STREET SEATS

The Armory Show is a staple in New York's art scene. Considered one of the most important events in the city, The Armory is the leading international contemporary and modern art fair showcasing works from the 20th and 21st centuries. Bade Stageberg Cox has developed “Street Seats, a furniture project created for the Pier 94 Coffee Bar at The Show. The 50 chairs, found abandoned on the streets of New York, were repaired and given a new life with a coat of taxi cab yellow paint. Like the city’s residents, the chairs are an eclectic mix, migrating throughout the fair during its five-day run. The bottom of each chair is stamped and documented with the date and location it was recovered.” Aren't these awesome? These are just a few of the chairs from the project, but if you want to see all 50, you can do so here. Which one is your favorite? Actually, I have a couple. This would definitely be a fun DIY project to take on—of course, on a much smaller scale. BTW, you can get your hands on any of these as the chairs are available for purchase.

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My top 10: Rockers

Did you know that some attribute the invention of the rocking chair to Benjamin Franklin? We may never know for sure since there is no historical evidence proving to that. Historians can only trace its origins to North America during the early 18th century, and in England in 1725. What started as an ordinary garden chair with two rockers at the bottom, the rocking chair has become a chic and versatile decorative element. Although it's often associated with maturity and class, the modern rocker appeals to everyone. The range of styles is huge, but here are some of my ultimate favorites that can absolutely rock your world. 

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An Eye On Design

Isn't this the coolest? l'm so very happy I came across this neat Eye Exam digital print by Joel Pirela, founder of Blue Ant Studio. I think it's a fun twist on the eye chart we all have come to know. The print is hand signed and dated by the artist. He has also designed other mod prints inspired by mid-century designers like Aalto, Saarinen and Eames. And if you think you're interested in getting your hands on one of his prints, you can get a random poster with your purchase — a limited time offer!

Slumber Party

What do these adorable poufs remind you of? To me they look like cute little snails crawling through the floor. Right? They're designed by Dutch artist Aleksandra Gaca for Casalis. The comfy Slumber Pouf is made in a three-dimensional elastic fabric and it's highly flexible. It conforms to your body when you sit on it and spring to its original shape when you get up. These durable cuties are made with high-quality Kid Mohair, and best of all, they're washable. What a fun way of lounging while adding a great touch to a room.

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Pink Swan

“The Swan chair is a perfect mix of organic modernism and pop art and my goal in this design was to address both of those qualities by making a poppy allusion to the female form,” says Jonathan Adler of the inspiration for his Pink Swan project chair. SUITE New York has invited nineteen world-renowned designers to create a personalized version of Arne Jacobsen's iconic Swan chair for the second installment of the project. The chairs will be auctioned off on October 1-31, 2011 on charitybuzz.com with proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. What a fun project for such a great cause. Here are some of my faves.

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A Bench With a Twist

No need to throw away those old chairs in the garage. How about giving them a new lease on life by transforming them into a neat looking bench, just like the Brooklyn-based furniture company 31 & Change did? They create one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture with a twist, a wink and a smile in mind. Each of their creations is hand-crafted with American hardwoods and built in their Brooklyn studios. Founder Kurt Lenard's graphic design background influences the colorful nature of their work. I love how their pieces have their own unique graphic expression, whether seen through the wood grain, the juxtaposition of color or the combination of materials. Brilliant!

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My top 10: Outdoor Seating

How you feelin'? HOT HOT HOT! Yes, it's time to be out in your backyard, or terrace, enjoying this marvelous summery weather. So why not treat your outdoor space to a little style with these chic and modern thrones that will most certainly add a touch of sophistication and make you feel like the queen, or king, of the outdoors. Here are some of my favorites. I hope they'll be yours too.

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New York Design Week: ICFF

Last Saturday I spent most of the afternoon strolling through New York Design Week's main event. The International Contemporary Furniture Fair, or ICFF, brings together designers from around the world to showcase their new products and connect with fellow creative minds. It's the perfect place to find newcomers as well as the more established names in the furnishings design universe. While browsing through the exhibit, I was thrilled to see, and touch, many of the pieces already showcased here in TheDesignerPad. There was plenty of eye candy everywhere, but one of the things that caught my eye was the amount of new and innovative lighting made with unexpected materials in very creative ways. It was definitely exhilarating to see new and young talent jumping on the design bandwagon with a different and fresh approach. Here's a taste of the things I loved most in the show.

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