For Immediate Release: 5/22/2013

Inmod Acquires Chiasso.com

FAIRFIELD, NJ, (May 21, 2013) – In late February, 2013, well-known furniture retailer and mail-order catalog, Chiasso (EST 1985, based in Chicago, IL), announced its plans to permanently close its stores. Shortly thereafter, Chiasso’s online store (one of the first in the furniture business) went off-line. Inmod announces that as of 5/20, it’s acquisition of the “Chiasso” trademark and website URL is complete.

Citing economic conditions, Chiasso, which operated over a dozen stores with annual revenue of $20 million approached bankruptcy in 2003 after a disappointing holiday season. The company was purchased at a bankruptcy auction shortly thereafter by Chris Segal (son of Crate & Barrel founders) and his partner Greg Kadens, and has since been operated by Chiasso Acquisitions, LLC.

“In a sea of online competition, we have always held Chiasso in the highest regard. They were instrumental in revolutionizing the way people shopped for furniture and brought validity to the idea of experiencing and purchasing it online. They did it before anyone else did, and they did it better than most,” says Inmod.com Co-Founder Alan Finkelstein.

Upon learning of Chiasso Acquistion LLC’s permanent closure of Chiasso in early 2013, Finkelstein and Inmod.com Co-Founder Casey Choron purchased the “Chiasso” trademark and website URL from Chiasso Acquisitions, LLC. “We did so to honor the Chiasso identity and its customers because it’s our wish to carry on their tradition of providing them with stylish design at great prices, backed by excellent customer service and an impeccable reputation, which are core values of the Inmod brand,” says Choron.

While the Chiasso online store has gone off-line, the web address is still active and now forwards to Inmod, onto a page providing Chiasso customers with a welcome, and an introductory discount. Details will be announced in Q3, 2013 on how the “Chiasso” brand will be integrated or re-established.

A leading online retailer of modern furniture, modern lighting and decor, Inmod does more than furnish spaces. Leading the way since before “add to cart” was a socially acceptable way to furnish an entire living space, Inmod shapes a new way of thinking, shopping and living by evoking modern sensibility and sustainability. This mystical modern lifestyle is created by an award-winning collection of eco-friendly furniture, a diverse selection of furnishings made in the USA, and customizable personal audio pod chairs. Inmod has been recognized by Inc. Magazine’s 500|5000 list as one of the fastest growing private companies for two consecutive years, with Inmod listed as second within the category of furniture retail. Inmod has also been ranked by Internet Retailer as a top online store. Alexa and Furniture Today both appointed Inmod within the top 20 furniture retail websites, and The Purplebook Green named Inmod as one of the “Web’s Best” online retailers of green furniture.

Website: http://www.inmod.com
Contact: Ashley Tinter (ashley@inmod.com)

Poor Casey. At Pizza Friday lunch, he told us that, the night before, the babysitter had eaten the last piece of his mom’s famous homemade chocolate cheesecake. He had once told the babysitter to help herself to anything, and she clearly took those words to heart. There was a prolonged, rather heated Inmod debate over whether “helping oneself to anything” technically included the last piece of cheesecake, or whether a delicious, chocolately line had been crossed. The general agreement was that, although it sucked, the babysitter didn’t do anything wrong, and Casey should just ask his mom to make another cheesecake, and please make one for us, too, while she was at it.

All this talk of cheesecake inspired Alan to go to the local bakery and bring back a cheesecake to share with the office. It was delicious. As usual, because everyone at Inmod is so deferentially polite to each other, there was one small piece left in the box after the cheesecake vultures had absconded with their prey. A couple hours later, a mournful cry was heard emanating from the kitchen, followed by Casey’s despondent voice asking, “All right, who ate the last piece of cheesecake?!” Apparently someone had quietly snarfed the leftovers. Again. Poor Casey.

My advice to Casey and all parents out there: let the babysitter know that she/he can eat anything they like, except, of course, the cheesecake. As for work, well, all’s fair in love, war & dessert!

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?