My love/hate relationship with the Barcelona chair

I remember the first time I set my budding designer eyes on the Barcelona chair. It was back in design school – a class on historical furniture and architecture I believe – where my obsession would begin. The whole section on mid-century modern completely captivated me.

Being raised in a small cow town in Arizona, I had never been exposed to anything quite like it before. Sumptuous, tufted leather perched atop criss-crossed, chrome legs. Masculine and feminine all at once. I was without a doubt, smitten.

I promised myself that upon graduation, I would reward myself with a Barcelona chair of my very own - in white leather and ideally with a matching ottoman. Not brand-new bright white, mind you I only wanted the well worn, slightly yellowed white leather. Only a real Barcelona chair would do for a real designer.

Throughout the rest of my schooling, I would find any excuse to reference the chair or its’ designer, Mies van der Rohe. I’d write reports on Mies, specify the chair over and over and over again in concept boards and sketch it endlessly for perspective drawings. Surely my admiration of such a stunning piece of design was proof of my unquestionably good taste. Yes sir, I was going to be one hell of a designer.

Then, a terrible thing happened. I started to see it popping up everywhere. I mean everywhere. On the sets of my favorite TV shows, in magazine ads, commercials and even a doctors’ waiting room. Watching HGTV or reading shelter magazines – it was there! Anytime anyone talked about modern or contemporary design – it was there! It was like being cheated on. No, it was worse - I had discovered that my one, true love had been loved by others, oh so many others, before me.

Being the jealous and possessive type, I had foolishly believed I was all alone in my adoration. Knowing that it was being used and admired so well by the masses had the effect of making the Barcelona chair just a little less special in my eyes. Rather than seeing its’ popularity as validation of my own good taste, it meant that I was just like everyone else. Not unique. Not a revolutionary design student who would turn the entire world of interior design on its’ head the minute I graduated.

I hadn’t stumbled upon some secret chair that had been in hiding, waiting for me to come along and rediscover it. HELLO!! It was THE ICONIC CHAIR OF THE MID-CENTURY MODERN MOVEMENT!

With that earth shattering reality staring me dead in the face, the Barcelona chair quickly began to lose its’ luster. What I had once found extraordinary soon became incredibly passe. “Oh please. Not that chair again. I’ll bet they get really creative and set two Barcelona chairs side by side with an Isamu Noguchi coffee table in front”, I’d say upon seeing it in yet another design magazine.

I now dismissed my beloved with a haughty roll of the eyes and an annoyed sigh.

Like so many great love affairs before, mine with the Barcelona chair eventually fizzled out. I never did buy myself that graduation present and I don’t know if I ever will. While I still see the chair as a beautiful and important piece of art, it no longer captivates me in the same way. I've moved on.

I harbor no bitterness or feelings of ill will towards my former flame. In fact, I look back on those idealistic days of design school with fondness and gratitude. The Barcelona chair was my first awakening to a new and exciting design aesthetic and for that, I will always be grateful.

Crimes Against Interior Design

I realize that the following rant is going to pretty much cement my reputation as a design snob and I'm not so sure that's a bad thing. Because, if labeling this room a "Crime Against Interior Design" is wrong, well you know the rest.

Without naming names, I saw this room featured today on a decorating show on a popular cable network and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to speak out. The show is known for promising to transform a room in just a day and on a shoestring budget. This room got transformed alright.




I could be satisfied by simply saying that I think this room is ugly and leave it at that but I think that it would be a great disservice to not take it a step further and break down what exactly makes this room look more like a "before" than an "after".

Exhibit A: Exactly what purpose is served by putting the furniture at an angle like that? I will never understand why decorators think they're being extra clever by doing this sort of thing. Aside from just looking plain weird, this "technique" has the unfortunate effect of making one think that the room isn't big enough to accomodate the furniture so it had to be wedged into position. Seriously, stop trying to reinvent the wheel and group the furniture in a way that makes sense. And if you have the sofa and and chair at that angle, why is that poor bench left hanging out all by himself under the window?



Exhibit B: One word: Leopard. Why decorator, why??? What did this poor homeowner do to deserve an ottoman covered in that hideous, leopard fabric? Oh. Wait. I think I get it now. Let's talk it out - we've got a giant, palm tree overtaking one corner and ethnic-mask art on the wall. I'm seeing a theme developing here and it's.......Jungle! Ohhhhhhh, now I get it! So the real question should be: "How could you NOT add a little leopard??". I mean, you've got a palm tree for Pete's sake! A palm tree!!!



Exhibit C: The truly heinous and outdated color scheme. An all-neutrals color scheme can be fabulous. When done well it is soothing, sophisticated and timeless. In the wrong hands it is muddy, dated and bo-ring. The key is to gain the knowledge and ability to build a cohesive color scheme or hire someone who can do it for you.

Exhibit D: Pick a style and stick with it already! We have a very contemporary sofa and chair arranged around a very detailed cocktail ottoman (I guess the leopard cushion is supposed to make it feel more modern?) and window treatments that couldn't be more formal or traditional. It's all tied together with that rug. Mixing traditional elements with contemporary ones for a more eclectic look is done all the time and with great success but this room just can't decide what it wants to be. As a result it is just a confused mess of a room.

I know this all sounds really mean-spirited and while I don't want to hurt this decorator's feelings, they need a serious wakeup call. If someone is trusting you to come into their home and improve upon it then you have a responsibility to understand color, fabric and basic spaceplanning concepts. You have a responsibility to take their project seriously and to spend their money wisely. Simply staying under budget and meeting a TV show deadline is not good enough.

I am a big believer that good taste can be learned. I think back now on the decorating I did before I went to design school and hoo-boy, there were some really ugly rooms! It's a little embarrassing to think back on some of them but I just didn't know any better!

At the same time, I wasn't calling myself a designer and making money off of clients who trusted that I knew what I was doing. I also wasn't running a cable network and giving TV shows to people without holding them to a certain standard or failing to ensure that what my employees were doing in other people's homes was done in good taste and with professional integrity. That's the big problem that I have with some (not all!) of these decorating/interior design shows and why, when I see rooms like this one, I get really angry.

Home offices to make you want to work from home

Working from home offers freedoms that you just can’t get when you’re working for someone else. Like....waiting until after lunch to change out of my pajamas or not wearing makeup or taking a 15-minute break to run around the backyard with my dogs! Ok, it's not all fun and games. Actual work does get done and there are deadlines to be met, self-imposed or otherwise.

Work-From-Homers have the freedom to devise whatever kind of space our little hearts desire in which to do that work (buh-bye cubicle!). So why not embrace this freedom by putting a little time and money into making your home office a place where you actually want to spend your entire day?

If your work is of the stressful sort, use calming colors and soft, touchable fabrics to create a soothing environment. In a creative field? Try bold colors and gorgeous art that inspires you.

Who says a home office has to look like a boring, sterile environment? If they all looked as inviting as this one below, wouldn't everyone work from home?

Find a desk and office chair with some style. If you want something special, stay away from office supply stores and their black, "leather" executive chairs. Browse the local vintage shops and secondhand stores for unique finds and repurpose them. Maybe it's a dining table now but if the dimensions are right and you love it, by all means use it for a desk!

Make the space feel less "office-y" by accessorizing with art and accessories that don't scream "work space!".

And if you’ve got the luxury of an unused corner in your home office, how about a comfy chair in which to curl up and take those well deserved, afternoon power naps?

Restoration Hardware - 20% off sale on lighting!

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how updating your lighting fixtures could have big impact on your rooms without big impact on your wallet. Just on the heels of that post, I discover that Restoration Hardware is having a sale on, you guessed it, lighting fixtures.

I’d like to think that the folks at RH are following my every post and then using my topics to determine what to put on sale that week. In fact, I’m sure that’s exactly what is happening and will try not to let my newfound control of the retail markets go to my head. Too much.

While this particular source may not be the lowest priced out there, they carry some beautiful, classic merchandise that will give you the WOW factor you’re looking for. It is certainly worth your time to check them out because these days it is less about price and more about adding value. Sale prices are for internet and catalog orders only.

Things that make me happy

Yes, outdoor furniture and fabrics can be this stylish.

Love the accent button and contrast welt.

I love me some Osborne and Little. Their designer fabrics and wallcoverings are pure luxury and decadence. I don't know about the rest of you but I could always use a little more of both in my home.

If the idea of mixing patterns or the use of such bold colors makes you break out in hives, break it down into smaller doses. Use one fabric in a couple of accent pillows on a neutral sofa. For a high-impact focal point, wallpaper the fireplace wall in your living room or the headboard wall in your master bedroom.

New weekly feature - ask a designer!

Got an interior design dilemma? Could you use some help with a tricky furniture layout? Are you looking for suggestions on how to personalize your space or add some impact? Do you have a question about paint color or color in general? Maybe you'd like some general interior design advice? Here's your chance to get those questions answered!

At Revive Interior Design Blog I'm starting a new weekly feature called "Ask a Designer". Each week, I'll select one of your emails to answer on this blog (so you'll have to be ok with any photos that you submit being published on this site). Along with your questions, send me photos and room dimensions (if necessary).

Email your questions, dilemmas and photos to me here. And check back next week to see if your email was selected!

Eco-Friendly decor at Viva Terra

Felted Wool Stools

Wood Cubes - great for tables or seating

The Lotus Chandelier - I'm coveting this for my dining room!

Bag made of reclaimed tires

If you've never heard of Viva Terra, now is the time to check them out. This eco-friendly site features truly unique home goods and women's apparel all while maintaining a focus on value and sustainability.

Many of their products are made of reclaimed, organic or recycled material. The decriptions for each item discusses what makes the product environmentally friendly and why you can feel good about buying it. In addition to scoring some beautiful things for yourself or your home, you can help out the earth while doing it!