INabstracto owner Kate Eisen and textile/wallpaper designer Julie Jenkinson have teamed up to create a pop-up store at Toronto’s DX, on until November 13. Jenkinson’s Animaze pattern, which I blogged about back in August 2009, is the connecting thread used on everything from cushions and dog beds to pajamas, cloth bags and upholstery for some of Eisen’s iconic mid-century finds like the Jacques Guillon Cord Chair, below left, and the Russel Spanner dining chair, below right.
Classic vintage pieces in immaculate condition don’t come cheap, however, so be prepared to open your wallet wide if you crave a piece of this action. The Chord Chair is $995 and the Spanner seat is $650. There’s also an impressive Herman Miller sectional by Guy Chadwick available, five pieces priced at $4,500. Yeah, like I said, big money. But also big style.
My favorite pieces in the pop-up are a pair of Jerry Johnson Sling Chairs ($1,250 each). The rocker/lounger has a vaguely animalistic form with arms that somehow remind me of antlers. In my next life I’ll be able to buy furniture like this, for now, I’m strictly window shopping.
October 19th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Take design classics and upholster in an artsy fabric. The point is what? Are these classics trying to sell the upholstery, or is the upholstery trying to sell the classics?
October 19th, 2011 at 1:16 pm
I agree with Gus. It’s overkill on the artsy fabric, which seems to cheapen these beautiful midcentury pieces.
October 19th, 2011 at 3:30 pm
I have seven of those Spanner chairs in my shop right now, in the original walnut factory finish. They were re-upholstered in the 80′s in a lovely mauve-y velvet, that is dated but in good shape. They are not $650 each.
October 19th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
I’d happily take any of these pieces but like Chris, I’m just window shopping.
October 19th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
I think these designs are cutting edge. I love new ideas, creative expression. Well done…Lois of good luck to you both
October 19th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Lois I think the point is the price. To each his/her own when it comes to fabric choice, but a Spanner side chair can be had for a couple hundred or less on Queen Street, and outside of town on a good day they can be less than a hundred.