At the Mart: Frank Lloyd Wright Furniture by Copeland

Last week, we attended the opening of a new showroom at the Merchandise Mart. We took a peek at the Copeland Furniture showroom featuring their Frank Lloyd Wright collection, along with accessories and decor by Prairie Arts. Photos below:

Bryan and Lisa of Prairie Arts

We had a nice time touring the showroom and a great conversation with Lisa and Bryan, the creative couple behind the Prairie Arts accessories (on display throughout the showroom) and one of our favorite blogs, Prairie Mod.

From Ben Copeland, about the FLW collection: We are showing 34 carefully reproduced (and adapted) pieces, produced under license from the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation of Scottsdale, Arizona. We've worked with the Archives in Scottsdale to study and select pieces that were important and central to the original homes built in the Prairie period - and - are beautiful and useful 100 years later in 2008. We're also showing licensed products from Prairie Arts as well as other selected Arts and Crafts in inspired home furnishings.

More info:
Copeland

Photos: Janel Laban

Comments (7)

Love! Just wish the chairs didn't look so stiff and uncomfy.

posted by orangeblossom on November 5th 2008 at 10:44am
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@ orangeblossom : you'll have to say that to Frank !

posted by Daniel Poitiers on November 5th 2008 at 11:06am
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Orangeblossom--

FLW's seating was notoriously uncomfortable - made back in the days when the appearance of furniture, clothing, etc. was prized over comfort.

There are stories of owners of FLW houses he designed and furnished with his own designs who sold and/or gave away his chairs in favor of more comfortable seating.

posted by bepsf on November 5th 2008 at 11:10am
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My best friend has 6 of the Barrel Chairs featured above. When he bought them the Italian company Cassina was the authorized licensed manufacturer. While some of his other chairs may be uncomfortable, the Barrel Chairs are not. There is a gentle curve that cradles your back and the seat cushion has a light bounce to it. We've sat in those chairs for hours over a long dinner. If you come across one, you should test it out. The straight highback chairs - another story.

posted by BillyRes on November 5th 2008 at 12:17pm
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just an fyi - FLW designed the original barrel chair for the owner of the SC Johnson company's personal house, Wingspread.

posted by mhulth on November 5th 2008 at 2:03pm
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I adore those architectonic Teco pottery bases. I just wish I could afford them.

posted by kuroneko on November 5th 2008 at 3:27pm
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I checked out the Teco prices at a couple of sites and they actually seem really reasonable compared to most of the other stuff out there.

posted by emo1975 on November 6th 2008 at 5:47am
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