My Furniture Lust List || Karl Springer

March 14, 2013



Just recently while perusing one of my favorite websites, 1stdibs, I came across this table (below) and realized we used to have this coffee table lacquered in green when I was growing up. 


So, I call my mom immediately to ask her about it.  And the answer is Yes it was a Karl Springer table, and nope we no longer have it.  She gave it away. Gave it away!!  What??!! I thought it could be in storage somewhere.   

Growing up I always thought it was bizarre to have a grass green colored coffee table and now I think it would be the coolest thing ever.  So, I have decided that if and when I have a few thousand dollars burning a hole in my pocket I would like to invest in a Karl Springer piece.  I was always aware that I lived in beautiful spaces growing up and now looking back in photo albums I can appreciate these decor choices  with a hopefully more sophisticated eye. 

 

Aren't all these pieces fabulous?  Karl Springer was a German designer who came to New York in the late fifties wanting to be a bookbinder.  Good thing he liked to be challenged and began working on small decorative objects covering them in leather.  These designs caught the attention of a buyer at Bergdorf Goodman and soon he began attracting more sophisticated clients with more sophisticated needs.  He set-up his own workshop and moved into designing and manufacturing furniture.  His style is inspired by classical Chinese and Art Deco. He was credited with reviving shagreen (the rough skin of an Asian shark).  Interesting right?

What things are you saving your pretty pennies for?


[ 1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5, 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]


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24 comments

  1. So that shagreen table is ab fab. Love it!

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  2. I love shagreen, and I didnt know he he was credited for bringing this lovely material back into the limelight! I love those gold tables and that coffee table is spectacular!

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  3. What a great list! Love all of it!

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  4. *love*

    i'm saving for a new car right now - plus adding an addition to my house

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  5. You're so right - these pieces are all fabulous! Don't you hate when you realize something has been thrown out that you would kill for now? The worst.
    Isn’t That Charming.

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  6. my mother in law has that brass legged beauty in her living room from back in the day! how do I suggest she give it to me?!?!

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  7. my mother in law has that brass legged beauty in her living room from back in the day! How do I suggest she give it to me?

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  8. I love how modern and cool all these pieces are. Not sure if they go with my "style" but they sure are fun to look at!

    Alyssa
    The Glossy Life

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  9. Oh my gosh, how funny is that! Mama has style too!

    xx
    Holly Foxen Wells
    GlamourMash

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  10. That coffee table in glossy green would have been maj!

    It's funny how I long for some of the pieces I grew up around. Just this morning I spotted some tall mirrored planters in an image and I recalled three in varying heights that sat in my Uncle's living room- now also long gone and given away... as was the set of the most delicious rattan Peacock chairs. There was a time when they were no longer as cool.

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  11. I love number 4! Thanks for reminding me to check out 1st dibs. I know a lot of interior designers who swear by that site so I have got to check it out now that I am redecorating.

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  12. I just want to roll around on that fabby little leather chair! xo

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  13. Whoa!!!!! Those turquoise tables!!!!!! And that coffee table is so cool!!! Thanks for the intro Albertina! I learn so much from you!!! xoxo

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  14. Saw one of your pom bags on a roundup at The Pursuit of Style. It looked good in the mix! BTW I'm saving my pennies for a desk so i can reclaim my dining table for eating :)

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  15. There is so much furniture pieces I would love to own all at once right now. But, the key is curating them slowly! That and finances. haha
    Great pieces!
    xo,
    nancy

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  16. I'm so obsessed with 1st dibs. Thanks for the fab intro to Karl!

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  17. Wowza. What a line up of goodies. We're getting a new couch soon, so of course my eye is on all living room furniture things lately!

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  18. Oh my God!!! Those furmiture are just gorgeous!
    Stunning pieces, I love them all ♥
    I didn't know Karl Springer so thanks for introducing this great designer. I will add it to my list when I'm looking for vintage pieces :)

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  19. So that's where you get your good taste!

    I'm currently on the hunt for a Karl Springer-esque waterfall console myself.

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  20. Oh my! You have such amazing taste!!! I am in love with those brass tables :) XO Brynn

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  21. Lately I've been on 1st dibs every day, scouring it to try to find pieces for my history of design class final project. It's a gem of a site! Love those blue nightstand/end tables. Okay...obsessed with your blog :)

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  22. kind of completely obsessed with this post. i. want. it. all.

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  23. This is pure eye candy and adding lots to my never ending wish list.

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  24. I met Karl Springer when he opened his showroom in the Design District north of downtown Miami sometime in the mid 80's. My uncle ran the showroom on 40th St and North East 2nd Ave. I remember hanging out at the showroom all the time and thinking who would buy a pillow for 800 dollars or a chair for 5,000 dollars. I had never been exposed to this type of furniture until this time. Also I remember plenty of pieces covered in exotic leather skins. By the 90's most of the stores in the district moved to the brand new DCOTA Building off I95 in Hollywood because of crime.
    Fast-forward; it's alive again.

    albert poledri
    apoledri@morriswilliams.com

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You make my day with your comments! Thank you!!

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