The Hunt

The search for the perfect blend of elements in furniture design sometimes feels like a treasure hunt. Our design style is the weapon we weld and our experiences serve as our guide. We all have a perfect preconceived image of the thing we desire and we’re simply hoping to find it. Take this designer’s desk sketch from earlier this week at our Chelsea location.

Once the image is revealed to others, the hunt begins. Sketches like this act as a starting point and the terrain is our Greenpoint warehouse. We promise not to laugh if you ask for a compass and map while navigating through our 25,000 square foot labyrinth. Along this terrain, shapes and dimensions spiral out of control while grain colors mesh. Eventually a simple sketch morphs into something new. It could be the next best thing or the next best bust.

Either way, something was discovered this day, hopefully it has worth.

Did you see..?

We were in last week's issue of Time Out in their "The Best Indie Shops" feature. Just like everyone at Time Out we love quality and a good sale, so we're figure that makes us a good match for the article.

So, with spring seeming to have officially sprung, it's time for bike rides, walks to the park, and maybe taking a trip down to West St. to see us. Check out our tiny blurb on the Greenpoint page

We're glad to be part of the Greenpoint neighborhood that's been recipient of a bit of press lately, what with New York Magazine's latest round of neighborhood rankings, and subsequent article in the NY Times, one would think we'd be blushing from all the attention, but I think it's safe to say that since we've been here for about 7 years, we're pleased, but not all that surprised.

It's a great chance to visit not only us, but some of our neighborhood friends who were listed like Kill Devil Hill and Le Grenier (both of which we love), and other great places (we guess guides can only be so big?) like Pipsqueak Chapeau , Dandelion Wine, and Word, all on Franklin. Hope to see you soon.

Happy Anniversary, Earth Day

This coming Thursday is Earth Day - the 40th Anniversary - and we think it's a great time to mark all the progress that's been made, and simultaneously think about all that still needs to be done.

Here at FTS we've been really busy over the past year, joining the Sustainable Furnishings Council, experimenting with various eco-friendly finishes, working with the Rainforest Alliance's Smartwood Program to nail down VLO verfication, and prepping to make the next steps toward several different types of certifications. So, we're really aware of how much work it takes to get down in the trenches and make a push toward a sustainable world. It's takes a global effort, it's a local effort, and it takes individual effort.

In the run up there looks like they'll be a lot of different efforts and publicity related to Earth Day, and we found a couple of great examples.

A great source that talks about all the urgent work that still needs to be done is an article by Patricia Pooladi on the National Academies site. It gives great resources on global needs and efforts. One of the pieces we're excited to see is WLIW 21's "Going Green Long Island" a local documentary that goes into the efforts of some of the local efforts being made by our Long Island neighbors.

We have friends out there like the good folks at Gansett Lane out on Montauk, so there's special interest for us. There are a plethora of events out there, and we'll share the ones we know about, but if you know of one let us know.

While it's great that we've had a day every year to bring awareness to what can happen when we try to live within nature's balance instead of outside it, but we're trying to work for a time when everyday's Earth Day.

We'll let you know

Just a quick note of solidarity...If you've ever been to the warehouse to pick up a piece or strolled in on a weekend jaunt, you may have heard whistling or noticed friendly banter from across the room. For those who didn't know it's usually coming from our Tibetan colleagues, who are some of the friendliest, most valuable members of the FTS team - two of which actually make an appearance in our latest post about ICFF.



It just so happens that this week at the Film Forum, there's a film about the Tibetan struggle in all it's complexity that some of us are going to check out Tuesday evening - THE SUN BEHIND THE CLOUDS. - that is in large part about the demonstrations from March 2008.

Like most events at Film Forum, it always seems like you find out about the movie the day before it's over, and are left hoping that it gets extended. This time, however, we planned ahead, so we'll let you know how it was...hopefully our Tibetan friends will approve.

ICFF, headfirst...

If you didn't make it to the Restaurant or Architectural Digest Home Show, do not fret, ICFF is just around the corner...

Around here, we're busy trying to finalize our booth design, among everything else that goes into the show. This year, we're focused on materiality, and displaying the unique experience FTS offers its customers in custom capabilities. Take a peek at what's going on...

The crew, busy at work



An early shot of our postcard, and some sneaks from the show...


Some of the material that we'll using to create "experiences" in our booth


The boss in action

Just in time for spring

Some of you may not be surprised by this, but some of us here at FTS love creating. Project ranging from gutting & replacing a kitchen, painting or making flower pots, or making picture frames are frequent topics of conversation. Also from the department of the obvious, several of us subscribe to Ready Made, which always seems to have at least one project interesting enough to justify the subscription.

So we were really happy to find that in the current issue we ran across a feature that included one of our local friends Boa and her company Object Interiors. We were neighbors last year at Bklyn Designs, and really admire her work, which shares our love of all things sustainable.

These moss panels seem perfect for sprucing up a neglected wall for spring. Ready Made directions lean on shadow boxes. The more adventurous among the crafty faithful could probably find reclaimed wood to make a frame rustic feel, or even go with a metal frame for a sleek mix of the industrial and organic. Either way, it looks like a great project, and we're always happy when local folks get to share great ideas.

Time to get Dirty...and Sunkissed!

I've spent so many springs trying to plan how to attack planting seeds and creating a nice little windowsill garden of my own. This year, I've decided to take a stab at it and get it done. Not without the help of a fantastically talented customer and friend of ours, Sarah Copeland, who offers some great tips on her blog.

With the newly gorgeous weather those of us in New York are lucky enough to (finally) be enjoying, it also reminds me that it's time to start sprucing up the back patio, terrace, yard, or any other lovely patch of green grass available.

Below, some samples from our outdoor collection. As some of you may already know, teak is the most widely used material to whether any storm...hot or cold! The natural oils in the wood make it perfect for exposed uses, as well as making it termite and pest resistant. We are also particularly fond of the beautiful grain pattern and hue. If you're familiar with From the Source, you also know that we carry an extensive collection of teak root and reclaimed pieces, which are also perfect in or outdoors...have a peek:

The Steamer, $425


Low-back folding chair, $95Texas Bar, $795, with Umbrella, $350



Tall Rekal Side Table, $145

35" Round table, $295
For most of you, who like me, I'm sure may not have access to a fabulous perching post, most of our outdoor furniture is collapsible and perfect for a jaunt to any neighborhood park or beach!

Come by and check out the goods or email one of us for more info.

Enjoy!

THANKS!!!

We had such amazing help this year at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Honestly, we could not have designed and executed such a "show-stopping" booth (if I might say so myself) without the help of our diligent crew, who worked tirelessly and consistent long hours, as well as the generosity of Michael Tavano, Briggite Bouguet and Just Shades.

Here is a picture of JUMPA, our rockstar crew leader this season for the shows


Be sure to check out the beautiful fabrics and detail oriented construction of Michael Tavano. We worked with him on selecting and constructing the custom cushions for our Ingas Bench and Ligna chairs at the show. He is incredibly talented, and an absolute pleasure to work with:

http://www.michaeltavano.com/

Brigitte is also fabulously creative and like FTS, works entirely by hand. You may have seen her bright and cheery "Wobblies" in our Chelsea showroom. If not, you must visit her website, and come in to see the color samples. We can place orders for you from our 17th street location, but check her website too. Brigitte works out of her studio in Red Hook, Brooklyn, so she's a neighbor, and provided all of the crisp white ceramics at the show:

http://web.me.com/bbceramics/Brigitte_Bouquet/home.html

Just Shades in Soho was also a fantastic help to us during crunch time too. Our Custom Shade was produced and delivered in less than a week...def check them out for any shade needs...

http://www.justshadesny.com/

Most of all, thanks so much to all of you who came by and said hello, or discovered us for the first time. We hope you enjoyed what you saw, and appreciate any feedback you can offer. Please come by and see us again soon...


THANK YOU TO ALL FOR A GREAT SHOW!!!