Events : Cocktails for “Margaret” at Ralph Lauren

A Coktail Event At Ralph Lauren Honoring Architectural Digest Magazine Editor Margaret Russell

Last week I attended an evening cocktail reception at the Ralph Lauren store in honor of the ever so talented Ms. Margaret Russell, celebrating her new role as editor in chief at the newly revamped Architectural Digest magazine.

If you haven’t already visited the newly redone, Madison Av, Ralph Lauren store, it is a four story mansion of all things, fabulously Ralph. If you do wander in for a visit, or are looking for some pieces, I would recommend asking for Ms. Julia Foster, whom is most gracious and ever so helpful with choosing the perfect pieces, gifts and such.

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As the many so fabulous parties the industry often gets to attend, for me, this one I was particularly anticipating, and attending allowed me some chance encounters with some of the best designers I know to have inspired myself any so many others.

Margaret has always been an idol of mine, firstly for her work at Elle Décor, but also as a design critic of sorts, and mainly for her contribution to the sophistication of contemporary interior design. As anyone who may know me, hardly am I ever shy, and yet after much deliberation, finally I introduced myself to her and am so happy that I ever did. She was so graceful and polite, beautiful of course, and yet it was hardly evident that she would ever take her work for granted. Of all my past and future experiences, meeting Mrs. Russell will always be an important moment in the beginning of my hopefully long career in design.

Also amongst the many guest and visitors, I managed a few moments with another great inspiration of mine, interior designer Darryl Carter. In my opinion his work is so modern in feel yet so American in origin. His designs, often light and airy make them feel so modern, and with his preference for American antiquity his interiors feel culturally connected and in such are so beautiful. Talent aside, Mr. Carter may have been one of the most humble people I have ever met. He almost had no idea that his work is inspiring to even the generation of designers like myself who look at his work to understand how he has reinterpreted the classics of American design.

This event helped reassure me that, whether wanting to one day start a brand like Ralph did, or to become a successful designer like Darryl has, or be a design mag EIC like Margaret; hard work, consistency, passion and forever staying humble will in time help anyone to fulfill their dreams. Friends, neighbors and fellow earth inhabitants, all insecurities aside, it is time to get the positive vibes rolling!!

Please credit responsibly! Image by Naftali Stern for theBohmerian.com
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Design Library : Wabi Inpirations

Written by Axel Vervoordt, Tatsuro Miki, Michael Paul, and photographs by Laziz HamaniWabi Inspiration : Written by Axel Vervoordt and Tatsuro Miki, Text by Michael Paul, Photographed by Laziz Hamani. Published by Flammarion through Rizzoli.

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Based on the Japanese aesthetic traditions of Wabi-Sabi, the book features the designs of collector, dealer, and interior designer Axel Vervoordt. His work is very much based on those wabi principals, and after reading through the entire book today I find the minimal designs very inspiring and the slightly dark images very intoxicating.

To purchase via amazon.com click: Axel Vervoordt: Wabi Inspirations

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Events : Moonlight, Mai Tais and Magic

The Wassaic Project Art Sale at Allegra LaViola Gallery in NYCFor all those who have not yet read or heard about The Wassaic Project, in brief, it is a working artist retreat that is set in an old mill in upstate, Wassaic NY. More info here.

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Here is some info for their upcoming “Art Sale“, this weekend in NYC. It will be featuring a silent auction as well as many 5″ x 7” pieces from over 50 Wassaic artists for $60. I am sure there will be some great finds there and although I cannot make it I would recommend stopping by and supporting them.

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The Wassaic Project Co-Directors Jeff Barnett-Winsby, Eve Biddle, and Bowie Zunino, and Allegra LaViola Gallery invite you to:

Moonlight, Mai Tais, and Magic
a Party and Art Show to benefit The Wassaic Project
Saturday, March 12, 2011, 6pm to 9pm, silent auction closes at 7:45pm at Allegra LaViola Gallery, 179 East Broadway, New York, NY, 10002

Live bands, (Acrylics and Special Guest) Silent Auction of Wassaic Project Artists, 5” x 7” pieces by over 50 Wassaic Artists for $60 each (what a deal!), Mai Tais and, of course… Magic.

More info here.
Tickets are $25 and be purchased here.

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Some of the featured  silent auction pieces.

Atlantic City NJ Priest Rapids Dam WA by Mary Lydecker, 2010 Summer Festival Artist

above. Atlantic City NJ Priest Rapids Dam WA by Mary Lydecker, 2010 Summer Festival ArtistGTI EVS-1 New York, New York by Lorne Blyth, 2010 Summer Festival Artist, 16×20 inches, digital archival pigment print
above. GTI EVS-1 New York, New York by Lorne Blyth, 2010 Summer Festival Artist, 16×20 inches, digital archival pigment print

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Some of the featured silent auction artists are:
John Pena, Greg Hopkins, Jeila Gueramian, Lorne Blythe, Jeff Barnett-Winsby, Eve Biddle, Bowie Zunino, Kate Copeland, Virginia Lavado, Abe McNally, Mary Lydecker, Paul Outlaw and Jen Caltron, Ghost of a Dream, Breanne Trammell, Charles Engman, Josh Atlas, Rob McGuinne
Some of the other artists being featured are:
Alexandra Winsby, Alison Kaufman, Alison Wilder, Amanda Lechner, Andrew Small, Audra Wolowiec, Barbara Takenaga, Ben Cuevas, Camilo Rojas, Casey Lynch, Chin Chih Yang, Chris Domenick, Christina Soriano, Clement Valla, Craig Wickwire, Dana Bunker, Diane Schapira, Doug Paisley, Eliza Swann, Eva Dabara, George Pfau, Guillaume Legare, Ian Trask, James Woodward, Jeffrey Burke, Jen Harris, Joan Weber, John Delk, Josh Atlas, Josh Bricker, Karen Flatow, Kelly Goff, Kristine Taylor, Kylin O’Brien, Lisa Iglesias, Mandy Lamb, Mara Sprafkin, Maria Wallace, Michael Hilde, Michelle Leftheris, Mike Glier, Millee Tibbs, Nick Johnson, Pamela Council, Priscilla Stadler, Rachel Cohn, Rachel Schapira, Richard Deon, Ryan Frank, Sara Lynch, Sarah Hardesty, Sasha Shaw, Sena Clara Creston, Steffani Jemison, Stephanie Terelak, Steven Chalmers, Valerie Magarian, Virginia Lavado, Audra Wolowiec
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Thoughts & Sketches : Posture of A Warrior

A art sketch by interior designer and blogger Naftali Stern @ thebohmerian.comWith the ongoing news of revolution and violence, it saddens me to think that, as we struggle toward a greater movement of ultimate freedom, one that sadly, many will die for, still some dare and claim it as only theirs to own.

In response; today I am featuring a sketch exercising some ideas of form, and texture, but with the ever greater task of inspiring the ultimate solution to a problem that need soon be solved.

Look closely and you may see the lone bearded warrior, who while readying his bow, has found a change of heart, and whilst retreats, letting his flint pointed arrow fall to the ground. From the rush of blood to his head, he is taken by mind of matter, while the cord attaching it to his heart is to help him remember that loves still conquers all.

What do you think can inspire the much needed change?

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Weekly Mix Up : Chic Bohemian Pharaohs

“NOTICE” – In response to the suggestion of some readers, the Weekly Mix Up will from now on include, as before, 5 items that work together and that are suggestive of the Bohmerian style, yet will now also be affordable choices that make it practical solutions for anyone to purchase or use as inspiration.

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Initially inspired by the recent news in Egypt, this weeks “Weekly Mix Up” includes…

1. A Mixed Media Print by. Troy Gua – $1,635 from ArtTraffic.co.uk
2. Cobalt Blue Tea Mugs by. Kate Bertin – $25 for set of two, from Etsy.com
3. White Atlas Rug – $12,000 from West Elm
4. Oppiacei Side Table by. Diego Grandi – $1,300 and up from DWR
5. Vintage Empire Sofa – $985 from EBAY

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Inspiration : Bird Lady Anneliese Seubert

A photo of Anneliese Seubert : By American Photographer Lillian Bassman : For German Vogue 2000

Bird Lady Annelise Seubert for German Vogue 2000, photographed by American photographer Lillian Bassman. Available at Staley Wise Gallery.

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What a marvelous photo, full of movement, texture and modest sensuality. There is hardly, if any, a photo by Lillian Bassman that I do not like. All of her work is inspiring and so very timeless. She truly is one of the first ever, great female photographers.

Please credit responsibly! Image : Staley Wise Gallery.

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Rare & Beautiful : Zsolnay Vase

An antique Art Noveau Zsolnay openwork organic vase.An art-nouveau, openwork organic vase circa. 1900 by Hungarian manufacturer Zsolnay.

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I am intrigued by the futuristic and alien like features of this vase . Like any good art-nouveau design, surely her design was inspired by earths flowers and of nature. Yet I cant help my mind from wandering and imagining, what the home in some outer galaxy would look like, were she may lay atop the dinner table, gently moved aside, for two alien lovers wish to share a romantic dinner, without her freshly yanked orchids blocking their view.

Please credit responsibly! – Image: via Christies!
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Bohemian Finds : The “Gladis Lounge Chair”

The Gladis Lounge Chair designed by Israeli lighting and furniture designer Ayala Serfaty of Aqua CreationsThe Gladis lunge chair, designed by Israeli  lighting and furniture designer Ayala Serfaty of Aqua Creations.

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For the past few years I have been following this amazing Israeli based designer as her designs have so fantastically evolved into more abstract forms, so obviously inspired by aqua life, yet so very tasteful and in my opinion, interesting enough to be used in any style interior.

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Inspiration : The Lady “Tutti Frutti”

Estonian model Tiiu Kuik photographed by Swedish fashion photographer Camilla Åkrans for The New York Times Magazine.Estonian model Tiiu Kuik photographed by Swedish fashion photographer Camilla Åkrans for The New York Times Magazine.Estonian model Tiiu Kuik photographed by Swedish fashion photographer Camilla Åkrans for The New York Times Style Magazine.

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Besides the exquisite fashion and obviously beautiful model, I love how successfully the photographer contrasts these quite colorful, couture outfits with the all white, minimal architecture. The sensuality of both the rigid architecture, highlighted by the shadow, and of the model, highlighted by her pose, together evoke sheer sophistication. Furthermore, I find these images particularly inspiring because of the colors and its overall subtle, yet important details.

Finally, to all my many fellow New Yorkers, I hope, that like myself, you are graciously enjoying this warm and sunny winter day.

Please credit responsibly! – Images: NY Times via Design Scene!
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Ingenuity : “The Gypsy Junker”

Tiny Homes built by Derek Diedricksen photographed for the New York TimesTiny Homes built by Derek Diedricksen photographed for the New York TimesMicro-shelters, built by Derek Diedricksen at his home in Stoughton, Mass. Original NY Times article by Joyce Wadler.

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Every summer, as a teen, my parents would send me off to an all boys camp where unlike the rest of my sports fanatic friends, I spent the better part of my days surveying, gathering and planning for the sure to be built mini cities of my still vivid imagination.

Inspired by my then idol “RAMBO” and with my overall fascination of the woods, I was often found dragging heavy planks of fallen water towers, yanking them up into the trees and building what I will only later learn was my very first, reclaimed, and possibly 100% Eco friendly tree house castle. The irony of it all, my partner in crime, who is still my best friend, was the camp leading sports star and yet even he needed to fill his craving for some woodsman adventure.

Nowadays, we find content with the occasional fishing excursion and to suffice his sport competitive nature I of course always let him reel in the larger catch. That is, if I even catch anything at all.

Eventually I went on to outgrow my fixation of camo and military esthetica (hey, it makes me feel better to think there was one) into what I may now be better known for, my preference of rather vivid colors juxtaposed to an existing sophisticated and often complex architecture.

Yet as I come across these often delightful and creative mini-shelters I cant help but share them with you and let us all find some inspiration from their cleverness and ingenuity.

( photos: Erik Jacobs via NY Times )
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Mix Up : Vintage Uzbekistan

Uzbek Pillows, Tom Dixon Pendant, Hans Wegner Shell Chair, Recycled Glassware, Walnut BookcaseThis weeks “Weekly Mix Up” includes…

1. Uzbek Pillows – $38 for set of two, from etsy.com
2. Etch Pendant by. Tom Dixon – $375 from DWR
3. Vintage Shell Chair by. Hans Wagner – $12,000 from WYETH
4. “Recycled Glass” Dimpled Drinkware – $12 and up from West Elm
5. Elevate Walnut Bookcase – $1,399 from Crate & Barrel

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Rare & Beautiful : Armchair by Hans Vollmer

A modern armchair by Austrian furniture designer Hans Vollmer.

This rare and beautiful, ca. 1901, modern armchair is by Austrian furniture designer Hans Vollmer, pupil of Joseph Hoffman.

Available March 3d 2011, via auction at Philips de Pury & Company.

Please credit responsibly! Image: Philips de Pury & Company via chairblog.
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Trends : Stylish New Yorkers

By Emily Finkbinder @ www.stylecaster.comBy Emily Finkbinder @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.com50 Most Stylish New Yorkers @ www.stylecaster.comFrom a recent article by Emily Finkbinder, “50 Most Stylish New Yorkers” for StyleCaster.com, here are some of my favorite outfits and personalities photographed by Stefani Pappas.

( images and credits: via. stylecaster )
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Moments : Presidents Day

With great pride I wish you all a great Presidents Day. To those who don’t already know, Presidents Day is celebrated on the birthday of George Washington. In many ways I wish to think that he was of the first true Bohmerian’s, one who with great determination and integrity helped form the evolution of all our freedoms, including the democratic revolutions of today.

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Inspiration : “Lotus Flower”


How we think, how we sleep, how we eat, how we live, how we die, how we love, how we cry, how we feel; there is hardly a moment in any given day that we may dismiss as inspiration for the moments to follow. Often one may forget that in us all lay the absolute ability to discover and create. It is only the fear that in truth we may all be equals that limits any or all reason to permit ourselves to express the unknown. However, it is time to let go and be inspired by the opportunity that abounds within us all, to create, to invent, to find happiness and to deliver true and ultimate success.

Watch this amazing music video “Lotus Flower” by Radiohead for a jolt of inspiration and some emotional insight into how you can achieve your own creative greatness.

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Bohemian Finds : Table Lamp

A 1998, limited edition French table lamp by the "Simonnets"Sometimes temptation can overpower the desire to withhold; and so if I forgo all future payments of my never ending school loans, please remember that against all of my better judgment has my heart already fallen for this wonderfully symmetrical, creature of light. Choosing to pay for her over any loan, surely it can be justified. Wouldn’t you agree?

Find this limited edition French, circa 1998 Table Lamp by The Simonnets, at Twenty First/Twenty First Gallery in NYC.

(image via 21st21st.com)
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Bohemian Finds : The “Verona”

Vintage meets bohemian with a graffiti effect by designer Love Anna JamesInspired by the graffiti covered walls in the home of Juliet (of Romeo & Juliet) in Verona Italy, designer Love Anna James very bohemianally re-purposes these vintage pieces of furniture by skilfully applying her digital images to them.

Unlike the many graffiti inspired pieces I have recently come across, I find her works to be very exciting, tasteful and aesthetically, very sophisticated.

(image via love anna james)
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Sketches : The “Little Purple Hip E”

Hendrix, Hippies and Hip Hop While spending my morning looking through old sketches I found this one of a cafe I had originally designed, inspired by Hendrix, Hippies and Hip Hop and which at the time thought myself so clever to have named it the “Little Purple Hip E”. Ironically all the noted H inspirations of my past have since grown into a much larger list which now also includes Harleys, Hemingway and Haute Couture. If the contrasting mix has you wondering; diversity has always been an important voice in my designs and is very much the key ingredient in my ongoing quest of evolving into a true Bohmerian.

Artwork by Naftali Stern. Copyright – All right reserved.
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On Display : Norman Rockwell – “Behind The Camera”

“Tattoist illustration (c) SEPS.”

Norman Rockwell and his work have always been of some distant inspiration to me. In my past short lived career as a professional photographer I can still vividly remember wanting to do a collection of photos that recreated his imaginative illustrations. Currently and as a designer I periodically find myself looking at his work to find some inspiration from the meticulous detail and humor he so skillfully added to all of his ideas, to so perfectly convey the current mood of the past, true America.

Yesterday, while passing by and inspired by the rare parking opportunity near the Brooklyn Museum, I was pleasantly surprised to find showing was a temporary exhibit “Behind the Camera”, a collection of photos and sketches that Rockwell apparently had used to make his famous illustrations from. I spent the better part of a good hour looking through the entire collection and I now have a new-found appreciation for his work and paintings.

Rockwell, who was a New York City native and an absolute perfectionist had staged models and sets to be photographed, sometimes more then a 100 times, only to capture and study all the details for a painting he was working on. Although technically called an illustrator rather then an artist, Rockwell so carefully detailed his subjects and the environments they were set in that I cant help but wonder how different art today would be without him. One day soon I am sure that even the likes of photographer David Lachapelle will be sure to admit their secret collection of Saturday Evening Post Covers featuring Rockwell’s brilliant illustrations.

Where: At the Brooklyn Museum now through April 10, 2011.
More: About the “Behind the Camera” exhibit here. Norman Rockwell Museum.
Here is a link to purchase the exhibition book: Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera

Image: Tattoo Artist Cover for The Saturday Evening Post by Norman Rockwell © 1944 SEPS: Licensed by Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, IN. All images courtesy of Norman Rockwell Museum
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Ingenuity : The Plywood Chateau

I first found these wonderful mobile interiors while reading an article about the artist, James Westwater and his quite cleverly designed Beacon, NY home in Ready Made Magazine. At first I though that he and his wife building their home in an old School House was pretty bohmerian but it is these art carts he builds that really has me excited. In many ways I wounder what great inspiration these can be for designers working on mobile dwellings or for anyone trying to temporarily resolve the issue of nomadic city living, aka homelessness.

For more on the artist visit his website James Westwater.
Read the full RM Mag article here.

Interior Image by: Brady Fontenot for Ready Made Magazine. Plywood Chateau I and II images from jameswestwater.com.
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Thoughts : A Cause for Celebration

Architectural Digest Magazine with new editor-in-cheif Margaret Russell

Having always been a huge fan of Margaret Russell, I will be the first to admit that after hearing she was leaving Elle Decor for Architectural Digest I was of the many who must of been very sad. But finally, last night I ran out to get to get a copy of the newly revamped AD “The Age Of Elegance” and golly I cant remember ever being so excited to buy any magazine before. By the time I left the pharmacy it didn’t matter that everyone on line before me hadn’t a clue who Margaret was, they did now and with them went the otherwise crowded pile of AD magazines.

Under her vision, AD is now fabulously fresh with new and exotic sun filled interiors, an overall sense and appreciation for color, contemporary eclecticism and a much needed resource directory.

Overall the newly revamped AD magazine has now incorporated a strong aesthetic balance of the mature and sophisticated with the young and hip. I am so excited for Margaret and her new position and am most excited to now have two great magazines to read, the already fantastic Elle Decor and the new AD, both so very very inspiring even with my Bohmeiran expectations.

For more about Margaret Russell and her new role as EIC, read it here in the NY-Times.

AD cover photograph by Pieter Estersohn.
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Inspiration : Dazzle Camouflage

Carrie Schneider: Dazzle Camouflage (for Peter) / 2008 / c-print / 45 x 60 inchesWhile searching for some modern camouflage inspiration I came across this fantastic photo by Brooklyn and Chicago based photographer Carrie Schneider.

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Profiles – Furniture Designer Charles Rohlfs

American Arts & Crafts Furniture Designer "Charles Rohlfs"

Rocking Chair, ca. 1899. Oak, leather, and metal tacks. The Huntington, Promised Gift of American Decorative Art 1900 Foundation in honor of Joseph Cunningham. Photo © V&A Publications.
Charles Rohlfs (American, 1853–1936), Tall-Back Chair, ca. 1898–99. From the Rohlfs home. Oak, 54 x 17 1/2 x 16 1/4 inches. Princeton University Art Museum, Gift of Roland Rohlfs. Photo by Gavin Ashworth © Trustees of Princeton University.Charles Rohlfs (American, 1853-1936) and Anna Katharine Green (American, 1846–1935), Desk Chair, ca. 1898–1899. From the Rohlfs home. Oak, 53 15/16 x 15 15/16 x 16 7/8 inches. Metropolitan Museum of Art, Promised Gift of American Decorative Art 1900 Foundation in honor of Joseph Cunningham. Photo by Gavin Ashworth © American Decorative Art 1900 Foundation.Carved and pierced Charles Rohlfs Desk Chair.Floriform table with carved top, reticulated legs and a cut-out lower shelf mortised throught the legs with keyed through-tenons. Original finish with light overcoat, crack to one mortise. Unmarked. 26" x 26". Image David Rago auctions, INC.Chiffonier, 1901, from the Rohlfs home, oak and copper, 65.5 x 31.5 x 15.9 in. Photo Gavin Ashworth, courtesy of Princeton University Art Museum.Candelabrum, 1903,ebonzied and gold-rubbed oak, kappa shell, copper, 17 x 16.7 x 7 in. Photo Gavin Ashworth, courtesy of the American Decorative Art 1900 Foundation.Corner Chair (c. 1898-1899), with sinuous fretwork design.Revolving fall-front desk . C. 1900Tall-Back Rocking Chair, 1901, oak, 56.5 x 18 x 33 in., Photo Tom Little, collection of Carnegie Museum of Art.Charles Rohlfs barrel chair. C. 1902. Image Christies.

Designer Name: Charles Rohlfs (1853–1936)

Claim to Fame: American born furniture designer known for his rare and uniquely hand carved, Arts & Crafts style like furniture.

Why Bohmerian? Charles was born in Brooklyn, the son of a carpenter and even after only a short 10 year career as a furniture designer his designs were recognized to be some of the most original works of his time. He didn’t conform to any existing styles and even called his own works “artistic furniture”, most likely seeing himself as a rather inventive artist rather then a talented craftsman.

In some way I may feel connected to him because of our shared Brooklyn heritage, or maybe I am intrigued by his rare originality and the exceptional detail of all his works.

To many I am sure his work may seem old fashioned but I assure you all that after an overload of  clichéd “clean line” designs it is only a matter of time before influences of this sort will be showing up in design and fashion. Because of its rarity, purchasing one of his works would be difficult and costly, yet I very much look forward to using pieces of this sort in fashionable and modern ways.

“My designs are my own. I evolve them. They are like those of no other period nor people…I do not read Ruskin nor anybody nor anything that might influence my ideas. I never get them from books…They are mine and into their execution I put all my heart and force and that is why they appeal.” —Charles Rohlfs (1853–1936), House Beautiful, January 1900

Original furniture images by Gavin Ashworth, Tom Little, Michael W. Davidson, Christies.
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