Saint Louis Artisan – Martin Goebel, Goebel & Co. Furniture

 

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A Saint Louisan To His Core

After graduating from Ladue Horton Watkins High School, Martin Goebel embarked on an education that spanned almost a decade in the pursuit of his true passion. Martin received his traditional training, at the College of the Redwoods in Ft. Bragg, California, in cabinet and furniture making. Upon graduating, he returned to Saint Louis and for the next 6 years he created custom pieces while completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Missouri, Saint Louis. In 2008, he was accepted to the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, RI. Martin received his Masters of Fine Arts in Furniture, with an emphasis on digital design and returned to Saint Louis once again in 2011 to start Goebel & Co. Furniture.  Today racks of Cherry, Walnut and White Oak and other American classics fill the Goebel & Co. warehouse on Locust Street in Midtown Saint Louis.

Making Utility Elegant

Martin Goebel has been quoted as saying “Design is a reaction to the study of life.  At Goebel & Co. we celebrate the simple activities of life through elegantly simple furniture. The real masterpiece of design is the life that occurs on and around our furniture.” While this describes the conceptual approach to his designs the execution of his pieces are a true testament to the functionalist design approach largely inspired by American architect Louis Sullivan, best known for his phrase “form (ever) follows function.”

Tradition meets Technology

A true testament to his educational background, every piece of furniture that Goebel & Co. creates is a combination of digital technology,  manufacturing and hand-craftsmanship. Designs are realized through the process of 3D modeling and then the individual components are either manufactured in-house or sent to a regional subcontractor. This approach allows Goebel & Co. to control the cost to the client and also take advantage of the cutting edge technology and skilled labor their regional partners offer. All of the pieces are assembled, inspected and finished at the Goebel & Co. workshop.

Goebel & Co. Furniture is featured locally in Companion Bakery, Brennan’s Wine and Tobacco, 4 Hands Brewing Co., Tani Sushi and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company’s Grove Brewery & Bierhall just to name a few. I encourage you to visit their website to be inspired and then give them a call to create a piece that is uniquely yours.

Goebel & Co. Furniture | 2936 Locust Street | Saint Louis, MO 63103

www.goebelfurniture.com

 

Masculine Interiors

With Father’s Day quickly approaching, we find ourselves thinking of all the important men in our lives and how we can make their day special.  Perhaps a relaxing, well-designed sanctuary could be the perfect gift.  Today we’re discussing the three main elements that shape a stylish masculine space and we’ve included some great pieces to incorporate.

Neutral Palette

Neutrals and earth tones are great for a more masculine interior.  Create a classic look by using a neutral color palette to set the tone, then layer in color and pattern through artwork and accessories.neutral interior design

Simplicity

Masculine rooms tend to have strong, simple lines and rarely contain curvy, intricate pieces.  When making selections, choose pieces with simple, angular elements.  Geometric shapes play a big role in the design; think graphic rugs and artwork.  Fabrics with a classic pinstripe, plaid or herringbone pattern give a nod to menswear and create interest without feeling fussy.  Remember when accessorizing, less is more!  dark and moody dining room

Texture

The blending of rough and smooth surfaces will help you achieve a masculine look.  Blend natural materials such as stone or wood with sleek metals or glass like a polished light fixture or accent table.  Leather is the quintessentially masculine element of any space.  It can add such warmth, texture and richness to a space.  Try adding a chair or sofa for impact or simple leather pulls or a pouf for a lighter touch.masculine interior with leather chesterfield

Decorating with the 5 Elements of Feng Shui

Life is all about balance. From the foods we eat to our work and personal lives we are constantly searching for that perfect balance. We are spending more time than ever indoors – roughly 90%. Because of this our environments and the effects they have on us are more important than ever. As a designer, I intuitively work with the 5 elements of feng shui when pairing textiles, colors, shapes, textures and furnishings, on a daily basis. Here is a brief introduction to the elements and how you can incorporate them into your environments to create a sense of harmony and balance.

EARTH ELEMENT – REPRESENTS STABILITY AND NOURISHMENT

stacks of clay pots on an outdoor tableIncorporating the earth element into your space is said to bring about peace, stability and protection to you and your relationships. Decorating with square shapes and layering tones of beige, sandy and pale yellow tones are a simple way to introduce the earth element. Terracotta pots and stone sculptures also add a nice touch.

METAL ELEMENT – REPRESENTS PURITY AND PRECISION

metal multi-light pendant fixtureAn energetic metal element helps facilitate focus, precision and a strong sense of clarity. Metal is the easiest element to introduce regardless of your particular design style. Picture frames, decorative metal accents, round shapes and the use of metallics, grays and whites are expressive of this element.

WATER ELEMENT – REPRESENTS EASE, ABUNDANCE AND INNER WORK

water element representing balanceThe water element creates a positive sense of calm, purity and relaxation to any space. Mirrors are the most common expression of water in decor. Accessories and textiles with shades of blue and black will also bring this element in to your space.

WOOD ELEMENT – REPRESENTS GROWTH, EXPANSION AND VITALITY

wood cutting board on wood backgroundWood is considered to be a healing element that brings about vibrancy in health & growth and decisiveness in action. Consider floating wood shelves, branches mixed in with your florals or adding a houseplant. Rectangular shapes and decorating with greens and browns will also give this element presence.

FIRE ELEMENT – REPRESENTS HIGH ENERGY AND PASSION

candles and string lights in a windowThe fire element, when balanced correctly, will bring activity and energy to your life and your career. Fire is best used in moderation. Misuse of this element will cause over stimulation and a sense of anxiety. Fireplaces and candles are the obvious way to introduce the fire element. Triangle shaped decor and well placed accents in bold reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and purples are also indicative of fire.

Outdoor Entertaining

Outdoor parties are one of the best parts of summer.  The vibe is relaxed and the focus is on enjoying the nice weather while creating fun memories with friends and family.  Read our 5 tips for getting your summer soiree just right, and let us know, what are your tricks for a successful party?

KEEP THE BUGS AT BAY

In the Midwest, outdoor entertaining can be difficult to enjoy with the amount of mosquitoes that linger outside. Adding lanterns with citronella candles add ambiance while deterring bugs.  Arm your backyard with bug deterring plants.  Planting garlic, basil and peppermint in your garden bed and strategically placing potted plants of lavender, lemon balm, and marigolds around seating areas will do double duty adding color to your patio while keeping your guests safe from bug bites!  Also having plenty of insect repellent on hand is a must! potted lavender on a brick patio

KEEP FOOD FRESH

On hot summer days it is essential to keep food fresh for your guests.  If your kitchen is close to the back door, set up a buffet inside on the island.  If not, set up the food table near the door to keep temperatures stable and remember to periodically replenish ice.  Room temperature snacks are also great to have around seating areas. indoor food buffet

AVOID OVERCROWDING

Planning separate stations for food, drinks and activities combats potential jams and helps maintain a nice flow. Also, creating various seating areas allow guests to easily move around and engage in smaller, more intimate conversations. outdoor seating area with table and floral

CREATE AMBIANCE

String cafe lights around your patio or along your fence to add instant charm to your backyard. Position a seating area around a fire pit and roast s’mores.  Don’t forget the tunes!  For those who do not have outdoor speakers, have a Bluetooth speaker ready with your perfectly curated playlist.  When decorating your outdoor space, treat it like a room.  Adding indoor elements like a rug, pillows, throws and a mirror will create a cozy and inviting place for your guests. outdoor family style dining table with string lights

PLAN FOR GAMES AND PREP THE POOL

Having activities ready creates an enjoyable atmosphere. Whether it’s a round of cards or tournament of bags or washers, games always ensure that guests are having a great time.  If you have a pool, make sure to keep extra towels, sunblock, and floats for guests.outdoor foosball table game