Mention the name Dr. Suess and you’ll probably get a smile. Most people in United States were touched by his books either as children or as parents, and many can recite a line or two of his witty wordplay. The total originality of both his stories and illustrations have made them timeless. Full of energy, color and curvy forms, his humorous images are instantly recognizable as Suess creations. Here are a few designs for the home that evoke a bit of that spirit.
Artist Angela Schwer creates billowy polymer clay sculptures, petal by petal, that resemble fantastical flowers. Arranged on a base that can be hung on a wall or displayed on a table, each of her sculptures are one-of-a-kind.
Danish designer Finn Juhl debuted the Pelican chair in 1940 the same year Dr. Suess published “Horton Lays An Egg,” and both have stood the test of time. The curves of the chair delight the eye and embrace its occupant.
The Poke is a spiky, soft silicone storage vessel from Austin, Texas based designer Rebecca Finell. Offering both charm and function, it can be used to serve food, as a candy or nut dish, a place to store loose change or simply on its own as an art piece. Strikingly simple, it’s like a new-wave sorting hat with a pleasantly squishy texture.
Parsons School of Design graduate and Minneapolis resident Erin Smith makes unique ceramics in her South Minneapolis studio. Her adorable “Chub Mugs” would look right at home in the hand of many a three-fingered Suess character.
The Ikea Maskros (“dandelion” in Swedish) pendant is as sweet as they come and prove that great design doesn’t have to be expensive. When lit at night, it magically casts its bold floral graphic on the walls. Initially popular for children’s rooms, this fixture (which resembles the trees in “The Lorax”) has made its way to dining and living rooms, too.