Modern Furniture Blog

Today, I was idly searching the internet for photos of cute animals…come on, who doesn’t do that at work? Except I was looking for kittens sitting on modern furniture, because, well, I am a bit obsessed with modern furniture. As I was saying, I was perusing the kittenet when up popped these hand painted Tulip Chairs. I instantly recognized the artist as Jeorjia Shea, a colleague of mine from a few years back, when we both worked at a French restaurant. Good times were had there, but we’ve since moved on to other endeavors. While I started working at Inmod, learning all about modern design, she started selling her creations in her Etsy shop, which you can visit here.

Sometimes, you lose touch with people only to have your paths cross again in the most unexpected way. I never forgot what an amazing artist she is. While perfect unadorned, I think that Jeorjia’s singular vision is a fabulous complement to the blank canvas of the Tulip Chair. My personal favorite is the one drawn so the woman’s neck is represented by the Tulip stem. Which one is your favorite?

It should be known to all our readers that Inmod pretty much has the coolest employees around. To kick off the introductions of Inmod’s awesome staff we will begin with my office neighbor, Jourdan .

Jourdan, our Web Content Janitor, as he jokingly refers to himself, keeps the site up to date and accurate (his official title is Product Update Manager). In his free time he relaxes by hanging out with his girlfriend (yes he does have one, despite dressing up as superheroes in public), his cat Neko, and by reading comics. Jourdan is a sucker for a good “chick-flick,” and has a penchant for fruity cocktails. On more than one occasion the web-team has had him surrender his man-card, which he gladly does, because he has an awesome sense of humor and is totally confident in his own skin.

Jourdan is our in house cool kid “nerd,” and that is why he is so fun to work with! This weekend he is beginning a project with over $300 worth of tiny building blocks and a fish tank (we can’t wait to see it!) His DIY idea got me thinking about fish tanks and the different unique ways you can display one in your home. These amazing fish tanks are art pieces in their own right! I absolutely want the coffee table display, how beautiful, and what a conversation piece! However, I think the computer aquarium may be more manageable for me.

What do you think about these creative masterpieces? Would you have one in your home? What about Jourdan, isn’t he awesome?

So you want the kids to read more, huh? This is too awesome to pass up. Everyone should have one of these in their home!

With a corner book nook like this one, I bet the kids’ reading would be unstoppable! Allowing them to suspend themselves in the air to pick out a book and read it… what kid wouldn’t want to do that? There really aren’t any downsides to this floor to ceiling book nook design. Do whatever you need to do to make reading enjoyable for everyone in your home. I’m pretty sure I would have read a lot more when I was younger if I had had one of these in my home – I’d put money on it. I want one NOW!

Do you think you and the kids would read a lot more if you had a book nook like this in your home?

When you can’t find the exact outdoor chair you’re looking for, you can always build your own! Or, in this case, grow your own. While it may not be the fastest solution to your seating needs, it certainly is one of the most creative! And I found the perfect pillow to pair it with! Click here for a link to the artists’ website and other examples of their amazing work.

Caveat: Despite its hippie roots, the Tree Hugger pillow really prefers to remain indoors except, perhaps, for brief sojourns into the backyard. Think indoor cat on a leash and you get the idea.

There is such thing as mixing both modern and DIY furniture and home decor to create a beautiful space in your home – HERE’S PROOF!

This gorgeous, modern loft features a tall, red brick wall that joins an incredibly high ceiling and adds the perfect contrast to the other crisp white walls surrounding this space. Inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to a large, comfortable, do-it-yourself pallet sectional that is complemented by modern living furniture and lighting accents. The grand white ceiling lamp hanging in the middle of the room adds elegance and style to this comfy living room, while the funky red occasional chair creates a warm, inviting nature.

So if you’ve ever dreamed about creating a unique and modern DIY space, you can… and you know it can look good!

Before I started working at Inmod, I had no idea who Eero Saarinen was. Saying that’s changed is a bit of an understatement! Modern furniture fans know about his famous Egg Chair, but did you know that Saarinen was primarily an architect? Doubtless, one of his most famous structures is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, although I’m betting most people aren’t aware that he designed it. The Arch’s shape is based on a weighted or flattened catenary arch. What’s a catenary arch, you ask? Think of a chain or cable hanging loosely, held only at the ends and supporting only its own weight – then invert it. It also recalls the shape of a furiously spinning jump rope, at least in my mind.

The Gateway Arch serves as the centerpiece for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, a monument to the Louisiana Purchase and the westward expansion of the United States. The idea was first conceived in the darkest days of the Great Depression, as a way to revitalize the St. Louis waterfront and stimulate the economy. It took many years to realize, but in 1947, Saarinen’s design was selected from hundreds of competition entrants. His father was among those whose designs were not chosen (imagine that awkward family moment).

Alas, Saarinen did not live to see the Arch completed, or even started. He passed away on September 1, 1961, and construction began on February 12, 1963. The entire 62 acre monument, comprised of gardens and other buildings as well as the Gateway Arch, opened to the public on June 10, 1967. Naturally, opinion was divided over this profoundly modern monument, with lovers and haters of the design squaring off into opposing camps. However, I would say that Saarinen’s design has aged gracefully, providing the city of St. Louis with a powerful and beautiful symbolic focal point. What do you think of Saarinen’s design? Have you ever seen it in person?

Here are a few facts about the Gateway arch:
It is 630 feet high, and 630 feet wide (measuring from outer leg to outer leg)
It is made entirely of steel, stainless steel, and concrete.
It is the tallest man-made monument in the US, beating out the Washington Monument in DC by 75 feet, and the Statue of Liberty by an astounding 325 feet.

If you’d like more infomation on the history of this structure, click here.

Geometric shapes and beautiful lines give this modern glass house just the right edge! The architecture is unbelievable and really must catch the eye of anyone who stumbles upon it. I say “stumbles upon it” because it seems as if this house is rather hidden under the bright green grass rooftop which is great for the privacy needs of the owner in this all-glass home.

What may still go unnoticed is the fact that this home is split in two; on one side of the breezeway is the main living space while on the other is the sleeping quarters. Finally a home design that’s truly perfect for entertaining! Keep the party in your living and outdoor areas, and at the end of the day, only you are allowed to slip into your private bedroom oasis.

Can you imagine living in this home? Would you split up your home by quarters if you could?

Eco-friendly products are here to stay (thank god)! If you are like me, concerned about the environment, but not quite sure how to navigate the jargon of “sustainable” goods, check out the Transglass collection designed by Tord Boontjeand Emma Woffenden for Artecnica’s Design with Conscious project. Your friends will be “green” with envy when you show them your amazing “one of a kind” Transglass Set of 4 Tumblers.

Made from recycled wine and beer bottles and Handcrafted in Guatemala by independent artisans, this eco-friendly collection is the epitome of up-cycling. So have a few friends over, “drink up” and add to your collection.

What piece from the Transglass collection Transglass collection is your favorite? How do you feel about making something new and reusable from something originally meant to be disposable and for a single use?

Rustic+Modern is totally IN!

Reclaimed wood is gaining popularity around the world in all different ways, from furniture to do-it-yourself projects. Interior designers are now mixing modern pieces like these white Panton Style S Chairs with statement furniture like this reclaimed wood dining table to create comfortable yet sophisticated spaces throughout the home. When you can create a space this fantastic and inviting, it’s no wonder rustic+modern is in!

Is rustic+modern just a trend or is it here to stay?

I am in love with the Industrial era and even more in love with the designs that are inspired by this time period. I love the raw, utilitarian design and the simplicity of its function. I also love to read, so when I stumbled upon this Corner Pipe Shelf I began to imagine my books, displayed like trophies, in the corner of the room (most impressive titles at eye level). I closed my eyes and visualized a former firehouse, the high ceilings and open space, transformed with the Bastille Cafe 5-Piece Dining Set (Wood Seats), the V18Clothing Rack, and the Fifteen Tales Pendant Lamp providing beautiful illumination over all my newly acquired treasures. Too much of one thing is never good, so to soften the rugged tone of the room I add the Jacobsen Egg Chair with Ottoman and some fabulous wall art like the classic Westbrook Round Mirror . Voila! The perfect space to entertain guests or just curl up with a great book and a hot cup of tea.

How do you feel about Industrial designs? When it comes to home decor what are your inspirations and where does your imagination take you?