Knoll is one of the most iconic American furniture manufacturers and this year celebrated 80 years in business. Knoll is the only authorized producer of the lines of furniture originally designed by Eero Saarinen, Mies van der Rohe, Florence Knoll, Harry Bertoia, Marcel Breuer, and Warren Platner just to name a few. Their headquarters and amazing museum are located in East Greenville, PA approximately an hour northwest of Philadelphia. We’re pleased to dedicate this issue of our newsletter exclusively to Knoll.

Knoll Models

Architectural Digest does a terrific job summarizing Knoll’s long history and discusses how it has become one of the most successful American furniture companies. When Jason Claire started Vastu in Washington DC in 2003 (where Sarita worked for 8 years), Knoll approached them to become the exclusive residential dealer in Metro-DC. That is when Jason and Sarita’s knowledge of mid-century modern design was honed, and where their respect for trademark-protected original design by Knoll was sealed. More.

Hey, Knoll Sister

Architectural Digest does a terrific job summarizing Knoll’s long history and discusses how it has become one of the most successful American furniture companies. When Jason Claire started Vastu in Washington DC in 2003 (where Sarita worked for 8 years), Knoll approached them to become the exclusive residential dealer in Metro-DC. That is when Jason and Sarita’s knowledge of mid-century modern design was honed, and where their respect for trademark-protected original design by Knoll was sealed.

A Visit to Knoll

We strongly suggest a visit to the Knoll Museum, which is by appointment only, and then spending a weekend in nearby Philadelphia. In Philly, stay at the fabulous Roost East Marketor the new Four Seasons atop the Comcast Center. Visit Independence Hall and The Barnes Foundation Museum.  Beforehand, you may want to watch the documentary “The Art of the Steal” about the Barnes Foundation. It’s fascinating.

Lastly, food!  Philly is a foodie city.  For dinner check out Double Knot, Vernick, and Zahav if you can get a reservation.  For lunch, head over to the Reading Terminal Market.  And, for breakfast, there is nothing like 
La Colombe Coffee, which started in Philadelphia on Rittenhouse Square. Also, just walk. The city is gorgeous.

Mid-Century Modern on Screens

If you’ve never watched the TV series, Mad Men, then we strongly recommend it.  Not only is it one of the best American dramas ever made but the mid-century set design is spectacular.  Also, Tom Ford’s movie A Single Man epitomizes Palm Springs and Southern California mid-century modern style and happens to be a phenomenal flick.

On the Boards

We’ve been working with a young couple with a growing family who has moved from their beloved DC rowhouse to a large single family home in Arlington. When plans to build a new custom home began to grow more and more daunting, the idea of finding an existing home became more appealing. They loved everything about the new house except the overly traditional interiors and challenged us with transforming the home into a more modern version of itself that still felt appropriate with the traditional exterior and interior architecture.

We’re starting with a master bath gut reno and enlarged walk-in closet with maximally efficient storage solutions. The new bathroom will feature a curbless, open shower, a free-standing modern tub with a view, and a custom designed built-in linen cabinet with opaque glass doors and hidden laundry hampers. The floors and the shower and vanity walls will be clad in timeless carrara marble with modern touches of chrome and matte black. The “fun” factor requested by our client has been the rich, deep blue furniture-style double vanity.  Stay tuned for more photos!

Interior Chatter

Stay tuned for exciting news about our firm and a published project that features Knoll classics and a fabulous art collection.