Modernests » Naturally Modern

The Wassily Chair in Jute Twine

Katya Roberts — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:43:53 +0000

I’ve had this Wassily chair for a number of years. I had inherited it from the previous apartment dweller when it was missing most of its stretch panels. I had sewn new panels, took the chair apart and put them on. This was quite a feat. After a few years and my nephew’s desire to hang off of the panels, I was facing the possibility of taking everything apart all over again. I started brainstorming possibilities for easier management. I’ve been feeling a need for natural fibers in my living room and I have long been in love with jute.
And in case you’re wondering, it is holding up great. The sum of the jute strands together make for a pretty sturdy seat and if one or two of the strands break, I weaved them separately such that there will still be others for support. One of the best parts about it is the ease of replacing any broken parts versus the major hassle of taking apart the entire chair as I had previously done.

Phone Book Table

Katya Roberts — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:30:48 +0000

A few months ago, we received a large delivery of phone books at work. To my dismay no one wanted them and I feel sad to say I don’t know what happened to them, I think they were trashed. Gasp. More recently I came upon this wonderful creation in a friend’s Ready Made book. I wish had seen it or thought of this earlier. I would have loved to save all those books and feel like I brought a bunch of puppies home from the shelter.

Birch Tree Lamp and Log Lamp

Katya Roberts — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:05:00 +0000

To add a little taste of nature to your own space, how about these modified tree designs that have DIY written all over them. I am a big fan of birch tree bark lamps and actually prefer them with no wholes and just the thin stripped bark, because it glows amber. But this twist on the design is original and fun too.
The log is nice if you have high enough ceilings to pull it off and if you can find the studs to hang it. I think it would be pretty fun above a dining table. What do you think? Oh and I’m also a fan of the pebble wall behind the log lamp. This is at Amber on Third Avenue and 80th Street in NY – an Asian bistro, sushi bar and lounge. They have some pretty fun drinks and new twists on the old martinis.

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Reclaimed Wood: Piecing Together the Look!

Katya Roberts — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 07:05:00 +0000

Reclaimed wood is becoming a hot commodity. You get the already-aged look and feel and the question becomes what do you do with it and how do you make it look good if all you have are different pieces. Here are a few examples of how lots of little pieces piece together a great piece.

The garage door caught my eye as its simple pattern looked so rich and pleasantly complex. This table from Crate and Barrel Paloma Dining Table reminded me of the similarity in the motif. Apartment therapy just had a post on reclaimed wood which makes for another example of pieces coming together to make a great whole. And here’s a great reclaimed wood DIY for the entryway.

Wood Furniture

Katya Roberts — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:40:00 +0000

Remember the wood block side tables? How about wood blocks as stools. I came across these in a downtown loft rental office. They are more narrow and taller than the ones I saw at the lumber yard. There are soft groves on the tops of them for seating comfort. These are somewhat similar, although I personally would want to forgo the cushions.

The lumber wood obsession continues as I came across this wood stack in the West Elm catalog. It is an add for rugs, but the wood stack was the item that really captured my eye. I love the red tipped edges. A stack like this is a handsome, mobile coffee table if you ask me. You would just have to figure out a system to keep it from collapsing. Or not. I love the idea of objects that transform and seemingly have a life of their own. In an artistic sense if it wants to collapse, why not?

Which brings me to a story of a professor and his final examination. The essay question was simply “Why?” Most of the class got a C, there was one B and one A. The C’s wrote long explanations patted with philosophical theories. The B wrote, “Because.” And they A wrote, “Why not?”

Naturally Modern: Modern Motifs in Nature

Katya Roberts — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Nature is inspiring for all art and design. Here are some rather modern motifs in nature. Remember this motif trend and DIY post?
These sticks are a natural presentation of the interconnecting lines creating geometric shapes. The Eucalyptus tree shed its bark and is displaying some striking colors almost like an oil painting.