Design Legend: Milo Baughman

While trying to research the history of my last post's vintage chrome chair I stumbled across the work of Milo Baughman.  Who is Milo Baughman you ask? As it turns out, he was one of the fathers of modern design during the second half of the twentieth century.  He designed furniture for companies including Mode Furniture, Calif-Asia, Design Institute America, Henredon and Drexel, and most famously for Thayer Coggin, Inc.  His style was 'distincly American' and became a staple for the 'California modern' movement.

Baughman's furniture used simple materials typical of the movement namely, walnut, iron, and formica. The 'X' base was a staple in his desks and stools while the 'Z' shape was introduced to chairs for a style that is purely Baughman.  His styles have been reinvented and recreated and continue to be reproduced to this day.

Mr. Baughman practiced design in California throughout the 50's and 60's. Get this-  in 1969 he was invited by Brigham Young University to start the Department of Environmental Design and taught there on and off until his death in 2003.  Who said Mormons where all traditional and had no style!!!  He could quite possibly be the coolest thing to come out of BYU (well, him and the fact my parents met there and spawned your truly, but he still might take the cake).

Have you seen this GORGEOUS desk before?  I can't remember if I've used it in a post before but it has been in my design file under 'lust list' for a few years now.  You know anything with an 'X' base gets me going, but pair it with orange lacquer and chrome??? Be still my heart!

"Good Modern has already proven to be the most enduring, timeless and classic of all design movements." 

Amen Brother Baughman. Amen.

{all items are vintage via 1st Dibs}

Kelly Wearstler's Interior Design Blog

What.....?  Kelly Wearstler has a new design blog?  Craziness.

Kelly has only one post up, as of today, but it alone amazed me.  Did you know she uses trays in lieu of design boards? Genius.  Look at her amazing design studio:

Each one of those trays is a client's 'room.'  Oh to be able to peruse and take a sneak peak of the beautiful madness that is Kelly Wearstler's work.

Run, don't walk, over to Kelly's Blog.

 MyVibeMyLife

Design Legend: Jan Showers



 When I first picked up Jan Shower's book, "Glamorous Rooms,"  I was astonished at how her style was so close to my own (well, hers comes with a HUGE slab of traditional, where I lean towards the contemporary). The serene color palettes, the clean lines, the glitz of metals and glass, the draping of mass yardages of silk, all evoke an atmosphere of luxury that is not too pretentious. 

As soon as I flipped through this book, I ran home and got it on order.  When I received my copy, I noticed a little leopard peeking out from the dust jacket.  The actual book itself is a faux snow leopard!  If I am to be reincarnated as a inanimate object, it would be this book!

Jan's bedrooms were what initially struck me. In fact, there was one that was so close to my own bedroom! I couldn't find a picture online of it, but the walls were a darker silver-sage with two starburst mirrors over each nightstand and two arm chairs that are the exact match to my sofa in my living room. So beautiful. 

"We believe in insisting on perfection.  Timeless style.  Classic glamour.  The ease of living well. Simplicity.  Luxury you can take for granted."  -Jan Showers

(Can you imagine dressing this table for Thanksgiving? Note to self:  find puddling table linens.)

"Choosing different designs ultimately mixed with different interiors, from traditional to modern, is my real inspiration."  -Jan Showers

I know there's a lot to love in this pic, but I die over the door hardware. 

Can you believe the area rug is actually patched cow hides? 
It's such a fun texture against the smooth drapes and sleek occasionals.

Not sure what the carpet is.  Ocelot? Gazelle? Whatever it is, it sure is chic!

"Glamour and comfort are not mutually exclusive."  -Jan Showers

Jan added warmth and slimmer to the above entryway by treating the walls with warm silver-leaf tea paper.  The same tea paper is also on the inside covers of her book!