The Ciseal Blog

In case you missed it, mass-produced, ubiquitous gifts are completely passé nowadays.  Hand crafted, small-batch, sustainable and reclaimed are the new ideals.  So, steer away from the superstore aisles or gift card kiosks and give an intentional and memorable gift that’ll be treasured for years to come.  This gift guide isn’t simply a checklist of things to click on and buy - it’s an invitation to get to know the people who passionately make their products by hand.

Part of the fun for me when getting ready for the holiday season is hunting for the perfect host or hostess gifts.  The least I can do is arrive at a party with a delightful gift in tow that says “thank you very much!” long after the dishes are clean and the party winds down.  It’s easy to assume that a modern design fan with a clutter-free home wouldn’t want more things, but these nine gifts are sure to delight all but the most stringent minimalist.

You’re finally ready - that wobbly Ikea couch and those sturdy but mismatched Craigslist dining chairs have served you well, but it’s about time for a few upgrades.  This time you’ve saved your dough, and you can’t wait to invest in some amazing handcrafted furniture that will last.  One problem remains - while you’ve done your research and know the difference between Mid Century and Art Deco, you have no clue how to look at a piece and know if it will last five years or 50.  Here at Ciseal, we make furniture and home decor that we certainly believe will last a lifetime, and these are the things we look for when purchasing new or vintage furniture of our own.

Here’s a sassy question to ask a furniture maker: Why even bother with making things by hand when it’s faster and cheaper to mass produce what you make in foreign factories?

Through his work across the fields of architecture, interior design, textiles, and graphic design, Alexander Girard became one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century.  Even today, Girard’s work with color, texture, decoration, and handmade details are regarded as touchstones of classic modernism.  He is widely regarded as the greatest colorist and textile designer of the mid century era.

Interest in handmade products is on the rise - and for good reason.  The shift towards purchasing handmade products is a counterpoint to the impersonal mass production and mindless purchasing we’ve become accustomed to in the past 60 years.  For many who are weary of the impact that large corporations have had, buying handmade is the socially, economically, and environmentally responsible thing to do.  But in this day and age of accessible technology, many consumers are not sure they can trust the “handmade” label.  Handmade is a big marketing angle in our industry, and we wanted to take a second to discuss where we stand.

Whether it’s for a tiny New York City studio apartment or a 4,000 square foot McMansion in the far off suburbs, everybody needs furniture in their home.  Purchasing furniture is a rite of passage for every adult.  Today, the majority of us - at least in America - buy furniture from massive chain stores.  It's quick, easy, and they always have something that will work, right?  But when's the last time you stopped to think about where that fast and cheap furniture comes from?  How is it made, by whom, and from what materials?  These are questions the slow food movement has urged us to ask about the food we eat.  Isn't it time we give the same consideration to the objects that make our house a home?

If your space has the clean lines and plenty of natural light to pull it off, we think the exposed plywood look can be gorgeous!  Here are some ideas for how to make plywood look great.

If you haven’t noticed, plywood is kind of our favorite material.  One reason we love it is for it’s efficient use of the trees it is made out of.  Between hardwood and plywood, plywood is by far the more sustainable option because It’s the most efficient use of the tree.  Plywood utilizes the entire tree trunk with no off cuts and very, very little waste.  You can’t get much more efficient!

We had an absolutely lovely time at this past weekend’s Renegade Craft Fair at Detroit’s Eastern Market.  It was a rare sunny and hot September weekend in Detroit, and the crowds were happy to soak up the sun while perusing the handmade goods.  From the unique, handmade vendors to the delicious food trucks and the super amazing DJ, the fair was a wonderful time!

Pet-proofing your space can be exciting and fun. There are several things you might want to consider to protect your belongings and furniture as you step into pet ownership.

The most common objection I hear about modern design is that it’s too sterile, cold, and soul-less.  It breaks my heart because that couldn’t be further from the truth.  The feel of a modern room that’s done right is relaxed, refreshing, and welcoming.  To achieve that easy, livable feel, check out these tips for creating a welcoming modern space.