John Dickinson: Primitive Elegance

<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1502565221"></span>There's a fine line between being amusing and being eccentric.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Dickinson (1920 - 1982)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Dickinson, the late San Francisco designer, was a disciplined perfectionist who described himself as a draftsman first, a decorator second. He reduced his designs to "line, proportion and shape" to create understated elegance, which he emphasized with a palette of "subdued colors." Despite his focus on logic, he valued wit. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I take what I do very seriously, " said Dickinson. "But I don't like design to be too serious. . . . I just like to have a little fun with the work I do." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His sense of humor can be seen in his iconic 1970s three-legged painted plaster side table, which sold at </span><a href="http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/furniture-lighting/john-dickinson-a-three-legged-painted-plaster-side-5521333-details.aspx?pos=4&intObjectID=5521333&sid=&page=8" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christie's</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in 2011 for $30,000.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9iLW60z5qrWRErkYeaiCqOhfsAm-h7U14Je-ccAFPdITiq8IxamwaNvbtjOYAituZ3XL-CCim0VhBY7nlDrU4KcNxYDvDQGCV9Bj_jSZxKvudGz6JhGT81Aow-bKHFyjETXNDbxVYdQ/s1600/john_dickinson_a_three-legged_painted_plaster_side_table_1970s_d5521333h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9iLW60z5qrWRErkYeaiCqOhfsAm-h7U14Je-ccAFPdITiq8IxamwaNvbtjOYAituZ3XL-CCim0VhBY7nlDrU4KcNxYDvDQGCV9Bj_jSZxKvudGz6JhGT81Aow-bKHFyjETXNDbxVYdQ/s400/john_dickinson_a_three-legged_painted_plaster_side_table_1970s_d5521333h.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This piece calls to mind African art, the <i>Flintstones</i> cartoon and ancient Egyptian statues. Primitive, it is elegant in its simplicity.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>As much sculpture as furniture, Dickinson's work in plaster has the edginess of contemporary art. So it should come as no surprise that when he is rediscovered by a new generation of dealers, writers, auction house experts and curators, the first responders were collectors, not designers.</i></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quote from R. Louis Bofferding, antiques dealer </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.bofferdingnewyork.com/">R. Louis Bofferding Decorative and Fine Art</a></span></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sutherlandfurniture.com/pdf/DickinsonBrochure.pdf">David Sutherland website</a></span></span></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI3jCjNpA9t0xNRNmyoTSJXoyONeRtD-XWPumFxDBLEV2J5s9bkMMRNWnIb-X72FbnOKMwoqnmeCFR2-lf5LOevBAsALxoYz0gUrnc35X6QEXfVu42MvnoPmvvI2JpJMjX6Wh0K5pDOc/s1600/hbx-1210-nygren-hallway-curtains-28-de-84589153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwI3jCjNpA9t0xNRNmyoTSJXoyONeRtD-XWPumFxDBLEV2J5s9bkMMRNWnIb-X72FbnOKMwoqnmeCFR2-lf5LOevBAsALxoYz0gUrnc35X6QEXfVu42MvnoPmvvI2JpJMjX6Wh0K5pDOc/s640/hbx-1210-nygren-hallway-curtains-28-de-84589153.jpg" width="500" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Designer <a href="http://www.smithhanes.com/">Smith Hanes</a> "turned a negative into a fresh, beautiful positive: he broke up the long hallway leading to the master suite by adding a row of ethereal white portieres. Bedside tables are vintage John Dickinson."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by Marie Nygren and <a href="http://www.smithhanes.com/">Smith Hanes</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interview by Mimi Read.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photographs by Amy Neunsinger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The New Utopia"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.housebeautiful.com/">House Beautiful</a> (December - January 2011).</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR1dTngSIxwNwcE4WhKlSPCZvauiNddPlejSr7k-21RlxUu4yezjTU93c6d1hyWJnaU_OuzSykGwB9gpvAZobT88LzdcO_rWnjPdP6sqAsdrYBXduru_7zogOJxH_8kOQThqMYxT5Kdc/s1600/BlogJohnDickinsonEDDec2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOR1dTngSIxwNwcE4WhKlSPCZvauiNddPlejSr7k-21RlxUu4yezjTU93c6d1hyWJnaU_OuzSykGwB9gpvAZobT88LzdcO_rWnjPdP6sqAsdrYBXduru_7zogOJxH_8kOQThqMYxT5Kdc/s640/BlogJohnDickinsonEDDec2010.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"In the master bedroom, crystal drops by sculptor <a href="http://www.robwynne.net/">Rob Wynne</a> are mounted above a 1940s vanity and a Samuel Marx mirror; the plaster stool is by John Dickinson, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the curtains are of a Lee Jofa silk."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London duplex.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://alexpapachristidis.com/">Alex Papachristidis</a>.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Nancy Hass.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Master Class" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (December 2010 - January 2011)</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffUTVYHNACe9vEOjTed2EDaZpu8tKacRhwqOjQOb8S4827qy1rm8s_PvU-k4tcOhfJDsxGZdLL-1y5s-ZwLFECQJNKiEHUW96CV-DBGvoYAQWGysotC8DwRcVOwVmJIPn7ptuvsJe7QM/s1600/BlogJohnDickinsonEDDec2010Jan2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffUTVYHNACe9vEOjTed2EDaZpu8tKacRhwqOjQOb8S4827qy1rm8s_PvU-k4tcOhfJDsxGZdLL-1y5s-ZwLFECQJNKiEHUW96CV-DBGvoYAQWGysotC8DwRcVOwVmJIPn7ptuvsJe7QM/s640/BlogJohnDickinsonEDDec2010Jan2011.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A chair by John Dickinson is covered in a Highland Court animal print, the mahogany commode is vintage, the painting is by Bernard Frize"</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London duplex.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interior design by <a href="http://alexpapachristidis.com/">Alex Papachristidis</a>.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Nancy Hass.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Upton.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Master Class" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (December 2010 - January 2011).</span></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSOu_lKxqd7LGbTbxdaRzT5aiwraiBNzIJ6LzWBwKYFYq18ytmAcKfDY6dubhzUNRWXoXmlEAMws8IZ3-Ak3gtMf4J3_pUUq3ZzwTuaTmn3dgrzwCySDMhf2FurDSm5aFJLs93uTyXUY/s1600/gwynn-griffith-ed0911-06%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSOu_lKxqd7LGbTbxdaRzT5aiwraiBNzIJ6LzWBwKYFYq18ytmAcKfDY6dubhzUNRWXoXmlEAMws8IZ3-Ak3gtMf4J3_pUUq3ZzwTuaTmn3dgrzwCySDMhf2FurDSm5aFJLs93uTyXUY/s640/gwynn-griffith-ed0911-06%255B2%255D.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The screened-in porch features a plaster side table by John Dickinson, pillows upholstered in African textiles and a stained concrete floor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A circa-1883 factory converted by San Antonio designer Gwynn Griffith </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as her personal home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Rob Brinkley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by William Waldron.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Texas Treasure" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (September 2011).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH2_F8fmK-WkZedm-gp8KroYNQzI0hBvQF88WPbzXlF5CxhUTYACCzGtBtngxgjjiLrJDpC8LUZ3JVT_aimYcMCDydpusxA5PJlYNaqCOEpYONujxdRK-R_5VQcDDpz205a8MJKvrsSM/s1600/gwynn-griffith-ed0911-main%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH2_F8fmK-WkZedm-gp8KroYNQzI0hBvQF88WPbzXlF5CxhUTYACCzGtBtngxgjjiLrJDpC8LUZ3JVT_aimYcMCDydpusxA5PJlYNaqCOEpYONujxdRK-R_5VQcDDpz205a8MJKvrsSM/s640/gwynn-griffith-ed0911-main%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The living room  . . . features a John Dickinson plaster table, a wicker tub chair covered with a shearling throw, a French chandelier, and a Spanish cabinet; the wall of artwork includes paintings by [homeowner and decorator Gwynn Griffith]"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A circa-1883 factory converted by San Antonio designer Gwynn Griffith </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as her personal home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Rob Brinkley.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by William Waldron.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Texas Treasure" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (September 2011).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuiJtx_QfgQ_0hIZN6UofaUX1JbJlzIeB8D8h5_6-i7GmWYZNByQZhfY5MxzkFqHECcROAKzQrQQKJ5r59zVaUBuMmIfsrrap4XpVWcDgak5HMJTOgdXbOvVNtohOznph3LmC3DBpOwI/s1600/item3.rendition.slideshowWideVertical.inez-van-lamsweerde-vinoodh-matadin-04-living-area.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuiJtx_QfgQ_0hIZN6UofaUX1JbJlzIeB8D8h5_6-i7GmWYZNByQZhfY5MxzkFqHECcROAKzQrQQKJ5r59zVaUBuMmIfsrrap4XpVWcDgak5HMJTOgdXbOvVNtohOznph3LmC3DBpOwI/s640/item3.rendition.slideshowWideVertical.inez-van-lamsweerde-vinoodh-matadin-04-living-area.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The circa-1970 faux-bois plaster table is by John Dickinson."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Mayer Rus.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Simon Watson.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin's Manhattan Apartment" </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Produced by Michael Reynolds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/">Architectural Digest</a> (October 2011).</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPeA2DYZOZvHK6p_U47weWeh9GrD6wkwMYwnkqaoMqi5YHnKtf5Mfmn-JiTbD1ig9bp6CujJo81au6eA3IKXa94P-DQi8GOr0szIkN07-VWvbicDH4tYrIz_xwFmmFl1V2GnGduaha8U/s1600/item4.rendition.slideshowWideVertical.daniel-romualdez-los-angeles-home-05-living-room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPeA2DYZOZvHK6p_U47weWeh9GrD6wkwMYwnkqaoMqi5YHnKtf5Mfmn-JiTbD1ig9bp6CujJo81au6eA3IKXa94P-DQi8GOr0szIkN07-VWvbicDH4tYrIz_xwFmmFl1V2GnGduaha8U/s640/item4.rendition.slideshowWideVertical.daniel-romualdez-los-angeles-home-05-living-room.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"John Dickinson lamps flank a geological specimen atop an Aldo Tura console."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beverly Hills home of architect and designer Daniel Romualdez.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Peter Haldeman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by Roger Davies.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Styled by Robert Rufino.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Breaking Away" produced by Carolina Irving.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/">Architectural Digest</a> (January 2012).</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsVel83BdfrLsbE3gKeZh-KqwsNOfbP0oxX1EwZfdcb6vrUnpADDgEzubDYWgFXFiL4MAhCpIn_liQrkgr6lsMr7l8T_ATJGT-e9Enoh_ImzdoVFmpe_K6IttvlEF1yQT0hcTLLbckFA/s1600/Steven-Volpe-ed0911-03-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsVel83BdfrLsbE3gKeZh-KqwsNOfbP0oxX1EwZfdcb6vrUnpADDgEzubDYWgFXFiL4MAhCpIn_liQrkgr6lsMr7l8T_ATJGT-e9Enoh_ImzdoVFmpe_K6IttvlEF1yQT0hcTLLbckFA/s640/Steven-Volpe-ed0911-03-lgn.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"A Piero Fornasetti cabinet in the living area with a Diego Giacometti sculpture and a prehistoric stone object; the galvanized tin console is by John Dickinson."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">San Francisco apartment of designer <a href="http://www.stevenvolpe.com/">Steven Volpe</a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Text by Ingrid Abramovitch.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photography by William Abranowicz.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Rare Form" produced by Anita Sarsidi.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/">Elle Decor</a> (September 2011).</span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sutherlandfurniture.com/pdf/DickinsonBrochure.pdf">David Sutherland</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> sells pieces that are cast from John Dickinson's original works and molds. These pieces are made of glass fiber reinforced concrete and can be used indoors or out. Buyers looking for original John Dickinson items can purchase from </span><a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_search.php?i_creator=John+Dickinson" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1st Dibs</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, which currently is offering plaster pieces and a pair of custom "Etruscan" chairs somewhat similar to the gold chair pictured above in the apartment designed by Alex Papachristidis. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dickinson's work has influenced numerous other designers including <a href="http://odada.net/">Orlando Diaz-Azcuy</a>, who recounts his relationship with him in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Designers-Inspiration-Behind-Great-Interiors/dp/0071421602">Designers on Designers</a> by Susan Gray, which is the source for some of the quotes in this piece. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Elegance is self-assurance in one sense and nothing is as easily spotted as false elegance. Elegance requires leisure and thought and the ability to carry it out. </i></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A modest small thing can be elegant.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Dickinson, 1971</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />

John Dickinson: Primitive Elegance

There's a fine line between being amusing and being eccentric. John Dickinson (1920 - 1982) John Dickinson, the late San Francisco desig...

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Birthday Tribute to Eero Saarinen

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context - a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan."</span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eero Saarinen</span></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Eero Saarinen. The Finnish American architect and industrial designer was born on August 20, 1910 and died on September 1, 1961. Lauded by many as a master of mid century design, he was criticized by others who felt he had no identifiable style. This lack of a signature look was due to Saarinen's ability to adapt his talents to the needs of each particular project. He did not impose a standard vision on his different creations.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyone who has flown into the Washington Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia (26 miles from downtown Washington, D.C.) has experienced the work of Eero Saarinen, who designed the main terminal. The graceful slope of the roof clearly and cleanly conjures the feeling of flight.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEb_EpQdrfF9Je0nVYwkuW2OmSN5S5jXoJbnVNAnBFGTMcdLS5Ut8DQXtgctGYWwQrrW80ZZxTc1E-Us1mXoqITKagm3lry7tuJ6S31ZV4KL1ciqyk6DXTTI4SARjectJMhr3bmB2E5U/s1600/800px-Washington_Dulles_International_Airport_at_Dusk%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEb_EpQdrfF9Je0nVYwkuW2OmSN5S5jXoJbnVNAnBFGTMcdLS5Ut8DQXtgctGYWwQrrW80ZZxTc1E-Us1mXoqITKagm3lry7tuJ6S31ZV4KL1ciqyk6DXTTI4SARjectJMhr3bmB2E5U/s640/800px-Washington_Dulles_International_Airport_at_Dusk%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Main terminal of Washington Dulles International Airport at dusk in Virginia, USA.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">August 30, 2011.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(Joe Ravi is the creator and copyright holder of this image [CC-BY-SA 3.0], </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">which I found on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Washington_Dulles_International_Airport_at_Dusk.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>.)</span></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">S</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">aarinen also designed the TWA Terminal of the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. This terminal opened in 1962, but Saarinen did not live to see it. He died in 1961 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. Like the Dulles Airport, the TWA Terminal is a visual image of flight rendered in concrete. It appears to be a bird, perhaps a hawk or an eagle, crouched as if ready to fly. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4PQU_9Qzq5kGZofZl2ZHGEyQSpukyxecZjatMArYG8N_Too_y6u0N3kLLAyQuELfnzJ0DBcWIrPYLl5eFBZHn04JcNahlttRrteG4mxt4V4o7bmAeSCWJMPQzx7T1WEFbU-SMrN48ZM/s1600/800px-Jfkairport%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4PQU_9Qzq5kGZofZl2ZHGEyQSpukyxecZjatMArYG8N_Too_y6u0N3kLLAyQuELfnzJ0DBcWIrPYLl5eFBZHn04JcNahlttRrteG4mxt4V4o7bmAeSCWJMPQzx7T1WEFbU-SMrN48ZM/s640/800px-Jfkairport%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JKF International Airport.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">April 5, 2006.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Author: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pheezy" target="_blank">pheezy</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pheezy/130880377/" target="_blank">Flickr</a> via Wikipedia.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">The TWA Terminal closed in October 2001, and it is no longer open to the public. (Scenes from the Leonard DiCaprio movie, "Catch Me if You Can," were filmed there.) The terminal has undergone renovations and travel blogger Michelle Young was able to take some hauntingly beautiful photos of this architecturally significant building. Here is the link to her amazing images: <a href="http://newyork.untappedcities.com/2012/06/27/behind-the-scenes-at-the-twa-flight-center-at-jfk-airport/" target="_blank">@Untapped Cities by Michelle Young</a>. Michelle writes in her blog, "Upon visiting in the present, you feel transported not only to another time, but also to an ethereal place. This was the cathedral to aviation, if there ever was one, and you feel through the design the pride and optimism the aviation industry had then."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuwiQjxCce-wULcpMekJKmXeLlKIibiHnA7i3Tw1GEMasMSpCF4e9tfUhyt9TpCoJWQhm5ZwQoPCiAQsv8xxRpxp0-qSM3VwbW3KX3Wj85Iyyv8O3f7NRXClRyisGOY0PdUWgmCM-omY/s1600/489px-Gateway_Arch_complete%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuwiQjxCce-wULcpMekJKmXeLlKIibiHnA7i3Tw1GEMasMSpCF4e9tfUhyt9TpCoJWQhm5ZwQoPCiAQsv8xxRpxp0-qSM3VwbW3KX3Wj85Iyyv8O3f7NRXClRyisGOY0PdUWgmCM-omY/s640/489px-Gateway_Arch_complete%5B1%5D.jpg" width="520" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Eero Saarinen creation: The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Daniel Schen, creator of this image (Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO. May 18, 2009), which I found on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gateway_Arch_complete.jpg" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>, holds the copyright image.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Again, this structure is graceful, sweeping, simple, elegant.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"In his purist approach to architecture and interior design, Eero Saarinen sought the essential idea and reduced it to the most effective structural solution within the overall unity of design. 'The underside of typical chairs and tables makes a confusing, unrestful world,' explained Saarinen. 'I wanted to clear up the slum of legs.' In his pedestal collection, which [is produced by <a href="http://www.knoll.com/" target="_blank">Knoll</a> and] includes a dining, coffee and side table, Saarinen realized his ideal of formal unity. The tables are available with laminate, marble, or veneer tops with a base in black, white or platinum finish." (From the <a href="http://www.knoll.com/" target="_blank">Knoll</a> website.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">I now share some images of Saarinen's iconic pedestal table, </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">which is perfect in so many types of decor.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8PItAi9Z18BnR8fJrXw8G9aUPO-SCHkE4uDEijuhRQxfVyMOCp_Wg6zLc6eXW5e1O1iAAxuFN46WUWFG-6ErFSPVq7KRddmBd_Ju0X09QduvCZHRrONg1vlZLTgLOJP-4V2JOsMAqFE/s1600/BlogSaarinenADAugust2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8PItAi9Z18BnR8fJrXw8G9aUPO-SCHkE4uDEijuhRQxfVyMOCp_Wg6zLc6eXW5e1O1iAAxuFN46WUWFG-6ErFSPVq7KRddmBd_Ju0X09QduvCZHRrONg1vlZLTgLOJP-4V2JOsMAqFE/s640/BlogSaarinenADAugust2012.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"An Alexander Calder mobile hangs above a Saarinen table by Knoll and Bielecky Brothers dining chairs in the kitchen."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Historical Main Line, Philadelphia home filled with museum-caliber works by artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Donald Judd, Andy Warhol and Cy Twombly.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Thomas Jayne.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Text by Julie L. Belcove.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Roger Davies.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;">Architectural Digest (August 2012).</span><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSPxvCKk8kbaHb5RCSeAsPtf-lMMFlmH8tya4UlHJZFUtesF3cTI4Oo3aUkEdlUjO1BLFzcQdE4JeGPxv4ARZjoPi7iOlibm9oJr4XUd9e9-RKejs5nDWF-n1_CJGNdxsGTBHz57BCjw/s1600/BlogSaarinenEDMay2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSPxvCKk8kbaHb5RCSeAsPtf-lMMFlmH8tya4UlHJZFUtesF3cTI4Oo3aUkEdlUjO1BLFzcQdE4JeGPxv4ARZjoPi7iOlibm9oJr4XUd9e9-RKejs5nDWF-n1_CJGNdxsGTBHz57BCjw/s640/BlogSaarinenEDMay2011.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Home of interior designer Patrick Printy and Dan Holland.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">New construction based on original Cape Dutch design </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">using reclaimed flooring, beams and fixtures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Patrick Printy.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Styled by Stephen Pappas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Text by Kathleen Hackett.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Laura Resen.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Elle Decor (May 2011).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL13KlDk82m4Nd63FyIsW0o14x27djsQb4kPXlkeiXisszsXbqDIDrzGSVTZrBYhgFOw8BlPPNhTyXk_6JMSwceaYy3ws_nC_qwnkmy8CEk2_igL3syHLv1xcOeifr7CEqxwmwb5YLoM/s1600/BlogSaarinenEDNov2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL13KlDk82m4Nd63FyIsW0o14x27djsQb4kPXlkeiXisszsXbqDIDrzGSVTZrBYhgFOw8BlPPNhTyXk_6JMSwceaYy3ws_nC_qwnkmy8CEk2_igL3syHLv1xcOeifr7CEqxwmwb5YLoM/s640/BlogSaarinenEDNov2010.jpg" width="478" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;">"A mobile chandelier by Interieurs hangs above a Saarinen dining table by Knoll."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ossining, New York home of Doug Turshen and Rochelle Udell.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Designer: James Shearron.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Architect: Dick Bories.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Styled by James Shearron.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Text by Samuel Cochran.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by William Waldron.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Elle Decor (November 2010).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyNXXQpJEza4tna6wRNHSS9qrzJwt8QDYsE-4XKRlQS11r6zUI9aPmERMAS6wzK1wr6RahDA1QJun9xX7UZURHJN0sEEe5wRD79asQfNfgxiNzpaNaY3t2F-u74u0S9FN10I2JF8E-k4/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBApril2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyNXXQpJEza4tna6wRNHSS9qrzJwt8QDYsE-4XKRlQS11r6zUI9aPmERMAS6wzK1wr6RahDA1QJun9xX7UZURHJN0sEEe5wRD79asQfNfgxiNzpaNaY3t2F-u74u0S9FN10I2JF8E-k4/s640/BlogSaarinenHBApril2012.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Eero Saarinen's Tulip armchairs and dining table nestle cozily in the bay window. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chair cushions in Edelman Leather's Daffodil add a sunny pop of color."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Home of John Edelman, President and CEO of <a href="http://www.designwithinreach.com/" target="_blank">Design Within Reach</a>, and interior designer, Bonnie Edelman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Bonnie Edelman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Architect: Heidi Stormer (mother of Bonnie Edelman).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interview by Dylan Landis.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">House Beautiful (April 2012).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML96fVDFQwIB0MZcGTmhL7YDyEmVhlBBsxMuX2QOJdQRNqQdqGEzL7PdoUoaQiipMrxsEZXzzTarSdY6vMma1vK_0S-gN9Ob_M9sF0MgBBTV_A-6bBSI59X-5X9IxiNuc61oIgJRQLwM/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBApril2012Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhML96fVDFQwIB0MZcGTmhL7YDyEmVhlBBsxMuX2QOJdQRNqQdqGEzL7PdoUoaQiipMrxsEZXzzTarSdY6vMma1vK_0S-gN9Ob_M9sF0MgBBTV_A-6bBSI59X-5X9IxiNuc61oIgJRQLwM/s640/BlogSaarinenHBApril2012Two.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Eero Saarinen gets my total respect for designing a table where 10 people can sit without the annoyance of table legs," says homeowner and interior designer Bonnie Edelman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">"In her family's Ridgefield, Connecticut dining room, Saarinen's Oval Dining Table and Executive Armchairs engage with a bristling Satellite chandelier, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">all from <a href="http://www.designwithinreach.com/" target="_blank">Design Within Reach</a>."</span>  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Home of John Edelman, President and CEO of <a href="http://www.designwithinreach.com/" target="_blank">Design Within Reach</a>, and interior designer, Bonnie Edelman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Bonnie Edelman.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Architect: Heidi Stormer (mother of Bonnie Edelman).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interview by Dylan Landis.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">House Beautiful (April 2012).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB8FqVVNOZaoaINGhC8LTEFIxGPIk-u1yvSI7KGXd92P_jbKIExH8YGBazv-Wohc6k71Snz2kEu6asR0NnnXD6_VyBhXQk-6bv0sCGm4vgQge4j_NCNG8kA-rjPIvmxWo2WYf32938Z4/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBDecJan2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQB8FqVVNOZaoaINGhC8LTEFIxGPIk-u1yvSI7KGXd92P_jbKIExH8YGBazv-Wohc6k71Snz2kEu6asR0NnnXD6_VyBhXQk-6bv0sCGm4vgQge4j_NCNG8kA-rjPIvmxWo2WYf32938Z4/s640/BlogSaarinenHBDecJan2011.jpg" width="498" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"<a href="http://www.olystudio.com/" target="_blank">Oly Studio</a> chairs are pulled up to a vintage Saarinen table. Painting by Patricia Hansen."</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Marie Nygren and Smith Hanes.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interview by Mimi Read.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Amy Neunsinger.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">House Beautiful (December - January 2011).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa_hDDzjQM14GQRXuqbihVSUgtcQ66kc13n3U7wVpv7sA2crgNLD3Z22BRCx95VQfmGsVteTgz-otdSx12PhcC9ddbCgdUfVSwtjTFev3SyhGUrg6-ZULihlZaP4JUDUyQzlkgukOQAU/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBJulyAugust2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa_hDDzjQM14GQRXuqbihVSUgtcQ66kc13n3U7wVpv7sA2crgNLD3Z22BRCx95VQfmGsVteTgz-otdSx12PhcC9ddbCgdUfVSwtjTFev3SyhGUrg6-ZULihlZaP4JUDUyQzlkgukOQAU/s640/BlogSaarinenHBJulyAugust2011.jpg" width="524" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the striped fabric with the marble-topped Saarinen side table.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Birmingham, Alabama home of interior designer Bill Ingram.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Bill Ingram.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Simon Watson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5b5gqRVhUtTxKNBzish2kAID0w3ggkste-jh9ZLJ-6HmaLp6XlFLmZofh41dimJRKq7OQ_Br48IkCTSyRpDPD91T90E4q1RwBxLSbOsqYNs7kUjcpdU_7ls3h-0-4eT8t0_WE6JeazI/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBOct2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5b5gqRVhUtTxKNBzish2kAID0w3ggkste-jh9ZLJ-6HmaLp6XlFLmZofh41dimJRKq7OQ_Br48IkCTSyRpDPD91T90E4q1RwBxLSbOsqYNs7kUjcpdU_7ls3h-0-4eT8t0_WE6JeazI/s640/BlogSaarinenHBOct2011.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The most interesting rooms mix cultures and periods," says homeowner Royce Pinkwater.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1950s Eero Saarinen  table with Verner Panton's C1 chairs.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Park Avenue apartment of Royce Pinkwater, broker at Sotheby's International Realty.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Royce Pinkwater, Eric Cohler, Sidney Frazier and Kyle Clarkson.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Thomas Loof.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">House Beautiful (October 2011).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPL9CfxA4HzWq6EY_81wj-pVjq23NiKc1rhGp3A8yP-YWeo76Yhux8zM4TiXGPpXZ2eqD5bPPK77DtcXRXu8v9d7Jp05FbqTuo2tGf1ViDafLqaNsYmoJj8CLTdBLZ125UngKVUF5mBU/s1600/BlogSaarinenHBOct2011Two.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPL9CfxA4HzWq6EY_81wj-pVjq23NiKc1rhGp3A8yP-YWeo76Yhux8zM4TiXGPpXZ2eqD5bPPK77DtcXRXu8v9d7Jp05FbqTuo2tGf1ViDafLqaNsYmoJj8CLTdBLZ125UngKVUF5mBU/s640/BlogSaarinenHBOct2011Two.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another view of Royce Pinkwater's 1950s Saarinen table.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Interior design by Royce Pinkwater, Eric Cohler, Sidney Frazier and Kyle Clarkson.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Thomas Loof.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">House Beautiful (October 2011).</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br /><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAoIjJsoPuMKex__iqXc4DotIqT3fMxfk_TlX03KYVJpNHYtJTRzeLEOSvQxRWkAgm5f1_aYfAE9c3R-RILvu0NEjude7woKCh5CEr1I2Fylz9SEeGY9jSQIt3kaQvBpMQwqT286h65E/s1600/BlogSaarinenVerandaOctober2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAoIjJsoPuMKex__iqXc4DotIqT3fMxfk_TlX03KYVJpNHYtJTRzeLEOSvQxRWkAgm5f1_aYfAE9c3R-RILvu0NEjude7woKCh5CEr1I2Fylz9SEeGY9jSQIt3kaQvBpMQwqT286h65E/s640/BlogSaarinenVerandaOctober2011.jpg" width="630" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Black Eero Saarinen chair by <a href="http://www.knoll.com/" target="_blank">Knoll</a>.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">New York City pied-a-terre of Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and John G. Capo.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Renovation and interior design by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Photography by Melanie Acevedo.</span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Veranda (October 2011).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em></em></div>

Birthday Tribute to Eero Saarinen

"Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context - a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, ...

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