“Design is so simple. That’s why it’s so complicated.” –Paul Rand

We caught up with Graves at his home in Princeton, New Jersey to shoot this video Design Icon: Michael Graves.
We caught up with Graves at his home in Princeton, New Jersey to shoot this video Design Icon: Michael Graves.
Here's the Michael Graves Design Toaster which is made from stainless steel and has a copper handle. Strum described how copper is a common material in kitchenware and how his team wanted to nod to the metal in the toaster design. The little toast icon is actually an digital display that counts down as your bread toasts.
Here's the Michael Graves Design Toaster which is made from stainless steel and has a copper handle. Strum described how copper is a common material in kitchenware and how his team wanted to nod to the metal in the toaster design. The little toast icon is actually an digital display that counts down as your bread toasts.
The apartment is filled with designerly touches, from a cutout of a Michael Graves drawing (Owen’s mother, Karen, is a principal at Michael Graves Architecture & Design) to a Cold Picnic rug.
The apartment is filled with designerly touches, from a cutout of a Michael Graves drawing (Owen’s mother, Karen, is a principal at Michael Graves Architecture & Design) to a Cold Picnic rug.
Here's Michael Graves (front) along with Donald Strum (back right) in one of the jcpenney shops-within-a-shop dedicated to the Graves line.
Here's Michael Graves (front) along with Donald Strum (back right) in one of the jcpenney shops-within-a-shop dedicated to the Graves line.
This Salad Bowl is made from acacia wood. The Graves office wanted to up the level of materials used in this collection, but found that instead of getting jcpenney's Chinese manufacturers to work with American woods, it was far better to design them in woods native to China.
This Salad Bowl is made from acacia wood. The Graves office wanted to up the level of materials used in this collection, but found that instead of getting jcpenney's Chinese manufacturers to work with American woods, it was far better to design them in woods native to China.
The toaster and coffeemaker are a nice duo in stainless steel. Both are by Michael Graves.
The toaster and coffeemaker are a nice duo in stainless steel. Both are by Michael Graves.
Keynote Speaker Michael Graves JCPenney (now known as JCP) launched several collaborative home collections from renowned designers. We sat down with architect Michael Graves to chat about designing for large retailers, Habitat for Humanity housing, and his upcoming Dwell on Design appearance.
Keynote Speaker Michael Graves JCPenney (now known as JCP) launched several collaborative home collections from renowned designers. We sat down with architect Michael Graves to chat about designing for large retailers, Habitat for Humanity housing, and his upcoming Dwell on Design appearance.
Tea Kettle designed by Michael Graves for Alessi in 1985.
Tea Kettle designed by Michael Graves for Alessi in 1985.
Here are seven quotes on living well from Graves.
Here are seven quotes on living well from Graves.
Private residence; Malibu, California
Private residence; Malibu, California
Stryker Prime TC (2013)

Graves, who operates a wheelchair, is a champion of universal design. This patient transport chair is meant to be both ergonomic and safe.
Stryker Prime TC (2013) Graves, who operates a wheelchair, is a champion of universal design. This patient transport chair is meant to be both ergonomic and safe.
Here's a trio of vases from the collection Strum discussed in the talk. The ceramic Footed Vases (left and center) come in a bronze finish and celadon. The Cube Vase (right) shows how classical forms continue to inform Graves's work.
Here's a trio of vases from the collection Strum discussed in the talk. The ceramic Footed Vases (left and center) come in a bronze finish and celadon. The Cube Vase (right) shows how classical forms continue to inform Graves's work.
“The rules for the good house as an ideal do not change in principle and have only to be looked at afresh. How does one enter a garden? How does the seating area relate to the door and the window? There are many questions like this which need to be answered, and the house consists of these elements. This is modern architecture.” 

Excerpted from The House as Path and Place, 1931, by Josef Frank
“The rules for the good house as an ideal do not change in principle and have only to be looked at afresh. How does one enter a garden? How does the seating area relate to the door and the window? There are many questions like this which need to be answered, and the house consists of these elements. This is modern architecture.” Excerpted from The House as Path and Place, 1931, by Josef Frank
This "local prefab" home on the Isle of Skye is made mostly from materials sourced in northern Scotland. The timber-framed model, meant to evoke the simple agrarian barns of the area, can be constructed on-site in as little as a day and is designed for affordability.
This "local prefab" home on the Isle of Skye is made mostly from materials sourced in northern Scotland. The timber-framed model, meant to evoke the simple agrarian barns of the area, can be constructed on-site in as little as a day and is designed for affordability.
Known for his use of bold color and innovative forms, Verner Panton designed the Panton Chair for Vitra in 1960. Interested in the capability of plastic, Panton designed the chair to be comfortable and versatile enough to be used anywhere. The Panton Chair is the first chair to be created from only one piece of material, using a single mold, and it will be a welcome addition to any midcentury lover’s home.
Known for his use of bold color and innovative forms, Verner Panton designed the Panton Chair for Vitra in 1960. Interested in the capability of plastic, Panton designed the chair to be comfortable and versatile enough to be used anywhere. The Panton Chair is the first chair to be created from only one piece of material, using a single mold, and it will be a welcome addition to any midcentury lover’s home.
Black and white kitchen cabinets painted with a triangular pattern add a whimsical touch to this funky kitchen.
Black and white kitchen cabinets painted with a triangular pattern add a whimsical touch to this funky kitchen.
Michael Graves, inside the Glass House.
Michael Graves, inside the Glass House.
The Two-Slice toaster for JCP is one of Graves's new designs, at once playful and functional.
The Two-Slice toaster for JCP is one of Graves's new designs, at once playful and functional.
The Whistling Bird teakettle for Alessi is one of Graves's most famous works of industrial design.
The Whistling Bird teakettle for Alessi is one of Graves's most famous works of industrial design.
Here's another look at Michael Graves's design for jcpenney, this time a decanter and two Everyday wine glasses.
Here's another look at Michael Graves's design for jcpenney, this time a decanter and two Everyday wine glasses.
Tea Kettle, for Alessi, Michael Graves (1985).
Tea Kettle, for Alessi, Michael Graves (1985).
Two Slice Toaster for JCPenny (2013)
Two Slice Toaster for JCPenny (2013)
The Graves office is famous for tea kettles, the most popular of which is the Whistling Bird for Alessi. This Bells and Whistles tea kettle continues its legacy with a playful touch at the spout.
The Graves office is famous for tea kettles, the most popular of which is the Whistling Bird for Alessi. This Bells and Whistles tea kettle continues its legacy with a playful touch at the spout.
Celadon Wall Clock for JCPenny

The piece is part of a collection of modern wares that Graves launched with the retailer in 2013.
Celadon Wall Clock for JCPenny The piece is part of a collection of modern wares that Graves launched with the retailer in 2013.
Ellington Chair (2003)

This leather armchair was designed for David Edward.
Ellington Chair (2003) This leather armchair was designed for David Edward.
Designed by Oiva Toikka for Iittala, the Kastehelmi series is now an iconic product line within the brand. Finnish for “dewdrop,” the Kastehelmi evolved from a technical challenge—Toikka used the glass droplets to cover joint marks left on the surface of pressed glass pieces. Although the technique originally began with functional intentions, the distinctive look made the Kastehelmi series a popular range of glassware.  The Kastehelmi Cake Stand features the iconic dewdrop design, and can either be used for presenting cakes and desserts or as an unexpected display for candles, flowers, and other accents.
Designed by Oiva Toikka for Iittala, the Kastehelmi series is now an iconic product line within the brand. Finnish for “dewdrop,” the Kastehelmi evolved from a technical challenge—Toikka used the glass droplets to cover joint marks left on the surface of pressed glass pieces. Although the technique originally began with functional intentions, the distinctive look made the Kastehelmi series a popular range of glassware. The Kastehelmi Cake Stand features the iconic dewdrop design, and can either be used for presenting cakes and desserts or as an unexpected display for candles, flowers, and other accents.
The kitchen features its original built-in clock; a Michael Graves Alessi kettle stands on the range.
The kitchen features its original built-in clock; a Michael Graves Alessi kettle stands on the range.
A signature element of the Villa Beer is this circular window.
A signature element of the Villa Beer is this circular window.
Hyatt Regency atrium; Fukuoka, Japan (2003)
Hyatt Regency atrium; Fukuoka, Japan (2003)
Minneapolis Institute of Arts; Minneapolis, Minnesota (2006)
Minneapolis Institute of Arts; Minneapolis, Minnesota (2006)
425 Fifth Avenue; New York City (2003)
425 Fifth Avenue; New York City (2003)
Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport; The Hague, The Netherlands (1998)
Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport; The Hague, The Netherlands (1998)
Drawing of the Denver Central Library; Denver, Colorado (2005)
Drawing of the Denver Central Library; Denver, Colorado (2005)
Children's Theatre Company; Minneapolis, Minnesota (2001)
Children's Theatre Company; Minneapolis, Minnesota (2001)
When Abbie and Bill Burton hired Marmol Radziner to design their prefab weekend home, their two requests were “simple-simple, replaceable materials,” says Abbie—such as concrete floors (poured offsite in Marmol Radziner's factory) and metal panel siding—and “the ability to be indoors or outdoors with ease.” Deep overhangs provide shade and protection from rain, so the Burtons can leave their doors open year-round and hang out on their 70-foot-long deck even in inclement weather. They visit the house once a month, usually for a week at a time, with Vinnie and Stella, their rescue Bernese Mountain dogs. Their two adult children occasionally join them. The couple hopes to one day retire here.
When Abbie and Bill Burton hired Marmol Radziner to design their prefab weekend home, their two requests were “simple-simple, replaceable materials,” says Abbie—such as concrete floors (poured offsite in Marmol Radziner's factory) and metal panel siding—and “the ability to be indoors or outdoors with ease.” Deep overhangs provide shade and protection from rain, so the Burtons can leave their doors open year-round and hang out on their 70-foot-long deck even in inclement weather. They visit the house once a month, usually for a week at a time, with Vinnie and Stella, their rescue Bernese Mountain dogs. Their two adult children occasionally join them. The couple hopes to one day retire here.

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