Modern home accessories, mid-century, bauhaus furniture, more » George

Nelson Swag Leg Desk

Pete — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:33:04 +0000

The reintroduction of George Nelson’s Swag Leg Desk (1958) was driven by today’s propensity for working on laptop computers. With the exception of adding cable management to suit today’s compact electronics, the desk is as George Nelson designed it 50 years ago. Back then, the motivation to create such a desk began with Nelson asking “wouldn’t it be beautiful to have some kind of sculptured leg on a piece of furniture?” An idea was launched, but the designer had to figure out how to make the…read more

Nelson Spindle Clock

Pete — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 02:57:11 +0000

As part of George Nelsons collection of oversized clocks designed from 1955 to 1958, the Spindle Clock (1957) is a mastery of craftsmanship and precision, newly reissued by the Vitra Design Museum. Solid wood has been turned to smooth perfection in each of the spindles. The warmth of a brass face highlights the bold, easy-to-read hands of painted metal. The clocks large scale demands prominent placement above a mantle, desk or kitchen area. Easily installed. Uses AA batteries. Made in Poland.…read more

Nelson Eye Clock

Pete — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 23:39:43 +0000

Twice the scale of George Nelsons earlier clock designs, the Nelson Eye Clock (1957) constitutes part of the designers iconic collection of oversized clocks, newly reissued by the Vitra Design Museum. Turning the human eye into a figurative composition of geometric forms, the clock is at once playful and sophisticated-a combination for which Nelson is well known. Able to be hung vertically or horizontally, the Eye Clocks size does not preclude its use in smaller homes and offices. Bold, graph…read more

Nelson Swag Leg Armchair

Pete — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:18:15 +0000

George Nelson began with the legs when designing his Swag Leg Group (1958). He insisted that they be made of metal and machine formed, and discovered his solution in “swaging,” a method of using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube. For the Swag Leg Chair, the question became how to connect the four legs, and through Nelson’s own engineering the resulting base appears deceptively simple. To create the chair shell, Nelson got permission from Charles and Ray Eames to use a patented process th…read more

How To See

Pete — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:52:37 +0000

George Nelson was an outstanding designer. We all know that. But my hunch is that, in a hundred years, he’ll be even better remembered for his thinking and writing about design.- Stanley Abercrombie, architect and writerView a preview of How To See.George Nelson is one of the most important designers and thinkers of the 20th century, and equally a gifted writer. This year we have republished his influential classic book,…read more

Sunflower Clock

Pete — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 01:10:51 +0000

Designed in the 1950s, George Nelsons clocks were highly successful both as popular consumer products and icons of high design. One of the most original American designers, Nelson used pure color and bold graphic forms to make a statement still as compelling today as it was half a century ago. The timekeepers are diligently reproduced by the Vitra Design Museum. Powered by one AA battery (included).…read more

Nelson Ball Clock

Pete — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:03:46 +0000

Designed in the 1940s and ’50s, George Nelson’s clocks were highly successful both as popular consumer products and icons of high design. One of the most original American designers, Nelson used pure color and bold graphic forms to make a statement still as compelling today as it was half a century ago. The timekeepers are diligently reproduced by the Vitra Design Museum. Powered by one AA battery (included).…read more

Artemis Ceiling Fan

Pete — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:37:06 +0000

Artemis, the Greek’s goddess of the moon and the hunt, is the name Mark Gajewski has given to his svelte translucent ceiling fan. Sharing some of the deity’s luminous power thanks to its central mini-can halogen lamp, the Artemis Fan (2004) has the capacity for sharp and efficient attack, offering proficient cooling or warm air circulation with minimal force. Constructed of strong, aerodynamically contoured blades, the Artemis resolves into a spare sculpture of curved surfaces that look different from every…read more

Nelson Swag Leg Rectangular Dining Table – Walnut

Pete — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:59:28 +0000

Fifty years ago, the creation of George Nelson’s Swag Leg Group (1958) began with him asking “wouldn’t it be beautiful to have some kind of sculptured leg on a piece of furniture?” An idea was launched, but the designer had to figure out how to make the legs of metal, machine formed and ready for quick assembly. The solution turned out to be swaging, a method of using pressure to taper and curve a metal tube. Nelson had found a way to make his sculptured legs. Right for home or workspace, the newly reintrod…read more

Nelson Swag Leg Desk

Pete — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:55:10 +0000