Mid-century 'Dexter' opening credits

Based on his awesome series of posters for the super clever Showtime series "Dexter", graphic designer Ty Mattson teamed up with some friends at Fashion Buddha to create his own alternative opening credits for the show. The mid-century vibe and Saul Bass inspired look is a natural for the show and it's macabre subject matter and dark humor.

– jb

Charles Eames

Last Friday, June 17th was the birthday of one of design's real legends, Charles Eames. Happy Belated Charles, and thanks for the amazing legacy you left for us all to enjoy to this day.

– jb

Timing is everything...

Even as most of us now keep our days on schedule by checking the time on our cell-phones, the clock on the wall or on our desk can still go a long way towards adding some definite style and personality to our surroundings.

Thanks to a much-appreciated write-up in the ApartmentTherapy Marketplace last month, we've been getting some nice attention paid to our latest wall and desk clock designs. Our mid-century inspired Haywire, Modulicious, and Flower Power lines are available in both the 14" wall clock or 3 1/2" mini desk clock and will help keep time on your side!

– jb

Herman Miller blocks

Leave it to House Industries to come up with yet another cool toy that the designer-kid in me feels like he needs to have. The set includes eight basswood children’s blocks dressed in House Industries numbers, shapes and patterns with puzzle sides based on the original Herman Miller furniture box used for deliveries. The entire “box” set is packaged in a miniature corrugated shipping carton with appropriately-sized brown kraft packing tape. Fortunately for my budget the set is available only at the Herman Miller showroom in Tokyo... whew.

– jb

Stella Artois goes mid-century mod

There are some newer TV ads out these days for Stella Artois but imho none better than this one that came out a few months ago. Love all the awesome little gadgets & the dueling fishtanks. Directed by king-of-quirk Wes Anderson & Roman Coppola.

– jb

Design Star: George Nelson

I know it's hardly revolutionary to deem George Nelson one of the all-time design greats, but being kind of a clock freak myself makes Nelson a particular favorite of mine. Given all the awesome clocks he designed back in the day, along with his contributions in furniture, lamps, tables, etc. etc., it becomes obvious Nelson had a design career that would make just about anyone feel the need to genuflect.

Little did I know that Nelson got his degree in architecture and was a writer for many years before becoming the Director of Design at the Herman Miller Furniture Company. He then went on to set new standards for the involvement of design in all the activities of the company, and in doing so he pioneered the practice of corporate image management, graphic programs and signage.

In his forty-plus year career Nelson was one of the most articulate and eloquent voices on design and architecture in the U.S. during the 20th century and he helped legitimize and stimulate the field of industrial design by contributing to the creation of Industrial Design magazine in 1953.

A number of the nearly 300 classic wall clocks designed for Howard Miller Clock Company (including the Ball, Kite, Eye, Turbine, Spindle, Petal and Spike clocks, as well as a handful of desk clocks) are currently available from the Vitra online shop.

Modern Birdhouses

This is probably as close to a cool mid-century modern house with a butterfly roof as I'll ever get! Pretty sweet... lucky-ass birds!

From the website:

RICHARD (top) was inspired by the Case Study Houses designed by Richard Neutra, and recalls the floating, sloped roofs of three of his unbuilt homes.

J.R. (middle) was inspired by Case Study House #1, designed by J. R. Davidson and built in 1946. The elemental simplicity of the flat roof recalls the minimal nature of Davidson's design.

RALPH (bottom) was inspired by Ralph Rapson's iconic Greenbelt House design (Case Study House #4), which features an enclosed garden and angled rooflines.

Modern Birdhouses' Case Study Masters Series honors the architectural pioneers who participated in the Case Study Houses Program. The Case Study Houses Program was established in 1945 by John Entenza, the progressive editor and publisher of Arts and Architecture magazine. Entenza commissioned architects to design simple and innovative modern homes for a growing post-war housing market. The resulting homes took full advantage of industrialized building processes and continue to broadly influence modern architecture. Participants included such icons as Charles Eames and Eero Saarinen.

Check 'em out here...

Mid century Modern Chair Pillows

Uber-cool pillows showcasing some of mid century modern's classic pieces. Designs on the back are a small repeat pattern of the classic chairs... love the colors too!