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George Nelson worked with Vitra to create a variety of wall clocks, including the Eye Clock, rendered here in luxe brass and rich walnut. Now considered an icon of midcentury design, the Eye Clock is a distinct departure from traditional clocks—it is shaped like an abstract eye, including lash ticks to mark the time instead of a conventionally numbered face.
George Nelson worked with Vitra to create a variety of wall clocks, including the Eye Clock, rendered here in luxe brass and rich walnut. Now considered an icon of midcentury design, the Eye Clock is a distinct departure from traditional clocks—it is shaped like an abstract eye, including lash ticks to mark the time instead of a conventionally numbered face.
In the striking Mountain House Illustration, Kristina Dam Studio creates a graphic print that is at once architectural and organic. Set on a light pink background, the Mountain House Illustration balances verticality alongside bold horizontal lines, patterns to create texture, and negative space.
In the striking Mountain House Illustration, Kristina Dam Studio creates a graphic print that is at once architectural and organic. Set on a light pink background, the Mountain House Illustration balances verticality alongside bold horizontal lines, patterns to create texture, and negative space.
These early abstract studies for a residential project in Mill Valley, California, show the firm's creative process at work. Image courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.
These early abstract studies for a residential project in Mill Valley, California, show the firm's creative process at work. Image courtesy of the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art.
Ellsworth Kelly, one of the American pioneers of abstract art, is known for blown-up, simplified, geometric shapes that blur the line between painting and sculpture. Take the inverse of those solid shapes, turn it into negative space, and you'd get something resembling Chiaozzo's wall sculptures. (Box Frame, $150, and U-Frame, $225, at Chiaozzo.)
Ellsworth Kelly, one of the American pioneers of abstract art, is known for blown-up, simplified, geometric shapes that blur the line between painting and sculpture. Take the inverse of those solid shapes, turn it into negative space, and you'd get something resembling Chiaozzo's wall sculptures. (Box Frame, $150, and U-Frame, $225, at Chiaozzo.)
The Artichoke Pendant Light was designed in 1958 by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavillonen restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it still hangs. Considered an iconic design of modern lighting, the Artichoke pendant is a sculptural fixture that features 72 precisely positioned leaves in 12 rows.
The Artichoke Pendant Light was designed in 1958 by Poul Henningsen for the Langelinie Pavillonen restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, where it still hangs. Considered an iconic design of modern lighting, the Artichoke pendant is a sculptural fixture that features 72 precisely positioned leaves in 12 rows.
The 1970s burlwood dresser is originally from a Palm Beach estate. Modernist sculptures throughout the house are by artist Costantino Nivola; abstract artwork is by Charles Schorre.
The 1970s burlwood dresser is originally from a Palm Beach estate. Modernist sculptures throughout the house are by artist Costantino Nivola; abstract artwork is by Charles Schorre.
A covered breezeway connects the main house and the guest house. Here, Legge took the opportunity to play with perspective, framing part of a tree and the sky with an abstract roof cutout.
A covered breezeway connects the main house and the guest house. Here, Legge took the opportunity to play with perspective, framing part of a tree and the sky with an abstract roof cutout.
David Hertz shows how he used a pre-fabricated panels typically used for walk-in refrigeration buildings for the Panel House (above) and a 747 wing to build the 747 Wing House in Malibu.
David Hertz shows how he used a pre-fabricated panels typically used for walk-in refrigeration buildings for the Panel House (above) and a 747 wing to build the 747 Wing House in Malibu.
Waechter Architecture reimagined a traditional gabled home in southeast Portland without significantly altering the original building. A simple coat of red paint abstracts the century-old structure, creating a residential work of art.
Waechter Architecture reimagined a traditional gabled home in southeast Portland without significantly altering the original building. A simple coat of red paint abstracts the century-old structure, creating a residential work of art.
Margaret De Patta's highly abstract brooch in silver and quartz hails from the late 40s or 50s.
Margaret De Patta's highly abstract brooch in silver and quartz hails from the late 40s or 50s.
In the entrance, a team with the general contracting firm Martha uncovered an abstract mural that Engels painted himself and then plastered over. He also made the geometric door handle. Simon speculates that Engels sourced the marble, found all over the house, from Expo ’58, after the pavilions had been dismantled.
In the entrance, a team with the general contracting firm Martha uncovered an abstract mural that Engels painted himself and then plastered over. He also made the geometric door handle. Simon speculates that Engels sourced the marble, found all over the house, from Expo ’58, after the pavilions had been dismantled.
The walls of the toilet room are decorated with an abstract composition of overlapping black lines printed on a screen that is lit from behind.
The walls of the toilet room are decorated with an abstract composition of overlapping black lines printed on a screen that is lit from behind.
Inspired by the color of Strawberry Hedgehog cactus thriving in the front yard of the house, the window wants to be an abstract flower drawing guests toward the front entrance. The wall lights are abstract luminarias of the southwest landscape.
Inspired by the color of Strawberry Hedgehog cactus thriving in the front yard of the house, the window wants to be an abstract flower drawing guests toward the front entrance. The wall lights are abstract luminarias of the southwest landscape.
A series of enamel-on-copper plates that Sottsass designed for Bucci in 1958. The ideographic motifs present in the series, including circles, grids, and parallel lines, perhaps invoke his recent exposure to contemporary American Abstract Expressionism (following a period in 1956, working with George Nelson in New York City).
A series of enamel-on-copper plates that Sottsass designed for Bucci in 1958. The ideographic motifs present in the series, including circles, grids, and parallel lines, perhaps invoke his recent exposure to contemporary American Abstract Expressionism (following a period in 1956, working with George Nelson in New York City).
The shower is clad with a playful, abstract array of white, gold, and black tiles.
The shower is clad with a playful, abstract array of white, gold, and black tiles.
The tree-shaped window frames bring an abstract forest indoors.
The tree-shaped window frames bring an abstract forest indoors.
A late-1960s spiral stair designed by an aeronautical engineer to lead passengers to the bar inside a 747. From Off the Wall Antiques.
A late-1960s spiral stair designed by an aeronautical engineer to lead passengers to the bar inside a 747. From Off the Wall Antiques.
At the center of the Donnell pool is an abstract sculpture by Adaline Kent.
At the center of the Donnell pool is an abstract sculpture by Adaline Kent.
Breuer’s signature floating staircase features abstract geometric cut­outs.
Breuer’s signature floating staircase features abstract geometric cut­outs.
Paint coming off the bottom of this staircase makes an abstract sculpture at Harlem Valley State Hospital in Wingdale, New York.
Paint coming off the bottom of this staircase makes an abstract sculpture at Harlem Valley State Hospital in Wingdale, New York.
The whitewashing of the interior creates an abstract, art gallery–like atmosphere.
The whitewashing of the interior creates an abstract, art gallery–like atmosphere.
A series of black-and-white abstract panels symbolize the Stations of the Cross.
A series of black-and-white abstract panels symbolize the Stations of the Cross.
An asymmetrical roof and simple, earthy wood gives this house an abstract, sculptural character.
An asymmetrical roof and simple, earthy wood gives this house an abstract, sculptural character.
The home’s north face is an abstract alabaster box with just a sliver to provide light into the interiors.
The home’s north face is an abstract alabaster box with just a sliver to provide light into the interiors.
An abstract painting by Fong Min Liao lends a graphic focus on the white walls next to a shelf displaying Amanda’s ceramic collection.
An abstract painting by Fong Min Liao lends a graphic focus on the white walls next to a shelf displaying Amanda’s ceramic collection.
The Bogarts’ beagle, Ranger, lounging on their bed. The painting, All is Well, is an abstract from Brenda’s early days as a painter.
The Bogarts’ beagle, Ranger, lounging on their bed. The painting, All is Well, is an abstract from Brenda’s early days as a painter.
The powder room ceilings are designed to resemble abstract cloud formations. Beautiful wood joinery provides ample storage.
The powder room ceilings are designed to resemble abstract cloud formations. Beautiful wood joinery provides ample storage.
Geometric abstracts by Jen Pak complement portraits that include Herb Ritts' Batman Back and Terry Richardson's Batman and Robin.
Geometric abstracts by Jen Pak complement portraits that include Herb Ritts' Batman Back and Terry Richardson's Batman and Robin.
The home’s simple, abstract shape contrasts with neighboring homes, which are mainly clad in terra-cotta roof tiles.
The home’s simple, abstract shape contrasts with neighboring homes, which are mainly clad in terra-cotta roof tiles.
During the day, light and shadows create abstract forms along the facades of the courtyard, providing different perspectives as the sun passes over.
During the day, light and shadows create abstract forms along the facades of the courtyard, providing different perspectives as the sun passes over.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
“I like that the house has a simple, almost abstract reading from the exterior—but the interior reveals an unexpected complexity of space, light, and aspect,” notes Ropiha.
Kusheda Mensah's configurable seating collection, Mutual, features 20 abstract upholstered shapes designed to foster social interaction.
Kusheda Mensah's configurable seating collection, Mutual, features 20 abstract upholstered shapes designed to foster social interaction.
The Irving sofa by Verzelloni sits between vintage Scandinavian rosewood end tables with interior pull-out trays. The large, abstract artwork is a 1970’s oil painting by “Unknown.”
The Irving sofa by Verzelloni sits between vintage Scandinavian rosewood end tables with interior pull-out trays. The large, abstract artwork is a 1970’s oil painting by “Unknown.”
You would be hard pressed to find an issue of Dwell without a Bertoia barstool or chair in it. Launched in 1952, the industrial-strength steel seat is a modern classic without drawing too much attention to itself. $747
You would be hard pressed to find an issue of Dwell without a Bertoia barstool or chair in it. Launched in 1952, the industrial-strength steel seat is a modern classic without drawing too much attention to itself. $747
Kusheda Mensah’s configurable seating collection, Mutual, features 20 abstract upholstered shapes designed to foster social interaction.
Kusheda Mensah’s configurable seating collection, Mutual, features 20 abstract upholstered shapes designed to foster social interaction.

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