Search result for: the-last-thing-you-aquired-
| # | Post Title | Result Info | Date | User | Forum |
| . | 1 Relevance | 15 years ago | HPau | General discussion | |
| . Its actually a pretty good example of Pye and his ideas of the myth of functionalism, If you're into that sort of thing... In The Nature of Design (1964), Pye exposed functionalism as fantasy. 'Things simply are not 'fit for their purpose'. At one time a flake of flint was fit for the purpose of surgery; and stainless steel is not fit for the purpose now. Everything we design and make is an improvisation, a lash-up, something inept and provisional. We live like castaways. But, even at that, we can be debonair and make the best of it. If we cannot have our way in performance, we will have it in appearance.' The Nature and Art of Workmanship (1968) similarly sweeps away certain myths about the crafts, derived, perhaps, by a process of 'Chinese whispers' from misunderstandings of - and by - Ruskin and Morris. Pye could not forgive the Arts and Crafts movement for insisting that 'its doctrine of workmanship was the only true one. That inchoate doctrine will not stand fire. The movement neither formulated it precisely nor criticised it and corrected it in its original form - Ruskin's. Because of this the movement left behind it confusion of thought about workmanship; or in its terms, craftsmanship.' Starting with the chapter-title 'Design proposes, Workmanship disposes', Pye began to clear the confusion with an alternative approach, based on analysis of objects (particularly their surface qualities) and a maker's understanding of the realities of making things. | |||||
| What a great thread! | 1 Relevance | 19 years ago | Olive | General discussion | |
| What a great thread! I guess there is something to be said about a 'Design Addiction'. We're all expressing at least some of the same 'symptoms'! Very amusing to think about. One thing I am not now sharing with the rest of you is the buying of more things. No matter how lovely I think they are and how much I covet them, I am not buying anything right now. Hubby and I are planning a move to New Mexico in 2010. I will only be able to take about 50% of what I currently have with me. And that means furniture, clothes, cooking gear, art...everything! I am deeply into my process of deciding on the keepers. It's actually rather liberating. I have been keeping a tally of what I want to keep and what I definitely want to let go. Since we've pretty much decided on the design of the new house I can imagine the interiors and decide what will work. It's tempting to want to get rid of it all and start over, but I'm finding it far more interesting to quiz myself on what is going with us and why. I'm finding that I am torn between functionalism and beauty. I am delighted when I reach a decision that combines both feelings; the Saarinen Womb Chair, my Laioule corkscrew. And I'm torn when I can only justify one aspect. My Nelson bench is my most favorite piece, but it is not an essentially functional one. It's so lovely but it's an uncomfortable seat and an less than optimal coffee table...yet I can't bear to part with it. Try doing this with your own stuff...maybe it won't seem so important to you if you aren't really moving cross country, but it does make you see your stuff in a whole new light. My hubby is terrified of my list. He see just how much I am willing to part with and he's wondering what's going to be left. The other day he quipped that we'd have nothing left but a mattress and that damned uncomfortable bench! | |||||
| minimalism and nothingness...Some points for another... | 1 Relevance | 18 years ago | dcwilson | General discussion | |
| minimalism and nothingness...Some points for another manifesto... Since so many mentioned "minimalism and nothingness," I went back and reread it. Yes, I think we can be proud of that one. Many contributed substantially. It had a great existential premise. It had all the give and take and surprising twists and turns that characterize the best of the DA experience. And when it twisted off into Pawson and the monastery, it seemed to go global in that the thread began to encompass BOTH the existential and the spiritual. When the discussion of Pawson switched a light on in me, then the thread also became an act of personal growth for me. In turn, I felt I got to know several of you in a much more substantial way in that exchange. And any time I can talk with Koen about something important to design, I feel enriched. But there is another one that probably stands out even stronger in my memory for shear unexpected mind opening. It perhaps did not matter much to others but it excited something profound and lasting in me. It was Gustavo's "Some points for another manifesto." Everything about what he wrote, the way he wrote, what he had to say, the photo he included, it was just the most unique and exhilarating and liberating thing I have ever read on a screen. As everyone probably knows here, I love word language the way designers love form language. What Gustavo wrote and pictured in that thread was profound in a way I can still not fully explain. All I can say is that he showed me that language could enter a frontier between narrative and design. It could be both in a way that it never occurred to me as being possible. If you go back and read what he wrote it was really quite remarkable. | |||||
| The cigar ash trick used to be tossed out as gospel, too. | 1 Relevance | 14 years ago | tktoo | General discussion | |
| The cigar ash trick used to be tossed out as gospel, too. I remember trying it on a desk I had placed near an old radiator with a faulty valve that sprayed steam at it when I was away. I assumed it was meant as a mild abrasive, but it did little, if anything, to restore the finish. I was lucky that it was shellac and easily reconstituted with a 1 lb. cut wash coat of same. Evaporative films like shellac or lacquer are relatively easy. Finishes that "dry" by process of conversion such as many varnishes with synthetic resins like polyurethane are more tricky. Especially since formulas are often proprietary and there's simply no way to know exactly what's in these modern products. Most "Danish Oil" finishes today contain some of these resins, BTW, making them more accurately "wiping varnishes". I don't know enough about organic chemistry or the science of modern furniture conservation to be able to recommend an appropriate approach to every problem. I have worked with enough conservators over the years to have a fairly good idea of what shouldn't be done, however. Though not one has ever told me directly never to smear food products on valuable furniture, I've certainly never heard of such a thing being done in a professional conservation lab. At least not intentionally. Without experts to consult, we're stuck with the lore and alchemy of home-spun remedies and concoctions from the hardware stores. To put things in perspective, most of us are not dealing with museum pieces. If the proof is in the pudding, all the better. And if we really muck things up, there are always pros out there counting on us to keep them in business. | |||||
| lucifersum LRF Dont you ... | 1 Relevance | 19 years ago | LRF | General discussion | |
| lucifersum LRF Dont you ... lucifersum LRF Dont you yourself make a good deal of business off of Mr. Demetrious' dear old grandad? I appreciate all the work the Eames family has done to keep the legacy alive at the old law firm of Thompson Mckinney and Jones in the late 70's you would be called the conscience of the firm... always has to be some one that poo poos all ideas cause he feels it will demean the firm, and that is you!!!!!! why would you waste your time writing that first paragraph? that i make money off Eames stuff, i make money off of saarine.jacobsen,panton,mies,cherner,knoll, nelson, and lots of designers, so what the f*&K does that have to do with the price of corn in Iowa. Eames did not need the foundation and his grandson to keep the leagacy alive. his legacy will live on and on with out the heirs and their elephants for $2000.00 You stated on this International forum, This should have been Uggh.... this is the most ridiculous thing in the world. The plywood elephant should have been picked up by Target and retailed for $30. end of quote I just have this feeling and it is somewhat hypothetical in theory, that if there were a book signing party and you were introduced to Eames Demetrotous, I have a feeling and it is only a feeling , you would be the first to state how much you love the elephants how wonderful they are and the little children love them cause they can be so educational for them , Sorry but you lost me on this one, once again you are putting the Eames on that alter, they were just great designers of the 50's and 60's along with a lot of other great ones, | |||||
| You know, if it were up to me | 1 Relevance | 10 years ago | Spanky | General discussion | |
| You know, if it were up to me I'd probably just do elastic webbing and skip the sinuous springs altogether (but keep them around in case the next owner wants to deal with it). That said...the springs should have some arch. Measure the length of the spring marks on the foam and then lay a spring next to a yardstick and press down on it until the spring reaches that measurement. I am pretty sure that the original webbing was Pirelli. It looks like it in the photo--dried up beige rubber with a fiber core, unless I'm reading more into it than is there. You can get this stuff online. There's also woven elastic but I'm pretty sure it's a little bit wider than Pirelli (none handy and too lazy to google!) so it wouldn't work if you want to weave the webbing in and out of the springs---except the indents on the foam make me think that it wasn't done that way originally. Not that that would be a big sticking point. The main thing is to get the right degree of support under the foam. As for how much to stretch the webbing---i think if you get 1.5" out of it you are doing pretty well. You might want to work the second maple board into place with a couple of big C clamps; it will take a lot of muscle to stretch that many straps at one time. There's no way I could do it, but then I don't work out. Haha. If you do use C clamps, be sure to protect the upholstered side of the seat frame. I would use a 4" wide board the length of the frame and stick a folded towel under it just to be super safe. It is very easy to make permanent dents in old foam and upholstery with that kind of pressure. | |||||
| Right Brain v Left Brain | 1 Relevance | 15 years ago | Gustavo | General discussion | |
| As we talk always about design, art, products, etc, I think could be interesting an approach on the Right - Left Brain notion, that's how we think, but we didn't think on that before, nor is -strangely- not so well seen on design schools, or design places. Let start and be clear that of course we all are both, always use both. But some tend to use more one or the other for different things. I put this here as help me to re-think and re-understand many DAers friends and their points. Most of our differences are better explain under the left-right brian shadow. I'm not going to do a detailed explanation, but I thought/understood much better the ideas of :Dcwillson/Alix/Patrick/SDR/Heath/Adam/Vivian/Alexander//--/Koen/Olive/Fastfwrd/Robert/Riki/Mark/Niceguy/Brent/Simon/MAndersen/Spanky/WHM/Nick/Killian/Dan/Aaron/Ball/Barry/Whitespike/Lunchbox/Azurechicken/egboard/Lucifersum/woodywoody/jesgord/etc etc. Can help to understand many ,,hidden,, thing such as, if you have the room tidy or with clutter, it depends on which side are you using (that's how I began to re-think about it). Or that, by the way, the "collector" spirit is the left-rational side, while the artist is the creative. It's really interesting that are always trying to see - understand the creativity with the rationality. | |||||
| Leif, | 1 Relevance | 11 years ago | ElAye2OhSea | General discussion | |
| Leif, Yes, as far as the end result is concerned, I prefer to have an oiled finish with its natural golden tone. I am prepared to invest the amount of time needed to do so. Im just trying to narrow down the appropriate method in order to get the best results. (I'm an Industrial Design student, so long hours and all nighters are no stranger to me) From what I can tell it is completely made of teak. The previous owner had it stored in the garage, so i rarely got any sunlight. I think Ill start by cleaning the whole thing with turpentine. Then possibly... lightly sand each panel with 320 -400 grit. Ill attach some close up images of my screen as well as a similar one for comparison (1st two pics are of the similar screen and the last one are of the feet of mine) | |||||
| GoodGrips | 1 Relevance | 18 years ago | NULL NULL | General discussion | |
| GoodGrips GoodGrips utensils were originally designed for old people and those who have trouble with conventional utensils (arthritics, etc). That's the reason for the soft, rubbery handles. They are so comfortable and easy to use that they caught on big time with the general population. I think their potato peeler is the best thing ever designed (ok, one of the best). However, I had a GoodGrips paring knife blade that came loose from the handle. And a corkscrew screw that broke from metal fatigue (NO, I do not drink a lot! I swear!). The good news is that you can email them about stuff like this and they'll send you a new one, or the equivalent. Not that I'd want another paring knife from them. I have a Wusthof paring knife that I got at an auction for a couple of bucks. I love it. I think they are about $45-50 new. My sister is a former pastry chef and very accomplished cook and she swears by a steel saute pan that she got in France many years ago. No coating, nothing special, just the right kind of steel, seasoned correctly and cared for properly. I wish i had one. I do recommend you get an enameled cast iron round oven (or Dutch oven, or French oven, depending on who you're talking to). Le Creuset is fine, but the vintage Copco ones are the prettiest. I love them. I also have a long, narrow Copco enameled steel loaf pan, though it is much longer than a loaf of bread. It's red and it's gorgeous and I've never used it, but I can't bear to give it up. | |||||
| Whitespike | 1 Relevance | 19 years ago | LRF | General discussion | |
| Whitespike I agree on your top three but i have grown to love Milo Baughman I at first did not like him to 70's and to commercial but since i have been really studying him and his work with Theyer Coggin I have grown to love him He first worked with Glenn of California with Greta Grossman Magnessen doing basic wood pieces that you would think were from Denmark 53 years ago he signed on with Theyer Coggin a middle of the road furniture maker from South Carolina They gave the guy absolute free rain to do what ever he liked any thing goes and he did, during the early 60's he came up with some of the most innovative designs for a American, His work has been copied by more designers and his name is now like the word Kleenex, when it comes to chrome,lucite and wood . His furniture is experiencing the highest prices at auctions and a total revitalization, He is around 83 years old lives in Utah were he works on public works projects the other guy you mentioned and you can see from my pictures i love is Verner Panton he was the POP 60's the original clockwork orange or 2001 a space odyssey he just had so many great funky ideas, hard to believe he came out of the teak wood capital of the world Denmark . but i love him cause he was a free thinker and a totally modern guy who got it correct in his chairs and his lighting and his color choices one great designer, who furniture is some upped in a word FUN | |||||
| I would definitely feel stupid driving a Hummer | 1 Relevance | 18 years ago | dashes | General discussion | |
| I would definitely feel stupid driving a Hummer into a thrift shop parking lot. And if you feel you should be handing out dollar bills to the folks who look like they need it, then by all means, do so. Regionality will certainly play a role in what you might find. Over time, you learn which stores in which areas are good to go to. For example, a nearby town that's known for it's antique shops has really lousy thrift stores. My guess is because all the dealers clean them out very regularly. Or, the franchises know not to send their "good stuff" to those areas for that reason - I don't know the real answer. As for thrift stores being loaded with "junk" -- the thing is that's how all thrift stores appear, until you spend time learning how to see what you're looking for. It's not obvious. It takes lots of time to really look closely at things, because the way they are "displayed" (ie, heaped in piles) tends to be like a sort of camouflage - it's the way that hidden treasures protect themselves. I enjoy much more the time I spend in thrift stores vs the time I spend in an "antique" store. I like the thrill of discovery, the hunt - in antique stores, it's all just laid out and tagged and described, just no fun at all. As for how stuff ends up there - remember that there are plenty of people who see the shiny new "retro" stuff at the stores and can't wait to trade in their old furniture that has scuffs on it for the brand new versions. They don't know the difference, except the new stuff is, well, *new* and seems to look better to them. Good for me, that they do this. They replace actual good designer stuff with China-imports. | |||||
| Nelson Bench varnish finish? | 1 Relevance | 14 years ago | ddotpalm | General discussion | |
| Hi, you guys were so incredibly helpful about my eames armchair question that I realized you might be able to help me with another problem I've been wondering about: I bought a Nelson slat bench from a previous owner who had bought it about a year ago, used it briefly until his child nicked it in a few places, and then sanded down some nicks to sell it. I'd like to know if anyone could help me determine how to refinish the wood to match the rest of the original finish. I can see that the finished portions are starting to develop a nice patina, and I'm worried that the unfinished sections will look blotchy if I use to wrong finish or leave them be. So far, a few helpful people at HM have been able to tell me that the varnish they use is a "20 gloss +/-5 gloss level of finish" and a "Catalyzed pigmented varnish" but these are pretty foreign terms for me. Can anyone help? Is this the type of thing I'm never going to be able to find at a hardware store? If so, can anyone recommend someone in the NYC area who might be able to do the wood-work? Thanks so much, DP | |||||
| I am so glad to see this thread get a second life... | 1 Relevance | 16 years ago | dcwilson | General discussion | |
| I am so glad to see this thread get a second life... Everyone keep up the good thoughts and good works on this subject. With one of our family members, we have had an interesting breakthrough. His short term memory is horrible, but his long term memory is still intact. When I talk with him about things that scare the bejeezus out of him, because he cannot remember them, I simply write it in a note and tape it to the wall next to his bet, so he sees it constantly. What we have learned is that if the note is up for about a week, even though he forgets it every day for that week, by the end of the week, it enters his long term memory and he retains it. He then takes the sign down himself. Amazing! So: signage aimed at accessing long term memory is a good thing. Another memory technique, and this one we got from an article published by a UCLA professor, is we give him a list of things to surf for with Google each day and encourage him to search for other things. It turns out that online searching with a search engine stimulates new neural net connections. Hence, though Alzheimers is taking connections away, he is building new ones, so the net losing is slowed significantly. Next, see if your doctor will prescribe ritalin and see if your family member can handle it. Ritalin is a stimulant that has been proven in research to stimulate new neural net connections. Again, this slows the net losing of neural net connections. | |||||
| Mario - I'll see your rant, and raise you an explanation | 1 Relevance | 20 years ago | LuciferSum | General discussion | |
| Mario - I'll see your rant, and raise you an explanation Some notes about your posting on karma. 1) Im not sure Karl Rove has anything to do with karma, or would even know what the word means. 2) the english language is a broad and complex thing. Specific words are chosen to most adequately convey an idea or concept. 3) Please take the time to research something before blindly ranting away about it. In this case both Karl Rove AND karma. The idea of karma can best be expressed by the first stanza of the Dhammapada (a book of Buddhist teaching) It simply states: If one speaks or acts with a corrupt mind, suffering follows. And yes, it is a religious concept, but it is hardly new age. It is also misguided to think of Buddhism as a religion in the same manner as Catholocism or Islam. While Buddhism has deities and demons, its main focus is on the individual and his/her actions. There is no punishment brought down from an angry god - only the suffering caused by misdeed. It is not punishment - only cause and effect- seemingly in line with your 'modernist pov'. To speak of someone as having bad karma doesnt mean that some unseen GOD will punish them. Karma is the internalization of bad deeds. Example: " A man accidentally kills a person. He does not tell anyone. The guilt of his action causes him stress. The stress causes him to have a heart attack." Of course this is an extreme example. Perhaps if I put it in an old fashioned term "what goes around comes around"...thats karma, more or less. As a general adherent of Bhuddist tenets I did take offense at your comment. Your apology is accepted, in advance. | |||||
| . | 1 Relevance | 13 years ago | SDR | General discussion | |
| . Given the shape of the room -- twice as deep as it is wide -- seems to me to justify the mirror as placed. I can't see it as a bad move. I can't agree that placing (a) sofa against the mirrored wall is a mistake, if that's where it makes the best sense for room arrangement. On the other hand, I don't think the mirror needs to be hidden by furniture -- and it may be that a new sofa, placed to enjoy the view, would work better, with smaller pieces placed against the mirror. Perhaps a console or credenza could go in front of the mirror ? As far as I can see, the only beveling is to the strips of mirror which cover the seams -- is that right ? Isn't it possible to remove those ? If the resulting gaps are too dire, perhaps smooth gray strips of anodized aluminum, such as are available at the hardware store, can be applied. This would look more like a window mullion and would disappear better, I think. Too bad the mirror wasn't installed without those cover strips . . . The room that spanky shows has a healthy amount of mirror, but it's not the first thing you see in the photo. This image is a good example of the strategy I mentioned earlier. Mark could reduce the size of his mirror by one panel, leaving some blank wall to the left of it -- maybe in a nice color, or even a fresh accent like vertical wood paneling ? Then the two remaining mirror pieces, with one discreet metal molding down the middle (or newly installed mirror with minimal seam ?) would remain, performing the space-and-light-expanding function, just not to quite the degree as now. Best of two worlds ? | |||||
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