House Tour - Mazi's Converted Loft

Happy New Year dear readers!  Welcome to my first post of 2012!  We are starting off the year with a bang, I have a real treat for you!  A very exciting house tour - more proof that good things are happening in Cleveland.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting one of the most fascinating and intellectual curators I've ever met.  His name is Mazi, and he has exceptional taste in vintage vinyl, mid-century modern furniture, local and ethnic art.  He's extremely knowledgeable and generously shared his knowledge and his home with me.  If you are a lover of mid-century modern, you will love this home, as I do.  His home boasts many iconic pieces.  As you know, MCM's clean lines lend itself very well to layering other styles.  Mazi has recently fallen in love with industrial chic and has skillfully added this flavor to his mix.  Added to this are artworks by local artists and a dash of ethnic vibe.  What comes across is a beautifully rich home, full of intellect and tempered masculinity.  I hope you enjoy this fabulous tour as much as I did.  

Mazi and his wife live in Ohio City in a loft which has been converted from a pharmacy.  It is a sensitive conversion, maintaining much of the old character and charm.  The loft has large windows, and a beautiful open layout.

Our tour started in the garage, where Mazi conducts much of his business.  I could barely contain my excitement when I saw this George Nelson swag leg chair, designed in 1958.  Man I want this chair!  If you love chairs  - and I know you do - read on, this tour has plenty of chair porn.  Mazi is a purist, and he knows his stuff.  There are no knockoffs in Mazi's home, all of his pieces are original.

 

Here are a few views of his front window with built-in.  This lovely area houses part of Mazi's  extensive record collection, a fab welded lamp by brutalist sculptor Harry Balmer, woven side chair by Jens Risom for Knoll, Saarinen side table and bullet planter.  The blue beach ball painting is by Cleveland artist Paul Shuster.  

Here is a stunning piece of history.  One of the first molded plastic rockers designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1948.

This was one of the first mass produced chairs.  Its clean modern lines and sleek non-upholstered finish reflect the post-war optimism which was evident in design of the time.  The chair has its original shock mounts, and was produced before stamping furniture began, so it is hand signed.

Cute blonde wood side table is repurposed as a TV stand.  Painting is marked Barrett.  Please contact me if you have further information regarding this artist.  Every where you look,  there are interesting things to see.

Infinitely fascinating collection includes the following: The album "Beat Bop."  Beat Bop is a collaboration of rappers Rammelizee and K-Rob, and is the only album produced by independent label Tartown.  The cover is designed by Jean-Michel Basquiat.  Jean Dubuffet "Musical Experiences."   An original photograph of the revolutionary Che Guevara.  Mazi also has an extensive collection of Blue Note albums, which are some of the most collectible records in the world.

Textured modern painting by Dianna Sitar.  Quirky face painting by Dexter Davis.

Here are a few views of the living room and the open kitchen.  I love the open floor plan.  I am impressed by how sensitively the landlord chose finishes when the kitchen was renovated.

The raw wood floors look fab with the iconic pieces.  Deco sofa is by K.E.M. Weber, bench is by George Nelson.   Wonderful minimal, organic painting over sofa is by Cleveland artist Robert Hanson.

Dining area boasts my favorite table of all time - the Saarinen dining table.  Completing the look are Bertoia side chairs and molded plastic chairs by Eames.  I love the use of dressers in rooms other than the bedroom. Besides looking stylish, they are completely functional and provide storage.  Even better if it's a beauty like this Heywood Wakefield dresser.  A George Nelson bubble lamp hangs over the kitchen.  The Heywood Wakefield dresser and the Nelson bubble lamp are a couple more of my favorite designs of all time.

A couple of rare tall Bertoias sit beside the kitchen counter.

Near the kitchen, is a collection of West German and Italian Raymor pottery and a Franz Kline print.

Any information on the above rolling cart and the graphic black and white painting wold be appreciated. Completing this lovely vignette is an African soap stone sculpture by Y. Close (circa 1963).

An important part of the ethnic layer in this home are gorgeous photographs of the Maasai people by visionary and compassionate thinker/world traveler and photographer extraordinaire Halim Ina.  This piece resides in a place of prominence in the kitchen.  

Bedroom features fab purple door, Heywood Wakefield dresser, vintage African drawing entitled "River Girl," Eames molded plywood lounge chair and an oil painting circa 1947.  This gorgeous Latina painting looks as if it is signed by A.E. Brutsche.  If you have any information on this artist, please contact me.

 

Talk about chair porn.  The obvious star of the bedroom is this sexy Cherner bent wood chair.  I almost had a heart attack when I saw it.  I've only seen it in pictures, never live before.  Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out a way to get this baby in my purse.  

The tour now takes us to the basement, and the sexiest man cave you've ever seen.  This is where the industrial chic vibe is most prominent. At the foot of the stairs you are greeted by this icon of slick masculinity, the Emeco navy chair, and a brick vase.

The entry to the space features a poster from the Picasso exhibit at the Frankfurter Kunstverein.  This very special poster set the tone for the lovely space designed by Mazi.

The Bertoia seating area continues the line motif.  The area is set off by this stunning lamp by local artisan, Kevin Busta.

Mazi pays attention to details, using the coolest light bulb I've ever seen.  The bulb reminds me of a vintage door knob.  I was surprised to learn it was from Home Depot.  I love when the mundane is elevated to the level of art.

Each piece adheres to a strict geometry.  This fab round chair is also designed by Busta.  Makes a great partner with the stunning painting by Johanne Lemay.  I love the raw, Earthy floors and walls.  The patina of the sculpture by Benny Collins fits beautifully here.

Another lamp by Busta, mushroom-inspired sculpture by Collins and some of Mazi's Russel Wright dinnerware collection.

Cute kitty in the Bertoia.

This industrial beauty has just the right amount of character.  Another fab piece by Kevin Busta makes sense of the exposed duct work.  In the corner is another Halim Ina photograph.

Another Lemay painting is propped in the desk area.

Another Busta lamp, and Collins sculpture sit on the Heywood Wakefield desk.  Adding a layer of ethnicity to this vignette are Senegalese masks from one of Mazi's trips to Africa.

Propped art includes this Rauschenberg print and a page from an article about Jean-Michele Basquiet in Interview Magazine, 1985.

Manly, yes.  But I could live here.

We concluded the tour where we started, at the garage.  Mazi told me about a Basquiat-inspired painting he had done while in college and I begged him to show it to me.  It is awesome, I'd love to put it in a large all white loft.  He also showed me this incredible screen print entitled "Woman in the Mirror," by local artist Mark Howard.

Thank you, Mazi for sharing your fabulous home and collections with us!  Dear readers, stay tuned in 2012 where exciting things will be happening all year!  And as always, thanks for reading.  xxoo

All photos by Peggy

Home Tour - Joe Valenti

I have a treat for you dear readers! I've mentioned my favorite vintage store many times. Today, I'd like to reveal my secret. It's Flower Child, owned by the uber creative Joe Valenti. Joe very graciously invited me on a tour of his atomic ranch. I have to give props to interior photographers, it's not as easy as it looks. So while this is not a professional shoot, Joe's creativity shines through at every turn. This is a home which deserves a professional shoot for a magazine layout. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Upon entering the home I was greeted by one of my favorite colors! Yummy turquoise. Love the Warhol print.

The open style kitchen features a cute breakfast nook, also in turquoise. The breakfast nook sports a Nelson bubble lamp, and a whimsical painting Joe did as a student at the prestigious Cleveland Institute of Art. And check that Haeger vase on the window sill. A rare apple green. Love it.

There are cool things to catch the eye at every turn.

The kitchen is a marvel of organization. These beautiful blonde wood cabinets open to reveal tons of storage.

And pull out drawers to keep everything neat.

I love the cook top.

And appliances.

Joe's dining room is a stunning color, putty by Benjamin Moore. Love the large painting and the sputnik lamp.

Joe has a divine collection of art glass.

The living room.

His collection of ceramics comes mainly from garage sales. And dig those rare oversize Blenko pieces. Those are vintage pieces used in window display. Joe got his start in window display, and is very skilled at it.

There's beautiful art and pottery at every turn.

Here is the master bedroom. I love the painting, I believe it's by A. Scott Miller, but I will need to confirm that. The room is painted a beautiful shade of blue. Gorgeous apple green chair helps keep the decor cohesive.

Gorgeous tactile art work in the hall.

The second bedroom sports a light board made by Joe.

And beautiful gray bedding.

A blonde wood dresser with apple green glass pieces.

The basement features a lounge and bar. It's fun and whimsical. The perfect place for a party. Indeed, Joe has accommodated 100 guests comfortably in his home!

Groovy Moss lamp and photo of Eartha Kitt as Cat Woman.

Love the chair he found at a garage sale!

The TV room continues the color scheme of black and red, and blonde wood. Perfect round coffee table. The three pieces of atomic enamelware were a gift. (I tried to get him to give these to me - but I didn't push too hard because he would have! He's very generous.)

TV room also boasts amazing cabinetry which hides electronics and components.

The TV room has glass doors which spill to the outside.

The decor is continued to the outside of the home. This piece of recycled art is a fountain.

Joe was working on this upcycled piece as I was there. He glued the enamel bowls to the piece. Everything Joe touches turns to gold.

The vestibule was built by his father. Talent must run in the family. I adore the geometric patterns the sun makes on the patio.

The other side of the home also sports a vestibule. There are plenty of areas for guests to congregate.

A lovely seating area in the back yard. Joe had just gotten that sofa and chair from a thrift store. He has plans for it. I can't wait to see what he does with it. I'll make sure to show you the after shot.

I just had to peek at the projects going on in his garage. This is Joe's life. He eats and breathes this stuff. I love the little desk and stool, and can't wait to see what he does with it. If you liked this home tour, you'll want to stay tuned. I have a very exciting announcement in my next post.