Thursday, October 20, 2011

Unusual Office Space

I have to admit that although I loved the clean, white space we had at Martha Stewart, it made me wonder what other creative centric offices look like.  One of my favorite different (to say the least) offices are the Google offices in Zurich, Switzerland.  These offices are so drastically different I would love to spend a day there to see if people enjoy it as much as I think they would.  Enjoy!



















Photos: From the official Google blog at picassa.google.com


Margaret

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Antiquing in Connecticut

This past weekend Megan and I decided to go to an Antique show in northwestern Connecticut.  It was a beautiful drive up there and we quite enjoyed the short road trip.  While we were the youngest people there by 30 years (and the only ones showing up with Madonna on the radio), we really enjoyed the experience and met some wonderful people.


The antique show was held in the local town hall.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com


Our first stop was a woman who had some very unusual pieces and many of them were just our style.  We had to do a bit of digging but two things caught our eye.  First we spotted a Stag Table made of pine and buck antler.  The other was a set of three leather stools.  We decided to walk around to see what everybody else had before making any purchases.


Stag Table buried under some other interesting pieces.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com

Once we got the Stag Table down we knew we had to have it.  This isn't a look for everyone, but I know it will go to a wonderful home.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com

This absolutely fabulous Corinthian Capital Chair was designed  by Piero Fornasetti and made in Milan, Italy in the 1950's.  It is so unusual and while we found it fascinating from a design stand point, it isn't right for The Summer House.  This dealer had the most interesting vintage Mid-Century modern pieces.  This chair belongs in the MoMA.


This chair has quickly become one of my favorite "out of the box" pieces.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com


We also met a woman who has an entire warehouse filled with Swedish antiques!  The owner had just returned from a trip to Sweden where she picked up a whopping 92 pieces.  Megan and I will be going up to see her to pick up a few items for the store.  If you have been to The Summer House you'll know Swedish design is a big theme for us.


Once we had looked around we went back to the first antique dealer.  We picked up the Stag Table because it is a sexy piece and we can totally see it in a Vermont house.  We loved the leather stools and while we were asking our multitude of questions about them we found out the most incredible fact.  Not only are they made of vintage wine skin leather from a vineyard in France, but they were a originally a set of six.  The other three went to a Director at Hermes for her apartment in the city!


The leather stool sits on metal legs.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com


A closer look at the seat.  These stools would look great around a coffee table for some additional seating or even in front of a fire place instead of a traditional leather bench.
Photo: Meganandmargaret.blogspot.com

This coming weekend I am heading to two antique markets and while Megan won't be able to join me, the former owner of The Summer House will be coming with me one day.  Hopefully, she will let me listen to Madonna... it seems to be a bit of a good luck charm.


Margaret