Inspiration

Show-Off

If it’s springtime, that means it’s time for the annual Pasadena Showcase House of Design. A rite of passage for decades, flocks of designers descend upon a house in need of serious rehab and transform it into the stuff that dreams are made of (and all for a good cause, as they raise money for causes such as arts sand music education). The Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse and the San Francisco Showcase House are some top draw venues that attract A-list designers and, in turn, raise millions for charity. With that in mind (and the fact that I attended Pasadena Showcase today), On Madison has assembled a collage of favorite rooms to inspire you to go create something beautiful. Click through each image for the source and see more inspiration at our Madison Modern blog Pinterest board.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

We love this living room area designed by Juan Montaya in all it’s magnificent splendor:Juan Montoya KippsAnd a magnificent foyer by John Douglas Eason featuring a silver leaf covered fiberglass chair.KippsBay3Not to mention this incredible reflective stainless steel desk, also Juan Montoya. KippsBay1A unique “art collector” inspired space created by ODADA.KippsBay2

San Francisco Decorator Show

San Francisco designer Cecelie Starin‘s street art inspired dining room with graffiti art by Ian Ross.SF3A bold and graphic salon by Tineke Triggs featuring Art Deco inspired fixtures for contrast.SF-bathroomJaimie Belew created a comfortable and classic space mixing metallics, velvet, golds and creams.SF5

 And to celebrate impeccable design, the annual Legends of La Cienega event will be hosted by the La Cienega Design Quarter. A 3 day long event and gala featuring some of the most prominent designers, this year’s theme is “Where Muses Dwell”. Designers are selected to transform the windows of participating shops, galleries, and showrooms along La Cienega drive. On Madison is proud Geoffrey De Sousa Interior Design selected a pair of vintage parchment & brass lamps from our store for his beautiful window display at Tufenkian Carpets. Find more information about the events here.

LegendsofLaCienega

 

 

 

Shaken, Not Stirred.

Lately we’ve been bringing back the sacred cocktail hour ritual at my house (did it ever leave?) and what better cocktail with which to unwind than the classic martini. There’s something sexy about a martini glass: the way it’s shaped, the way one’s hand gracefully grasps it—-well, it’s downright glamorous. On Madison decided to assemble the perfect accoutrement for making the perfect martini and with Father’s Day just around the corner, we think Dad would love mixing up his martinis in style. And if you’re in search of the perfect Martini recipe follow our Refreshments board on Pinterest where we feature drink ideas, recipes, & inspiration. Cheers!

Martini

Tom Ford menswear / Aldo Tura green lacquered goatskin bar cart / Brass & Smoked glass Italian bar cart / Tom Ford black & white wingtip brogues / Trombone stainless ice bucket / Bombay Sapphire gin / Milano Crystal martini glass / Asymmetrical martini glass / Stubbs & Wooton martini glass embroidered smoking loafers / Clark Gable in his smoking jacket / Moschino men’s runway red smoking jacket & pocket square detail / Stemless martini glasses / Thomas Fuchs skull ice bucket

All items from the collage can be found on our Pinterest board, Madison Modern blog. See the rest of our boards and follow us on Pinterest here.

 

 

Design for the Ages: Timeless Women Designers

Being a trailblazer is never easy. Doing one’s own thing in the face of popular convention (and usually with a fair dose of criticism) is certainly never easy– especially when you’re a woman blazing your trail in a male-dominated field.

So the extraordinary design accomplishments of Gabriella Crespi, Eileen Gray and Charlotte Perriand are even more notable when one thinks that these women left profound marks in the world of design from the 1920’s through the 1970’s, a time when most women entered typically female oriented careers.

While Crespi actually studied architecture in Milan, both Perriand and Gray were also involved in architecture mostly through their involvement with Le Corbusier. All three women are best known for their furniture design. Gray’s famous Bibendum Chair, Perriand’s B-306 Chaise Lounge and Crespi’s Z Desk and Puzzle Table are examples of their work, which has become incredibly iconic. Strong architectural lines, the use of chrome, brass and bronze mixed with leather— all are hallmarks of their design. They feel as chic and relevant now as when they were created.

This week after Mother’s Day weekend let us celebrate these important artists who aimed to change the climate and ideas of popular convention during an era that made it very difficult to do so as a woman. Their pieces and contributions to the art and design world will live on always. All collage photos below and their sources can be found on our Pinterest page : Madison Modern Blog

 

WomenDesigners_1Photo credits and links : Madison Modern Pinterest board

 

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