Krrb Blog

In Search Of – Brass

CJ Lotz — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:49:20 +0000

Brass is making the rounds. Photo: Sherwinmetal.com

Welcome to the daily series “In Search Of”, where we look high and low on Krrb for one-of-a-kind items that we must have now! Today, it’s all about “brass” and we’ve got loads of it.

Used in decoration, plumbing, locks, and in musical instruments like horns and bells, brass is known for its gold-like appearance. We’ve found it on accent pieces, animal figurines, lamps and furniture across the classifieds!

Brass Gazelle Coffee Table in Chicago, Illinois

Photo: Krrb.com/Independencevintage

This dramatic Art Deco glass-top coffee table is the best kind of statement piece. Make it the centerpiece of your living room.

Find it on Independence Vintage‘s Corner. $650.

Ornate Brass Mirror in New York, New York

Photo: Krrb.com/24051

The detail on this ornate vintage circular mirror is spectacular.

Find it on Michelle Quartin‘s Corner. $100.

Five-Armed Italian Lamp in Seattle, Washington

Photo: Krrb.com/33852

The sleek arc of this Italian brass lamp aims light wherever you need it. A classy piece from the 1960s.

Find it on Johnny Samra‘s Corner. $300.

Pair of Brass Elephant Figures in Chicago, Illinois

Photo: Krrb.com/Strangelovely

Solid brass elephants make handsome bookends or doorstops.

Find them on Strange Lovely‘s Corner. $95.

Slate Chalkboard with Brass Frame in New York, New York

Photo: krrb.com/sevenbc

Scrawl a menu or drink list on this huge chalkboard for your next get-together. It also works in an office as a memo board.

Find it on Sevenbc‘s Corner. $550.

Tabletop “Museum Clock” in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Photo: Krrb.com/findfurnish

Often given out as gifts to commemorate a retirement, this Museum Clock Howard Miller and designed by Nathan George Horwitt. Its brass body and glass face would look stately on a desk.

Find it on Findfurnish‘s Corner. $120.

Moroccan Tray in Los Angeles, California

Photo: Krrb.com/28695

A huge, stunning tray could be used as wall art, made into a coffee table, or topped with dips and desserts for a party serving tray.

Find it on AD‘s Corner. $650.

Pioneer – Overdue Furnishings in Warrenton, Missouri

CJ Lotz — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:35:41 +0000

A gorgeous quilted amber lamp from Overdue Furnishings.

A series featuring new Krrbies in new towns across the globe who are breaking unexplored territory. Find out what they have to sell, trade or give away.

Just an hour’s drive west from St. Louis, Stacy Goeke-Steiner Ligon of Overdue Furnishings searches with her husband to find and restore unique vintage furniture pieces in Warrenton, Missouri. “We enjoy everything from the hunt to actually finding these lost treasures and forgotten pieces to cleaning them up, bringing out their natural beauty and refinishing them so they can tell their stories,” says Stacy. We love that we are keeping things out of land fills and bringing new life into our customers’ homes.

Mid Century Record Cabinet that Stacy and her husband rescued and repainted in bold red and black.

Stacy believes that some furniture pieces speak to her in a way she can’t ignore. “When we see something interesting we feel obligated to bring it home,” she says, adding that sometimes it’s tough to let her favorite pieces go. “We’d love to keep them all for ourselves. However, we realized that would be incredibly selfish. So we’ve decided to share them with the world by opening our shop.”

The shop can turn old farm doors into custom mirrors.

The husband-wife team can also refurbish pieces for their clients. The two are working on restoring a chic French Provincial nightstand that opens up to double the top surface area. “We hoped we would get someone with as much vision as us to do a custom job on the piece,” she says. “But I am so excited about this piece, I am not sure I’ll be able to hold off much longer!”

Catch this pioneer on Krrb at Overdue Furnishings where they’re blazing new trails in the midwest.

Tributes — A Park Dedicated to the Late Beastie Boy Adam Yauch

CJ Lotz — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:58:06 +0000

Chalk drawings in the Brooklyn Heights park where Adam Yauch learned to ride a bike as a boy.

Palmetto Playground is no more. The Brooklyn Heights park, a 1.36-acre shady spot with basketball courts and playgrounds is now, proudly, Adam Yauch Park. Just blocks away from the childhood home of late Beastie Boy rapper Adam “MCA” Yauch, the space is tucked under a highway on-ramp in Brooklyn Heights. Nannies watch children climb on the jungle gym and dogs run inside a fenced yard. Prayer flags sway in the spring breeze, a gentle reminder of Adam’s commitment to the Tibetan freedom struggle.

Flags and a photo of Adam and the Dalai Lama commemorate Adam’s travels in Tibet. He was an outspoken advocate for the Tibetan struggle and hosted concerts to raise money and awareness.

The dedication and naming ceremony on May 3 commemorated the one-year passing of the musical artist. It was an opportunity for friends and family to gather and honor Adam, who died on May 4, 2012 after battling cancer for three years. He was 47.

A sign hangs on the fence.

A photo of Adam Yauch and the Dalai Lama. A candle burns continuously.

A video of Adam performing at the 1999 Tibetan Freedom Concert:

As a boy, Adam learned to ride his bike at the park, his father guiding him until he found his balance.

A child stands by a water fountain.

The greenspace is shaded by branches of silver lindens, London planes, pin oaks and Norway maples. There are basketball courts, a community garden and greenhouse, a fitness area, play space and dog run.

Stevie, a dog hanging out with his owners in Adam Yauch Park.

Bear statues stand underneath trees.

At the naming ceremony, bandmate Adam Horovitz remarked that Adam was the embodiment of Brooklyn’s creative spirit.

“I was trying to think of what to say today, and I was thinking what it means to be a New York kid: People come to New York to be themselves, to express themselves and to be who they want to be. [His parents] taught Adam to be curious, thoughtful, kind and just enough crazy – that craziness that is New York. That New York frenetic energy: It’s musical, artful and always moving forward. And that’s not only Brooklyn, that’s Adam Yauch.”

Instagram Photos Tagged by the Community

Local residents, visitors and fans continue to enjoy the area’s tranquility while paying tribute to Adam with their photographs. We searched the location tag “Adam Yauch Park” on Instagram for images that captured the calm spirit of Adam and his memorial.

Photo: instagram.com/baitlinnn

Photo: instagram.com/carlabguti

Photo: instagram.com/um_lety

Photo: instagram.com/gnomadic217

Photo: instagram.com/rodstanley

Photo: instagram.com/buffchris

Visit the Park

Adam Yauch Park is located at 27 State Street in Brooklyn, New York.

In Search Of – Orange

CJ Lotz — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:54:15 +0000

Happy bright orange hues are popping up everywhere. Photo: Jootix.com

Welcome to the daily series “In Search Of”, where we look high and low on Krrb for one-of-a-kind items that we must have now! Today, it’s all about the color “orange” and we’ve got loads of it.

We’re ready for summer sun, short dresses and icy drinks. The color orange is a playful, bright reminder that warm days are on their way. We’re seeing it in everything from chairs to parasols and we can’t get enough of its brightness!

Neon Orange Stallion Statues in Richmond, Virginia

Photo: Krrb.com/STUDIO180fortheEclecticHome

We need these fantastic orange figurines immediately. Use them as bookends or as an electric centerpiece surrounded by white and blue flowers.

Find them on Studio 180′s Corner. $60.

Mod Globe Light in St. Paul, Minnesota

Photo: krrb.com/10657

Hang this globe light above your dining room table or in a study nook for a flash of bright light.

Find it on Jim Crist’s Corner. $125.

Double-Sided Steel Lockers in Madison, Wisconsin

Photo: krrb.com/unearthed

Use these lockers as extra storage or functional room dividers. Hang up jackets, umbrellas and as a hidden stash space.

Find them on Unearthed’s Corner. $375.

Organic Persimmon Tomato Seeds in Toronto, Canada

Photo: Krrb.com/Cubits

Just imagine the freshest salads made with homegrown organic heirloom tomatoes all summer long.

Find the seeds on Cubit’s Corner. $3.75.

Set of Four 50s Chairs in Los Angeles, California

Photo: Krrb.com/transitspace

These four retro chairs would be fun around a kitchen table or as accent pieces in an office.

Find it on Veronique’s Corner. $1,000.

Vintage Book Stack in Madison, New Jersey

Photo: Krrb.com/DecadesofVintage

Use this matching set of vintage books in wedding decor, a photo shoot, or on your color-coordinated bookshelf.

Find them on Decades of Vintage’s Corner. $30.

African Blesbok Skull in Portland, Oregon

Photo: Krrb.com/32975

This striking orange skull would look great against a stark white wall or next to your favorite framed photos.

Find it on Stephan Alexandr‘s Corner. $595.

$1000 Shopping Spree! And The Winner Is…

Jessica Blackman — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:35:02 +0000

Tom Cruise thinks you’re a top gun!

In preparation for the spring bloom, lots of folks got their spring cleaning done by selling their unwanted wares on Krrb.com and Apartment Therapy Classifieds powered by Krrb. Thanks to everyone who entered our $1000 Spring Shopping Spree. Winners were chosen at random, but all y’all are winners in our hearts!

And now the moment you’ve been waiting for…

Grand Prize Winner (1)

$1000 USD worth of merchandise (including shipping) from any seller on Krrb or Apartment Therapy Classifieds + 200 free Krrb credits

Lauren from Meriden, Connecticut, come on down! You’ve got $1000 to spend as you please! Congrats Lauren! She’s got stuff, you want? Check out what she has left for sale this fine spring season. Krrb.com/LaurenWick

Second Prize Winners (5)

$200 USD worth of merchandise (including shipping) from any seller on Krrb or Apartment Therapy Classifieds + 50 free Krrb credits

Serra from Brooklyn, New York is a puppeteer, voiceover artist and maker of things. She love to refurbish furniture and get it in the right hands. Serra has a bunch of stuff for sale with great prices! Krrb.com/Serra

Hippie Hog from Aurora, Missouri greets and welcome you to their quaint little shop with great vintage and industrial pieces. And great prices too! Check out that industrial mustache art… Krrb.com/HippieHog

Mercat de Arte from Chicago, Illinois offers antique and vintage home decor, art and apparel and restyled furnishings that are eco-painted with love. LOVE! Vintage Nichols & Stone Handpainted Boston Rocker anyone? Krrb.com/MercatDeArte

Benjamen from North Brunswick, New Jersey is a hobbyist scavenger searching high and low for mid-century modern and design furniture. Check out his finds and make a deal! Krrb.com/shopworksstudio

Dendro from Chicago, Illinois is one of our favorite reclaimed furniture designers in Chicago. Reclaim. Reimagine. Rebuild. It’s these three words that not only describe their process, but also, their passion. Krrb.com/DendroCo

These six lucky winners have been contacted and will be working their way through piles of cash to spend on Krrb and Apartment Therapy Classifieds. Stay tuned to see what one-of-a-kind goods they choose!

5 Ways to Fill Your Home with Memories

Vanessa Londono — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:30:51 +0000

We love how the site Dear Photograph shares memories by placing a snapshot — usually one featuring one or more people and dating from the film-photography era — and holding it up against the original setting so that past and present blend into a new work of art. Photo: Dearphotograph.com

The best way to remember anything is to document it. Whether it’s with a photograph or in a journal, recording events and experiences help us step back and look at our lives retrospectively. It pinpoints a time, a place, a feeling that strengthens the synapse between the nerve cells associated with the memory.

The more visual, textile and emotional the clue our brain links to a memory, the more vivid and clear the memory becomes in our minds. As we continue to live and work in “real time”, the need for reflection is ever present. It gives us a sense of nostalgia, a comforting emotion that connects us to time. So place your family photos where you can see them and take a look at these five great ways to fill your homes with memories.

Track Your Growth

Photo: Roomformore.wordpress.com

It’s easy to miss the day by day growth in life. So grab a ruler, a pen and mark the kitchen wall with your incremental growth. You can also keep your camera handy and vow to take a photo a day for the 365 photo challenge. This slow and steady progression of life may not seem like much, but you’ll be amazed by the evolution over time.

Plant A Tree

Photo: Ardeyshenor.blogspot.com

Having grown up with “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, planting a tree is a way to build roots with your family. You can honor a passed family member and create a place for young ones to play. Make it a spot where you can reminisce.

Leave Your Mark

Photo: Framework.latimes.com

Leave your signature for future generations. Making an impression of your handprints or etching your name into wood is a way to mark your presence. Maybe it’s an homage to your first sweetheart or a tribute to generations past.

Display Your Travels

Photo: Designsponge.com

Recount past trips by exhibiting your train tickets and metro cards and tokens. We love this great DIY by DesignSponge on turning your souvenirs into art. It’s sure to bring up fond memories.

Create Heirlooms

Photo: Blog.homo-numericus.net

Pass down family treasures from generation to generation. If you don’t have any, create some. History is full of quilting bees and cedar trunks. If you’re not feeling a blanket made of baby clothes, why not recover a favorite chair with your grandfather’s fatigues or a pillow made from your threadbare college t-shirts. We also like this neat heirloom project by Nikki George Ferguson. Display a beloved memento and record its significance.

Gallery — MAKESHIFT Chair Workshop

Vanessa Londono — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:01:52 +0000

Kristen Wentrcek from Wintercheck factory and Andrew Zebulon Williams reconstruct a chair at the MAKESHIFT chair workshop. Photo by Peter Stanglmayr.

Eco-friendly salvage yard Build It Green! NYC and Krrb teamed up this past weekend for the MAKESHIFT Chair Workshop in Gowanus. Crafty attendees had the chance to deconstruct and repurpose old chairs using fabric, paint, wood, metal, flowers and gloss. With the creative guidance of designer Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin and Amy Devers from A&E’s “Fix This Yard”, crafters turn their ideas into action. All photos by Peter Stanglmayr.

Amy Devers of A&E’s “Fix This Yard,” Natalie Chanin of “Alabama Chanin” clothing line, and Gael Towey, former Chief Integration and Creative Officer of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia with the bench they re-designed.

Stephen Slaughter, an architecture professor at the University of Cincinnati shows off the chair he sheathed in burlap.

We love this dark, fabric-covered chair.

Russell Baldon is chair of the furniture department at the California College of The Arts. He combined the seat of a lawn chair and the back of a wooden chair into one piece.

Timo Rissanen, Assistant Professor of Fashion Design and Sustainability at Parsons The New School for Design with his finished chair.

Megan Nicolay from Generation T shows off her chair threaded with T-shirts.

Check out the stencil detail on the back of this rehabbed chair.

Fabric and wood are part of the structure of this DIY chair.

CJ Lotz of Krrb displays her stenciled wood chair.

Filip M. Popovic holds up the chair he wrapped in soft, dark, material.

Look at all the fabric and texture going on. What a funky, spider-webby seat.

This classic powder room chair got a facelift.

A Build It Green! NYC volunteer with the chair she rehabbed.

A participant shows the functionality of her seat.

Two crafters merged their chairs together to create a loveseat.

Amanda Bowen of AREA 17 and her mom Janet and brother Nicholas with the chair they designed.

A spruced up school chair.

Fabric strips are layered over the seat of this chair.

A fun asymmetrical fabric design covers the new seat of this chair.

Action! A finished director’s chair by Karina Kallio.

To see the creative process and the fruits of their labor, read on to browse through the pictures. Some of the chairs from the workshop will be auctioned off on BIG!NYC’s Krrb corner so stay tuned! All photos by Peter Stanglmayr.

Chair Design is in Full Drive at ICFF in New York City

Ken Beasley — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:26:16 +0000

Made from car and bicycle parts by The ReCycler, a two-person team based in Goderich, Ontario, Canada, known for their one-of-a-kind creations.

The 25th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) ends its run in New York City tomorrow but not without showcasing the latest and greatest in contemporary design. Taking place at New York City’s Javitz Center, this premier design event has grown to embrace cutting edge home wares, plumbing hardware and toys, from its original focus (although still prominent) on modern design in functional furniture. A Saturday afternoon at the ICFF had us really appreciating the interesting seating creations. Hey, what can we say? We’re suckers for cool chair design.

Australian designer Toby Nowland made eco-friendly creations from Kirei Board, a light but durable wood alternative produced from plastic scraps pressed together. His pieces are created flat and then assembled by folding and “buttoning” the sides together.

Folditure chairs are an exploration in innovation, durability and practicality. Designed by Alexander Gendell in Hoboken, New Jersey, chairs and tables are not only sturdy and useable, but with one swift click, they can be folded up and hung in your closet.

Oregon student-designer Katie Lee’s “6 Shades Of Grey” Triangle Chair is a winning submission in the 2013 WilsonArt Chair Challenge. The task challenged designers to incorporate WilsonArt laminate tiles into a comfortable, usable chair.

Dutch designer Dirk Vander Kooij is making waves in the design world with his manufacturing methods. Using 3D printing technology, Vander Kooij builds his chairs using materials stripped from old refrigerators among other sources.

Brooklyn’s HorganBecket is run by husband and wife team Gregory Horgan and Caycee Becket. The industrial designers focus on locally sourced materials to create their colorful, useable pieces.

We were awed by the small but powerful design teams that took over the Javitz Center during ICFF this weekend. So many of these companies consist of no more than one, two, or three people in a workshop, hammering away every day and night. The DIY drive is strong, and it’s always great to see when people recognize the importance and joy of following that pull to create.

In Search Of – Enamel

CJ Lotz — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:14:39 +0000

Enamel decorates teapots, bowls, cups and even fireplaces. Photo: http://runningwithsisters.com

Welcome to the daily series “In Search Of”, where we look high and low on Krrb for one-of-a-kind items that we must have now! Today, it’s all about “enamel” and we’ve got loads of items covered in it.

Colorful, glossy enamel is created when powdered glass is heated and fused to a surface. The hardened enamel can be found on everything from jewelry to bowls to tabletops and offers a shiny protective coating. We’re seeing it in just about every shade all over the Krrb classifieds!

Floral Enamel Bowl in Denver, Colorado

Photo: Krrb.com/embee

The bright colors on this classic Finnish enamel bowl creates a focus point for a dining table. Use it as a fruit bowl and fill it with cherries or green apples.

Find it on Embee‘s Corner. $50.

Red Enamel Madeleine Pan in Johnsburg, New York

Photo: Krrb.com/AstorRoom

Hang this sweet, bright red cookie mold on a kitchen wall for a great pop of color.

Find it on Michelle at the Astor Room‘s Corner. $14.

Richard Schultz Tables in New York, New York

Photo: Krrb.com/28291

These three tables topped with yellow and orange enamel surfaces are a fun furniture set. Use inside or out.

Find them on Caggies’ Corner. $1,000.

Green Enamel Dome Lights in Queens, New York

Photo: krrb.com/bignyc

We love the forest green hue and bell shape of these rustic vintage lights.

Find them on Build it Green!NYC‘s Corner. $250 each.

Orange Enamel Fireplace in Glen Burnie, Maryland

Photo: Krrb.com/salvageforthesoul

The cone shape and bright orange color of this fireplace is cozy and warm even when it’s not in use.

Find it on Salvage For The Soul‘s Corner. $400.

Antique Gas Stove in Oak Park, Illinois

Photo: Krrb.com/31819

The jade green, cream and black enamel accents work well together on this retro piece. Use as is or layer reclaimed wood for a butcher-block kitchen island.

Find it on Lynn‘s Corner. $150.

Iconic Kaj Franck Mugs in New York, New York

Photo: krrb.com/SwirlingOrange

Collected for their Finnish design, these prize mugs are classic enamelware pieces by Kaj Franck.

Find them on Swirling Orange‘s Corner. $138.

Krrb Presents A How-to on Dining Chair Upholstery with Cassy Coyne

Vanessa Londono — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:54:47 +0000

Professional vintage “hunters” Michael and Cassy Coyne of Wednesday’s Pick Up find old, beat-up furniture at estate sales and auctions and restore them. With almost a decade’s worth of restoration experience, this power couple knows how to bring back life into beautiful vintage finds.

After recently picking up a set of 10 dining chairs with hand-carved detailing, Cassy set up shop in their East Williamsburg studio to update the deteriorating seat cushions. Krrb joins Cassy as she works her magic on reupholstering the dining chairs. With plenty of tips, Cassy’s how-to should have you ready to go about retooling your own dining chairs.

Tools

Staple Gun
Roll of Webbing
Hammer
Medium- to Heavy-weight Fabric
1-inch High Density Foam
Sharpie Marker
Chalk
Electronic Turkey Cutter