designer to inspire: tom scheerer

one of the most frequent comments i've heard from our customers at found is, 'oooh, my grandparents had that very same [enter brass accessory here] in their house.'  sometimes the intonation suggests admiration, sometimes distaste (as if the smell of mothballs has suddenly invaded their sense memory), and sometimes confusion as to how/why this item could suddenly be current. it seems to me that such feelings are to be expected when shopping for vintage.  i LOVE hearing that good memories are being conjured and believe small doses of nostalgia to be healthy and inspiring, but i also want people to understand how mixing vintage pieces in unexpected ways can result in very fashionable, of-the-moment interiors.  there are many designers that have mastered 'the mix', but one who i think does this particularly well is tom scheerer.

see how he juxtaposes the curvaceous, curlicue bentwood chairs with the streamlined saarinen table, placed within a kitchen remodel?  it's exciting, right?

and again how a similar pair of chairs add interest as a graceful backdrop in the bedroom?  love it.

i'm kind of obsessed with his brooklyn townhouse project, where he again mixes time periods, purposes, and unexpected pairings to stimulating effect.  the mood is monochromatically serene, but made playful by small bursts of pattern.  i especially love the addition of the upholstered wingback to the dining area.  i mean, who doesn't feel like collapsing into a cozy chair at the end of a fatty meal?  and if you were looking for a quiet place to hide away and read a book, the dining room might be the last place where someone would try to find you.

here, in a bold display, a sense of history is created with a smattering (technical term) of pottery, flora and art within a lucite and louis-chair frame.  these elements might not seem like a natural match for one another, but the combination is delightful!

and, finally, the addition of mid-century brass lamps warms and glamourizes...

makes me excited to see what are certain to be unique, interesting, non-mothball-connotating future placements of these guys...

-tyler