George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher

George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher from McNay Art Museum on Vimeo.

Today is the opening day at the McNay Museum in San Antonio of George Nelson: Architect, Writer, Designer, Teacher. Nelson was hired by Herman Miller to be the company's design director. He was responsible for hiring the likes of Noguchi and the Eameses. The exhibition was organized by Vitra and will have a collection of a 120 items including furniture and architecture designs. Exhibition is on view through September 11, 2011.

More about the McNay Museum here.

More about Vitra, the exhibition organizers here.

Meet my new friend George...

George, as in George Nelson. This past Saturday the Architect and I went to the new MCM furniture store Form on N. Henderson. Sitting there was this beautiful George Nelson for Herman Miller credenza. Five minutes later it was mine.

Some history on George Nelson here.

Do stop by Form - it is on N. Henderson near the Slip Inn and right next to The Pearl Cup espresso bar. We were privileged to be the first sale for the owner, Buddy Hradecky. He has only been open for about 2 weeks, so stop on in and welcome him and his beautiful wares to the neighborhood. Also, the area where Form is located has been completely transformed. Lots of new local shops, bars and restaurants are popping up on this end of Henderson. The Architect and I will definitely be stopping down here more often.

Modern Alarm Clocks

Alarm clocks tend to be the neglected item in the bedroom. We buy them for utilitarian needs - tell us the time, wake us up in the morning, maybe play a little music. So after you have bought your 500+ thread count organic cotton sheets, your platform bed made from FSC certified wood, sleek nightstands and a swanky reading lamp with a CFL bulb; don't forget to dress up that nightstand with a cool, little clock.

Here are my top picks:

Moonbeam Clock from L.L. Bean - it has a retro style that works both in MCM and modern homes. It slowly wakes you up with a blinking light and if that doesn't work, it has a bell alarm. It is also $39.50 - you can't beat the price.

Picture from L.L. Bean.














Wood Face Clock - the description doesn't say whether or not it has an alarm, but it made the list nonetheless. It is an LED clock sheathed in a thin wood veneer, so the numerals glow through the wood.

Get yours for $175.00 at Shop Fosters.

Picture from Shop Fosters.





Vers 1.5R iPod Alarm Clock - this is for the audiophile in your family. You can choose your wood case and each is made by hand.

Get yours for $199.00 at Design Public.

Picture from Design Public.







Clocky - the clock that runs away. The theory behind this clock is that after the alarm goes off it rolls off your nightstand and you have to get out of bed to chase it to turn it off. The result is your out of bed and in theory, awake. I would probably kill this clock the first morning I had it.

Clocky is available for $49.00 at A+R Store.

Picture from A+R Store.










And if money was no object, pick yourself up the Night Clock by George Nelson. If I was to own this clock, I would probably have to sleep on an air mattress with 50 thread count IKEA sheets to afford it. But a girl can dream.

The Night Clock is $411.95 at Lumens.

Picture from Lumens.