George Was Right: It is Surprisingly Comfortable

What seems to be our never ending redecorating project we decided to shift gears and go designer. Well, a reproduction of a quintessential mid-century design that is.

Enter Craigslist.

A few weeks back we discovered a listing for a Nelson Marshmallow Sofa online. Hoping to replace a well loved chaise lounge with something a little more hip, we knew instantly that this sofa provided the solution. More like a love seat than a couch, our new playful black leather sofa added style without overpowering the room. And as advertised, it is surprisingly comfortable.

Designed by George Nelson and Irving Harper for Herman Miller in 1956, the marshmallow sofa led the way into the pop art style of the 1960s. With its original limited release only a few survive today.

Enter reproduction.

I once read that most mid-century designs were not issued patents. Although this practice has proved unfair for the designers it has provided the opportunity for folks like me to afford something that otherwise would remain an image in a magazine. And so what if mine is really a second-hand reproduction. I like it just the same. And so does my wallet.

40 Year Matchbox Time Capsule

David announced tonight that his rekindled interest obsession in Matchbox is his way of avoiding the inevitable. Cheaper than buying a convertible, David's mission is to collect every Matchbox and Hot Wheels he owned as a child as a remedy for his mid life crisis. And with the magic of the internet, he is now closer to fulfilling this dream.

Today arrived a box set consisting of pristine cars from the late 60s/early 70s. From the Lamborghini Countach to the Beach Buggy I was surprised to learn that these colorful toys were manufactured in England by Lesney Products. (Ok, my sheltered childhood was filled with dolls by Mattel so this was new to me.) Of the twenty four cars inside his new carry case only two matched the ones lost long ago.

So his "crisis" continues....

Besides, he has already warned me that his next crisis will be to collect the original set of Star Trek action figures and Enterprise playset. Apparently, he is saving the biggest challenge for last.

Ahhhh, boys will be boys.

Not Your Ordinary Jack in the Box

The curse of living in a Victorian apartment is the constant lack of closet space. So whenever I find a mid-century piece of furniture that could double as a storage unit I get goosebumps. I had one of those experiences several months back when we found this amoeba print hassock at a flea market. With its spacious hidden compartment, I knew instantly that I would find a use for it. And the bonus was that it also doubled easily as a stool.

So naturally it became our toy box.


Yet I was confused. With its plaid lining and random rubber bands I was suspicious that our new toy chest was once a fancy but rather impractical picnic basket.

But I was wrong. Dead wrong.

About two weeks ago David & I spotted a similar hassock at an antique mall in Sebastopol. It was the fraternal twin of ours with similar construction but different fabric.

What shocked us most was the contents inside. A Filtex Vacuum complete with instructions.

I had never seen anything quite like it. No, not the vacuum silly but a chest to store a vacuum cleaning system. Isn't that what closets are for?

So I am flattered to think that this hip hassock created to store a vacuum was designed for people like me. Those with limited closet space in their Victorian apartments.

Pretty cool, eh?