Design
February 28, 2013
By Amy Feezor
The first to explore the early life and work of designer Ray Eames, the “Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design” exhibition opened last weekend at the California Museum in Sacramento, where Bernice Alexandra “Ray” Kaiser was born on December 15, 1912.
Featuring work produced prior to meeting husband Charles in 1941, the show includes more than 100 original works and rarely-seen artifacts from Eames Office and the Eames family’s collections. A new perspective on Ray’s 60-year career in the arts as well as her role as Charles’ equal partner in the Eames Office, the exhibit details the work of one of the 20th century’s most influential — yet largely unknown — artists.
A fitting celebration of Ray’s centennial, “Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design” will remain open until February 23, 2014. Not currently in or near Sacramento? You can find several sneak peeks of the show now on the Facebook pages of the California Museum and the Eames Office.
Design
February 19, 2013
By Amy Feezor
Designer Javier García keeps himself busy not only as an industrial-designer-turned-graphic-designer/illustrator working in San Francisco, but also as an avid collector of mid-century modern design. Take a peek inside his Bay Area home office — a treasure trove of vintage pieces, including several by Charles and Ray Eames — in our latest tour. Read more
Design
January 15, 2013
By Amy Feezor
Designers Charles and Ray Eames moved into their now-legendary California home, Case Study House #8, on Christmas Eve, 1949. More than sixty years later, the Eames family — caretakers of the home since Ray’s death in 1988 — is prepping to preserve the space as it existed when the couple lived and worked in it for the prolific last-half of their lives. The family’s goal? To raise $150,000 toward conserving the house and grounds for the next 250 years.
Part of this fundraising effort includes an artful offering: four original, limited-edition prints inspired by the geometry and understated simplicity of Charles and Ray’s designs. Each hand-numbered print is available for just $75, and all proceeds will support the projects of the Eames Foundation. Additionally, the prints are tax deductible, and Herman Miller has helped create an “Authenticity Fund” to provide matching donations for each purchase.
It’s not a bad price for helping share the Eameses’ philosophy for future generations to come (and to own a piece of the Eames legacy). Find out specifics on the restoration project, buy the prints, and see a delightfully inspiring timeline now at eameshouse250.org. Read more
Design, Products
January 10, 2013
By Amy Feezor
There’s a lot of inspiration to be found in this recent post by Apartment Therapy Tech exploring a host of shared creative workspaces. “Optimized for collaboration, these studios are proof that collectively we can create something greater than ourselves,” states contributor Chris Perez. “The mix of individuality and expression in these spaces is visceral, inspiring — just looking at them encourages you to create something.” We couldn’t agree more. Here are several that caught our eye. Read more
Design
January 7, 2013
By Jamie Latendresse
The new year is off and running. If you’re not yet in the habit of writing 2013 instead of 2012, jog your memory with one of these six 2013 calendar designs.
Read more
Balance, Design
December 28, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Every Friday, we scour the Web to present our weekly picks for the ten best articles published by design-minded sites, blogs, and magazines. During this final full week of 2012, however, we’re taking a look at the top ten posts that inspired us, challenged us, and kept us thinking all year long. Enjoy — and see you back here next Friday with our first list for the new year.
1. A must-see: “The Handmade Process Behind Your Eames Chair,” an insightful video taken in our manufacturing facility by Co.Design.
2. The launch of the George Nelson Foundation’s new website, created by Hello Design, at georgenelsonfoundation.org.
3. Yves Béhar’s keynote speech on why designers should love the design process via 99U.
4. Dwell’s Q&A about authentic design with Marj Mojzak, Herman Miller’s Director of Retail.
5. “Ray’s Displays: The Thoughtful Displays of Ray Eames” at the Archives of American Art blog.
6. The New York Times‘ interview with Hilda Longinotti, George Nelson’s former secretary and oftentimes furniture model (check her out alongside the Nelson Marshmallow Sofa in the article’s featured photo).
7. “The Wit and Wisdom of Alexander Girard” from Metropolis Magazine.
8. The can’t-be-missed photos in “LIFE With Charles and Ray Eames: The Simple Art of Beauty” at life.time.com.
9. This insightful interview at Mr. Porter with Jason Cohn, writer and co-director of Eames: The Architect and the Painter.
10. The Design and Architecture Crossword from the New York Times and Design Within Reach. (Here’s a hint for 95 Across.)
Photo: Francois Dischinger for Herman Miller / Eames Softpad Side Chairs, Eames Table Segmented Base
Balance, Design, Trends
December 21, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Check out what we’ve been bookmarking over the week — one that was especially full of Ray Eames coverage, post her 100th birthday celebration. . .
1. How the house of Charles and Ray Eames created new thinking in modern living, via Inhabitat.
2. Apartment Therapy’s gift guide for a home office.
3. Dwell’s roundup of inspirational shipping-container homes.
4. This interview with Charles and Ray’s grandson Eames Demetrios by the Japan Times Online.
5. On a related note, Ray Eames’ elephants meet real elephants in this short film by Eames Demetrios, uploaded by the Eames Office on YouTube.
6. Silo 468, an interactive light installation built to commemorate Helsinki’s “World Design Capital” status, via Design Milk.
7. Lifehacker’s Most Popular Featured Workspaces of 2012.
8. “The Woman Behind the Eames Chair” at Legacy.com.
9. Useful advice on how to make the most of working from home from the New York Times.
10. The Eameses’ “Powers of 10” Re-Imagined by 40 Artists at Co.Design.
Photo: Francois Dischinger for Herman Miller / Nelson X-leg Tables, Eames Molded Plastic Chairs
Balance, Design
December 14, 2012
By Amy Feezor
Take a look at what’s been on our radar this week.
1. The can’t-be-missed photos in “LIFE With Charles and Ray Eames: The Simple Art of Beauty” at life.time.com.
2. A look at the Miller House archives at The Fox Is Black.
3. The eclectic Copenhagen home of designers Camilla Ebdrup and Andreas Stenmann at Design*Sponge.
4. The clever Architecture for Dogs site, including Konstantin Grcic‘s design for a poodle.
5. In other Konstantin Grcic news, his Medici Chair for Mattiazzi recently won the Icon Award 2012 for “Best Furniture Design.”
6. 10 Beautiful Buildings Shaped Like Triangles from Flavorwire.
7. This design-focused gift guide from the Society of Publication Designers.
8. The sleek new Ovale cutlery designed by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec at Dezeen.
9. This color-packed Romanian home design featuring Eames Molded Plastic Chairs and Wire Chairs (via Decoist).
10. The Domus Civita renovation project (complete with grottos and caves) by Italian architecture firm Studio F at ArchDaily.
Photo: Francois Dischinger for Herman Miller / Medici Chair Outdoor by Konstantin Grcic for Mattiazzi
Design
December 13, 2012
By Amy Feezor
As the 100th birthday of Ray Eames approaches, we continue to honor the life of the artist and innovator — this time through an interview with her niece, Midge Kaiser Martin, the daughter of Ray’s older brother, Maurice Kaiser. With warmth and fondness, Midge recounts a few personal memories of a relationship with an aunt who was inspiring, talented, loving, and, in Midge’s words, “magical.”
Read more
Design, Products
December 10, 2012
By Jamie Latendresse
This Saturday, December 15, marks the centennial of influential artist and designer Ray Eames. Together with her husband Charles, she created some of the most distinctive design, photography, and artwork of the 20th century. Celebrate the legacy of Ray’s distinctive style and joyful creativity with these Six Ways to Ray Eames.
*Opening on February 23, 2013, The California Museum in Sacramento presents “Ray Eames: A Century of Modern Design,” revealing “a new perspective on Ray’s 60-year career in the arts, along with her influence on American culture and significance in history as one of the 20th century’s most influential artists.”
Read more