Trivia Thursday

Trivia Thursday: The Ribbon Lamp

I first saw the Ribbon Lamp on Margot Austin’s Instagram page two years ago. I fell for it instantly (as one does for interesting lamps, am I right?).

 Margot Austin (Nov. 2016)

Since then, this sculptural lamp keeps appearing on her Instagram feed, and I keep eyeing it!

Margot Austin

Margot Austin

The Ribbon Lamp was designed by Claire Norcross exclusively for Habitat in the UK. I just love the white version. It would look wonderful in my office.

ribbon lamp, Habitat

Habitat

Does anyone know how I can ship it from the UK at a low cost?

Trivia Thursday: Eames Rocker

We’ve seen quite a bit of Eames designs on the pages of White Cabana over the years. Charles and Ray Eames have designed some of the most iconic pieces, and these pieces continue to be used in traditional and contemporary spaces around the world.

The molded rocking chair is made of 100 percent recyclable polypropylene, and it is supported by a wire frame and wooden rockers.

Eames Rocker Armchair, $545+

Max & Lizzie

Western Living

Residence Life

via

via My Scandinavian Home

Trivia Thursday: Pumpkins

Since it’s October, there’s now an influx of pumpkin patch photos creeping up on my Instagram feed. I don’t mind them, but I definitely don’t love them. It’s pumpkin overload! And too much orange for my liking.

I thought I’d share a few interesting facts about pumpkins to get in the fall spirit.

  • Did you know that pumpkins are part of the gourd family? Other members of the gourd family are cucumbers, honeydew melons, watermelons, and zucchini.
  • Pumpkins have been grown in North America for five thousand years.
  • In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
  • Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year. (Source)

This is a sweet pumpkin bowl. How great would it look filled up with candy? Yes, please! Or you could fill it with punch or soup. Classic!

pumpkin punch bowl

Trivia Thursday: Campaign Style

Classic campaign style furniture goes well in modern, traditional, eclectic, and monochromatic spaces. In short, a campaign dresser (or writing desk) is a great investment piece because it can float around various spots in a home.

Kristie’s campaign dresser in the front hall (full house tour)

So what’s the brief history of campaign style? Well, Sarah Beaumont wrote,

“During the height of the British Empire, officers on lengthy military campaigns in India and South Africa needed lightweight, durable furniture that could easily be transported. But they also didn’t want to sacrifice the creature comforts they were accustomed to. So British furniture manufacturers like Chippendale started designing pieces specifically for the military that gave them all the rugged functionality they needed, and all the luxury they craved.”

Of the recognizable details of the furniture, she further explained, “Leather straps and canvas seats made objects lightweight and easy to fold up. Recessed brass handles were added to drawers and brass angle pieces were used on furniture corners to protect them from being damaged while in transit.”

It’s hard to resist those brass and leather details even today!

 campaign dresser, $1895 USD, Williams-Sonoma

campaign dresser, Dering Hall

campaign writing desk, $249 USD, All Modern

vintage campaign chest, $445 USD (on sale), Charish

campaign dresser, $949.51 CAD, Crate & Barrel

Emily Henderson

Margo & Me

Source: Laurel & Wolf

Trivia Thursday: The Springform Pan

On Monday I shared my experience baking a Schichttorte cake. An essential tool for this cake is a springform pan because once the cake has been cooked, you can release it easily with this type of pan. If you used a closed pan, I’m sure you’d make a mess of the cake.

A springform pan has a clamp that is used to tighten the side around the base to form a seal. After a cake has been baked, you release the clamp to release the side. All that remains is the cake on the base. It’s very useful when baking thinks like cheesecakes, tarts, and, of course, a Schichttorte!

Springform pans comes in an array of sizes, so it’s best to have a few on hand for different recipes.

springform pan, $12.57 USD, Amazon

springform pan, $39.95 USD, Williams Sonoma

springform pan, $30+ USD, Le Creuset

 

Trivia Thursday: The Standard Chair

Jean Prouvé was a French industrial designer and architect. While he may not be as well known as designers like Eames and Herman Miller, Prouvé certainly made his mark in the design world. One of his most recognizable works might be The Standard chair. I first came across the chair when I stayed in this Paris apartment. It was love at first sight! Not only do I like the design, but the chair is incredibly comfortable. It’s little wonder why it’s a sought-after piece by designers and collectors of beautiful design.

The Standard

photos via Vitra

Jean Prouvé chairs in the Rue Bonaparte apartment (where I stayed in 2014)

Galerie Miquel Alzueta, via Pastolux

Airhouse Design Office, via Contemporist

Paris apartment, via Architectural Digest

Trivia Thursday: The Nelson Saucer Pendant

Designer George Nelson was a director at Herman Miller from 1945 to 1972. During his time there, he managed to recruit other design greats such as Charles Eames and Isamu Noguchi. He also continued to develop his own designs – desks, clocks, and benches – what we now recognize as some of his trademark designs.

Nelson’s saucer lights, in particular, have become a favourite among designers (and white lovers like me!). The lights, manufactured by Herman Miller, come in a variety of shapes, but have common elements:  white, steel wires, translucent plastic covering.

The Bubble may be one of Nelson’s most recognizable lights.

Nelson Saucer Pendant, $395-$1295USD, Design Within Reach

Mindful Closet

Kibster

Algonquin Academy

Trivia Thursday: Fornasetti

Piero Fornasetti was in Italian painter, sculptor, interior decorator, and engraver. He may be best known for his pieces that include the image of a woman’s face in black and white. The face is that of operatic soprano Lina Cavalieri. In addition to this face, many of his pieces include images of the sun, time, and architectural elements. Now, his son Barnaba Fornasetti continues to design in his father’s name.

Piero Fornasetti

Occio side table

Bocca chair

Architettura cabinet

Teste Antiche umbrella stand

plate

Fornasetti’s plates are quite popular in the world of interior design. These and other Fornasetti pieces add whimsy and interest to many spaces as you can see in the images below.

Colette May, via Elements of Style

Colette May, via Elements of Style

House & Garden

 via Archimir

via Est Magazine

WGSN

If you have some time to spare, I encourage you to watch some of these behind-the-scenes videos of the Fornasetti Atelier. I enjoyed watching a bit of the design and manufacturing processes of Fornasetti’s pottery, textiles, and metal work.

Trivia Thursday: Serge Mouille

Serge Mouille was a French designer who is best known for his lighting. You may have seen his arm chandelier or sconces floating around design magazines and blogs for many years now.

Serge Mouille standing lamp

Serge Mouille ceiling lamp

Serge Mouille wall sconce

Serge Mouille snail light

Original Serge Mouille lights cost in the thousands of dollars, but as many iconic designs, there are plenty of reproductions online and in stores that cost a few hundred dollars. And you can see from the images below that Serge Mouille lighting looks great in a variety of interiors.

Julie Hillman, via The Decorista

Christine Dovey, via Style at Home

 via SF Girl By Bay

via Goop

Trivia Thursday: The Shirtdress

It’s highly likely that every woman has some version of a shirtdress in their closets right now. It’s an easy-to-wear dress for work and leisure, it’s flattering, and it’s available in a range of colours, fabrics, and patterns. The shirtdress is now a classic dress design that came to us in the 1950s from Christian Dior where the full skirt was paired with crinoline for a little extra pouf. The style – noted by collars and the shirt-style – was inspired by menswear at the time. Now, we see many clothing brands creating their own variations.

 

white shirtdress

white shirtdress

 

long white shirtdress

belted white shirtdress

a-line shirtdress

white shirtdress

Source: Wikipedia

Trivia Thursday: Atollo Table Lamp

If you’ve been to a design museum, then you may have come across Vico Magistretti’s Atollo table lamp. The lamp was designed in 1977, and many people would agree that it is as beautiful today as it was 30 years ago.

via Mohd

Wall & Déco

Ambiente Direct

La Nacion

via Remodelista

Scandinavian Collectors

Inattendu

In Out Design Blog

Artilleriet Interiors

Remodelista

Trivia Thursday: The Alvar Aalto Vase

Recognize this wavy vase?

Iittala

It was designed by Alvar Aalto in 1936, and it has been a design collector’s item ever since. Each vase is mouth blown at the Iittala glass factory in Finland, making each piece unique. The full Alvar Aalto collection includes other shapes, sizes, and colours, too.

If you’re in Canada, you can purchase Alvar Aalto pieces at William Ashley.

Trivia Thursday: The Clawfoot Bathtub

Are you a bathtub or shower person? And if you like bathtubs, what style do you have? If your tub sits on four ball and claw legs, then you have a traditional clawfoot tub.

Emily Chalmers, via SF Girl By Bay

This style reached popular stats in the late 19th century when it spread to England from Holland at a time when bathing became fashionable. Fashionable. Could you imagine living in a period where bathing was such a luxury. In some parts of the world, I know it still is!

In the 1880s, companies started manufacturing porcelain enameled cast-iron tubs. Nowadays, these tubs could be made of fiberglass or acrylic, which makes them much lighter than the traditional cast-iron version.

via Domino
Christian Liaigre, via Elle Decor

Trivia Thursday: The Plastic Patio Chair

The Monobloc Chair – aka the stackable plastic patio chair that you may currently own – has been described (by Wikipedia and Treehugger at least) as the world’s most common plastic chair. My house came with a few of these stacked gems, and I kept them for a long while because they were convenient and stackable. I thought they would never wear out, but they did.

Generic/Unbranded Backgammon Patio Chair

patio chair

The Monobloc – a chair made of one piece of plastic – was introduced by Canadian designer D.C. Simpson in 1946.

Trivia Thursday: The Catch Lock

I recently acquired a new hutch and added new hardware to it. After seeing Jennifer’s bookcase, I opted for the same type of lock – the catch. This type of fastener – also called a latch – has two parts that lock into one another.

White Cabana Instagram (catch from Lee Valley Hardware)

The catch hardware reminds me of pieces of furniture that I’ve seen in France, and since I’m a bit of a francophile, I have been drawn to this piece.

Rambling Renovators

Knobs 4 Less

Cliffside Industries

Gianetti Home

deVOL Kitchens

Millhaven Homes

Titus Built

House and Home

Trivia Thursday: Warren Platner

This curvy dining table was designed by Warren Platner in 1966. It’s made of reinforced stainless steel rods that are welded together with horizontal and edge framing wire, making its base extremely stable.

Rove Concepts

In addition to the classic dining table, Platner’s collection includes a side table, a coffee table, and a variety of arm chairs.

Platner Arm Chair

Platner side table

Let’s have a look at how Platner’s creations integrate with their surroundings.

 Turbulences

Fashion Squad

Palette & Parlor

Vogue

Sukio

Coco Lapine Design

Triva Thursday: The Womb Chair

A friend and I recently had a discussion about the womb chair. This chair was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948. Even though the chair is now 70 years old (seventy!), it’s still very much in demand. The curves are easy to like, and it’s a great chair for lounging in multiple positions.

Knoll

Style at Home

The Brick House

Knoll

Designlisticle

Decor Pad

Decoratio

Trivia Thursday: Arco Floor Lamp

Today I’m bringing you information about one of the most famous designs in the world of lighting. The Arco Floor Lamp was designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1962. You’ve probably seen it – or countless imitations of it – in design magazines ever since then. Even when the 60s and 70s styles passed, this lamp remained. It’s certainly a long-standing fixture in many homes.

The base is made of Carrara marble, and the hole in the side makes for easy lifting and moving. The curved stainless steel stem means that you can position the light as you wish.

Arco

 via Cheer Huzz

via Decoholic

 via Vintage Industrial Style

via Modern Karibou

via The Decorist

Trivia Thursday: La Cornue

The Rolls Royce of ovens has to be La Cornue. A La Cornue is like a piece of art, and I can only imagine how much joy it brings its owners. The range was invented by Albert Dupuy in 1908, and it has been an extraordinary piece ever since.

I wrote about about La Cornue a couple of years ago, so it’s obviously something that I can’t get out of my design-loving mind!

Chateau, La Cornue

La Cornufé, La Cornue

Williams Sonoma

DecorPad

Tanya Collins

Randi Garrett

House Beautiful

Karen Williams

Villa Palmier

What do you think? Have you heard of La Cornue?

Trivia Thursday: The Candle Snuffer

Do you know what this object is?

Tom Dixon

It’s a candle snuffer. A very modern one at that! Here’s a more traditional version:

candle snuffer, 1st Dibs

Historically, a candle snuffer was used to trim the wick of a candle without actually putting out the flame. It looked more like scissors than a cone. Now, we used the snuffer to extinguish the flame. With a snuffer, there’s no need to blow smoke across your living room. This little gadget does the work for you. It’s actually very quite civilized.

candle snuffer

candle snuffer

candle snuffer, Mark & Graham

candle snuffer, Tiffany & Co.

Do you use a snuffer? Where’s it from?

Trivia Thursday: What’s a Tuft?

I was going to title this post “What the tuft?” Say it out loud. Am I the only one who hears the similarity between this phrase and another popular one with a curse word in it? Just sayin’ that it might be a nice alternative if you’re not the swearing type.

Okay. Enough about that. On to the purpose of this post. Today, we’re learning about tufts.

A tuft can refer to several things, but in the design world, a tuft is the ornamentation that is used in the depressions of drawn-together fabric on, for example, a cushion (learn the other meanings at Dictionary.com). Let’s look at some gorgeous tufted pieces so you get the idea.

tufted sofas and ottoman in Erica Cook’s family room

a tufted daybed in Jasper’s nursery designed by Christine Dovey, featured in Style at Home

tufted corner sofa, via Greige

a tufted bench, design by ML Interior Design, via The Zhush

tufted headboard, the Decor Diet

Here are some tufts in the marketplace:

tufted slipper chair, via 1stDibs

tufted dog bed, Crate & Barrel

tufted ottoman, Frontgate

tufted bench, Layla Grace

Do you have any tufts in your home? On what pieces?

Trivia Thursday: Birdie by Ingo Maurer

I first saw the Birdie in a hotel in Switzerland (at the Hotel Alpine Lodge) over a decade ago. I thought it was so whimsical.

Birdie – Ingo Maurer, €1740

The Birdie was designed by German lighting designer Ingo Maurer in 2002. While a few versions do exist, the one above is made up of 12 low-voltage bulbs and goose feather wings.

All these years later, I still really like this chandelier, and I think it fits in well in the spaces below.

Stardust Modern

 Bo Bedre

Planete Deco

Casa Vogue

Trivia Thursday: The Windsor Chair

Today’s trivia was inspired by this photo:

designed by Alyssa Rosenheck via 25:40 Love and Co

Side note: I could move into just about every space Alyssa Rosenheck has designed. So much beauty in her spaces!

Okay. So what’s today’s trivia all about? It’s all about the Windsor chair! With a Windsor chair, the seat is made of solid wood, and the back and leg spindles are separate. The legs are slotted into holes at the bottom of the seat.

As with other classic items, many variations have been – and continue to be – produced.

chair

chair

Longford arm chair

dining chair

Windsor chairs

rocking chair

dining chair

To learn more about the Windsor chair, check out this Apartment Therapy article.

Trivia Thursday: English Roll Arm Sofa

As many of you may already know, I love my sofa. It was my first real furniture investment post-PhD life, and almost five years later, I still absolutely love it.

my living room as photographed by Donna Griffith, via Style at Home

This sofa is an English roll arm style, which is characterized by a tight back and rolled arms. This tailored style has low arms and, generally, a deep seat, which makes it a very comfortable piece. The English roll arm sofa looks perfectly at home in casual spaces as well as more formal spaces.

via Modern Country Style

via My Domaine

Alexander James Interior Design

 

sofa, $1982 CAD, Overstock

sofa, $1609+ USD, Roger & Chris

loveseat, Lee Industries

chair, $799 USD, One King’s Lane

Trivia Thursday: Book Matched Marble

What is book matched marble? It’s when two slabs of marble are set side-by-side like a mirror image, resembling the pages of an open book. The result is absolutely beautiful. As if marble on its own wasn’t beautiful enough, right?

Cecconi Simone via Contemporist

Marble of the World

WK

Houzz

Because I’m Addicted

Trivia Thursday: The Wassily Chair

Let’s talk about this chair:

Wassily Chair, Knoll

What we know today as the Wassily Chair was originally named the Model B3 Chair. It was designed in 1925 by Marcel Breuer after he was inspired by the bent handlebar of a bicycle. The chair was later renamed the Wassily Chair after Breuer’s friend, Wassily Kandinsky (yes, the painter).

While the original Model B3 Chair was made from fabric, it was later re-introduced with leather. Knoll Furniture produces the chair today (and many knockoffs are floating around the marketplace, too).

While some look at this chair and can’t imagine that it’s comfortable, I’m here to tell you that it’s an easy one to sink in to!

 

Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair, $1762CAD, 1st Dibs

Wassily Chair, Design Within Reach

Apartment Therapy

via Design Attractor

via Dezeen

my red Wassily-inspired chair (via Style at Home)

via Dezeen

Reference: The Coolist

Trivia Thursday: Herringbone Pattern

Can you name the pattern of this floor?

Room for Tuesday

It’s called herringbone. We see it in the interior design and fashion worlds all the time, and people really do love herringbone marble or wood floors (including me, of course – have you seen my foyer?). The term herringbone is named as such for its resemblance to the bones of a fish such as the herring (see more at herringbone pattern).

Kashaya & Co.

Hecker Guthrie

Corina Koch

Daily Dream Decor

My Domaine

HGTV

Three Birds Renovations

Looks Like White

Yellow Trace

Milton Development

Deavita

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Trivia Thursday: The Flag Halyard Chair

Check out this chair. Pretty beautiful, eh?

Flag Halyard lounge chair

Flag Halyard lounge chair

This is Hans Wegner’s Flag Halyard chair, and it dates back to 1950. 1950! The chair’s design is almost 70 years old, and it’s still going strong. Pretty fantastic, I’d say. Wegner, a renowned Danish furniture designer, designed this chair out of from metal, rope, and sheepskin as you can see. It adds interest and sculpture to any room.

Elle Decoration

Chanel Bags and Cigarette Drags

Homepolish

Fashion Toast

Christine Dovey

Fashion Squad

Graham & Co.

home of Danielle Moss (co-founder of the Everygirl) via Jacquelyn Clark

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Trivia Thursday: Bullion Fringe

You know that massive fringe we sometimes see on furniture like…

Pier 1

Do you know what it’s called?

It’s called bullion fringe.

And I think we’re going to be seeing it more often in years to come. This type of ornamental trim is very traditional and has been around since the 17th century (according to Wikipedia). This particular trim, bullion, has a twisted texture, and it is generally 3 to 9 inches in length (also according to Wikipedia).

Look at how these bullion fringe pieces look beautiful in modern and traditional decor.

via Pamplemousse Design

via Interiors by Candace

via Fresh Sofa

And here are a couple of pieces that I found in online stores ready for your modern-day homes.

Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler

Finally, if you’re more into DIY, check out Christine Dovey’s take on a bullion fringe daybed DIY.

Christine Dovey

Pretty neat, right? I love how classics work in so many ways!

Final note: Some of you may recall that I’ve recently decided to end my weekly Hotel to Home series. Trivia Thursday is a new series I’ve just debuted. It’s currently in test mode as I’d like to know if you are interested in the series, and if it’s one that I feel passionate about, too. If you have any questions, or would like to learn about something in the design world, let me know!

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