Frank Gehry is one of my favorite mid-century architects, so it is no surprise that he also designed one of my favorite mid-century chairs — the Wiggle Chair!  Part of Gehry’s Easy Edges series during the years of 1969-1973, this design gained him notoriety for its whimsical appearance and inventive construction.  It is made out of layered corrugated cardboard, which is flexible to work with but also strong and durable — ideal for furniture, as it turns out!  The Wiggle Chair and Easy Edges series showcases Gehry’s self-proclaimed “fundamental concern with manipulating basic materials in unconventional ways to produce objects that are functional yet also visually striking.“

This chair looks fabulous and is semi-expected in modern interiors, but paired with extremely classic interior details, the contrast is stunning — plus, you know I’m all about the mix.  🙂

Kelly Wearstler

MyDomaine

Floor & Decor

Unlocking Litchfield

Architectural Digest

The Telegraph

If flowers and geometric patterns are your jam, then I have something you will love.  Enter Lisa Corti, an incredible textile designer who conceptualizes everything from tapestries to bedding, clothing to shoes.  There really is no limit on what she can do with her stunning trademark patterns, and she clearly knows it!  🙂  Think of the style of her textiles as a more youthful MacKenzie Childs (although I love those designs, too!), blending floral motifs, geometric lines and shapes, and jewel tones.  She designs everything in her seventeenth-century studio in Milan (sounds fabulous, doesn’t it?), and then the textiles are handmade in India by local artisans using ancient printing methods.

Corti’s inspiration comes from ornamental Florentine Medici frescoes and the simpler geometry of Nagaland shawls.  Use these textiles as artwork, room accessories, or become a boho-chic goddess while romping around in one of her dress designs.  Simply put, this is a line that packs the perfect unforgettable punch.

When I was in school studying interior design, we had a whole unit where we discussed all sorts of iconic furniture.  This was definitely one of my favorite times in school — learning about the designers, the history behind each piece, why these pieces are still popular today, etc.!  By far, one of the pieces that I loved the most (and still do!) is the Mae West Lips Sofa.

Architectural Digest

This is a surrealist sofa made of wood and satin (or, of course, the original was), designed by Salvador Dali.  Isn’t it fun?!  I don’t think there are many people that could hate this sofa…at the very least there is a certain amount of appreciation that can be felt for it and Dali, too, since this design was incredibly ahead of its time.

Source Unknown — Model Lisa Fonssagrives

You may be wondering where the idea for such a sofa originated from!  The answer is that Salvador Dali was much inspired by the lips of actress Mae West in 1937, and so what better way to appreciate those lips than to create something.  He didn’t ever intend it to be a functional or produced piece of furniture.

The Decorista

Studio Designs

But then 1972 came along, and with that year, so did an Italian Designer Group called Studio 65.  They created an updated version of Dali’s original design and named it the Marilyn Bocca Sofa, after Marilyn Monroe, of course.  This is really the piece that became produced for mid-century homes and became iconic!

Elle

I love the whimsical and fun feel that this sofa adds to any interior.  Although you’ll see this piece most commonly in a more contemporary setting, can we just take a moment and appreciate how amazing this looks in such a classic aesthetic?  Such a stark contrast, but absolutely perfect!

It’s always fun to see what trends are on the horizon for interior design — what is popular now, what is coming back in style, etc.  Square subway tile is something that I have noticed is gaining ground in the trend department, but I love it because it’s not altogether trendy… Just a new take on an old classic.

Homes to Love

This tile shape and style is perfect because it will lend itself to any application — traditional, contemporary, and everywhere in between.  It adds just the right amount of modern to keep things feeling young and fresh.

Remodelista

Do you see the interesting texture these tiles add, while still keeping a subtle vibe?  That’s talent!  😉  Using white grout will obviously keep things really soft, while darker grout will have a more impactful aesthetic.

Original Source Unknown

Keeping the tiles applied on a grid is one option if your goal is a more streamlined look, however offsetting the tiles like the above photo is a great way to add a little more visual pattern to your space.

Elle Decoration

Use these neutral tiles to complement a focal point — like a really great and special inset on a kitchen backsplash, or floor tile with pizzazz.

BHG

And these square tiles don’t only look awesome in white — neutrals look perfect, especially against white cabinetry, which is nothing new, but still!  I love the mix-and-match of the shapes in this kitchen backsplash, and how there are classic, industrial, and modern elements all in this one vignette photo.

Archilovers

Don’t forget a small application, too — how cool does this look?  I feel like the smaller the tiles get, the more modern they look.  Especially all on a grid like this.  But I love it!

House of Turquoise

Obviously a little color never hurt anyone, either.  🙂  Have fun with these glazed colored subway tiles as accents in your space.  A little goes a long way!