Sewing for Men and Boys…

Mr. Peacock found this 1970’s sewing publication, Sewing for Men and Boys, at the flea market. The title made me chuckle. This 1973 publication showcases menswear trends and sewing techniques, while promoting Simplicity sewing patterns, in a magazine format.

The topics of this magazine cover fabric types, measurements and tailoring techniques. Much of the advice and tips are timeless, such as the importance of a properly fitted garment.

It has a “Sewing Illustrated “ section with step-by-step photos and diagrams. To quote their “Ties” section, “….the nostalgic bow tie is now enjoying popularity.”

Sewing for Men and Boys was meant to inspire home seamstresses to make contemporary clothes for the men in their families. I don’t think many moms or grandmothers sew clothing for the men in their families anymore.

This magazine also highlights seasonal clothing for men and boys, including "Summer in the Sun."

The high-waisted tennis shorts look dated, but many of the trends they touch on are still relevant today.

You get your own copy of this seventies menswear magazine here. I have my copy of Sewing for Men and Boys next to my Charles Hix book collection.

Sewing for Men and Boys begins with a section on “Self Image” and breaks menswear into 4 categories: tailored traditionalist, active casual, now generation, and young executive. What category are you? Mr. Peacock would categorize himself as a "casual-traditionalist." What category are you?

Lounging on leather & chrome…

A late pal of mine, Lee, frequently liked to host huge house parties. The first time I attended one of his parties was in the late 80’s. I took my plastic cup of beer and made a beeline for his pony skin Le Corbusier lounger. I thought I was sitting in some comfy and chic amusement park ride—every now and then someone would slide the recliner back and forth as I held court on this modern throne.

Decades later, I chuckled when I attended one of his parties and watched a trio of young party revelers carrying-on and lounging on the same pony skin chaise. It reminded me of how much fun I had discovering that classic chaise years earlier. The chair only got better with time too—it withstood the abuse from decades of house parties and spilled cocktails.

There’s something very masculine about a leather & chrome chaise, although I admit I prefer the vintage models. Some of the new chrome and leather chaise lounges seem cheap to me—unless they’re made with high quality materials. Unfortunately, that usually means a higher price, but a quality chaise lounge chair can be an investment piece that lasts—like my friend’s Le Corbusier lounger.

This vintage 1920's chaise lounge designed by Mies van der Rohe reminds me of a chic lawn chair—but for indoor use. This beauty in gray leather is vintage, but you can still order new models (I love the red leather).

I like the curved arc of the arm, which was inspired by rocking chairs from the early 20th century.

Here’s another another vintage Mies van der Rohe lounge chair. I could see this in the office of Mad Men (or my apartment).

I love the warm patina of the brown leather in contrast with the cool chrome.

This leather & chrome chaise is new, but you can clearly see the Mies van der rohe inspiration for its clean sweeping curve and tubular tufted leather.

The leather is distressed to look vintage. I haven’t tried it out yet, but it looks very comfortable.

This modern Italian chaise has a unique silhouette—it’s part chair and part chaise. The flat end of this leather & steel chaise, if it were at my place, would quickly become a receptacle for books, magazines, and the Sunday Times.

The clean lines of this vintage leather chaise lounge by Harvey Probber chaise (produced by Brayton International) are very appealing to me. It would look great in a modern or traditional room. I want to relax on it right now and read all of my treasured back issues of Gourmet Magazine!

Mr. Peacock loves the gentle patina of the honey colored leather.

I think this new Grasshopper Chair has a very elegant and sleek silhouette. It would be perfect for any gentleman peacock.

The combination of canvas, leather, and chrome make it very modern and timeless.

I’m not sure if I prefer this chaise in black, natural, dark brown or cognac leather? It's very chic in the natural (above), but I think the cognac would be more practical.

This vintage 1960’s Danish reclining chaise lounge would be perfect for Sunday afternoon catnaps.

The wine colored leather is very masculine, and the detailing is nice too.

Mr. Peacock loves this boxy Italian 1970’s tufted leather chaise. It would be divine in my living room!

It reminds of a chic vintage psychiatrist couch that could have been in a movie with Marcello Mastroianni (playing the shrink of course).

I would love to lounge on this vintage leather chaise and listen to “Songs of Couch and Consultation” from the late 1950's by Katie Lee (the folk singer from Arizona, not Billy Joel's ex). The songs are a tongue in cheek and spoof psychoanalysis. You can sample a few of the songs here, including “Will to Fail” and “Repressed Hostility Blues.” Fantastic lyrics too!

You don’t have to have the “repressed hostility blues” to appreciate a well-designed leather and chrome chaise lounge.

I know leather & chrome can seem very cold, but mixed with the right elements it can be warm and appealing (above-the Mies van der Rohe chaise)—and so comfortable too. Do you have any leather and chrome pieces at your house?

Shoot that poison arrow

(click image above to enlarge)
Let Cupid give your home a touch of decoration with some arrows...and just a touch of Neoclassicism. Here’s Mr. Peacock’s wish list of arrow goodies that even Psyche could love.

1) This vintage French gilt metal sconce with an arrow piercing the sun (one of a set of four) could add a touch drama in your home.

2) In the early 1990’s, Mr. Peacock resided at 72nd & Lexington in the Upper East Side of Manhattan. On nice days I would walk to my office near Bloomingdales. I would always pass by Gino’s Italian restaurant at 61st & Lexington and admire their iconic custom wallpaper—zebras leaping to avoid arrows (poor zebras). This zebra wallpaper was re-issued a few tears ago and comes in a few different color ways. Kate Spade has the green background wallpaper in her bathroom.

3) You don’t have to shoot zebras to appreciate the craftsmanship of these handmade arrows. A pair of arrows hung on the wall would make a graphic piece of art, or a vase full of arrows would make a chic decorative quiver.

4) If I had a yard, I would love some type of armillary sphere to hold court in my garden.

5) Mr. Peacock is swooning over this 1940’s metal chair (one of a pair) oozing with swags of decoration...and arrows.

6) Tripod arrow tables aren’t something new, however, this Golden Arrow Table has a fresh and modernist feel with the glass top.

7) X marks the spot with this 1940’s opaline topped wrought iron console adorned with Neoclassical arrows.

8) The arrows are pointing downward on this sleek 1960's polished brass tripod table (one of a pair), with a black marble top. It has a different vibe than the glass topped tripod table, but just as appealing.

9) You don’t have to limit your arrows to home décor. This graphic silver ring by Martin Margiela is pointing in the right direction.

10) A super soft t-shirt from Built by Wendy, with her iconic arrow logo.

11) When Mr. Peacock was about 12 years old, I was at a bus stop downtown with my sister and a group of shirtless 20-something guys were playing Frisbee nearby. Their Frisbee landed near us, and one fellow came over to retrieve the Frisbee. He said hello to us, and I immediately noticed his nipple was pierced with a tiny gold arrow. Mind you this was decades before piercing went mainstream, I’d never seen a pierced nipple until that moment and it fascinated me at 12 years old.

Watch out for Cupid! Have a great weekend.

Clock Watchers Unite

The time dilemma—there's always too much or not enough? Time is such a factor in our modern lives. I know many folks who simply use their cell phone/PDA as a watch, and their computer/laptop as a clock. Mr. Peacock still prefers an old-school watch and a nice display clock at home—something I can see at a glance in each room. I like the typography of the numbers on vintage and old-school style clocks, but I also like the sleekness of clock faces without numbers. Here’s some clock goodies on Mr. Peacock's wish list:

(click image above to enlarge)
1) The Twice Clock is a small version of a two-sided railway station clock—you can see the clock face from both sides. It comes in white, black, or wood grain and can also be mounted on a wall. I like the clean, no fuss design of this small clock.

2) The vintage styling of this stainless steel kitchen scale clock does double duty—flip it around and it's a food scale (see right).

3) You can “watch time” with this 1930’s clock advertising Gruen watches. It came from a Midwest jewelry shop. I especially like the numeral four on this vintage clock face.

4) Mr. Peacock couldn’t resist including these brunch plates adorned with different clock faces—you won’t be able to tell time with them, but they’re handsome dishes (and on sale too).

5) This understated and elegant desk clock looks like a souvenir from the film Gattaca. The silver plated bronze exterior box displays the time (including seconds) with digital nixie tube numbers.

6) At five feet tall, this motorized 1950’s street clock on a stand would be very unexpected in a backyard garden—or very dramatic in a loft or large room. The hands and numerals on this clock face are sensuous and elegant.

7) Mr. Peacock has this classic stainless steel M&Co clock, sans numerals, in his kitchen—I can see the time at a quick glance while I’m cooking, or dashing out of the apartment.

8) I also have a reproduction Nelson Eye clock watching over me in my living room. This clock has to be one of my all-time favorites!

What kind of clock do you have at your place?

Enchanting Elegance—Gio Ponti

Gio Ponti was one of the most prominent and prolific designers of the last century. For over six decades, this Italian gentleman designed buildings, furniture, ceramics, and textiles (above—in a cotton suit, with a bow tie).

Above: Gio Ponti designed flatware.

Above: Amethyst, turquoise and amber Gio Ponti glass bottles by Venini.

In addition to being a trained architect, he also was a professor, artist, poet and magazine editor—always paying attention to the sublime details in his work. He was born in Milan on November 18, 1891, and died September 16, 1979.

In 1950, Mr. Ponti, won the commission to design the 32-story Pirelli Tower (in collaboration with Pier Luigi Nervi and Arturo Danusso). The Pirelli Tower is his most iconic building, and the first skyscraper built in Milan.

A lesser-known building, and the only Gio Ponti designed building in the United States (with Colorado architect James Sudler), is the Denver Art Museum (above)—completed in 1971. The Daniel Libeskand, Frederic C. Hamilton building, opened adjacent to the Gio Ponti building in 2006—as part of the Denver Art Museum expansion. Mr. Peacock isn't too keen on this new annex, neither is the New York Times. Another addition, the Duncan Pavilion, was added in 2006 as a link between the Gio Ponti and Daniel Libeskand buildings.

As a child, my mother would take me to the Denver Art Museum to stroll through the galleries and for lunch afterwards in the café. I always thought it looked like a modern castle, and I imagined I lived there.

The entire surface is covered in 3-dimensional, steel gray tiles (above). This geometric shaped motif can be seen in other Gio Ponti works.

Various shaped windows are scattered throughout the building (above). The interior spaces elegantly flowed and allowed the artwork to shine.

The main entrance of the Ponti building had a large steel cylindrical shaped “tunnel.” I always imagined it was a slice of a submarine. It now has a tacky sign guiding visitors to the new main entrance, and was an unofficial bicycle parking area on my last pilmigrage. Sadly, the management of the Denver Art Museum doesn’t pay attention to details, like Mr. Ponti.

Above: Mr. Ponti designed so many wonderful furniture pieces.

Mr. Ponti designed the iconic chair, Superleggera (Superlight—see below left), in 1957. It’s simplicity belies it’s genius design—that is both comfortable and elegant looking...and of course it's super light.

Mr. Peacock has a half dozen Supperleggera chairs in aluminum with woven seats (above right). The sleek silhouette of the chair is ideal for apartments or small spaces. I can comfortably squeeze them all around my round table when I host dinner parties.
Above: A pair of ceramic vessels designed by Mr. Ponti for Richard Ginori, c. 1924.

In 1928, Mr. Ponti founded the design and architecture magazine Domus—published from its inception to 1999.
He remained the editor, with a brief sojourn, until his death. You can buy a complete reproduction set of Domus (above).

If Mr. Peacock wins the lottery, he would furnish his entire home in Gio Ponti (above and below—Ponti interiors).

Until then, there are some great books documenting the talent and work of Gio Ponti.

Above: A painting called, Gemini, by Gio Ponti.

Above: A Gio Ponti designed, Reed & Barton, coffee service with rattan handle.

Above: Gio Ponti ceramic tiles from 1964.

Gio Ponti is one of the most important design figures of the 20th century.This gentleman icon did it all—designing, writing, painting! Thank you Mr. Ponti!