by Philippe Starck for Duravit.
and
C) We're in desperate need of a new toilet for the guest bathroom.

Now, I should mention that we already have one in the master bathroom. We have, though, decided to dump—pun intended—the nasty, leaking Crane toilet in our guest bath that, for reasons relating to a microscopic budget, was the one fixture we kept after our renovation.

Of course, we didn't think of buying another Starck 3 water closet, as it's also called, but we were stunned to learn that other toilets at local mega hardware stores weren't that much cheaper. In fact, several were much more expensive. And, given the design, you simply can't find better. At least, not for $297 delivered via HomeClick.

I'll be ordering ours tomorrow. So, if anyone is in need of a nasty, leaking Crane toilet, just let me know.