Kitchen Progress: Side Shell Stools from Modernica

I have good news and bad news.  The good news: the turquoise kitchen is done, and it looks amazing.  It exceeded my expectations and I've been spending my days staring at it wistfully.  Every now and then I sigh, in a decidedly contented way.  The bad news: I spent some time last week trying to photograph it, with little success.  I'm not sure if my six year old camera is slowly dying or if I've forgotten how to use it, but it's taking really grainy shots - plus it's really fighting me when it comes to capturing aqua true to life.  By Friday I gave up, and Hubs and I spent the day in Duluth, MN.  He will be working on my 30th birthday next week, so that was our celebration: a full day of thrifting and antiquing across the border (all I found was this turquoise pyrex piece and a blue McCoy planter, but the mini road trip was so much fun).  I'm going to try to photograph the kitchen again today, but in the meantime I wanted to gab about a key piece of kitchen furniture, and provide a review of Modernica's customer service.



Surprise!  The hard and uncomfortable wood stools left with the lakehouse were the first thing to sell at a family yard sale recently.  I'm so happy to have replaced them with something that looks, and feels, much better.  When Modernica had their 15% off sale I bought the triple bubble lamp fixture you already saw, as well as two fiberglass shell counter stools.  These were also part of my original plan, but I ended up ditching the gray.  I really liked the diamond blue shell colour that was a limited edition with different legs, so I emailed Modernica and asked if I could combine the diamond blue colour with the dowel counter stool swivel base.  Surprisingly, yes!!  They promptly added my preferred colour choice to the website and ... voila: 

Fiberglass shell chair, solid walnut dowel base, and the perfect aqua hue (I found their standard turquoise - Ocean - to be far to blue for me).  And here is the pair at our smashing DIY solid maple kitchen counter:

Sadly, my experience with Modernica was not completely awesome.  The moment we opened the box, we noticed that one of the shock mounts had slipped during the gluing process and did not align with the base so it could not be assembled.

I contacted Modernica right away and received a cool request for photos to ascertain the problem and determine if they could/would help me.  After I emailed the photos, the process picked up speed a little bit.  They sent me a shipping label via email and instructed me to return the shell in the same box I received it.  Sadly, the replacement fibreglass shell that came was very different from the one I sent back - the colour is a bit lighter and the edges are very white.  I understand that irregularity is part of the process, but the first pair were perfect for each other because they were similarly irregular (if that makes any sense).  I just didn't want to go through the hassle of returning it again.  I don't notice it as much anymore. 

Hubby asked me if I would order from Modernica again.  Hmmmm.  Good question!  I LOVE our lights and I would probably want them again if we ever moved.  I was thrilled that they agreed to a custom combo on the stools for me, but they were a little nonchalant about my defective shell and did the bare minimum there.  The stools look good, but now that I've seen the real deal I think the construction is a tiny bit sloppier on the repro, especially concerning the adhesive used on even the properly installed shock mounts.  But, other than that, they do seem well built.  The bases are incredibly substantial and heavy enough to prevent any tipping, even after enthusiastic spinning.  The solid walnut legs are beautiful and the chrome accents gleam.  There are these little plastic caps that refuse to stay put, but I think a little sticky tack can solve that.  They suit the look I'm trying to achieve in the lakehouse and even though they aren't licensed reproductions, I'm convinced of the authenticity of the production (there is some debate).

Ultimately, I can excuse the flaw because they are handmade, in America, and that's a beautiful thing.  I like supporting companies that keep jobs in North America, and I can forgive an assembly flaw.  Plus, they made something just for me, and that's pretty special.

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Comfort-wise, these stools are pretty phenomenal.  The seats are shaped so that you slide and sink into them.  Even without padding, they don't uncomfortable because they follow the shape of a body.  Happily, they are generous enough for wider bums.  Szuka has even taken to them, licking them, using the foot rest as a head rest, and doing whatever this is:
 

Laundry Room Eames Hang-It-All in White

 
Yesterday you saw our track-hack (I love writing that), plus the drop-dead gorgeous drapes my Mom sewed to hide the washer, dryer, and our laundry rack (which we didn't hack).  Today I'm sharing the progress we've made on the other side of this wee little room, including the addition of an Eames Hang-It-All . . . Rack (I'm having a lot of fun today).



It's a far cry from how this side of the room looked before:

We're planning on building a nicer cabinet to hide our electric panel as soon as the kitchen is done.  For now I've focused on easy fixes.  I couldn't find a container for dog food that I liked, so when I stumbled across this huge stock pot at a restaurant supply outlet I decided it would be cute (and practical) for storing Szuka's kibble.  I also couldn't find a pretty, washable rug for the space so my Mom and I made a little washable quilt for Szuka in lieu of a rug.  One of the things I love most about DIY is making something custom: this mat not only matches the drapes, but it also fits the space perfectly - even slipping under the doors just so.

Szuka mostly likes to sleep on bare floor these days, but if she wants to cozy up she can.  At the very least, the mat offers some more colour (for me) and keeps her bowls from sliding around (for her).



The process was sort of trial + error, so I didn't take photos but when we sew the bedroom drapes I hope to make another matching mat, and will write up a quick tutorial then. In a nutshell, we found a washable, cotton quilt liner (Nature's Touch eco-cotton blend batting, in the Queen size which we folded over) at Fabricland and essentially sewed a giant pillow cover for it.  Mom sewed the edges with the mat cover inside out and when it was nearly sewn, she flipped it the right way around, inserted the batting and hand sewed the final seam closed.  She ran two sets of stitches along the channel where the fabric changes to anchor the batting, but a pattern could be sewn anywhere (along the edge, in zigzags - anything to keep the quilt from bunching).  The whole thing can, theoretically, be tossed in the washer because both the cotton batting and fabric were pre-washed.



Because this room sees so much traffic (as Szuka's space, the mudroom, the laundry room, and the only access to the powder room), when it comes to accessorizing I want most things to be both a workhorse and a show pony.  I've always liked the Eames Hang-it-All (who doesn't?), but the colourful version isn't really me.  When I spotted an all-white one in the Ottawa EQ3 store I immediately envisioned it in the lakehouse - especially after I found the polka dot curtain fabric and the curvy Marimekko fabric for the living room pillows.  My friends at EQ3 generously provided the Hang-It-All for the laundry room spruce, and it's perfect for the space.  To me the white-rack-on-white-walls looks sculptural.  I really don't think I need to convince you of its aesthetic merits, but practically speaking this rack is sheer genius.  The large, solid wood balls are perfect for drying snow-soaked mittens and hats, without pulling them out of shape.  Everything from Szuka's towel to her collar find a temporary place to land, and we always have a spot for guest coats.  In a pinch, I've used it dry clothes if our dry rack is full - it's just so handy.  It also helps the room feel more cohesive with the rest of the house, and the mid-century feel I'm after - this no longer looks like a neglected utility room.

I hung up two paintings by Hubby's grandpa for some more colour, but I'm still swapping art around.



There's still work to do (isn't there always?), but for now I'm so thrilled by how much we've updated the space, with just paint, some fabric, and a few well-chosen accessories from high (my new Hang-it-All) to low (the $24.99 Ikea light fixture). 

For more laundry room progress: see how the curtains were made, check out the difference paint alone made in freshening up the space, and take a peek at how much the new hardware changed the look of all of the rooms.

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Eames Dreams Realized

When I opened my Instagram account a week ago, I decided that it would be a fun place to share thrifted treasures and vintage finds.  But my most recent find is too juicy not to share here as well! 

I was trolling kijiji last week and spotted a pair of chairs described as "retro-style plastic chairs".  From the picture they looked just like Herman Miller Eames DAX fibreglass chairs, but there had been 98 views and the ad had been up for 16 hours.  I thought it unlikely that they were the real deal but, if they were, I figured they had been snapped up already (especially for $15 each).  Just in case, I sent the seller a message saying I'd love to buy them and could pick them up at her convenience.  Surprisingly, they hadn't sold.  

When I arrived at the seller's house, it was apparent the chairs were fibreglass, not plastic.  So, yay! 

They were in excellent condition (just dirty and smudgy), except some of the plastic feet were missing and mismatched.  I handed over the cash and we scurried off with them.  She told me 10 other people had expressed interest, but no one else had been willing to drive through the snowstorm to pick them up.  As we loaded the chairs into my truck, the Herman Miller embossed logo (along with paper labels) were abundantly clear - along with the distinctive shock mounts and H-base!

This is ALL dirt . . . blech.  Cleaned up nicely now!

This might be my best find to date (although the velvet chair and krenit bowl are close contenders).



I've done a little sleuthing but I still know so little about these.  The one on the left has the Herman Miller embossed logo, a double triangle (not pictured), as well as an embossed flame.  I haven't been able to figure out what the flame means (others also seem stumped).  I believe the triangle signifies the manufacturer - Summit Plastics.  The paper label has patents, with the last one issued in 1958.  It's translucent, but the one on the right is not.  The right one also has the Herman Miller embossed logo, the double triangle (not pictured), and an S inside a circle.  It has a stamp that reads, "Summit, 3, Prime".  So they both seem to be manufactured by Summit.  The paper label has a piece missing, so I can't see the last patent to Google what year it was issued. 

My uneducated guess is that these are from the (late?) 1960s, most likely the 1970s - they look a lot like these and a little like these these on Ebay.  I read on a forum that Zenith Plastics was the first manufacturer (which I knew), that Cincinnati Milicron was the second, and Summit Plastics the third (before Vitra), but I haven't been able to find info on when each company produced these chairs.  What I do know is that this pair came from a hospital that closed down awhile ago.  My heart hurts thinking about how many others there might have been, just waiting to get taken home (for free, or next to nothing, I imagine).  I wonder how many ended up at the dump . . . try not to think about it.  At least these ones have a good home (and by "good," I mean mine).  They've been given a preliminary cleaning, but they need a good clean, the metal needs a little polishing, and I need to order new feet.

I'm so thrilled.  The snow that fell last week wasn't a dusting, it stuck around and I'm just so over winter.  It was funny after the fact, but when I first got my truck stuck in the snow I burst into tears of frustration (it took three hours of shoveling, I went through a lot of emotions).  Ridiculous, I know, but other people I've spoken to feel really beaten down by just how much snow Thunder Bay and area have gotten, and how it's still falling.  I really needed a silly little pick-me-up, and these fit the bill.  You know, I'll happily put up with copious amounts of springtime snow if it means I can scoop other treasure hunters. 

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Old New House: Eames Dreams

I mentioned earlier this month how excited I was for the success that Melissa + Dave, of Old New House, have enjoyed.  They turned a passionate hobby into a beautiful business, connecting home decor enthusiasts with a wonderfully curated selection of antique and original pieces.  To celebrate their shop I'll be highlighting my favorite items now and then, seeing what's new and deciding what to moon over.  Last time I chatted about the shop I picked Dave's brain about vintage rugs and we learned about regions of production, how to classify and identify rugs, how to care for them, and what to shop for.  This time I just can't focus on anything else until we properly ogle the bevy of 1950s Eames fibreglass chairs that Melissa + Dave have in store.  It's like a museum of Eames chairs, except you're allowed to touch them and can even take one home!

The Zenith Herman Miller LAX chair, in elephant hide grey:

The Eames Herman Miller fibreglass chair (Venice label), in parchment:

(they also have one in seafoam green):

Another grey Zenith Herman Miller chair, with a birch swivel dowel base (my favorite base):

I've read a lot of articles about people accidentally spending major cash but not actually acquiring an original, so it's so comforting to see these labels (a reputable and knowledgeable source is important as well):

These chairs are such an amazing piece of history - parchment and elephant-hide grey are even two of the first colours produced.  The Eames fibreglass chair was actually designed in 1948, created by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller, and entered into The Museum of Modern Art’s International Design Competition.  It was first sold in 1950, so these chairs were early in the production. 

What an accomplishment to design something that, generations later, people are just as - if not more - excited by.  And what treasure-hunting prowess to find these chairs!  Right now they are my favorite pieces at New Old House, but who knows what I'll be drooling over next time. 

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This post was sponsored by New Old House, but all content, words, and obsessions are mine!   
P.S.  Do you even think about just how long a vintage or antique furniture piece needed to hang on for us to be able to find and use it now?  How it has survived moves, trends, kids (!) and still clung to dear life, waiting for someone to cherish it?  I weirdly think about this a lot.

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