Knoll Kids Collection

A scaled-down version of Saarinen's iconic Womb char.

Photo courtesy of Knoll/Vastu

As any good modern snob, I've been teaching by 6-year old daughter about classic mid-century modern design from the time she could talk. She now can authoritatively point out the work of George Nelson, the Eameses, Saarinen and Breuer. Maybe she deserves her very own Womb chair (see above) or Barcelona chair made by Knoll especially for kids. For those in D.C., you can find out more about these tike-friendly versions at Vastu on 14th Street.

Vitra Design Museum Celebrates George Nelson

If you are not planning on flying over to Germany to visit the Vitra Design Museum's retrospective on George Nelson, here's a good video taking you inside the exhibit that opened last month to mark 100 years since the influential modern architect, designer, writer and teacher was born in Hartford, Conn. Hope the exhibit will make its way to the United States, but until then...

Herman Miller Sale

Ten percent off. Free shipping. Well, with gas prices going through the roof and the stock market getting crushed, I guess any savings will help. Authorized Herman Miller dealers such as DWR, Highbrow Furniture and Jules Seltzer are marking down Eames, Nelson and Noguchi classics starting today and running until June 21.

Herman Miller's Discovering Design

This Herman Miller site is cool. Simple as that. The site features an interactive web of the key people, places, ideas and products of mid-century modern design. You can find images of the designs, vintage ads and catalogues, and video and audi clips. Click on the image of Ray and Charles Eames on their motorcycle to find a video from 1956 of the couple unveiling their lounge chair and ottoman on national televsion. Click on the picture of George Nelson to hear an audio clip of Nelson admitting how he did not even design his famous ball clock. Can you say Noguchi?