Even Ice Cube's feelin' some Charles and Ray

Herman Miller furniture passes the test of time. I know this because I work every day in a 1960's Herman Miller Aluminum Group, Executive Management chair, also known as the Time-Life chair. I also have 6 more at home. It is so cool to learn that rapper, actor, and producer Ice Cube also shares the Herman Miller love.

Dig.

Etsy CUR8TOR shop. Open for business.

CUR8TOR shop is open for business. It's a place to share vintage and modern things I find unique, in the event you do too. Vintage decorative art objects, mid-century modern style, one-off finds, and an occasional handcrafted good. I'm enthusiastic about craftsmanship, charm, and innovations of the past, so I share these vintage treasures with you.

* * *
I see the world through the eyes of faith. While I realize not everyone shares my Christian worldview, I hope what I say, what I portray and how I treat you will adequately reflect my heart to serve, and my desire to glorify God.

* * *

West Chicagoland Thrift / Resale Driving Map

Thrift stores and resale shops are plentiful in the West Chicagoland area. Those who follow BarryBlog know of my thrift scores. And it's almost every day I'm asked where to find these stores. So, below is a list of some of my favorites, with comments about the experience each store offers from my perspective. I will add more stops as I learn of them. If you know of other stores in this general vicinity, leave a comment on this post with the name and address and I'll be happy to add it here. Just bookmark this page, and/or subscribe to the map via RSS and you'll be notified in your reader if anything's added. It's my hope that you'll enjoy and get good use out of this map. I highly recommend that you go to a larger view of the map from Google's page by clicking this link, or the link right below the map which says "view larger map."

If you appreciate this map, and you're feeling charitable, feel free to leave me a tip.

UPDATE: Scott from the awesome journal ars longa has also shared stops for Decatur, Springfield, and Indianapolis IN to the comments section below this post.

Update to my update: I forgot to mention my friends at Jubilee Furniture (Hi Dave and Susan!).


View Larger Map

Great Flickr Set: Mid-Century Graphic Design of Olivetti

ninonbook has very little in his Flickr stream, but what he lacks in quantity he more than makes up for with the quality of his contribution. His one and only set is a bunch of amazing Olivetti marketing and promotional graphic design efforts smack dab from the mid-20th century. Absolutely inspirational work. I know very little about how he got the work, and know a great deal about the work itself, but since my schedule is a bit upside down, I will pass on explaining the Olivetti design empire, trusting if you are interested you will pursue that further. Google Olivetti and you will quickly learn what a powerhouse this design driven company was. From a previous post of mine (in which a person named Neil McBean ripped off my image), Dieter Rams is quoted as saying this about Olivetti...

Today there is only Apple and to a lesser extent Sony, but not to the same degree as was the case with Olivetti and BRAUN, or Peter Behrens at AEG, or Herman Miller and Charles Eames, Florence Knoll with Saarinen and so on. These kinds of connections are missing today.

I am fortunate to own the Olivetti Lettera 36 and am constantly on the prowl for the Valentine by one of my favorite designers, Ettore Sottsass.

Enjoy nonenbook's Olivetti Set.

A special thanks to Neil McBean. The stated purpose of his blog is to "inspire filmmakers, designers and artists (like me [him]) to develop and produce their own work." Ironically however, he refuses to remove my image that he stole, which he is using to ask the question..."So is Jonathan Ives merely a rip-off artist?" Then he states..."We always build on what came before, and sometimes all that's required is the adaptation of a great design for a new purpose." Then he goes on to state..."When developing storyboards it would be irresponsible not to find out how similar scenes have been shot in earlier films."

Guess McBean doesn't feel it's at all irresponsible to steal. Sweet.

History Repeating Itself? Banknotes by Herbert Bayer.

Finances reigned in as a result of a botched adoption, the global financial meltdown, and a permanent condition of frugality, I will admit that I have not had the pleasure of buying anything from eBay for quite some time. Even if the economy were at full throttle, some of the amazing items listed at eBay seller room-606 would be beyond my reach. But that has in no way stopped me from perusing his droolable items of rare mid-century modern design history.

In my estimation, eBay seller Matthew at room_606 is one of the premier sellers of 20th century decorative arts and design. Randall Ross of Modernism101 online and on eBay, who I have mentioned before, is also a treasure trove of history and one-off design wonders who I enjoy every bit as much when I am in the mood to learn, and maybe someday buy (or trade as he has so generously offered). If I'm not drooling and learning from Randall, I go to room_606, who as he puts it, "sells everything from art nouveau, art deco, the Modern Movement and beyond. Expect quality pieces by Christopher Dresser, the Wiener Werkstatte, the Bauhaus designers, Charles and Ray Eames and Alvar Aalto among others."

Right at the very moment of this post, room_606 has a full set of six super rare Emergency Million Mark banknotes for the Thuringian state government in Weimar, 1923, designed by Herbert Bayer at the Bauhaus. Original Bauhaus typography and a fascinating artefact from a dramatic moment in the history of the last century. These hyper-inflationary bank notes from Weimar Germany, designed by Herbert Bayer at the Bauhaus, comprises all six number and colour variations. The impoverished Weimer Republic government was producing emergency notes - increasingly dramatic denominations - in a desperate attempt to combat acute hyper-inflation.

Boy, does this sound like history may repeating itself here?

Anyway - the asking price for these rare notes? $899.99. A steep price on the surface, but a truly rare item that would be the envy of any Mid-Century design collector and/or history aficionado. Matthew has other amazing items for sale, and I recommend you check out his goods. I also recommend that you wear a bib.

As a believer and someone who tries to model a life in Christ, I realize that material things are of little importance—in this time in history especially, as many people are without basic food and shelter. I wouldn't want this post to come across flippant, unsympathetic or ignorant to the need that has reared it's ugly face, but share this as a way to share a larger picture of the joys surrounding what I and Rob Roy Kelly call "the hunt." It is really satisfying on many fronts, and can be enjoyed by spending little if any money, unless you choose to own some of these objects. Some people spend their money by going out to eat all the time. Some bet on football. Some buy movies or go to a theater. Instead of these things, I research all things mid-century modern and the people who have added significantly to this aesthetic. Through blogging, thrifting and research, I have developed a really special webnet of friends who share in this hobby. A few wonderful folk like Scott. And Dave. And Liz. And Jess. And Steve. And Chris. And Gerson. And Kent. And Stewf here and here, and Chris, and palebear, and many others. They selflessly share of their time and expertise, giving to the collective network of mid-century modern junkies like myself.

In tough financial times, design can be appreciated without spending money. Research, collaborate, share and grow. There's something really intriguing about well designed items from the past. The stories they tell. The history they represent. And the fun they are to pursue.

Clairtone at 50: Stupid Lucky

Instead of trying to explain Clairtone's contribution to design, just watch the video I've embedded. Founders Peter Munk and David Gilmour took a representative best foot forward and put Canada on the design map with this stunning achievement. Something tells me I will never find one of these at a tag sale or at thrift.

In celebration of the 50th year anniversary of the company's founding, Canada's Design Exchange is running an exhibit until October 2008, and has a nice website with more info on this company. Also, there's a book about Clairtone by Nina Munk and Rachel Gotlieb, titled The Art of Clairtone: The Making of a Design Icon, 1958-1971 The 184-page book is designed by Hambly & Woolley Inc. and published by McClelland & Stewart.



( via Retro thing )

Ars Longa - Generosity forges Community

Recently I discovered the journal Ars Longa. Developed as an outlet and to share with others of a like mind, it's one man's perspective and documentation of his lifestyle of collecting, which he's coined "thrift shop archaeology." The journal is developed by sllab studios (I presume that refers to his "lab" - and the Scott Lindberg initials to boot), and it covers fine art, modernist design, and other such mid-century modern artifacts, decorative arts and general goodness.

Scott echos my sentiments when he suggests that designed objects and beautiful artworks can be affordably attained by everyone, you just have to know where to look.

That is in fact what thrifting entails. Knowledge. Timing. Research. And a healthy appreciation for the past. Thrifting ( my new verb) is a pastime to some in the way watching TV or going to a movie is for others. For the hard core thrift store shopper, the hunt is important, the purchase secondary, and the friendships primary to the overall effort. All in all it's an adventure, and it's no doubt fun to share along the way.

Scott's journal has provided many clues as to some of the high end items I have thrifted that I had yet to identify. Sharing information is a big thrifting thread, and Scott's website is a rich resource. The list of links alone is worth checking out. He also painstakingly developed a designer directory, so you can search based on designer keywords. It's really cool how by reaching out with knowledge and generosity, friendships can be forged and communities can be built.

Bravo Ars Longa. I salute you.

Mid-Century Jubilee Furniture - Coming Soon

I just completed a new set of images to help my friends at Jubilee Furniture in Carol Stream IL document a bunch of new furniture donations they called me about. You may have heard of them before. These cool new vintage furniture pieces may be available via Apartment Therapy Chicago's classified ads, or via Craigslist, or at the Carol Stream store...I'm not quite sure yet. Suffice it to say there is some SWEET mid-century modern furniture goodness to be had, when they are ready to go. They are still pricing these items. Stay tuned.

Flickr: Vintage Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Attention anyone who loves furniture in general, especially that with a rich history: I created a new Flickr home for all the vintage furniture images I have scattered throughout my various Flickr sets. The slideshow is here. It's fun and convenient to see everything in one place. Most of the images reflect my taste for mid-century modern, but there's a real mix here.

Thrift Store Find: Vintage HiMark Air Coffee Pot

Saturday I popped into one of my local thrift stores and walked out with a gem. It's a Himark Air Coffee Pot, dated 1978, and designed by Saltera. I have no idea who Saltera is yet, but plan a second try later to find who this designer is.

The graphics are really cool, and quite elaborate. The coffee pot appears to be lightly used or possibly never used, and it is rather flawless, which is a bonus.

It was 1/2 off, so the $3.00 price tag is in fact a $1.50 purchase.

FontStruct. Create a Font. Or Jack One Up.

FontStruct. A free font-building tool by FontShop that allows you to create a font from scratch using geometrical shapes, arranged in a grid, like tiles or bricks. When you're through, FontStruct generates a production-quality TrueType font you can download and/or share with others—Mac or Windows. Sharing is encouraged. In fact, you can even download other people's "FontStructions" and make your own variations by jacking up what they've already done. There's a great gallery of other people's fonts here. I haven't had time to try yet, but Stewf has. For all you Mid-Century Modern fans, he did a take on Eero Saarinen which he aptly named Eerostyle. I met Stewf (Stephen) here. He administers a bunch of Flickr groups, including my favorite, Mid-Century Modern Interiors Pool. He also edits the FontShop's blog, called Fontfeed, the Type Journal Typographica, as well as his own blog— midcenturymodernist. At midcenturymodernist.com, he made me blush with his review of my post about my Herman Miller Eames Executive Management Time-Life Chair for which I now have 8.

Since you're so kerncerned, why not give it a shot.

Terminology: What is Modern?

Recently I was emailing back and forth with a Flickr friend who has an amazing eye and fortune for all things thrift shop. We spoke about how often people misuse the word "modern" when they are describing something "new" or "now." But I believe it's worth clarifying that "Modern" really has more to do with design approach than time. Dieter Rams designed products in the 1960's which are nearly 50 years old now, and yet are all considered modern today. They are also retro and vintage.

Just a thought.

The Hunt: Eco-Friendly and Vintage Furniture

Apartment Therapy recently featured a great post on eco-friendly furniture. Now Sarah follows up, listing all the environmentally conscious wood furniture that's been featured on AT in the past. What a great resource. She lists sustainably harvested, recycled, and second-hand wood in her line up, and in so doing, highlights Jubilee Furniture as a place to find "second hand solid wood."

For me, "vintage used" Mid-Century Modern (and older) has always been a favorite choice for hunting, researching, collecting and usually just admiring. There's something about "the hunt" for this stuff that makes it rewarding and worth repeating. The late thought leader Rob Roy Kelly does a nice job of shedding light on collecting, as he describes in detail what it means to him. For non-hunters and non-collectors, this article might explain where your collector friends are coming from.

I appreciate Sarah's article. It reminds me of how cool it is to reuse stuff. Especially when doing so achieves refreshing, unintended and inspired results. And for me, like Rob Roy Kelly, finding and researching these articles is often more enjoyable than buying. Many times I just take a picture so I can research it later without having to buy. That's fun too.

As background for those of you who have not heard of Jubilee Furniture in Carol Stream, the word got out several weeks ago through the generous help of a few bloggers I contacted for help, and by the images I took of the items there. I hoped my blog friends and contacts would share the news about Jubilee, and boy did they. Apartment Therapy, Nicole at Making it Lovely, Jess at Howaboutorange, ToKissTheCook, and others– they all got the ball rolling big time. Since then many have ventured out to Carol Stream for themselves, and some continue to blog about their experiences. I even saw some recent chatter on Domino Magazine's website. Some found deal of a lifetime, while others came up empty. And some really gave Jubilee high praise calling it "This trip may have been our best thrift store experience ever." I'm continually surprised every week by what's been donated from the week before. I have begun to see some of the same new faces there every weekend, which is cool.

Now that Jubilee is on the map so to speak, they have a need for more furniture donations. There's something satisfying about reusing and helping the environment, and an even better feeling knowing donation of furniture to Jubilee will help people who are shy on cash for whatever reason, and by knowing their profits go to the greater good. So if you or anyone you know is looking to donate something, call Jubilee and see if they can help. Dave and Susan can be contacted at 630.337.1467.

709 Finds. More Liquidation items.

More items which will be on the chopping block as soon as I finish photography and pricing. Especially interesting as I recently read this and this.

New Flickr Set: Mid-Century Modern Objects

This is a set of images I took to continue to improve as a photographer and also as we prepare to open our etsy store and eBay some items to raise money in continued preparation for our adoption. If you want to see any of the images larger, click the "link" button in the pictobrowser interface. Some of the portrait/vertical shots get lost behind the pictobrowser interface.

KANNER Architects: Mid-Century "Next."

KannerArchitects are amazing in that I see a distinctively mid-century design influence woven throughout their design thinking and approach, yet through their entire body of work I see a glimpse into the future. To me, KANNER's work represents "What's Next" in architecture.

Situated in Santa Monica (by my former Ph.D and longtime fav and new airconditioned Clive and Fellow Michael), they draw on the "climate, innovation and diversity" of their Southern Californian surroundings. They "take into consideration the seasons and how light changes during the passage of the day" as a significant part of their design thinking. As a result, Kanner's work is decidedly modern, timeless and warm. Their work is conscious of and respectful towards site, budget, conservation and an inventive use of materials.

I've found all their work to be full of wit and personality. An appropriate extension of it's surroundings for sure, but serving important roles of adding, inspiring and energizing those who interact with these spaces.

If I could hire anyone to communicate through architecture what I consider interesting and inspirational, I would choose KANNER hands down. Though they design their share of big budget projects, I'm most impressed by what they've done with their more modest ones, like the United Oil and Gas Station (which if the site wasn't all designed all in Flash, I would link to on the KANNER site).

They have a full service graphic design team too. Man, would that be a dream job! Big shout out to Kanner. I'm a fan.

Knoll International: Charles Pollack Chairs (2)

The same day I came across all 8 of these Herman Miller Time Life Chairs, I also found two of these Knoll International Executive Arm Chairs designed by Charles Pollock. One might assume I am made of money, but au contraire. Although the Knoll price list (3.3 mb PDF) shows these retailing new between $2,000-2,900.

During the last month or so I have been using one of these in my home office, and you know what? The Knoll Pollack chair is really comfortable. Time permitting, I may attempt the extra research on designer Charles Pollack as I have Warren Snodgrass in the past, to find out what went into the thinking and the design of this wonderful chair. I already discovered Pollack worked with George Nelson's office and went to Pratt. If I find out more, I'll share that here.

Worth note is the very 70's Retro upholstery. It has really grown on me when you consider my penchant for a late 50's, mostly 60's interior, decorative art and furniture look. I am sure the current 70's collectors will enjoy the look.

More Herman Miller Eames Yumminess

Introducing my newest thrift furniture finds – two fixed height Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Management Chairs (pictured above), plus it's big brother, the Soft Pad with swivel and adjustable height (not pictured). I picked them up this weekend. The big brother is my new home office chair, the two fixed height chairs will be on eBay soon. I also bought a Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Soft Pad Lounge Chair at a garage sale last year for $10. My crib is starting to look a bit like a Herman Miller showroom. Here's to hoping some day I'll find a classic bent ply lounge chair and ottoman at a garage sale!

All three of these new chairs from this weekend have just 4 legs–the most vintage and desirable configuration that thanks to OSHA in 1990, all changed to 5 leg versions. 4 leg versions are no longer made. Aside from my original Eames Time Life chairs, which will also be on eBay soon, these chairs are second to none. And don't forget my work chair.

I often wonder what the dot-com Aeron chair is like. Though not vintage or classic looking enough for me (like the Aluminum group), I understand it too is an awesome chair.

If you like Herman Miller stuff, I recommend a group I belong to. Check out the Flickr Herman Miller group, moderated by shawnwall. His the ranch series is amazing. You might also enjoy the Eames Flickr group. If you're into Mid-Century Modern interiors, you'll enjoy Stewf's group, Mid-Century Modern Interiors. Stewf owns and operates the great midcenturymodern.com. Stewf did a nice write up on me a month back or so.

Those links should burn a few hours away. Enjoy.

Mid-Century Modern Interior and Objects

Spin through the photos above. They were taken for a variety of reasons. For one, I am using my Canon Digital Rebel 300D more and more, and this was more practice. Secondly, much of these shots are for use as I go to sell this stuff. Not all, but some. And last, these photos are just plain fun to look at, and a big portion of BarryBlog readers respond to posts I have about such things. Plus, and perhaps the most important reason to me, and the reason I started BarryBlog in the first place, is because I'm enthusiastic about craftsmanship, charm, and innovations of the past, and so I share these mostly vintage treasures so you can appreciate them as well.

Etsy: Preparing for What's Really Valuable

Behind the scenes over the last several months, I've been researching, and recently finalizing various merchant side web services in order to begin liquidating much of our antiques, collectibles and what I like to call "unexpectables"— in advance of our adoption which is 12-24 months out. My wife and I share the same taste for mid-century modern decorative arts, furniture and furnishings. We're both rather frugal, so all we own is the result of being at the right garage sale or tag sale at the right time. Several times over the years in fact. I've posted about a couple of these finds before both here, here, here and here. Suffice it to say we've found some gems over the years.

A couple weeks ago it really hit home how some of our stuff has got to go, as we sat in a parenting and adoption seminar. Much of what's in our home are items that are either fragile and/or impractical, and likely dangerous to little ones. So after we returned from the seminar, we met a guy at our home who I'd arranged to show up in a truck, and he took a lion's share of my Heywood Wakefield blond wood 50's furniture back to Michigan where he shares in a collectible business. These items consisted of a vanity, side table, and a dinette set–complete with the famed Butterfly table. The Heywood pieces where the first collectibles I ever bought as a single guy right out of college, so a great deal of legacy and history exchanged hands in that transaction.

So as I ponder what's next for my wife and I, and one or two children who we may bring home from El Salvador in the near future, it makes me smile to know we're transitioning from a life of valuable stuff, to a life of true value.

Not to say enjoying what you have is inherantly wrong, but when this stuff becomes a burden, or draws attention away from things of greater importance, it's time to let go.

All that said, I do hope I'll never lose a passion for going to garage sales, and flea markets and antique malls. I've spent hours and hours in my parent's antique booths, going with them to garage sales, and enjoying every minute. I rank these memories among my most cherished. So it was a natural when my wife and I began spending time together doing the same. Time I wouldn't give up for anything. Except a baby. Or two!

Keep an eye out for our Etsy announcement and a few eBay sales soon. Our Etsy store is called "cur8tor." It's empty now, but won't be shortly. If you go there, you can look through my favorite items and sellers to get an idea what the cur8tor vintage store will be like. If you've never been to Etsy, you should check it out. All proceeds of our Etsy and eBay sales will go to our adoption fund. The costs associated with an adoption are mind boggling. But worth it.