We owe most of our Charles Harper collection to eBay. Prices have gone way up since his popularity exploded in recent years, but diligent searching can still yield some bargains. We've always loved the red barbecue in this print.
Once upon a time, you used to have to dig through mountains of junk at swap meets, sift through dusty barns at estate sales, or luck out at a goodwill to find desirable collectibles. Nowadays all the stuff in the world (or treasure depending on your point of view) is up for grabs on eBay, and the sellers are more savvy than ever. That being said, with a little patience and search optimization, deals can still be had, and that rare find is a mere click away. Here are some of my favorite finds of the moment. Happy bidding.
The multitalented George Nelson made a name for himself in architecture, industrial design, graphic design, and as the man who brought Charles Eames and Alexander Girard together at Herman Miller, but of his many talents, we believe his writing to be the greatest, and most under appreciated. How To See is the perfect primer for the uninitiated.
Another of Finland's 20th century design superstars, Tapio Wirkkala, designed everything from hunting knives to lightbulbs to land art monuments. Wirkkala often retreated to his Lapland cabin to hunt, fish, and live off the land, and much of his work reflects this deep understanding, appreciation, and awe of nature. This simple votive holder transforms your tabletop into a melting ice palace.
We pretty much never tire of books that compile modern houses. Generally there are some well known designers featured (Lautner, Jaffe, Noyes) but books like this one are also a great place to discover lesser-known talents.
