When you spend a lot of time in airports, there’s only so much Hudson Newsstand and Cinnabon a person can take.   So, you can imagine my delight when I saw an exhibition at San Francisco International Airport celebrating the industrial design and influence of Russell Wright and his wife Mary.

I think the above opening illustration says it all: Easier Living.   You know, from far away, I thought it read “Easter” living.    Might be time to get my eyes checked again.

The exhibition featured various pieces Russell Wright designed for all types of different industries, ranging from hospitality to catalog to direct retail…with a strong emphasis on tableware and service pieces. 

This collection of spun aluminum really caught my eye because I am not a “retro” collector by any means and loved this.    I’ve always been a fan of very straight-forward, truth-in-materials type of design and this honesty of aluminum and raw cork/wood/rattan just looks great.   The natural materials look warm and the aluminum feels futuristic.  

Throughout the 1920′s-1960′s, Russell’s company (with his wife Mary), worked with the Stuebenville Pottery company in Ohio to create colorful and masterfully made pottery.   It’s interesting how these vintage pitchers here are done in glaze colors that are very “on trend” for today.    I do believe color palettes come in and out of favor with the public over time.      I’d be happy to have a set of pottery dishes in any of these colors today.

Even though more than 250 million pieces of dishware was created (most notably their American modern dinnerware, which was sold in color and basic in shape), there were more artistic pieces created in limited editions.   Notably, this simple floral pattern was designed by later shelved because it didn’t photograph well.  Since customers shopped by catalog, anything that couldn’t “read” in photo was rejected by retailers.   Funny,  isn’t it?    I love the simplicity of these dishes and will keep it in mind during my junk shop/thrift days.

Some pieces designed for the hotel and restaurant industry.    The island theme is really fun.   

And finally, one of the last collections designed by Russell Wright.  As with any design trend, his style was beginning to fade out at the end of his illustrious career, and this collection was made and presented to retailers but failed to get picked up.    These were samples made to show, so if you find any in your shopping adventures, pick it up.  It’s rare and wonderful.

In the April issue of Philadelphia Magazine, my newly renovated home is featured in a story called “Seo Cool.”   It’s a fun piece that shows all the eco renovations that I did to them home and also lists all of my secret sources in Bucks County, PA where I like to dine, shop, and find junk store treasures.

Over at their website, they posted a bit of the story along with a slide show.   So, I thought it would be OK to share the pics with all of you.    Above are my two favorite JCPenney club cahirs in front of the large windows in the living room.   I just love how the photographer captured the light coming through the linen drapes…

The living room with the tree stump floor lamp.    I love how all my art auction purchases are featured throughout the story.    And, yes, that’s my Energy Star flat screen TV mounted on an old art easel.  It’s been like that for about 9 months now and I still love it!

The renovated kitchen.  All Bosch appliances, which I covet.    And we used A LOT of glass tiles from Shaw Flooring for the backsplash.  Why not tile to the top?     The countertops are recycled glass and concrete from IceStone.

The antique store drafting table… with reupholstered chair in hemp fabric. 

The art wall…with pieces ranging from a portrait of Nelson Mandela from famed photographer Kwaku Alston to lithographs found stashed away in the back of a drawer ni the house…to actual blueprints of the home, now framed as art.

And a collection of pewter plates found at the Renninger’s Extravaganza (twice a year in Kutztown, PA).    I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at this display in the home.    Hmm…I may need to go dust them today.