Orange County Fair #2: Furniture at the Fair

Next to the food at the fair, the best part to me is the competitions (I know you thought I was going to say tattoos but I will get to that later). I think it is cool that at country fairs all over the country, people enter items in contests. And, the contests run the gamut, from food, to crafts, to agriculture. I like the welcome statement on the competitions page, "For 123 years artists, craftspeople, farmers and youth have entered competitions at the OC Fair. In 2012, the spirit of competition is alive and strong in Orange County."

I am a bit of a furniture-a-holic, so the very first stop I made was the woodworking competition. Here are my top ten picks, and all of them are distinctly modern, presented here in order of traveling through the exhibit (almost like you are there).

#1. This wonderful Nakashima-inspired chair handmade by Tyler Smutz of Killstress Designs (get the play on words kill-stress) is one of my favorite pieces because of the unique two legs. If the maker is this Tyler Smutz he is also a Broadway set carpenter, what are the odds? 

Tyler Smutz Chair

#2. Organic plank coffee table by Jeffrey Crussell. This Jeffrey Crussell is also an architect in the "OC." I really like the modern feet, with the natural tree plank top. the finish is really pretty. Picture doesn't do it justice. You can see more about Jeffrey on FB  and check out his website  CrussellFineArts.com.

Plank table by Jeffrey Crussell

#3. Cool little bench by Edward Rizzardi. The craftsmanship and the lines are fantastic on this piece. Click through his gallery, his work is amazing.

Edward Rizzardi bench

#4 I love this side table by Jim Koukl. It actually had a price tag that I noticed, for $250. Some of the pieces are indeed for sale. Don't be surprised if you see this in my house someday. Jim if you are out there, contact me!
  

Jim Koukl Side Table

#5 This is a truly elegant chair by Jason Yost. I found Jason over at FaceBook. His chair won third place in his division! Certainly deservedly so. This chair looks very comfortable and beautiful.

Jason Yost Chair

 #6 My oh my, what have we here. This is a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired desk by David Richter (nice article about David Richter in the Register). I have kind of a thing for Frank Lloyd Wright who is considered an important pre-contributor to the aesthetics of mid-century modern. In fact, I originally began systematically destroying our mid-century modern house trying to make it more Frank Lloyd Wright. Luckily, I eventually figured it out.

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired desk by David Richter

A straight on view of David Richter's desk.

#7 A very cool lamp or outdoor lantern crafted by Steven Park (also a second place award winner). I like very much that this is so Japanese, so clean and so modern. My dad made something like this for us to use outdoors (a post for another day).  I couldn't find anything about this woodworker online unless he is this guy from Indiana who also does woodworking (but I doubt it).

Steven Park's lamp

 #8 This mystery box by Patrick Gossard is so interesting. It is a diagonal maple cabinet. He had a card of explanation that says he built it around the tilted little vase. You just wanted to touch it, but sadly couldn't. Apparently there is a hidden drawer inside.

Patrick Gossard Diagonal Cabinet

#9 Outstanding glass coffee table by Nicole Sintov. Yes, we have an entry by a lady. Check out how this table is held up by the two slipped in wood legs. Really clever and very elegant.

Custom table Nicole Sintov

Close up of the legs... the glass appeared to be floating.

#10 A mystery cabinet by Laure Zahn (another lady). This cabinet wasn't opened, and you certainly weren't allowed to touch. But I wanted to. I found this post about the creation of the pretty little jewelry box with a picture of the insides! She won a second place and an Industry Award.

Jewelry Cabinet by Laura Zahn

Inside view of Laura Zahn's cabinet