Meet Sean Gray, a 29-year old Business Consultant at the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. Known for re-imagining an iconic vintage British poster to create a line of posters and t-shirts which encourage Detroiters to “Keep Calm and Carry On,” he is also a home design enthusiast with a penchant for Mid-Century Modern.
Sean’s Intro to Design:
I began learning about mid-century modern furniture in 2003 while at Eastern Michigan University and I didn’t start buying it until 2006 when I could afford to drive to Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo to buy Herman Miller furniture.
His Design Style:
Sherlock Holmes meets Florence Knoll. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes has been my favorite book for my whole life. Sir Alfred Conan Doyle had a manner of describing Holmes’ spaces that just stuck with me. Florence Knoll in that the quality and detail in her pieces is phenomenal and they aren’t overwhelming.
On Mid-Century Modern Design:
Honestly, I love well-made things and I am naturally attracted to wood. That period was one of the last when you could find solid wood and quality veneers used on relatively affordable furniture. Also, it is great to know that much of the best furniture of that time was manufactured or designed in Michigan.
Sean’s Favorite Designers:
I would choose Eero Saarinen for the sheer beauty and simplicity of his designs and the comfort of the Womb Chair. For practicality and affordability I would select Paul McCobb. McCobb did an amazing job of designing furniture for many different tastes and price points while retaining a distinctive aesthetic. I’m kind of addicted to Paul McCobb credenzas and cabinets.
On His Pieces:
I would not say that I collect furniture—I use my furniture respectfully but I try not to get too caught up in the value unless I buy a piece specifically to sell it. It actually annoys me when I see an old piece of furniture that has been stripped and made to look brand new. I like repurposing furniture but I also really appreciate the character of dents and dings on vintage furniture.
His Favorite Reads:
I’m on Apartment Therapy a lot and I enjoy Elle Décor. I really like old Herman Miller and Knoll advertisements so those are a part of my inspiration too.
Sean’s Design Work:
I re-imagined the Keep Calm and Carry On poster for Detroit. I purchased the original poster which was created during WWII to remind the English to keep their heads in the case of an invasion or other catastrophe. It just occurred to me after watching Detroit take a beating everyday in the media for most of my life that the people who live here are contributing a lot to the city and chipping away at that negative image a little bit at a time just in living wholly normal lives. Currently, the Boll Family YMCA produces and sells my Keep Calm and Carry On shirts with the proceeds benefiting their amazing Y-Arts office.
His favorite places to shop:
My favorite place of late has been HUGH which just closed. I guess that I’ll have to find a new favorite place but that is always fun.*
VOTE FOR SEAN GRAY’S HOME ON APARTMENT THERAPY’S SMALL COOL 2010 CONTEST!
Do you have a cool Pad?
April 5th, 2010 - 3:18 pm
Love your pad Sean!! The style is very vintage meets modern! And I got a peak at one of your credenza's this past weekend, btw haha!
April 5th, 2010 - 12:25 pm
This was a dope blog. Dude's designs are similar to what I'd do myself if I had the resources – clean, streamlined, but still have character and are down to business
April 5th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
Sean your place is awesome! And amazing how organized and immaculate you keep it. I live in a small space too, and wish it looked as half as neat as this. I am also a fan of design from this era, and will start scavenging for pieces soon. You should submit your place for Apartment Therapy's 2010 Small, Cool contest: http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2010/small-c... You're a great inspiration. Talk to you soon.
April 6th, 2010 - 2:08 am
I love your place. Simple and very well done.
April 6th, 2010 - 4:34 am
Thanks so much everyone. I'm honored to have been featured and excited to see that the things that have been very personal for me until now resonate with others. Thanks for inspiring me to keep refining my home décor. Now if I can just resist buying any more credenzas…
Margarita-Thanks for featuring my home and the recommendation! We'll see about the Aprtment Therapy contest : )
April 6th, 2010 - 5:13 pm
Sean, great stuff in your space! It's awesome to see it after having heard so much about it.
Thanks for the Hugh shout-out by the way … I'll have to try and make a new temporary store that you'll like too.
April 7th, 2010 - 3:03 am
Joe, Thank you so much! Four items on my desk alone were purchased at HUGH or Mezzanine so I will certainly be visiting both websites in the future–when I'm allowed to buy things again.
April 8th, 2010 - 12:44 am
Where, oh Where can I buy that poster!??!! LOVE IT!!! Anything online? Etsy? cafepress?
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Hello Jen. See my facebook : )
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I wanted to let you know, I will be selling some mid-century furniture in the next few weeks. It will be listed on Craigslist and sold from Southfield. The furniture is vintage and includes a Florence Knoll sofa, Harry Bertoai and Jens Risom chairs, and a Paul McCobb dresser to name a few. I expect the listing to be placed no latter then mid-June, 2011.
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