This weeks guest blogger is David Johnson of Sidecar Furniture.   An accomplished craftsman, David is also a member of LA Box Collective, a select group of professional Los Angeles based furniture makers, committed to environmentally conscious design and production.

To look at my furniture it’s obvious that I like Danish Modern.  When we create we can’t help but let our influences show.  Our work is a compilation of what we see and our imaginations.  Certainly as a furniture maker I’m going to be influenced by the aesthetics of the styles of the past but I’m also going to draw upon why these furniture styles can to be.

I went to The College of the Redwoods Fine Woodworking Program, in Mendocino, CA.  The school is known for teaching a high attention to detail and balance and symmetry in design based on the work of James Krenov, Jim, as he’s known to the students.  The program is set up like a European apprentice system where students start with the basics and then make pieces under the watchful eye of the instructors.  Students must have their designs approved by Jim.  Any deviation from his design sense may be dealt with by his sharp criticism.  Rebellion is mild but highly noticed.  It’s funny to look at the pieces I made during school to know that they were controversial at the time. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m so excited to introduce this  weeks guest blogger, David Johnson of Sidecar Furniture!  An accomplished craftsman, David is also a member of LA Box Collective, a select group of professional Los Angeles based furniture makers, committed to environmentally conscious design and production.

David: Being an independent furniture designer/maker is no easy job. Comparing artisan or locally made furniture to IKEA or the Pottery Barn is like comparing apples and oranges. I often encounter people who question and often frown upon my time consuming methods and prices. We are so used to seeing and buying furniture made by big manufacturers that it becomes hard for one to appreciate quality, hand crafted, heirloom furniture. Rather than reading a blog entry about me defending myself and my craft, I decided to have my wife write a blog about her love of artisan furniture from the perspective of an outsider who is now a big fan of artisan made furniture. Read the rest of this entry »

Wow! Here we are, our first real milestone – post #100!  I can’t believe it’s here already.  Of course, we’ve had help the last two weeks from our first two guest bloggers, Christina from My Sparrow, and Wes from Harding Construction and Sustainable Solutions.  Let’s give them a hand!

Now on to business…

image via Green Your Decor

First up, GreenYourDecor found some pretty pillows from Gianna that are not only organic, but Fair Trade too!

Next, some new mod wallpaper from Mod Green Pod, an old-fashioned folding bathtub, and a bed made of plumbing parts… Read the rest of this entry »

The sun is out, the grass is green, and the birds are singing.  I’ve got total Spring fever.

Judging from the colors for their EMU Re-Trouve line, I’d say so does Coalesse!  Aren’t these seats adorable?  There’s no other word for them.  With their tongue in cheek retro style, these would look at home in just about any setting. Read the rest of this entry »

A great week here at theinterioRevolution!

Our very first guest blogger, Christina of My Sparrow, gave us all sorts of good tips on living with everything from plants to buying at flea markets.

Next week Wes Harding, of Harding Construction and Sustainable Solutions, will be guest blogging about the nuts and bolts of green remodeling and energy efficiency, so get out your pens and pencils, ’cause there’s going to be a test – kidding!

I’m also excited to announce that starting today, I’ll be writing a weekly blog for HomePortfolio.com called Green Revolution!  I’m happy to have the opportunity to reach a new audience of design professionals and homeowners, and hope you, dear readers, will check into it too!

So in the spirit of celebration, I offer you this…

Image via re-nest

a disco ball made from DVDs!

Next up – cardboard as shelving, a suitcase as table, and an ode to minimalism. Read the rest of this entry »

The Eames DCW chair, with its molded plywood seat and gentle curves, is an icon of mid-century design.

It also runs $629 for a new one from Herman Miller, and originals are well over a $1,000!   However, this wonderful, handpulled Linocut print by artist Eric Rewitzer of 3 Fish Studios is a mere $25, and although you can’t sit in it, it has equally lovely lines. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m in a bit of a silly mood this morning, which you will discover at the end of the post, but for now let me introduce you to a great line of furniture from Australia…

Created from Moso Bamboo, one of the most eco-friendly species of this fast growing plant, the award winning Wambamboo line of furniture by Kent Gration deftly combines a modernist style with an ancient building material.

Very conscientious about the environmental impact of the furniture line, Wambamboo follows the supply chain from it’s beginnings in the Zheijang province of China, where the bamboo boards, veneers and poles are sourced and manufactured, to it’s end point in Brisbane Australia where the furniture is crafted.

Read the rest of this entry »

For our final post on Japanese craft, let’s take a look at the beautiful art of carpentry.

Japanese carpentry is known for its complex system of joinery, crafted entirely by hand.

The tools used to work the wood are as artful as the furniture they are used to produce.  Unlike western carpentry tools, Japanese saws and planes are designed to cut on the pull stroke, rather than on the push.  One advantage to this is that the saw blades can be thinner, and therefore make finer cuts, but the technique takes quite awhile to master. Read the rest of this entry »

After a long, dark, wet week here in Southern California, it’s nice to look at light filled spaces like these…

Image by Rinne Allen via Interior Design "Cindy's Salon"

Seen on the Interior Design Magazine “Cindy’s Salon” blog, this lovely little cafe looks so cheery with its blue and white color scheme, and open spaces.  But what really stands out are the marvelously refurbished chairs…

Read the rest of this entry »

Perhaps it is the darkness this time of year, when the sun often stays hidden behind clouds for days at a time.  Or maybe it’s that the Christmas lights have all been stored away, and we miss their twinkly cheer.  Whatever the reason though, lighting was a popular theme on design blogs this week.

Image via Inhabitat

First up is Inhabitat’s post on the New California Craftsmen, and their intriguing designs, including this free form pendant made of scrap bird’s eye maple and aluminum rods.

Think that’s unusual?  Then how about this…?

Read the rest of this entry »