I ate up the cover story on The New York Times’ Home Section today; “The Classics, Circa 2050.” For one thing, I’m always trying to determine what the new classics are (i.e. new furniture that will eventually gain icon status, today’s equivalent of a mid-century icon like a Wegner Wishbone Chair or an Eames Shell Chair). Beyond aesthetics and one’s own judgement, a sign that a piece may be well on its way to icon status is if it’s a part of a museum’s collection. Another when prominent architects choose to use it in their own homes.

Anyway, I was very pleased to see a handful of my favorite products that Design Public carries made the cut. Here they are:

The Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Starck for Kartell (this probably inspired the most discussion)

The Emeco Navy Chair already had mid-century icon status in my book, now the experts are choosing the latest version, made from 111 recycled plastic bottles, the 111 Navy Chair.

Kartell scored again, with their Bourgie Lamp by Ferruccio Laviani

Vitra’s Algue made the cut

Tod Boontje’s Until Dawn Curtain made the cut, we love the way his botanical cuts look on the Midsummer Light

There were a few others I would have added to the list:

Sori Yanagi’s Butterfly Stool, manufactured by Vitra

The Coral 600 Pendant Lamp by David Trubridge

Bend Seating Lucy by Gaurav Nanda

Blu Dot Modulicious Case Goods

Nobody asked me, by the way! But I’m asking you – Which recent furniture and accessories do you think will achieve icon status in 30 years? Keep in mind the process can involve becoming unpopular or passé for a decade or three and then re-appreciated later. Personally, I have trouble looking beyond chairs and lighting most of the time.

Today we’re sitting down with Debra Folz of Debra Folz Designs, learning a bit more about her studio, her work and what inspires her.

Please tell us a bit about the path that led you to where you are today.

I look to industrial materials to act as a canvas for domestic embelishment in a way to modernize a traditional craft, and also present it as an embedded and integral part of the object.  I enjoy the blank nature of industrial sheet materials and investing the quality and quantity of time to create something that is one-of-a-kind.  Other times it can be a desire to soften surfaces or explore geometries created by the combination of hard and soft materials.  I am consistently working with ideas of hard versus soft, industrial versus domestic and traditional versus contemporary processes.  I enjoy the tension of working between these ideas and finding the spaces between.

What makes you want to make things go “askew”? How does that change our perception of the object or the space?

That is such a great question that no one has ever asked me  It’s only at the point that you’ve make several objects that you can look back and start to see connections you hadn’t anticipated.  Drawing from work such as The Whole Story, Askew Shelves, and Askew Carpet, I am intrigued by the idea of an object appearing to have a relationship to a specific environment / surface.  Because the pieces are interdependent from the space in some way, it makes them feel more integral to that space.  I also enjoy the idea of reconsidering the way we approach objects and arrange our spaces.

Please tell us a bit about your studio in the South End. What’s the ‘hood like?

My studio is in a large artist building which has served as a great way to introduce my work though open studios and the SOWA Sundays in the summer.  On a typical day I will chat with some of my wonderful neighbors, get a visit from the adorable cocker spaniel down the hall, and enjoy coffee and lunch at the Mohr McPherson Cafe downstairs.  I am able to walk to the studio from home, and you can’t throw a rock without hitting a great place to meet a friend for an after work-cocktail/ dinner.

How does your space/neighborhood inspire your work? Where else do you look for inspiration?

Inspiration for me comes from many different places: Observing the way we use objects, experimenting with materials both old and new, incorporating textile and embroidery techniques, etc.  However I especially enjoy opportunities to learn traditional manufacturing processes and imagining their adaptation to more modern objects.

Your business is taking off quickly! What’s next?

I’m currently working on developing a small gift line, expanding the first production collection recently exhibited at ICFF (available on Design Public) and working through some potential ideas for my next studio collection/ limited edition work.  I enjoy working concurrently in these markets, as I find the ideas can bounce between and inform each other.  Beyond [all] that, who knows … the unexpected opportunities that pop up can be the most exciting!

We’re looking forward to seeing what pops up! Thanks so much to Debra Folz for chatting with us today.

SHOP DEBRA FOLZ

When I noticed our sister store, Danish Design store, was having a sale (buy five and get a sixth for free) on Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chairs, my mind started to spin, as I have been coveting them for years. I don’t know if I’d ever be able to pick a style or color as they are so much fun in the bright colors yet so mid-century modern cool in the original finishes, but I dream of having these in my dining room.

Hans J. Wegner was born in 1914 in Denmark. As he matured, it turned out he was the right person in the right place at the right time. He cut his teeth in design and furniture making as a teenager, apprenticing for a master cabinetmaker. He then went on to study furniture making as well as architecture in Copenhagen, where he was inspired by the Carpenters’ Guild Furniture Exhibits.

Wegner continued his education by working under Arne Jacobsen. who is probably best known for designing the Swan Chair and the Egg Chair, which both remain modern icons (personally, my favorite is a vintage Grand Prix chair, but that’s a story for another day):

After developing his style of organic and functional designs, Wegner designed the Wishbone Chair in 1949, during the height of mid-century modern design. The chair has had a major influence on design ever since and is a Danish Modern icon. It works in so many rooms, from a Japanese tea house vibe to very contemporary spaces.

Feast your eyes on the Wishbone in a variety of colors and room styles:

image from Kristen Rivoli Interior Design

Tempted yet? If you are, add 6 to your shopping cart over at Danish Design Store and enter 6FOR5 at checkout.

Most images via The Wishbone Chair Blog; a few at the bottom I ripped from Pinterest and have no idea where they originally came from, which I hate to do, but I had to share them. Please let me know if you know the sources.

I love it when Emeco sends us pictures of their products in action in cool spaces. Here’s a look at the latest mid-century chairs mixing things up around the world.

Photography by Robert Gale.

From the U.K.: Simple Simon Design stripped this old pub all the way down to the sandblasted brickwork and mixed design features of reclaimed wood, bicycle handlebars, bespoke vintage wallpapers with multi-colored classic chairs, including Navy Chairs from Emeco.

At the opposite side of the design universe, this super-luxe poolside vignette was taken at the at Oriental Residence Bangkok. Each unit from the executive deluxe through the three bedroom units were designed by  Chanintr Living and Abacus Design, Thailand. Emeco stools add simple geometry to the glamorous yet minimalistic space.

Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park has vroom vroomed into the most popular spot at the park. This nostalgic space features Emeco classic aluminum chairs surrounded by vintage-style gas tanks.

Finally the diner in Cars Land features the chair that started it all, the original Emeco 1006 Navy Chair that was first manufactured in 1944. It recalls an era when a rest stop was a fun diner, when no one worried about how many calories were in milk shakes and when your waitress very well could have been named Flo. These chairs have stood the tests of time not only in their strength, but also in their style. They fit right into the most contemporary of spaces today as well as right in with the wrenches in a fifties car-themed diner.

I have a confession: working in the modern design industry has turned me into a complete design snob (I mean this in a very positive way, of course).  I used to wander into a furniture store and have no clue what the various pieces of wood, metal, and plastic staring back at me were saying.  However, being that I come from a background in fashion, I could tell you all about clothing – and pinpointing the standout items, brands, and trends was second nature to me.  Now that I’ve been in this world for almost a year I’m beginning to feel the same way about modern design – I can tell you all about the industry and about standout items and brands.

Which is why I’m so excited to share my passion for Spot on Square – this is a brand that truly stands out – it shimmers with awesome.

In the sea of modern design, Spot on Square’s line of simple, eco-conscious, quality products truly shine.  The company was started by husband and wife team, Bob and Nicole Springer (an industrial designer and teacher, respectively) who used their combined knowledge to break into the world of modern furnishings. Spot on Square began their line specifically for children but it has morphed into a line that is fitting for folks at any point in their lives – the products are so well-designed that they can carry you through a number of life stages – from bringing home a new baby all the way to retirement!

Pictured are the Spot on Square Roh Credenza and the Spot on Square Roh Bookshelf

Pictured are the Spot on Square Roh Dresser and the Spot on Square Roh Nightstand

I’ll be honest – chances are that there are no babies in my future.  I already have two kids and well, my clock is quickly running out of time over here.  But when I look at the Spot on Square Roh Crib, I have to say that it almost makes me reconsider my decision. Almost.  Then I remind myself that having the opportunity to design a really cool, modern nursery is simply no reason to bring a child into this world.  And I almost convince myself.  Almost.  And let me just tell you – I’ve spent a lot of time shopping for cribs and other nursery decor (it’s a sickness, really) and I can tell you without hesitation that Spot on Square makes some of the coolest modern cribs on the market.

And don’t just take my word for it.  I have proof.

Pictured is the Spot on Square Roh Crib

Pictured is the Spot on Square Eicho Crib

Pictured is the Spot on Square Hiya Crib, converted to a toddler bed

See what I mean?

If you are expecting, or know someone who is expecting, I encourage you to check out Spot on Square. Their furniture would make an awesome addition to anyone creating the perfect modern nursery.  It’s also your lucky day because we here at Design Public haver partnered with our friends at Spot on Square to give away one of their gorgeous Eicho cribs to one of our readers here on Hatch!  Use the form below to enter – we will draw a winner sometime after July 1, 2012.  Please share with your family and friends – we would love for one of our awesome fans to win!

Thanks for entering, and good luck!

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