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Creative SPOT

Are you an IIDA member and have a great product you would like to see featured in our next newsletter? We are taking suggestions for Michigan made products that will be featured in our Winter edition of connect. Be sure to include a brief description about why you think the product is so great, where you might use it, the local rep and who makes it. You will get credit for the submission!

Please submit ideas to info@michiganiida.org

This is a new feature you will find in future connect issues and on our website. Each quarter, find out what products local designers are talking about and specifying. Look forward to fresh design ideas and inspiring product options! Stay tuned for the next issue of connect where we will focus on Michigan made products!

Laurie Placinski

“It’s a pill” furniture collection by Morlen Sinoway Furniture. We just caught wind of their product line and I absolutely fell in love with the “It’s a Pill” collection. I see utilizing this product in numerous areas. Being that my main focus is healthcare design I specifically see specifying this product line for a pediatric waiting area. Bright vinyl upholstery would help to maintain the durability and clean ability of the surface while enticing those utilizing the area to sit on or stack the “Pills”. This collection becomes a distraction to those who are waiting and could be considered interactive art for kids of all ages! http://www.morlensinoway.com/

It's a Pill

Hans Wegner ch 24, Wishbone Chair

Patrick Thompson

Locally represented by Arkitektura in Birmingham, MI. The Wishbone chair is a timeless piece of furniture that works in almost any environment. The shape of the chair is strong and interesting enough to stand alone like a fine piece of art. With a relatively small foot print (especially for an armchair) and curved back, the wishbone chair works in almost any environment and is comfortable for sitting for longer periods of time. www.carlhansen.com

Christie Buckholtz

My new favorite piece of furniture is the Node tablet armchair by Steelcase. As a student, I can appreciate the time that Steelcase puts into classroom research. The chair was literally unveiled (white sheet covering it and all!) to me at my internship in March. Node is comfortable, and most importantly, practical. It swivels, the tablet is movable, there's a spot for your tote bag underneath. I think that the entire concept is fantastic, and I expect the chair to be a big hit with college campuses everywhere.
www.steelcase.com

Node Tablet Armchair

Fit Chair

Anne Wilkinson-Burke

I would love to use this in a project because not only is it interesting but it's comfortable. This chair, done in a grouping of Fit Chairs, invites people to communicate and collaborate. Therefore, you could use it in almost any market segment - corporate, education, healthcare. It comes with a removable headrest so can accommodate the different shapes and sizes of people. The chair is easy to store when not being used because of it's nesting design. This allows any space to be maximized to it's potential. At NeoCon this year, Kimball Office came out an outdoor version of the Fit Chair. Not only would it be fun to use on a project, but it's practical too.
Our local rep is Tina Katikos, IIDA, ASID.
www.kimballoffice.com

Mary Bamborough
I currently loving the Otto Lounge Chair collection from Leland International. This is a wonderful accent chair for a lobby area. Rep is Jessica Roberts from Hampton Products. website www.lelandinternational.com

Bill Bock
I like (National’s) new side chair; Acquaint. It will be available this October and offers a very rich looking design at a great price. This comes with 6 different back styles, wall saver design and includes a bariatric model. Optional Poly arm caps are available also. I can’t wait for it to be here! Website www.nationalofficefurniture.com

Jennifer Crabtree
Bernhardt Design
Our local rep is Bonnie Bobich with the Stella Group
www.bernhardtdesign.com

Chantelle Marshall
My favorite furniture piece is the Humanscale Freedom Task Chair. As designers [and workers around the world] spend countless hours sitting at their desks, there is no greater chair than the Humanscale Freedom Task Chair. As someone with a degenerative back condition, the Freedom chair provides comfort, support, ergonomics, and style all in one. The simple and functional adjustments on the chair are intuitive and not overbearing like many I’ve tried [and specified]. Sometimes less IS more! My only regret is that I had to leave it behind at my last job! www.humanscale.com

Jennifer Malia
Right now I love the versatile, indoor/outdoor seating from Coaleese, EMU. Have not had the budget yet to use it but I have my eye on it.
www.coalesse.com

Jessica Kronlein
One of my favorite pieces of furniture is the Eames Lounge Chair. I know that is a bit cliché, but I think this piece is a classic and has made a profound impact on history. It’s also immensely comfortable! Sold by Herman Miller, I have used the Eames Lounge Chair in a few school projects.

Janel Mroz
My favorite piece of furniture is the Crushed Can chair by Turnstone, a division of Steelcase. Since I am a recent graduate and have yet to land my first job in Interior Design, I haven't had the opportunity to actually specify anything for an actual project. I picked the Crushed Can chair because I won it at my first IIDA Michigan Chapter Annual Meeting, so it has a bit of sentimental value. I love it because it is very functional and comfortable, especially during my long hours of scrapbooking!
www.turnstonefurniture.com

Karen Stauffer
Eames Walnut Stools
I love the classics; it's hard to pick just one! I love the simplicity and the elegance of these stools. They draw interest in a subtle way, and are also very functional. These would go perfectly in a yurt...or in your executive office!
www.hermanmiller.com

Ashley Latinen
When I first saw this chair I fell in love. It is beautifully designed and I think it would look great in a hip hotel’s business center or scattered around cocktail tables in a lounge area. The style is fun, feminine and makes a great design statement! Our local rep is Jessica Roberts with Hampton Products.
www.sandlerseating.com