day bed, any one?

i hate my sofa. as a bona fide homebody, i sit on it a lot, surrounded by manuscripts, periodicals, and all the rest of my daily ephemera, and it's just plain uncomfortable. and man, that's a bummer.

sofas are big purchases, and this one was my first adult purchase, a mere 5 years ago. i had it repaired once-not even 2 years ago-to address the terribly uneven wearing and sagging, but the problem has only worsened since then.

so lately i've had couches on my mind. with a relocation in this keen eye's near future, i can see the day i invest in a new sofa. this is great for a few reasons: my current sofa is not just unsupportive, it has ceased to fit well with my aesthetic; i won't have to take it with me when i move, nor feel bad about leaving it behind; i can spend a lot of time choosing my new perch!

i'm currently obsessed with the ubiquitous mid-century day bed, which comes in a range of prices, conditions, and configurations, as seen below.
the benchmark: the case study daybed designed to furnish the houses in the case study project, sponsored by john entenza. this original 1950s design is now manufactured by modernica.

i really like this contemporary design from design within reach, the twilight sleep sofa, designed by fleming busk. i do think, though, that it is better suited to a home office/spare room

then there is this daybed, which frequently appears on ebay with various upholsteries. this one isn't the most glorious, but the low price is right. i'd love to have one to reupholster.


and if vintage isn't your thing, then check our urban outfitters for this newly made version. i don't think it's quite as lovely, but it would do in a pinch!

under pressure

in 1933, Alfred Bialetti created the Moka Express. in 2007, i decided i need to own one.

hence this post.

in italy, the moka express is an iconic design - you'll find one in nearly every home and even tucked away in modern industrial art museums.

functionally, they work very similar to a percolator but with one very important difference. in a percolator, the boiling water is forced up the tube, and esentially drips out over the coffee chamber. the water then seeps through the coffee grounds and leaves the coffee chamber through the bottom, dropping back into the lower half of the pot.

in a moka express, the water boils in the bottom chamber and is forced up through the coffee powder and into the upper chamber. it's the pressure that makes alllll the difference and results in a much stronger brew when compared to the drip method.

that being said, let's look at a few of these contraptions, shall we?

first up: the moka express - classic in design and so affordable (and the one i chose to purchase).
next we have this chic, sleek, simple (but pricey!) design by wmf kult:
and finally, we have the villaware stainless steel espresso maker - bulbous and cute:


i thought i might as well check ebay, too, just to see if there were any vintage espresso pots out there. of course i was not disappointed.

this vintage pot is totally cute, and even though the auction won't let me post the pictures, it's still worth a look.

i can't tell if this one is vintage or not, but it has a great 50's-modern vibe.
and finally, don't forget to pick up some coffee from your favorite local roaster!

metal detektor

oh my goodness! be still my little heart.

when i'm 64

sometimes i swear i'm an 85-year-old woman trapped inside a much younger person's body. especially when chilly weather rolls around and i start craving afghans, tea, shortbread, knitting needles, and rocking chairs. yes, rocking chairs.

any granny worth her salt has a nice rocker. but they don't all have to be rickety, unattractive comfort machines - there are some rockers out there worth your trouble.... check it:

this gorgeous pair of Ole Wanscher rockers - solid teak with white raw silk cushions. not priced for the weak of heart, but absolutely stunning.

this perfect condition 50s/60s danish modern rocker made in denmark by selig is angled but sleek and would look perfect in that empty corner right over there - you know, the one right next to the radiator where you can sit all day, crocheting doilies.

alright, i'm aware this could be a deal breaker - but really, the frame of this chair is absolutely gorgeous. imagine it recovered in a nice, modern fabric from reprodepot or purl and covered with a handmade patchwork lap quilt. oh be still my heart...you KNOW you want it.

egg-cellent.

this morning, after a nice stroll through central park, i found myself avoiding going back to work by eating soft boiled organic eggs and toast at le pain quotidien. they were seriously delicious, but of course now, i'm obsessed. with the eggs, yes, but also with the egg holders. not that the ones at pain were all that great - just your standard sterling silver - but i now i must have some! sweet, simple, and a perfect little extravagance at the breakfast table. plus, it's just so much fun cracking the top off the egg and eating it with a spoon.

i predict my cholesteral levels are going to skyrocket.

anyway, here are a few i found around the interwebs:

first up, over at ebay, is this elegant double egg holder in white porcelain:
next we have this cute little tulip shaped set made in japan: and this one is just perfect, although the description is cracking me up (i think they mean 'sweet' instead of 'sweat'). these slim holders are quite sexy (for egg cups, i mean). this eames-era set of six made in denmark is just stunning: and of course, etsy never lets us down either.
check out these bright red egg cups (with candles!):
and this one out of distressed wood by the same seller is equally as nice:
can you believe i wrote an entire post about egg cups?

ebay finds, 1.28.07

we keen eyes spend a lot of time browsing ebay. we look at furniture, art, kitchenware, and a variety of other things. of course the pieces you find on ebay vary in quality and price, and it is sometimes hard to wade through the wordy descriptions (what does "mid-century, eames-era, knoll, vodder-esque mean, anyway"). but i am never at a loss to find things that catch my eye on the world's greatest internet auction.

as far as ebay goes these days, there are a few things i've become obsessed with: personal valets, benches for the entry, dansk kobenstyle enamelware, and magazine tables. here are a few featured on ebay. i must say, these are the cream of the crop.

this valet is the nicest one i've seen yet. its folding rope seat, walnut construction, and ingenious design features are really tops.

the rope seat conceals a tray where you might keep ties or tights; the hanger form is softly rounded so as not to crease your jackets or shirts; and, the tray at the top holds small items like cuff links or jewels. all in all, the attention to detail and design really make this the nicest valet i've seen. it sure would look gorgeous in my dressing room.

this magazine table may be more qualified for the kitsch klatsch category, but it is featured on ebay, so we'll blur the lines a bit. i love the combination of ashtray/receptacle, table top, and magazine/book support that this little gem offers. the table top is delightfully not perfectly circular and the height variation among the three elements is key to functionality. i hope you'd refrain from using the receptacle as an ashtray - maybe place a little potted succulent there, or use it to hold your loose change. either way, this would make a lovely little side table in your living room.

the expanding slat bench is fairly ubiquitous around ebay, but this one is a real treasure. when expanded from both sides, this bench stretches over eight feet. it's truly a wonder. this would look so amazing in someone's entry hall, as long as you're careful not to obscure it with your coats and bags!

this is also one of the few of this design that i've seen with a designer or manufacturer's name attached to it. the seller explains that this was produced by brown saltman in the 1950s. this keen eye isn't at all familiar with the name brown saltman, so maybe i need to do some research.

no matter the maker, this bench is a rare find!

lastly, the dansk kobenstyle enamelware. not so much furniture (well, not at all) but still a lovely feather in your nest. pieces like this vessel would look gorgeous on that teak sideboard in your dining room.

dansk seems to be the manufacturer of choice for those, like the keen eyes, who love the mid-century aesthetic. the kobenstyle enamelware, with its bright, pure colors and sleek, angular shapes is especially well-suited in a mid-century kitchen and dining room.

you can find a large variety of dansk enamelware pieces on ebay - from those meant for stovetop and oven to serving pieces such as this pitcher.