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Accessory Alchemy and the Magic of Staging.

Tarot Card of the Magician

 

Letter Accesory Alchemy and the Magic of Staging. The power of accessories is in your hands.

Professional stagers carry many secrets in their stagers bag of magic tricks and nothing is quite as powerful as their inventory of accessories. To layman they are merely household items but in the hands of a talented stager they can transform the mundane into magic, transforming your property for sale into gold.  

How is this magic done you ask? Well, it takes an eye for detail, color, composition and a few tons of fairy dust (just kidding on the latter). None the less, the 'artistic eye' or the ability to combine the functional with the aesthetic, is not easy to define. The slightest variation in colors, tones, light, shadow, patterns, shapes, object sizes, or viewpoints can lead to a drastic difference in the overall feel of a room or space. Understanding the interplay between these elements is where the magic or artistry of staging lies. Now you can learn the techniques through schooling or you can be born with an innate understanding of composition and color but regardless of your background it does take time to compose & create a well accessorized home that is attractive to potential buyers.  

In Hawaii, tropical decor is very popular. Selecting appropriate accessories to convey the island lifestyle to potential buyers is a priority for Hawaiiana Style. Below is a selection of tropical accessories that I have used recently to help bring Hawaiiana or tropical charm to our clients property for sale.

 

    

bamboo cutlery caddyHand painted 'Plumeria' goblets

This bamboo cutlery and caddy from Bealls  can add 'Island' flare to your staged dinning vignette. Hand painted Hawaiian Plumeria goblets with ochre colored napkins from Pier One re-create the rich color casts found in the Hawaiian landscape.

Faux Carambola, Five Finger, or Star Fruit

The tropical Carambola Tree produces Five Fingered or Star Fruit which is a popular treat here in Hawaii. These faux versions look good enough to eat with a little Li Hi Mui Powder. Mmmm ono!

Tropical faux flower arrangementdetail of faux flower arrangement

This faux tropical flower arrangement consists of Kalo or Taro leaves, green Ginger blossoms, pink Eucalyptus   and matching Antherium. I purchased the various faux stems from FloraDec here in Honolulu.

 

Faux Succulents in Gardeners Caddy

This cute gardeners caddy with faux 2" succulents, from Pier One, adds out door charm to your casual indoor dinning vignette.

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & all things Hawaiian- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009

 

20 commentsKimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser • February 20 2009 07:48PM

Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons!

Tropical Curb Appeal: Choose Colorful Crotons!

One of my favorite tropical plants that packs a serious color punch are Crotons. Adding these bright plants to your yard or interior space can create a dramatic eye catching effect that will turn buyers heads.

Crotons

Crotons or Codiaeum variegatum are native to the Pacific Islands and are prodigiously grown through out Polynesia. Very popular in Kama'aina gardens here in Hawaii, Crotons have only recently (last 20 years or so) found their way into interior spaces as potted plants. Crotons grow to heights of 5' to 6' and are stocky colorful shrubs. The firm waxy leaves sprouting in tight pinwheel fashion, turn from a dark green to a kaleidoscope of colors; ranging from dark red to bright pink with, purples, oranges, and yellows. Croton leaves are sensitive to light intensity and show best in part shade environments as full sun fades the coloring.

leaf detailleaf detailleaf detailleaf detail

What makes Crotons a stagers dream is that the leaves can be rooted and placed in an arrangement that lasts for 2 to 3 months. Such easy maintenance is ideal for home staging and the bright colors add a powerful pop to interior decor.

Pinwheel leaf formation

Draw backs : some varieties will ooze white sap, if the leaves are torn or punctured, and it can stain fabric. Also If you move an outdoor plant inside you may lose leaves if the lighting decreases so try to find a space in the home that shares similar light to it's former outdoor environment.

Great way to dress up usightlty pipes

 

 

Croton Varietals : 'Banana', 'Gold Dust', 'Mammy', 'Norma', 'Petra', 'Sunny Star'.  Petra is the varietal shown here.

 

Crotons can dress up those unsightly utility pipes and still allow plenty of room for access.

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & all things Hawaiian- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009

22 commentsKimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser • February 13 2009 02:28PM

Sailing Aboard the Historic Hokule'a, Hawai'i's 'Bright Star'.

Sailing Aboard the Historic Hokule'a, Hawai'i's 'Bright Star'... 

In celebration of my 100th post I thought I would share one of my latest adventures this past Tuesday, aboard Hawaii's most famous vessel, the HOKULE'A. Polynesian navigators, using only celestial navigation and environmental observations managed to navigate and colonize the great breadth of the pacific ocean a millenium before Westerners discovered longitude and could accurately travel the world's oceans. In the long process of proving these skills to those Westerners who doubted such know how existed, the Hokule'a was lovingly created.

Hokule'a inoa 

Hokule'a view from mooring 

 

Incredulous to the idea that Polynesians were superior sailors and navigators, many Westerners believed that Polynesian expansion throughout the Pacific was dumb luck and that Polynesian pin point navigation was just happenstance.  But the Hokule'a and her devoted crew has proven through 9 separate voyages that ancient Polynesian mariners not only knew how to navigate accurately but were able to do so over immense distances, with relatively small vessals like the 65' Hokule'a.

 Hokule'a crew

 

Believed to have arrived from the Marquesas Islands in the South Pacific about 250-450 A.D.,The original inhabitants of Hawaii were superior navigators on an expansive quest.  Additional migrations probably came from Tahiti around 900 AD. It is the belief that the Tahitians had the skills to make the journey in both directions that spurned the creation of the Hokule'a and it's subsequent journey's around the Pacific.

The crew uses the rudder as a paddle to move us away from our mooring. 

 

 po nui no

 

 

 

Sounding of the Pu puhi, heralds our departure from port. 

The Hokule'a is planning to circumnavigate the globe and is currently looking for 200 volunteers to help make the voyage.

Hokule'a at sail Hokule'a jet ski

Hokule'a camera ahoy

 

 

This past week we filmed a segment for a National Geographic program featuring just how accurate Polynesians were at Navigation. In one of the Hokule'a's expeditions her navigators were able to sail successfully to Rapa Nui from Hawaii using only celestial navigation and environmental observation. Rapa Nui sits 1500 miles from the nearest inhabited island and the feat is equivalent to finding a needle in a hay stack. 

Hokule'a filming on-board 

 

Here the film crew shoots some close ups for a National Geographic program. In the previous picture you can see Diamond Head in the distance.

Hokule'a is the Hawaiian term used to describe the star Arcturus. Which is the brightest star in the Hawaiian heavens. The literal translation means 'Bright Star'.

         

Hokule'a Kimo

Aloha kakou, a hui hou,

Kimo!

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009

 

Questions for Kimo: Where's the best place to learn about the Hawaiian culture...?

Questions for Kimo: Our family is re-locating to Hawaii and we are wondering where's the best place to learn about Hawaiian culture?

In my opinion the best and most family orientated place to learn about Hawaiian culture is the Bishop Museum, located at 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96817  Phone: 808.847.3511. The Museum is located in Palama just off the Like Like and H1 Highways. It's a little bit out of the way for tourists and new comers but it's well worth the trip for visitors and locals alike.   

"The Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum."-Bishop MuseumPrincess Puahi

 The Museums purpose:

Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop, as a posthumous honorarium to his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi, the Bishop Museum was designed to house the large and comprehensive collection of royal heirlooms and Hawaiian artifacts of the late Princess, the last royal descendant of the Kamehameha line. The collection has since expanded to include millions of Hawaiian and Pan-Pacific cultural artifacts, art work, historical documents, and photographs.

 

 

 

Here are some photos of my last visit to the Museum. It should be noted that the spectacular Hawaiian Hall, with it's stunning Koa paneling and galleries is currently being refurbished but there is plenty to see, none the less.

Greeting visitors on their arrival to the museum is the life size lava rock reproduction of the Rapa Nui (Easter Island) Moai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium offers a fascinating look at the importance of celestial observation to Polynesian cultures. Celestial navigation and the lunar calender was of great importance to Hawaiian cultural life in the past. Today the Mauna Kea observatory complex on the Big Island is at the forefront of Astronomical Science in the world. The Planataruim offers showings daily. If your interested in seeing the planetarium check the times for showings in advance and plan your visit to the museum around it, otherwise you may miss out. For more information- 

 

Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center  is designed specifically as an interactive learning center for children, including exhibits focused on volcanology, marine, and other related sciences. This is a very fun interactive area and you don't need to be a kid to enjoy it. Dominating the exhibit is a volcano that you can enter inside of and make 'erupt'. 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiian Exhibits:

You will find an amazing variety of Hawaiian artifacts from ancient times to present day such as this contemporary art piece by local artist Maika'i Tubbs-

 

 

Temple Tiki of Ku, god of war-              Collection of Makau -              Man in Ahu Ula and Mahiole-

                  

Pan-Polynesian Exhibits:

These costumes were designed to frighten the women folk as an amusement in New Caladonia

Canoe paddles, Solomon Islands-                Tongan Mace-                    Maori skirt and feathered bag-

 

Museum Information:

Hours and admission costs

Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Christmas (Dec 25). There is ample free parking on our campus.

Admissions Rates

Free Admission to Bishop Museum Members

General - Adult $ 15.95
General - Senior, 65 & over $ 12.95
General - child (ages 4-12) $ 12.95
General - child (age 3 & under) Free

The following rates are available for kama'āina and military visitors to Bishop Museum:

$8.95 - General Admissison
$7.95 - Child (4-12) and Senior (65+)

 You will need to show an ID to secure these rates.

Guests visiting the Bishop Museum who are not local residents or military, but are accompanied by someone who is can get a special rate of adults $12.95, youth $9.95, and children 3 and under are free. Otherwise, regular retail admission rates will apply.

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009

 

 

Nightmare on your street! Don't let the To Do list do You in!

 

Don't let the To Do list do You in. Most sellers would opt to wait for a buyer with an offer before initiating an inspection. However, as is sometimes the case, an unknown issue can arise as the result of the inspection that might encourage the would be buyers to contractually back out; even when the terms are 'as is'.

There are a number of unseen issues that might scare off potential buyers that an inspection might reveal: roofing, electrical, mold, plumbing, and foundation issues are some of the biggest unseen nightmares that can tank a deal. The old adage ' an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure' certainly applies here.

 

Spend the money to get an inspection before putting the house on the market, especially if it's an older home. You don't want to lose a deal because of something you could have fixed in advance. I needn't remind anyone that losing a buyer in this market can be extremely costly on many levels.

 

 

 

 

With the unknown issues set aside, as the home owner, one is usually acutely aware of the dead electrical outlets in the bedroom or the poorly patched water damaged hole in the family room ceiling or the missing paving stones in the back lanai. What you might not be aware of is how quickly a buyer can go from positive to perturbed when faced with a list of work required of them should they decide to buy. Buyers have lots to choose from these days and have little tolerance for lengthy To Do lists.

 

Address what you know needs work first, hire those who can do the job if you can't, and pay attention to the details. It's where the sale is.  

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2009

 

Its time to put your mind back in the gutter!

funny pictures of cats with captions
more animals

Its time to put your mind back in the gutter! Protect your investment and clean your gutters and downspouts.  

If you haven't noticed winter weather is here in Hawaii. Torrential rains in the winter months are a blessing and a danger if you are not prepared for the sometimes unexpected chaos that can arise from deluge and inundation alike.  

In a perfect world, gutters safely channel rain water away from your roof and home and drain into the ground or sewer. In the process foundations, siding, window casements, and doors are protected from the corrosive force of water damage. Unfortunately, we don't always remember to clean our gutters until a major rain storm wrecks havoc and water severely dampens your chances of selling your property for sale.

Leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris accumulate in gutters and over time can clog and render useless your gutters and downspouts. Pooling water and overflow can pull gutters from their mountings and rot the wooden elements of your roof and siding causing thousands of dollars worth of damage that can worsen over time; putting a stop to offers by potential buyers. 


If you have a single story home and are comfortable with heights and ladders you can save your self money by cleaning your gutters yourself but be prepared for a very messy and mucky experience.

If you are chronologically challenged, afraid of heights, or have a multistoried home hire someone reputable to do the job but be prepared to have this done a least twice a year at a few hundred dollars a pop.

If all this sounds daunting and costly you might consider using the preventative measure of gutter protectors or guards. These products come in a variety of styles and prices (averaging around $1.50 a linear foot) and are relatively easy to install and pay for themselves in a few years from savings in maintenance.

 

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

 

12 commentsKimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser • December 15 2008 03:37PM

Floating like lemon drops high above the chimney tops!

Floating like lemon drops high above the chimney tops is where you'll find me-

Somewhere Over the Rainbow 

It's starting to look a lot like winter here in The Islands. Diamond Head is getting greener, the trade winds are cooler and rainy days are more frequent. For those of us who live at higher elevations we might have already fired-up the old fireplace to warm the chilly nights and to gather around to talk story; 60 degrees is cold in the islands, seriously.  

 

As incredulous as it might sound there are more fire places here in hawaii than one might expect; unfortunately, not everyone remembers to clean and maintain them. It is recommended that chimneys be inspected yearly by a licensed inspector or chimney sweep. Even if you don't use your fireplace, a functioning one is a major plus for many potential buyers and spending a little extra money to make sure your fireplace passes inspection can add value and major charm to your property for sale.  

With frequent use, chimneys accumulate soot and require regular cleaning and maintenance. If chimneys are not properly maintained and kept clean there is a high risk of health and safety issues; resulting in not only fire hazards but carbon monoxide poisoning, as well.   Wood stoves or gas fireplaces are not the only soot accumulating appliances that require regular inspection don't forget cook stoves, barbecues, and electric ranges. The ventilation hoods should be cleaned regularly and inspected for excessive grease build up which is a fire hazard and accelerant. 

Warm & Happy Holidays to all!

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

10 commentsKimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser • November 25 2008 03:36PM

To catch a thief: is your toilet running away with your money?

Questions for Kimo: how do you stop your toilet from running away with your money? 

It's time for a little potty talk! If your a Realtor and you have a listing where the toilet is running, help your clients save money and precious water by following these simple tips. 

Just about everyone at some point in their lives will have a run-in with a running toilet. For the most part no one wants to call a plumber and spend the money to fix such a simple issue but ignoring the problem can waste hundreds of gallons of water and flush hundreds of dollars down the drain over time.  

Here are two easy suggestions that can help. Chances are your running toilet is easily fixable by just about anyone, saving the cost of a plumber and wasteful water bills. So before you call the plumber or worse ignore the problem lift up the tank cover and take a look.

1) Most running toilets are result of too much water in the holding tank. The first step is to see if water is overflowing into the vertical tube. If it is, you'll want to lower the water level in the tank by adjusting the float arm(its the stick with the rubber ball like object that floats in the tank). This is easily done by bending the arm on the float downward. If you have a late model commode slide the clips down the arm by squeezing them and adjust the float towards the end of the arm. This should fix the problem.  

2) If water is NOT overflowing into the vertical tube their might be a crack in the flapper located at the bottom of the tank. The flapper looks like a black circular trap door and is the mechanism that releases the water from the tank into the toilet bowl when you flush. To check if there is a leak add food coloring to the tank and wait 25 minutes. If the water in the toilet bowl changes color you will need to replace the flapper. Turn off the water supply to the toilet and reach into the tank and pull the flapper out. Bring the old flapper to your local hardware store and ask them for a replacement. The new flapper should easily snap into place. Turn on the water to the toilet and voi-la your done. No more running toilet.

 

 

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

7 commentsKimo Stowell - Real Estate Merchandiser • November 24 2008 05:33PM

Pillow Talk: The artful placement of pillows vol II. piling practicum

Pillow talk: The artful placement of pillows...

don't go overboard or over the Head board when piling pillows on the bed

 

Arranging pillows on a sofa or bed is a fairly mundane activity that in itself does not necessarily require instruction. However, if your home is on the market and your looking to give your property it's best face possible, here are some simple pointers to give your pillowed furniture practical pizazz.  

Less is more, more or less: regardless of how passionate you are for pillows, the old adage that less is more applies when it comes to staging the bedroom. The best approach to pillow placement is not to cover more than a quarter of the bed with pillows and to layer them no more than four deep and five across. Ideally, you should keep the pillow count under ten for King and Queen beds and less than six pillows on full and twin sized beds including sleeping pillows. Now day beds and pune'e (Hawaiian day beds) naturally require more pillows in order to supply adequate back support when seated so you have a little more leeway here in the pillow count but remember less is more.  

"...What immortal hand or eye, could frame thy fearful symmetry?" -William Blake: Of course, Blake was talking about a tiger when he wrote this poem but it applies to pillow placement too. Be fearful of over doing symmetrical patterning when it comes to the context of the room. Too much of 'two of everthing' can make a room predictable and boring. Most designers will tell you to use an odd number of pillows on beds and sofas and for the most part I agree but if you are using asymmetrical patterning else where in the room then it's OK and sometimes advisable to pair pillows up. 

 

 

 

Size matters and variety is good thing: avoid using just small pillows on a big bed and vice versa. Proportionality is important and using different sizes, shapes, colors and textures helps to make the bed a focal point in the room.

 

 

Seven & Three

When it comes to sofas you want to be able to sit comfortably without having to move pillows around to do so. Keeping pillows closer to the arm rests makes this a little easier. On a standard size sofa try to keep the pillow count under 7 and with love seats 3 or less.

Bold & Bright

When you want to give a little more contemporary feel to transitional furniture use bright colors and bold patterns. Floral patterns are usually a traditional standard but there are many modern floral prints available today that can give a modern flare to your transitional decor.

Balance & Weight

A little color goes a long way. Adding a touch of color can give balance to a sofa. In the example below the detail of the face pillow pulls the eye to the right while the blue draws the eye to the opposite end giving equal visual weight to both sides of the sofa.

Variations on a Theme

Pillow themes can really pile on the charm factor when staging but beware of being too kitsch. Below is a ocean theme using bright red contrast, textured fabrics intimating coral, and a blue crab to define the theme. Of course this looks great in a beach house not so great in a log cabin in the mountains.

 

Mirth & Whimsy

Everyone can use a little laugh these days. Using whimsy to entertain potential buyers can lighten the mood of a space and create a sense of fun and interest. Unusual pillow shapes like the penguins and felt "stones" can instantly transport your imagination to another place, which is not really the purpose of staging so temper your sense of humor and keep the avant garde for your new home.

The penguins and felt stones are a couple examples of my favorite pillows. Although, I wouldn't necessarily stage with them I would definitely use them as an interior decorator. I invite you to post your favorite pillows and share how they make you feel. So lets continue the pillow talk...

 Pillow Talk: the artful placement of pillows vol I. beyond the fringe

 

 

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008

 

Chairs of Character: A pictoral guide to stylish furniture Vol II. And then there's Mod!

Vol II. And then there's Mod!

Not everyone enjoys or appreciates the Modern Movement, but these revolutionaries of design helped to define modernity as we know it. You will no doubt notice that almost all of these furniture designers were architects and their furniture is intended to showcase not only the modern aesthetics of clean lines and organic forms but also the architecture in which they are framed. When it comes to staging a modern or mid century property keep these designers in mind, to help sell the architectural elements of the home while staying true to the movement. All of these modern classic designs are widely reproduced today and can be purchased easily on line (ebay and retail sites).

The Modernist Movement began to emerge in the late 19th century and took shape under the influence of the Bauhaus school (1919-1933) and Frank Lloyd Wright's principles of organic architecture which is the foundation of what we refer to today as Mid-Century Modernism (1933-1965). Technological advances in laminates, latex foam, molded plywood, and fiberglass allowed designers an unusual selection of materials to express their modern design aesthetics where form follows function. 

 

 

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1886-1969 German born Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe worked in the family stone-carving business before becoming an architect and is widely regarded as one of the pioneering masters of modern architecture. Utilizing advanced structural techniques and Prussian Classicism; Mies van der Rohe furniture is noted for combining graceful form and functionalism. His designs, such as the Barcelona Chair, are considered among the most enduring of the modern era.  

 

 

Le Corbusier 1887 - 1965 Swiss born Charles Edouard Jeanneret, was a watch engraver before he became the renowned architect and designer whom we know as 'Le Corbusier'. Le Corbusier furniture stands out for it's classic elegance and clean straight lines. The LC3 collection designed in 1928 as a modernist response to the traditional club chair reverses the standard structures of sofas and chairs by having frames that are externalized.  

 

 

 

Classic Bauhaus, inspired by Le Corbusier 

 

 

 

Eileen Gray 1878-1976 Originally a lacquer artist of Irish descent turned furniture designer/architect; was one of the pioneers who helped define the modern movement during the 1920s and 1930s. Her tubular steel furniture was unheard of in its day, prominent in her famous Bibendum Chair, which is accepted as a modern classic today.  

 

 

Marcel Lajos Breuer 1902-1981 Hungarian born architect/designer; Breuer is considered one of the masters of Modernism, modular construction and simple forms. The Wassily Chair designed by Marcel Breuer makes use of continuous lines of bent structural steel, revolutionary for it's time time. The original chair was the first design to introduce seamless steel tubing to home furnishings, the chair was named after fellow Bauhaus teacher and modernist, Wassily Kandinsky who greatly admired the design.  

 

 

Charles and Ray Eames 1907-1978 Charles Ormand Eames, Jr and his second wife Ray are regarded as two of the most important American designers of the 20th century.  This dynamic duo are most recognized for their molded plywood designs and pioneering innovative technologies, such as fiberglass and plastic resin. The Eames Chair is known for it's unconventional, functional and sophisticated design.  

 

 

Eero Saarinen 1910-1961 was a Finnish born American architect and product designer; famous for his sweeping, arching structural curves, and machine-like rationalism. In the late 30s Saarinen joined his father's architectural practice and soon met and began collaborating on furniture design with Charles and Ray Eames. His most spectacular piece the stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO, (1965), is the world's tallest monument. Saarinen's Iconic Tulip Chair reflects modern elements such as molded reinforced fiberglass.

    

 

 

Harry Bertoia 1915-1978 Italian born American sculptor and furniture designer, Bertoia emigrated to the United States in 1933 and joined famed furniture maker Knoll International (1950). Known for his sculptural works the Diamond Arm Chair combines comfort with a steel mesh.

 

 

 

 

 

Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO

JDS Consulting- Staging Hawaii nei! Providing Real Estate Merchandising services including: Home Staging, Interior Decor, Turn Key, Landscaping, Remodeling, & Open House Hosting. Visit our Blog: Questions for Kimo: Decor Design & More- www.RealEstateDesignOnLine.com  tel.+1.808.344.1264  Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008