It's a Specials kind of day...

The Specials, too cool for school. Forever stylish with the cynic wit.

It's a Specials kind of day...

This is a Man's World

"But it would be nothing without a woman, or a girl...." I don't know why, but for some reason James Brown's lyrics ran through my head upon first view of Edward Leida's home posted on The Selby. It's like a lion's den meets a sleek, Italian mid-century man cave.

Maybe it's Leida's assured pose, or the wood paneling, or those metal accents... or all that luscious leather. Yes, yes.. that buttery leather spread on toast. Reminds me of our Contour and Chieftain chairs, in all their wood and camel-colored glory. I'll take a nightcap and a good read, please...


Gorgeous Barcelona Day Bed (it's refreshing to see this in brown leather) and Arteluce Triennale lamp.


Where's my cashmere blanket?




Love the pop of the Panton Cone chair in a sharp kelly green.


Beautiful wood grain and libations -- always a nice pairing.


This aerodynamic lighting looks warm and inviting. Edward Leida home photos via Todd Selby / The Selby.

Chairs to curl up in... aka "The warm leather hug."

Vladimir Kagan Contour Chair (1953). Click pic to view details on our site.


Finn Juhl "Chieftain" Chair (c. 1960's). Click pic to view details on our site.


And here's a heady glass of circa 60's James Brown.

This is a Man's World

Music infatuation

We are smitten with the wonderful Charlotte Gainsbourg. Her latest album, IRM, produced by Beck, has been on heavy rotation in the shop.

Music infatuation

The Danish angle

San Franciso based, Danish born, fashion designer, Sofie Ølgaard, came by the shop for a photo shoot amongst her fellow Danish-designed pieces. Like her Scandinavian-infused aesthetic, Sofie's clothes are sleek, functional, and well-made with minimal lines.

Read her in-depth feature on SFGate, and check out her designs on her website, www.sofieolgaard.com.




Sofie in her sleek silk jersey Alassio dress. Furnishings shown: C. Jere blackbirds wall ornament, Lisa Johansson-Pape lamp atop Paul Frankl dresser, Italian marble lamp.


Sofie's Alassio dress complements the cool tones of the John Axton painting. Furnishings shown: Mastercraft glass & brass dining table, Norman Cherner leather upholstered chairs, John Axton 1960's painting, Danish teak crendenza, Laurel lamps, Barovier Murano blown-glass lamp.

All photos: Jana Asenbrennerova for The Chronicle

The Danish angle

We meet again, Señor

Eames Lounger vs. Barcelona Chair! Just a snippet from a hilarious video featuring the iconic Eames Lounge Chair. Click to watch.

We meet again, Señor

I've got a crush on you....

A sofa crush that is. Years ago I was flipping through an interior design mag (unfortunately I cannot, for the life of me, remember which issue), and came across an wonderful, minimally decorated home, filled with curves, graphic lines and lots of color. The singular element that burned in my brain, was this amazing side chair set off, near a landing, carved out as a reading nook. It looked so cozy, that chair, all rounded-square lines, and in a bright, kelly green upholstery. Instantly I fell in love, and had to know who, and what, was this chair. My squinty eyes scoured the fine print, and finally I spy the credits, "Vintage Chicklet side chair." My little design heart swelled from my crush, and I vowed one day, "I will find you Chicklet sofa, chair, whatever...."

Flash-forward to now. I recently stopped by Monument, but had rushed by the display window with nary a glance. Taking some photos around the shop, my beady, little eyes spied some very familiar rounded curves near the window. Kind of like 70's mod cartoonish curves, like a wide, toothy grin... My heart skipped a beat, when I saw it was, in fact, an all-kinds-of-gorgeous Chicklet sofa, newly reupholstered in a beautiful, soft green heathered cotton. It was like a bamboo garden landed in our window, and turned itself into a sofa. Okay... I know, I know.. you say it's just a sofa, but can't a girl have an inanimate crush around here?

Alright I'll stop babbling... pictures at last! Stop by Monument and visit my baby. Seriously.

Newly reupholstered Chicklet Sofa designed by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller. circa 1976. Check our site for more info here.






p.s. Don't you love the drama of that antelope?

photos: Antoinette Celes

I've got a crush on you....