Modern Living Supplies

Modern Living Made Easy By Brad Ford

Posted on Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Seems as though we’re living in a world now where nothing’s as easy as it should be. Ironic, considering we’ve got iPhones and iTunes, flash drives and faxes, all set up supposedly to satisfy our needs in a more timely fashion. “You’ve got it, I want it….but I want it faster!” Somewhere along the way we’ve become a restless nation of “instant-gratification seekers.” Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter are designed to bring us closer together, yet as “connected” as we are, there still seems to be a huge cloud of disconnect that won’t blow over. Add in the current economic climate and you’ve got yourself a gourmet bowl full of funk soup that’s hard to swallow!

During these uncomfortable times, I know for myself and others, the one place that can often bring much-needed comfort is the home. It’s where we spend the majority of our time, surrounded by the people we love and the things we cherish. It says so much about us as individuals: our history, our interests and our tastes. Considering everything that’s been happening the past few months, it seems only fitting that we do our best to create our own environment that’s serene, inviting and introspective. This is easier than one would think, but it does require a bit of effort. Here are a couple of quick suggestions to help you get your own nest in order.

First of all, simplify your surroundings and get rid of any unnecessary clutter. Not only is this therapeutic and helps to clear your mind, it instantly breathes new life into a space, as well as gives new meaning to the remaining pieces. Something that may have gone unnoticed for years might suddenly stand out and seem much more significant I can’t tell you the number of projects I’ve had where we simply cleaned up the space and the client felt as though the job was near completion.

Secondly, determine exactly what your true interests are and insert some of those elements into your home. Again, this may take some research on your part, but educate yourself and enjoy the process. It will give your home much more meaning in the end. In other words, don’t just stop and smell the roses….plant your own rose bush. I’ve always been a big fan of Mid-Century design and the clean, simple forms associated with it—and my home reflects that. But it wasn’t until I met Mark from Modern Living Supplies that I fully grasped the importance of that era. I first discovered MLS years ago on an afternoon excursion to Williamsburg. I remember walking into the shop and being impressed with its highly edited inventory and equally charmed by Mark Naylon’s warm, friendly demeanor and his vast knowledge of Mid-Century furnishings. Thanks to Mark, I left that day not only with a handsome amoeba-shaped rosewood bowl, but also a much better understanding of Mid-Century design and its origins. Because of that newfound knowledge, I gained even more interest in the period and since then have acquired a large number of other wonderful treasures from MLS either for myself or for clients.

Not only is MLS’s inventory impressive, so is the high level of customer service you receive when dealing with these guys. Whether you purchase a rare pair of Paul McCobb lounge chairs or have them execute one of the custom-designed pieces from their M|n Originals furniture line, Mark and his staff are with you at every step making the process easy and instilling confidence along the way. You can also call Mark at any time and let him know if there’s something in particular you’re looking for and he’ll do his best to find exactly what it is you need. That’s a connection worth having, and one that doesn’t require a Facebook account.

So during these complicated times, why not take a couple of these steps to simplify your environment and give your home new meaning? Then turn off your computer, invite a couple of friends over for cocktails and make modern living easy again!

http://www.bradfordid.com
http://www.designtherapy.com

Brad Ford