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Archive for January, 2010

10 essentials: curtis

Posted in meet us, tagged on January 28.2010 | Leave a Comment »

1. “Shake it photo” app for the I-phone. Takes your photos and gives them the look of a polaroid. It’s fun to watch them
develop as you shake your phone.

2. One of my favorite websites is theselby.com. It’s gives a peek into the homes and studios of artists.

3. My current color obsession is gray. I painted my new place shades of gray from dark to light. I have bright yellow dining chairs and I love how they pop off of the dark gray walls yet feel sophisticated.

4. The peekaboo console is a piece I know I will always have in my home. It’s simple, modern and can be used in a variety of ways.

5. A great pair of boots. A must have during the winter.

6. I’m making an effort to travel more. I especially love to take off to a warm climate in the middle of a Chicago winter.

7. I’m lucky in my position to be surrounded by creative people. Many of our photo assistants are artists and I love going to see their work.

8. Dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. I’m a terrible cook.

9. A perfectly chilled martini…vodka, dirty, three olives.

10. A slice of New York style pizza after a night out with friends.

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one of a find: tru(n)ck

Posted in behind the scenes, tagged , , , , on January 27.2010 | Leave a Comment »

From Jodhpur to New Delhi, heavy duty trucks of all kinds jam the roads of India decorated in colorful and symbolic art. With kitschy images of everything under the sun–from stylized sunset scenes and Bollywood movie stars to flowers and religious symbols–these handpainted rolling metal canvases enliven the dry landscape as the driver’s take pride in their personal statement.

This funky and functional storage tru(n)ck is handpainted by original “truck artists” with birds of freedom, the sacred lotus and “OK Horn Please”.

It is truly a small piece of national tradition that helps sustain its artistic creators and will instantly transport you to the roadways of Mumbai.

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multi-use (-room, -task, -function) modern furniture

Posted in how to, tagged , , , , on January 26.2010 | 2 Comments »

By design, modern furniture is often clean, sleek and architectural. And while it can mix with anything–usually–it can do double duty. All it takes is knowing your needs and your space, and using a little imagination. For example?

Peekaboo console as a mini-bar…or a work station.

Go-cart 3-shelf cart in the office…or the kitchen.

Array…media or bath storage. Cadet cabinet for the bath…or the kitchen.

Halogen credenza for dining…or media storage.

Storage shelf with doors in a bathroom…or an office.

When you look at furniture without a name or description, can you see its hidden potential?

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furniture assembly hints

Posted in how to, tagged , , on January 21.2010 | 2 Comments »

You’ve made the decision to buy a piece of furniture–which is a big commitment–even bigger if it requires assembly. Whether you choose to follow the enclosed instructions is a matter of choice but either way, these few simple hints can get you through it–hopefully happier and faster!

1. Start with a clean, clear work surface. There’s nothing more trying or time consuming than stepping over empty boxes, losing parts or damaging something you already own.

2. Work in a well lit area. Let’s face it, sometimes you have to crawl inside the case to tighten a cam lock. Avoid scratching surfaces by not having to search for them in the dark with a Philips head.

3. Start with the proper tools. Don’t waste time searching junk drawers for a wrench or trying to figure out if a dime or a penny will substitute as a screwdriver.

4. Make sure you have all the parts needed before you start. There is nothing more frustrating than getting it all done…except for the center support or the last drawer glide. We know, we’ve heard from you. If something is missing, call 1-800-606-6252 asap.

5. It’s ok–and sometimes required–to ask for help. Even though you were able to get both boxes of the dining table in your car doesn’t mean it wouldn’t help to have help putting it together. Attaching the legs is the easiest furniture assembly there is–but turning a table onto its feet by yourself is near impossible.

6. Allow plenty of time and patience. Like remodeling, it will often take longer than you think–but if you do finish fast, do a little victory dance. Even we, who assemble furniture on a daily basis, will sometimes have to unscrew and do-over a step because we put a panel in backwards, or put it in too soon, etc. etc.

7. Follow the instructions. We all want to do things our own way but–trust us, we’ve been through this–there’s a reason why step 2 comes before step 4.

8. Know what you’re in for before you buy. Ask our sales associates, or check out what “assembly required” really means by downloading PDF versions of the instructions on cb2.com.

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one of a find: singing bowl

Posted in behind the scenes, tagged , , , on January 20.2010 | Leave a Comment »

On a recent buying trip to New Delhi, we ventured into Old Delhi looking for a “one of a find”. Other than walking, a rickshaw is the only way to travel so I and a guide hopped on and rode thru small alleyways until we found a metal shop they knew.

We went thru small rooms on four floors that were littered with lanterns, bowls, traditional sculptures and puppets–there must have been thousands of metal items. My head was spinning like a kid in a candy store.

On the top floor we saw stacks and piles of beautiful brass bowls–all different sizes and some filled with wooden mallets. My guide explained the beautiful story of the singing bowl and knew instantly we had discovered a “one of a find”.

This bronze meditation instrument is hand-hammered and hand-finished of pure bronze in a centuries-old Himalayan tradition believed to date back to the pre-Buddhist 10th to 12th centuries.

Now almost a lost art, this Himalayan singing bowl is handcrafted by village craftsmen in the West Bengal region of India, bordering Nepal and Bhutan.

To experience the bowl’s mesmerizing harmonic overtones, hold the bowl with your fingertips and arm slightly outstretched. Hold the the tip of the wood mallet and slowly spin it around the metal rim a few times to release a magical frequency. Namaste.

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10 essentials: sara

Posted in meet us, tagged on January 19.2010 | Leave a Comment »

hannah1. Miniature daschunds. Our family dog Hannah is a short red hair. I love their quirky proportions, long snout and semi-sad faces.

2. Big chunky jewelry. Its fun when jewelry becomes a statement piece and adds drama to a basic t-shirt and jeans. And I love finding unique pieces while travelling.

3. Music. Absolutely essential to life.

percale sheets4. Chips and salsa. My absolute favorite food–some nights its dinner.

5. Hockey. I’ve recently gotten sucked into the sport. It’s going to make the harsh Chicago winters a little more bearable.

6. White percale sheets. Basic and essential to the bedroom. There’s nothing better than climbing into white as white crisp sheets.

7. The beach. I thrive in the summer and love traveling to the Caribbean. There’s no better feeling than being near the water and lounging in the sun on the sand.

8. Wide planked floors–either bleached and high gloss white. They’re a modern alternative to traditional wood flooring and I love how they open up a space.

9. Muji’s wall-mounted cd player. A simple, ingenious design by Naoto Fukasawa.

10. The Citroen DS, 1955–75. An elegant yet whimsical design that always makes me smile.

[caption id="attachment_3535" align="alignleft" width="520" caption="photo by andrijbulba, flickr.com"]2730247314_1d82cce980 citroen cropped[/caption]

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