Cafe America on Core77!!

We were happily surprised to find our new chair, Cafe America, on Core77 this morning!! The chair, which is being finished as I type, will be shown at Design Within Reach Seattle tommorow as part of the M+D+F exhibition. We are also taking it with us to New York next week along with our Ty Recyclable Shower Curtain and our Appropriated Series Bench for Model Citizens NYC 2009. We just figured out pricing, so I hope to get Cafe America up for sale in our Grain shop soon!

In the meantime, here is a little more info on Cafe America:

Café America is a surprisingly comfortable indoor/outdoor chair. Taking inspiration from ubiquitous chain-link fencing, it recontextualizes the unsung material. A unique cushioning effect is created by the lightly tensioned chain-link seat and back. Café America is made of recycled chain-link whenever possible and flat-packs for efficient shipping and storage. 

Materials: 

Recycled galvanized steel chain-link, with stainless steel rod and fasteners. Color powder coating available.

Environmental / Social: 

Recycled Content, Environmentally Preferable Finish, Handmade in the U.S., Flat-Packs for Shipment, High Durability, Recyclable

Origin: 

Hand made in the Pacific Northwest, U.S.

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Reminder: DWR Seattle M+D+F Exhibition Thursday May 7th

Come see Grain's latest chair, Cafe America, at Design Within Reach Seattle's M+D+F Exhibition along with the work of 7 other local designers this Thursday May 7th, 6:00-8:00 pm at Design Within Reach Seattle 1918 First Avenue, Seattle, WA 98101. One night only!

M+D+F 2009 is a juried exhibition of innovative furniture by emerging designers in the Seattle area. Organized by the DWR Seattle Studio and juried by Seth Grizzle and Jonathan Junker, of graypants, and Craig Brooks, Principal of KONTENT PARTNERS, M+D+F provides an opportunity for peer, public and professional recognition for up-and-coming designers and firms. 

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Grain at Design Within Reach's M+D+F Exhibition!

We just found out that our new chair, Cafe America (designed by James) was selected to be shown at the DWR Presents: M+D+F 2009 exhibition in Seattle on May 7th! The above image is of an early prototype of the chair which uses chain-link fence as its main structure. We are so lucky to be working with the amazing 12th Avenune Iron custom forging and fabrication shop on the final piece. We are hoping to engineer it for flat-pack shipping as well as re-use old chain-link. Very exciting!

Read about our work in the DWR Presents: M+D+F 2008 exhibition here and here where we won the Green Award. 

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Grain Wins GREEN AWARD!!!

Yay! Grain wins the award for best green design! Our winning Youth Chair (see post below) took home the award at the Seattle M+D+F furniture show at Design Within Reach. The judges for the show were:

Andy Thaemert, Associate Principal, Callison Architecture
Luke Fryer, Visual Ops, Dept. of Energy 
Erich Ginder, Designer

Held at the Design Within Reach showroom on 1st Ave, the event was well attended, and several local designers were represented. Thanks to DWR and to all who made this event possible.

Learn more about Grain here.

Grain "Padded Stump" stool selected for Design Within Reach competition!

Padded Stump
By: Chelsea Green for Grain
Materials: found wood tree stump, 12" square pillow form, rubber bands

What is really necessary to provide a good seat? Padded Stump is a spontaneous composition of found parts. It is a do-it-yourself gesture to serve an immediate need. Hopefully, it inspires others to do the same with what surrounds them.

Fabricated of found elements – nothing "new" was used in the creation of Padded Stump. All components can be taken apart and re-purposed as user needs change over time.