apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

The pendant light is just what you need to re-create the food-warming station at your favorite fast-food place. Yuck!

Maybe I'm sort of impressed by the new catalog because of the two lamps of my dreams being in there (one of which is in the last picture), but did anybody notice how solid this new collection of CB2s is? It feels more thought out than older CB2 stuff. More cohesive. Some of the room layouts shown feel pretty dang smart versus the 'eh' that the last few catalogs gave me.

What a coincidence - I just got the new catalog in my mail this evening. My favorite piece is the plexiglass end table with the chrome tulip base. It's pictured in the "merimekko kikku bed linen" picture. I should go to the store this weekend to have a better look at it, and then walk around the house to see where I find a "need" for a table.

I'm still awaiting the new SF store. That big pendant reminds me of the one design lamp which I can't remember now – it was solid, black, shiny, and had a red cord. That's like a squished version of that lamp.

Anyone notice if they have the other FLOR tiles that are available in the U.K. and not here?

These ones:
http://www.heuga.com/InterfInspiration/uk

Faux bois fans might like the WoodWork:
http://www.heuga.com/InterfStyleDisplay/uk/parentCategoryId/11051/categoryId/15756

Or their vinyl tiles in the same sizes as the carpet tiles in wood or stone look:
http://www.heuga.com/InterfStyleDisplay/uk/parentCategoryId/11051/categoryId/13355

I agree that the layouts and the new pieces are great. I was just saying to my husband that I think the looks are going to be really influential for fall. And I *love* that gray modular sofa.

True Blue, I love those Flor tiles! My bedroom needs the leopard print ones.

I just got my catalog last night and I can't stop thumbing through it!

There are a lot of "inspired" items in there, from the Eames-ish white desk chair to the italian dining chairs. Not a bad thing at all. Some nice, cheap stuff, but I wonder if some of it is too cheap.

And maybe it's just me, but the whole red/green painted steel thing just seems like it would get really old, really fast. It's one thing if you design a whole room around a simple color palette of black, white and blood-orange red (as they do throughout the catalog) but I would bet mixing some of those items would be troublesome and rather fugly.

@ Orora, glad you like them! Now all we need to do is have them make them here, or send them here.

@ tdominey, no, it's not just you. I was just thinking of how the colors in the Go Kart desk photo reminded me of a carnival or funhouse:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Lost_City_-_Fun_House.jpg

Bright, garish colors.

I do like the orange-red cabinet. And kind of like the orange-red rug. But they can keep the yellow, green, fruit orange, bright pink items. Once that putrid green goes out of style, you won't be able to give away those things. I can't stand that color. It's a color that I associate with toxic or nuclear waste. Not that I've seen nuclear waste, but that's what it would be colored like, if my mind had it's way.

The all-gray room with the Lunar coffee table is flat and lifeless. The pillows don't help it at all, they just look out of place and silly.

Now, realize that if you take away all the trendy colors, you end up with white and gray. Which is one reason why these two posts have smart color palettes:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/the-olde-bell-inn-traditional-meets-modern-055559
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/look-gray-bricksholland-055302

Notice that in any of the spaces, like the top bedroom or the top dining area, you could put in that red-orange rug and get a burst of color.

THAT is how it is done. You buy your main pieces in neutrals, and accent with color. So you don't end up getting stuck with some toxic waste green desk or orange bed that will match up to NOTHING else when the trend is done.

I do like gray. But that top room, it might as well be labeled "Gray is the new beige". All the people who complain about monotone beige rooms are excited about monotone gray rooms. To which I say "Huh?"

I think a room should be able to stand on it's own without "the color of the moment".

I got the catalogue yesterday and the molto sectional (pictured here) immediately caught my eye. My husband and I need a new couch desperately for our apartment, something thats modern and stylish as well as versatile (we'll be in and out of apartments for the next few years while i'm in graduate school) and comfy for movie night. I've been wanting something just like this. I am concerned however about the quality and comfort of the pieces, as it is a little pricey.

I live in Iowa so I wouldn't be able to "test-drive" it before buying. Has anyone been to the store and seen/sat in it?

Im still more than a little suspicious of CB2. It seems as if their whole existence is based around chasing famous and good designs and cheaply copying them.

Look through a CB2 catalog and you see things that looks suspiciously familiar: is that Emeco? No. Is that Tolomeo? no. Is that Eames? No. Is that Knoll? No. Is that Saarinen? No.

Yes, I know not everyone can afford 'the classics' - but why not make some NEW classics instead of pimping yourself out as a grade-A knockoff company? Modern doesnt have to be defined by the mid-century aethetic. I guess that would mean CB2 needs to get some creativity and actually take some risks...

i totally dig that lobster bed in pic 7, but only red and white?! why not black!?

Matt, that's by biggest problem with cb2 they need more fabric color options!

Modfan: I think they walk a fine line, but for now, I think they're on the side of the angels. I.e., their arc-style lamps are more of a tribute than say, Kovacs' arc lamp knockoff (sorry George). The white metal desk they have is the lovechild of Prouve and Albini with the dimensions of an Eames desk. It's not as apparent as, say, Plycraft.

I am a little suspicious of quality from cb2. I have not yet ordered anything from them but do plan on ordering from them a few little things like lamps. The photographers lamp could be either fantastic or junk depending on quality of material. (if anyone has seen it let me know please!) Also that way oversized floor lamp with the mini pleats in white. There has got to be somewhere i can use that. Finally, the glass and chrome bookcase that is in the background of the bottom picture may be the tall nightstands that I have been looking for. Overall I like cb2. Good looking accessories for a reasonable amount of money. I just hope the materials aren't as cheap looking as eq3

oh, grow up, Modfan. Buying "the classics" suggests a lack of creativity as well, doesn't it? I suppose you'd disagree, given your name, but really. Why spend so much on "classics" that you'll tire of b/c you see the same aesthetic in every home you go into?!

I find a lot of CB2's stuff to fall under the category "good idea, inconsistent execution." Some pieces are great (Lunar Coffee table, Briar loveseat) others are somewhat...less great. For example, somebody asked about the photography floor lamp...stay away, that piece will break if you even look at it for too long.

MODFAN-I agree with you 100%.