GUNNAR NYLUND

One of my favourite Scandinavian designers is Gunnar Nylund (1904-1989). Best known for his ceramics at Rorstrand, he designed both ceramics and glass for many companies. Originally trained as an architect he began his career at Bing and Grondahl in 1926 and went on to co-found Saxbo with Nathalie Krebs in 1929 where he began experimenting with forms and glazes. An exhibition in Svensk Tenn in Stockholm brought him to the attention of Rorstrand where he worked until 1958. He sought functionality and beauty in useful objects and created graceful, modern, richly glazed pieces. His work is widely collected but pieces still pop up like this beautifully tactile little vase which I found recently. I have always collected his Aro designs, especially the Haresfur glaze bowls like this one, but they are getting harder and harder to find.

SUMMER SAIL

This great original framed print from 1966, 'Boats in Blues & Greens' by William Rutledge (Australia) 83x38cm, would make a great statement piece in any retro home.

JUAN TABLE

If Spain (or Mexico) progress in the World Cup this 1960s teak coffee table with tiled top is going to be in demand. It's exactly the right height for beer, cocktails, dips and surprisingly....coffee. Who could resist the stylist hand painted scenes of rural Spanish (or Mexican) life. World class.

TUNE IN - CHILL OUT!

JUST ARRIVED! THIS FABULOUS 1950s FIDELITY RADIOGRAM IN FULL WORKING ORDER - FULLY SERVICED AND READY TO GO.

A BOWED FRONT WOODEN UNIT WITH CREAM TWEED SPEAKER GRILLE ON SPUTNIK LEGS. MW/LW/FM RADIO MOUNTED ON LEFT WITH A SLIDING TAMBOUR DOOR SECTION TO THE MIDDLE REVEALING A MONARCH AUTOCHANGEDECK AND RECORD STORAGE. BEAUTIFUL RICH SOUND AND GREAT VOLUME . A FANTASTIC VINTAGE PIECE.

ORANGLE

It's hard to resist the clean design and smooth mechanism of a good anglepoise, and when it comes in bright orange it's a must have!

RACK & ROLL

Arriving just in time for Airfield Bazaar and Dublin Flea this weekend is this cool little side table magazine rack with cute ball feet. The laminate top has the look of a design by Jacqueline Groag for Warerite made by Bakelite in the 1950s and just makes it a cut above the ordinary.

HOW BAZAAR

Busy week-end ahead. Airfield Bazaar on Saturday which should be a big one because the weather is going to be fanatastic! If you haven't been to Airfield it's worth a trip, beautiful house, fantastic gardens, great cafe serving all sorts of home made food, a craft shop, garden centre and lots of animals for the kids to pet. On top of that a vintage market- in the sunshine- what could be better? Then it's off to our regular spot at the Dublin Flea on Sunday.....more later.

KITCHEN SINK

We are revamping our kitchen and have decided that are fabulous table must go as it doesn't fit the new colour scheme. The table was based on a Finn Juhl design and made by Simon O'Driscoll in Dublin. A lovely organic bowed shape with 'sprung' legs, it is finished in beech and seats upto 8 people really comfortably. It is 200cmx94cm and in great condition. We are selling at the ridiculously low price of €450 simply because we don't have space to store it! It has been featured in several interior magazines like the one below.

Delivery can be arranged in Dublin. Send me an email at www.kirmodern.com if you would like more information or photos.

TAKE NOTE

I like a good Eames inspired musical coat rack but it is hard to find vintage originals there are so many repro versions around. I picked up two great examples recently within minutes of each other, the black version with coloured balls is a fine example of original 1950s design - and in great condition. The white version was designed for the Freemans catalogue in 1957 and was described as "Home Sweet Home' bent wire musical coat rack with treble cleff and moving notes that swivel out to right angle. Sweet. Both are available tomorrow at the Newmarket Brocante in Dublin.

DEE LITE

This 1960s Philips floor light is a fabulous find. It has two movable heads, one with a broad spectrum light on a chrome arm, the other directional spot light on a goose neck. In retro orange with black weighted base and chrome arms it is in great condition. Another nice vintage find that will be on show at the Newmarket Brocante, Dublin, this Sunday.

GLASSES GLASSES...

Sets of glasses in 1950s often featured different designs based on a single theme. Exotic colourful subjects where a big hit and the great retro themes of space, ballet, science and music often featured. This set of 6 French glasses, all with different illustrations of dancers, is particularly stylish with great vibrant illustrations. These and more great retro pieces of furniture and design will be at the Dublin Brocante this Sunday 20th - come along and say hello! http://www.newmarketbrocante.com/

SALAD DAYS

I grabbed this salad set as soon as I spotted it. I was pretty sure it was Scandinavian, possibly Stavangerflint or Rorstrand but I was wrong! The pattern is "Fleur" produced by TG Green in 1960, (yes TG Green who make Cornish blue and white kitchen ware). The beautiful Scandinavian inspired pattern featuring wonderful floral and herbal images reminiscent of Marianne Westman's 'Picknick' range for Rorstrand
was designed by Berit Ternell and because the hand painting was intricate and labour intensive was only available for a very short period until 1961.

LOVELY GIRLS

Just arrived is this stunning Tretchikoff print of The Balinese Girl in A1 original condition in its original frame. I also have a two new JH Lynch prints and a VanderSyde which I will be posting later. Contact me if you are interested in any print, these are getting harder and harder to find!