With my upcoming birthday- now that I feel I no longer have any special numbers to look forward to- I find myself embracing things that are no longer considered age appropriate.  In a sense, I am now free to choose my mental age.  I am as old as I feel, and am falling in love with this whimsical new brand that has recently popped into our Gift Shop.

With growth charts, mobiles, and kid-friendly, shatterproof acrylic in place of glass in framed prints, Petit Collage may be geared toward the smaller customer, but can be enjoyed by any age.  With the perfect combination of vintage modern, playful illustration, and colorful collage, these prints are simply endearing.

Each collage is a limited edition of 50.  Within each of the 50 pieces there are slight variations in color and vintage paper used, so each work of art is truly unique.  The prints are on maple veneer in hardwood maple frames with a no-VOC finish.  Made in San Francisco, each detail has been carefully thought out.  It’s always a pleasure to find out that the products you love are being consciously and sustainably produced.  As I grow older, I’m growing wiser: there’s my glass-half-full approach to my upcoming birthday!  Happy shopping!

To see more Petit Collage available on our website:

Jungle Animals Mobile

Animal Tower Print

Camera Girl Print

Owl Love Print

Elephant with Calf Print

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Yes, it sounds like some sort of opening line for a joke, but the truth is that great things can happen when you open up the dialog, and Twitter can be a great place to do just that.

For those who don’t know, Jeff Pulver is a well know and respected member of the Twitter community as well as being an Internet entrepreneur. Probably best known for being a pioneer in the VOIP/VON industry. (that’s voice over network), Jeff has also established himself as an investor in fledgling startups as well as a huge proponent of internet video and Social Media.  Recently, Jeff has produced the 140 characters conferences in several cities around the world.  The conferences tackle all sorts of ideas and issues regarding Twitter and social media in the world we live in.  And now he is coming to Madison!

Between conferences, Jeff is adding a Social Media Roadtrip to his schedule and traveling through the Midwest.  On Twitter the other day @jeffpulver was looking for a stop in Wisconsin.  15 minutes later, and that stop on the Roadtrip will be The Century House- Home & Office Showroom at 3420 University Ave. (thanks in no small part to our friend @tkpleslie -thanks Leslie)  Take a look here:

So let’s have a Tweetup!! I hope that you can join us: Friday, August 27th Noon-2pm as Jeff Pulver rolls in to town. (If you need help navigating all the University Ave. construction, just let us know…:-)

What does all this have to do with a Furniture Store?  At The Century House we appreciate an opportunity. An opportunity to have fun, share with our community and maybe learn… An opportunity to get together with smart people and exchange ideas… Sounds like a perfect fit!

Please Join Us!!  You can Register for Free!

And take a look at the details on Jeff’s Roadtrip site.

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• Getting Crazy with the Drunkchair

This distinctive chair is just one of Danish designer Hans J. Wegner’s five hundred chair designs, and dates back to 1950.  The distinct “Y” shape of the back gave this furniture piece its Wishbone name.  Although, I have to say the best part of the design is the beautiful curve of the top of the chair.  It creates the perfect arm rest during casual conversations.

Carl Hansen & Son places a great emphasis on adhering to Wegner’s original detailed drawings and use of natural materials.  All of the wood used comes from renewable and sustainable sources.  The hand-woven paper cord seat truly sets this design apart, and it’s quite comfortable too!

The Blue Series introduces new and exciting color options along with a white paper cord seat that makes the blue really pop.  Each shade of blue has a unique and vibrant personality.  The Caspian Blue is a brilliant teal that makes a bold statement, while the Cayman Blue has a very soft and dreamy look.  We’ve chosen to put one of each of the four blues around our table, allowing us to pick our favorite of the day to sit in.  And, yes, our favorites do change on a daily basis!  Also, check out the new Citrus series, which offers four refreshing shades of green…

“The chair is the thing that is closest to people so it is important that its detailing is in order.  I feel details as much as I see them.  People touch the furniture, they see with their hands.” -Hans J. Wegner

To see more pics of the Wishbone chairs in our showroom, check out The Century House on facebook.

-Katy

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• Spring Renewal

Welcome To Summer!

No doubt, some of you have noticed that there is a bit of construction going on in front of our stores… But, Let’s make the most of it, Shall we?  We truly appreciate those of you who are willing to navigate the construction and find you way to our stores right now.  So we are having a great big, very fun, Construction Sale!!  Now through August 16th you will find huge savings at each of the stores…  There are great values on floor samples and stock merchandise as well as some great special deals on special orders!  Just follow the cones!!

Plus, we will be adding sale items all month long…  So check back often.  And you may wish to follow our progress on Facebook or subscribe to our email list (at the bottom of the page) to get updates on new sale items!

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Live music at a great venue! What more could you ask for?

——————————-WHAT: Enjoy a free concert performed by the final——————————-

——————————–contestants  from 105.5 Triple M’s Project contest!——————————–

—————————————–WHEN: Thursday June 10th at 6pm—————————————–

—————————-WHERE: Home & Office location: 3420 University Ave.—————————–

We’ve had so much fun watching this local contest progress for the second year in a row!  While they are already down to only three contestants, we’ve invited all the contestants back to rock out in our Living Room!  Well, it feels like our living room.  There will be snacks & refreshments, and rumor has it, there are some great prizes being given away (ie Dave Matthews Band tix!).  Hope to see you there!

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• Join the Music Scene with Project M
• The Century House Challenge

Any American Idol fans out there?  Madison’s 105.5 Triple M is hosting it’s own reality show: Project M.  Project M is a chance for local singer/songwriters to show us what they’ve got.  Through a series of weekly challenges, musicians will be eliminated until only one artist remains.

This is the second year for Project M.  We had so much fun last year helping them design their set and hosting a “living room concert” that when they asked if we’ve like to be involved again, we jumped at the chance.  It’s not everyday that you get to channel your inner rockstar (or at least what type of space they might like to hang out in).

This year, Project M has brand new contestants and a brand new set! New videos come out each week for fans to watch and vote on their favorite musician.  Keep your eyes peeled in the next week for  pics of this year’s set and more info about the upcoming concert we’re hosting at Century House Home & Office!  Live music with great seats- what’s better than that?

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• The Century House Challenge
• Century House Presents: 105.5 Triple M’s Project M LIVING ROOM CONCERT!

Make sure to check out all three of our University Avenue locations on Friday May 7th from 5pm-9pm to mingle with the artists, view, and even purchase their art work.  To learn more about Gallery Night and to see other participants, check out MMoCA’s website.

FURNITURE ANNEX:

Amanda Cheung

Emily Albun

HOME & OFFICE:

Meghan Johnson

Hongtao Zhou

Sarah Higley

GIFT SHOP:

Bao Thao

Amelia Toelke

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• OCTOBER 2nd IS GALLERY NIGHT!

A little over a week ago I was at High Point for the Furniture Market.  There are many great things that happen at Market.  One of them is obvious, the discovery of great new furniture!  The other is just as important; talking with friends!  The chance to chat with others in the industry is one of the greatest assets of any Market…

So I run in to my good friend, Leslie… She is an industry insider and the biggest furniture fan I know.  We take a walk together and stop into a showroom that I was headed to.  We are shown the latest from Italian producer Magis.  Now, Magis never falls short on the creativity and this market was no exception.

Leslie was immediately drawn to the new Spun Chair designed by Thomas Heatherwick- a rotation-molded plastic indoor/outdoor chair. 

When Leslie, @tkpleslie decided to take a Spin on the Spun - I grabbed her Flip and shot a quick video: http://yfrog.us/jx20100425131140z

Well when Twitter gets a hold of something like that…  Watch Out!

Our friend Ellen, @SweetSoaps maker of fine bacon soaps dubbed it the #drunkchair and that was that!  Ideas were instantly born!  From training astronauts to barkeep-don’t-spill-a-drop contests…

This is the sort of thing that happens on Twitter and these are the sort of people that make my job all about the Furniture Fun!! Check out Ellen’s post on the subject too.

PS.: The DrunkChair (Spun) is brand new and will be arriving at The Century House hopefully by Late June…  We’ll keep you posted! If you need more info, just let us know!

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• Jeff Pulver and the #140conf Roadtrip- Tweetup

Truth is, for many of our customers, the idea of eco-friendly furniture is not even on their radar.  Design, comfort, style, price, but “Green” Furniture?  What is exciting, is that change is in the air and perhaps, just maybe, we can have it all…

Allow me to introduce one of our newer partners joining us on the push towards sustainability.  G. Romano has been producing furniture in Montreal since 1969 and is really showing an effort to get it right.  Here are some fine folks making great looking, well designed upholstery in a clean contemporary style that we can really appreciate.  Hand built by real people in North America.  A great start.  Now add a concerted effort to address the details:

-G. Romano is a member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, showing a commitment to sustainable furniture.  A commitment The Century House shares - we are also members.  This commitment is shown clearly in the Verde collection. (and is spreading across the whole line)

-Pick apart these sofas and you will find, wood harvested from forests managed in accordance with policies & regulations that meet the objectives of the Canadian Forest Strategy.  All wood suppliers are FSC certified.  That is good stuff!

-You’ll also find all glues and adhesives involved are a Solvent-free, 100% waterborne system and conforms to changing environmental regulations. Great!

-Moreover, the collection includes many great eco-friendly fabric options. From natural fibers to options like recycled fiber and bamboo fabrics.  More Good Stuff!

-Then Take a look at one of the most important areas of any sofa: the Cushions.  Here we have a really great improvement on the norm.  Yep, we are talking BiOH again.  The foam in these cushions is partially composed of soybean components rather than the typical petroleum.  Also offered are cushions of feather and down combined with soy foam-replacing still more of the petroleum content.  Substituting some of the fossil fuels with sustainable plant products is surely a good thing.  Less is more when we are talking about the use of petroleum products!  A simple idea, and one that is taking off.  BiOH soy based foams are starting to show up in many of our manufacturers cushions.  The durability and resilience stays the same and the price doesn’t increase either!  Win, Win, Win! You can read a ton more about this Great Stuff on the BiOH blog!

There is a lot to talk about when it comes to eco-friendly furniture… & probably a lot of questions too.  I sure hope you’ll ask them.  We would love to here from you.  And this Saturday, Apr. 17th come visit us at the Isthmus Green Day Expo

and see some of the many great furniture options for greener living!

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• Isthmus Green Day
• Green Design Comes Naturally at The Century House

Design MMoCA aspires to blur the lines between art and interior design.  This year, The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art is challenging 16 interior designers and architects to design a room around a work of art in their permanent collection.

During the ten day exhibition, there will be gallery talks, lectures and workshops.  Some of the topics covered will involve incorporating reclaimed materials into your home, choosing the right piece of art, learning the fundamentals of framing, and going green with design.  Some of the designers will also be giving talks about their room inspirations.

The opening gala will be Thursday April 22rd from 7pm-10pm.  Chat with members of the design community while enjoying a delightful evening of champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and jazz.

To find out more, or for specific information on special events, go to MMoCA’s website.

David Nash "Cracking Box"

Here at The Century House, we were also very inspired by the idea of rooms and spaces becoming art.  David Nash’s “Cracking Box”, from the museum’s permanent collection, inspired our space, but we don’t want to give too much away…  Look in the glass-walled lobby during Design MMoCA to see how art influenced our design.

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• Design Your Own Lounge Contest!
• The Ekornes Story