These design books make me feel like I'm not dead inside
(I am dead inside.) We'll also talk about some great new collections and collabs. Finally, some Urban stuff I don't hate.
(Trolley from HAY’s new collection)
Hellooooooo! Here’s today’s agenda:
Design world news
My current design reading list/syllabus
Some Urban Outfitters items I’m legit impressed with
Some design world updates I am pretty pumped on:
HAY has launched its new collection and it seems pretty obvious to me that this trolley is going to be the it-piece in everyone’s homes.
Sixpenny has just come out with SLEEPER SOFAS. We have the Neva sectional and love it. When we’re finally able to have a guest room, we’re definitely going to try one of these babies out.
Marimekko, the Finnish fashion label/design house that just keeps chugging along, has launched a capsule collection of home goods with Barcelona-based German artist Sabine Finkenauer. I thought I was over Marimekko, but apparently not!
(Marimekko x Sabine Finkenauer)
Do you guys remember Dims? It was a DTC minimalist furniture brand that was pretty cool, but unfortunately had a very short run. In a somewhat confusing PR pitch, apparently a guy who worked at Dims has now launched EDITS, a very similar “new-century modern” furniture company.
(Building Block scalloped pot)
Building Block — the minimalist handbag company housed in L.A.’s Chinatown — has come out with a small selection of homewares. There are some bubbly glass carafes, ceramic coffee/matcha items, leather coasters, and a wall hook. Do I dig? Dig I do.
What I’m reading/planning on reading:
Small aside: I’ve spent pretty much all of my career in lifestyle media, mostly in the women’s style category. This list of where I’ve worked might show my age but, I’ve been staffed at DailyCandy, The Frisky, Cosmo, HelloGiggles, etc. But I’ve always had an interest in spaces…I used to clip my favorite real estate listings from the back of the NYT magazine when I was a teen. When we launched Hunker, I was hired as a content expert, focusing on strategy and virality. I quickly discovered that design and interiors wasn’t just an interest of mine, but a fascination core to my identity. Hunker became my ideal job and I started wanting to know more more more more! In the past five years I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface. But anyhow, here’s where I’m at with my self-made design syllabus. (Pro tip: I buy all these books at Thriftbooks.com.) One last thing: Whoa is it ever hard to get reading done when you have kids. So much respect to women and parents going through school (or who have reading-intensive jobs) while having babies and toddlers sucking the life out of you.
Towards a New Architecture, Le Corbusier
I’m about half-way through this and jeeeeeeeeez louise do I have things to say about it: mostly not good. I’m planning a more longform issue on this tome because THE INSANITY. Le Corb is nuts and so full of bullshit, he’s almost like the QAnon of architecture. Unfortunately, this horrible man’s work is too influential to ignore. I know I’ve pretty much explained nothing about this book but I just want to save it. On to the next.
Women in American Architecture: A Historic and Contemporary Perspective
My neighbor, who is a female architect, loaned me this book and I kind of don’t want to give it back. Published in 1977, in conjunction with an exhibition, this is a powerful collection of essays by women in the field, and it attempts to answer the question (among others): “Why, although women have designed and built since the beginning of human civilization, have their achievements remained undocumented and unacknowledged in architectural histories?” The historical context of this work is fascinating, a true product of second wave feminism, sitting 14 years after the publication of Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (although the Women in Architecture project started in 1973, so let’s say 10 years) and a year before the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which would help to further bolster the upswing of women in the skilled workforce in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Chromophobia, David Batchelor
I came across Chromophobia while doing internet research on Le Corbusier and was instantly hooked on its premise: That color signifies threat within Western culture. Batchelor talks about Corb as an autocrat of color, using it and its absence to manipulate and govern society. What’s brilliant about this book (which I have yet to finish) is how Batchelor carries you through history and will even get into it on The Wizard of Oz and Pleasantville. (Also: Batchelor is one dope artist.)
Nomadic Furniture 2, James Hennessey and Victor Papanek
I bought this book during our most recent trip to the Pasadena City College flea market (where I also scored this American Girl doll chest from the Kirsten collection for $45) and wowowo is this a delight of pure ‘70s idealism (with a handwritten font throughout!). My only regret is not knowing about Nomadic Furniture 1.
In Praise of Shadows, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Haven’t started this one yet, but I just love its cryptic description: “An essay on aesthetics by the Japanese novelist, this book explores architecture, jade, food, and even toilets, combining an acute sense of the use of space in buildings. The book also includes descriptions of laquerware under candlelight and women in the darkness of the house of pleasure.”
Others on the reading list (gahhhhh this is gonna take me years):
The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard
Modern Architecture, a Critical History, Kenneth Frampton
Twentieth-Century Furniture, Phillippe Garner
The Decoration of Houses, Edith Wharton (I’ve actually read this one. It is brilliant and at times hilarious, and still perfectly relevant. If you are new to this newsletter, you can read my unfiltered thoughts here.)
Stuff from Urban Outfitters I don’t hate
Urban Outfitters is a truly nefarious business, consistently ripping off independent designers, and using sneaky styling tricks to make you think you are getting something made of wood, when it is in fact, some kind of cardboard mishigas. But we all occasionally fall prey to the falsely shiny allure of mass produced goods. I’m not hating the following:
Ophelia Arm Chair, $499 (but 30% off at checkout)
Goddamn, Urban is so dramatic with their naming of items. I’m enjoying the nod to ‘70s aesthetics here. Only issue is I feel like the Ophelia chairs are more of a patio vibe (as in, you’d need multiple) and then then the price is not so appealing. But, you could spend your paycheck on some pool-adjacent pieces, contemplating how, similar to Ophelia, your bank account has too drowned.
Tomato Lamp, $99
The food-as-decor trend has yet to die and I am still on board. I’m very into the styling idea here of resting the tomato lamp on a bookcase. Except, in my dream house, I’m seeing it perched on a built-in bookcase painted dark green à la Farrow & Ball.
Ruby Striped Chair, $999
When this appeared on my Pinterest feed, I thought it might be **something**. But it was just, in fact, a piece from UO. Not worth $1k, but maybe if there was a good sale.
Ryan Rolling Desk, $199
Fairly priced, feels like a more curated “design” piece, and perfect for small spaces.
Sproos Shower Set, $269
I quickly bookmarked this, but now that I’ve come back to it, I’m wondering how practical this shower doo-dad really is? You’d have to be that kind of minimalist person everyone hates. (Me, I’ve got like five different shampoos in my shower — eff you, postpartum hair loss.) And yet. The yellow? Kinda cute.
Ta ta for now!
Obsessed with that trolley, and can attest that the Marimekko collection is as good in person as in the photos.