For whatever reason (nice beginning, huh?), DWELL has always supported FORD&CHING (and before that FORDBRADY). Maybe it’s because we support up-and-coming designers, or maybe because they love our collection, or maybe they just feel sorry for us…whatever the reason we’ll take it. The support has come from the top down staring with big boss Michela O’Connor and owner Lara Hedberg Deam, sales guru Angela Ames, LA-based bigwigs Esther McColloch, Michael Sylvester and NPR host Frances Anderton, editor Sam Grawe, and their super capable and helpful staffers Christopher Bright, Jordan Kushins, Brendan Callahan, etc. Anyway, this is a big thank you to them for their support and guidance and general good attitude. Look out for a big presence for FORD&CHING at the next Dwell on Design this coming Summer. We’re vying now to be their party place so look out for an invitation in the future. Now go buy DWELL or do something else useful…
posted by Willard on November 10th, 2009 in FORD&CHING,Uncategorized
FORD&CHING and DWELL welcomed over 400 design pros and amateurs to the Kim Sing Theatre last Thursday to announce the new F&C website and new products from Skram, RS-Life, Samuel Moyer Furniture, and Andrew Riiska (FORD&CHING). Everyone seemed to love the food by celebrity chef Neal Fraser of Grace Restaurant, fully staffed bar by Izze (with help from Pearl Vodka) and beer from Nakhon. All photos courtesy of TIGERTIGER.
Calm before the storm.
Kim Sing Theatre detail.
Kimi Nagafuku's crew.
RSVP Only with Hannah and Jenni.
Mark Schlosser of Ludwig and compulsive high-fiver Aria Gannon of APR.
B A Design is new to the showroom floor.
Young designers Nick Sheridan, Bret Englander and Dan Wacholder from Cerno in Laguna Beach.
Samuel Moyer Furniture had their own little area.
Bird's eye view from the forbidden work area.
Admiring Andrew Riiska's Dragon Table.
BMX phenom Mike Ardelean (a.k.a. the lucky bastard dating one half of the TIGERTIGER girls).
Anxiously trying to get in.
Power couple.
Enjoying Nakhon...hey, how did that motherfucking Corona get in there?
Ricky and me.
Fatass and Sophie of Sophie Nova.
Tom Thayer and girlfriend enjoy the RS#2 from Spain's RS-Life...the latest offering from F&C.
Andrew Riiska is always happy to describe the countless hours put into each F&C table.
Devil is in the details.
Akemi Tanaka's Futaba still wows the people.
AIA's Will Wright sits with Marissa Gluck and Haily Zaki from de LaB.
Schloss with Miguel from De La Barracuda.
People.
Showing up with the same watch is not the same as showing up in the same dress. Ask Mark and Chris.
Nanrisa Lee, former Le Cheval hostess, moved from Oakland to LA just to be at F&C parties.
Ludwig creator Mike Dytri with Toyplane guy.
Maybe Mark's the high-five offender. With Eliel Ford, my boy.
Hana from TIGERTIGER caught in action.
Skram perfection!
Many thanks to Dwell for their support.
Eliel Ford on the RS#2
Samuel Moyer's live edge masterpiece.
Working the door.
Sausage King Joseph Pitruzzelli of Wustkuche with lovely girlfriend.
Kimi and friends.
Sam Moyer + Aria Gannon + Nakhon = Party.
Sam Moyer's latest and greatest.
Mr. and Mrs. Rick Klotz...I mean Stacy and Mike Dytri.
Inside filled up nicely.
Packet outdoor patio at FORD&CHING showroom.
Neal Fraser escaped the camera but none of his food survived.
Restrogen chairs by Anon Pairot getting hard use from USAID saint William Trigg and unknown reveler.
Guests relax on PAD's Clip Chaise.
DJ Alfred Hawkins's cool mix of rock, pop, and hip hop satisfied the crowd.
Skram's Wooddrop 14 on display with Jeff Kowatch.
Maurice Pendarvis of Vapors always comes over. He's one of the good guys.
A fine looking couple enjoying the PAD Clip Pool Chair.
Ernsdorf Design's Coronado Table is always a hit. It rolls.
I don't know these people.
Half of TIGERTIGER: Jenni.
Palm reading is...crazy.
Frank Trigg...my good friend and first wrestling coach.
Neopolitan Trigg.
More people I don't know.
Enjoying Izze with Pearl Vodka.
William "Billy the Welder" Patchen.
Are you ever embarrassed when you can't remember someone's name?
I think the second from left is Angelina Handayani, clothing designer from Danang.
Admiring the Tim Biscup prototype chair under Ango lighting of silkworm cocoons.
Old friend Jeff "Knockahoma" Nakamura and fiance.
Billy Kheel's Staple Remover about to eat people.
I’ve run out of clever things to write. Tune in for our 722 FIGUEROA party this Saturday. RSVP to cody@722figueroa.com.
Ramon Delgado of Material Environment with longtime Kim SIng fixture Kengo Ura.
Sam Moyer’s the best dressed furniture maker I know, but don’t let it fool you. He’s comfortable and down-to-earth in his designer denims, while making easy work of sawing, chiseling, shaving and sanding his one-of-a kind pieces. Lots of folks work with live-edges, but not everyone does it as craftily. Pick up one of his stools or look at the backside of a casegood. The attention to detail is almost over-done, but Sam pulls it off — just like the jeans.
Chambers Bed
Seems like a shame to cover this one with a mattress.
Three-legged family
There’s something for everyone.
Top of the Evening Sideboard
A great example of cabinetry and live-edge material combined.
posted by Andrea on September 24th, 2009 in Designer Profile,FORD&CHING
Skram Furniture debuts the Wooddrop 14 stool at FORD&CHING this Thursday. These multi-purpose stools represent a dramatic departure for Skram, whose work is defined by uncompromised workmanship. It’s a revolution in its own small way. Quite simply, the stool is cracked. But more importantly, the stool is beautiful.
We just uppacked the natural wood finished one. The literature says it’s Cherry with a clear finish, but I think it’s really a limited-edition one made of Hickory. I never saw the natural finish Wooddrop14 in person before a few days ago and it looks great (see below). I spoke with Jacob Marks at Skram and he said it’s also available in a slightly glossy finish for outdoor use.
In our conversation, Jacob referred to the Wooddrop 14 as an exercise in “deliberate imperfection.” Wood is selected with imperfections that add to the overall appeal and warmth of the product. “With the Wooddrop 14, the check…the flaw becomes an essential part of the design…and the cracks offer a striking contrast to the crisp elemental geometry of the volume.”
Check, please.
The stool is made of solid timber which Skram harvests, mills, dries and fabricates. This process lends itself to a continuity of control which Jacob finds invaluable. “From forest to furniture, we are able to preside over every step.” The timber is salvaged from local sources, so options will vary based on availability. Typically, though, Skram can stock a variety of materials and finishes in sizes ranging from 6-16” in height and up to 32” in diameter.
Perfect imperfection
Andrea Ching, my partner at FORD&CHING is particularly excited about the Wooddrop 14. “It’s great to have an entry-level priced piece by Skram. For new buyers the stool provides a good introduction to Skram and a first step in fully appreciating this heirloom quality line. But it is also a great piece to specify in multiples for all sorts of projects ranging from private homes to large-scale commercial projects. It has so many great uses.”
Use #1: Bear trap
The Wooddrop 14 is available for immediate delivery in American Beech (with “bone” lacquer finish or clear finish), Torched Oak (with clear finish), and Cherry (with clear finish).
Clear satin finish looks beutiful over natural finish.
Available now at FORD&CHING.
posted by Willard on September 23rd, 2009 in FORD&CHING,Featured Items
Come one come all to our F&C party. We’re launching our website, introducing new products, and getting having a good time. Food by Neal Fraser, music by DJ Alfred Hawkins, open bar by Izze, Pearl Vodka, Nakhon and Asahi. RSVP early to willard@fordandching.com. Thanks!
posted by Willard on September 22nd, 2009 in FORD&CHING,Parties
