Guest Picks: Two-Tone Style
An elegant example of midcentury design, the Case Study planter by Modernica will make even the humblest of plants look fantastic.
A design classic, the Tea Trolley 901 was designed in 1936 by Alvar Aalto and is still going strong. Made from bent birch plywood and laminate, this lovely piece would look just as good with a display of art objects or plants as it would holding drinks.
Add some vintage style to your dining table with this lovely set of Danish, modern candle holders. Featuring a warm-toned wood base offset by the bright chrome top, they'll make having even a simple salad an occasion.
The clean lines of this pendant lamp by Rachel Simon would complement any decor, from traditional to groovy modern.
Even the humblest salad will have style when dished up with these beautiful Piano salad servers. Designed to be well balanced as well as attractive, these stainless steel and wood servers will stand up to years of use.
Add industrial chic to your summer work area with the Otto fan. Made of sustainable bamboo and high-grade steel, it has three settings and an adjustable height, allowing you to set it to the perfect angle — one that will keep you cool without blowing away all the paperwork.
A playful exercise in contrast, the 1/2 Nelson café table consists of a cream-colored, powder-coated MDF top on steel leg brackets interlocked with a wood base of locally grown walnut or maple.
Inspired by the form of the traditional milking stool, the Aluminum Wood side table from West Elm is an intriguing modern update that will add a little sparkle to your interior.
Add style to afternoon tea or coffee with this lovely coffee set by Tony Alfström. Each piece features bent walnut jackets wrapped around a ceramic center.
Available in three shapes (round, square or oval), each Objectify wall clock is unique. The grain of the sustainably produced Radiata Pine plywood gives each one its own texture — though they can also be decorated too. I like its spare minimalist style, as though it's only a quiet reminder of the time.
I love the pretty simplicity of this milk pan designed by Japanese architect Makoto Koizumi. The beautiful natural beech wood handle really sets off the white enamel of the pot.
The beautifully simple Tablo tray table is made with lacquered steel paired with teak legs. It is as versatile as it is attractive. It's perfect for displaying decorative objects, plants, drinks, snacks or magazines.
Add a little vintage seasoning to your meals with these pretty midcentury Danish stainless steel and wood salt and pepper shakers. I love their elegant and simple forms.
Originally conceived of as a spice rack, the Plint 3 by Skagerak is far more versatile than originally thought. Its clean design would look equally as good holding plants (shown here) as it would storing pens and stickies on your desk, serving snacks with drinks or tidying cotton balls and nail files on the bathroom counter.
Designed by Philippe Starck, the elegant Miss Trip chair harmoniously combines a beech and cherry multilayered wood back and legs with a painted polypropylene-polyurethane seat. It's streamlined and sophisticated.
Made of teak with brass accents, the elegant form of this large midcentury modern table lamp would instantly add Mad Men–like glamour to any space.
The elegant and stackable Monza armchair has a wooden structure enlivened with a colorful backrest in polypropylene. I love the variety of looks available — you can choose the color of the wood and the backrest.
Named after the first artificial satellite launched into space in 1957, the Sputnik stool by Fred Frety brings retro style to the present day with its midcentury influences.More: Woods and Whites
With its white polycarbonate frame and natural wicker back, the Cyborg club chair by Marcel Wanders combines old and new technology in a stylish way. I love this one.
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