IYKYK Home Investment Pieces

I became an unabashed B&O fanboy over the past few years, so know where this section is heading.

And to be clear, I know absolutely no one at that company. They haven’t even ever replied to me, which I think is crazy. How can you not reply to subject lines like:

“GIVE ME FREE SPEKR FOR PUBLICITY”

“YOU MUST NOT HAVE GOTTEN MY LAST EMAIL SEND ME SPEAKE TO MISSOURI FOR FAME”

and what previously had a 100% open rate:

“YOU FOOLS I COULD MAKE YOU RICH!”

I adore their designs

I adore their sound signature

I adore their UX <- this is a biggie. I like active speakers, because I don’t like options. I know I’ll hit analysis paralysis in trying to choose components and I’ll just lose interest or waste so much time. Gimme something already baked.

• Grail Speaker: B&O A9

7 drivers. SEVEN. 3 of which are on the back of this speaker, including an 8in sub that will blow up your home. It has B&O’s Mozart system, so it’s effectively forever a modern speaker. It’s special.

• Grail System: Beolab 28

The iconic slim design that B&O is known for (like with the 8000s and the 18s). Each base has a 6in woofer on the bottom. Plus the party trick: the wood curtains open and close when you turn it on and off.

• The ultimate baller move: Vintage Bang & Olufsen - B&O Beolab 18

This is my favorite one to talk about of this bunch. The legend, and maybe the most beautiful speaker ever made. This (which you’d buy used) + Beolab 19 (the sub) + Beoconnect Core (so they are now modernized and you can stream directly to them).

Fun fact: These were featured in the series Beef Season 2.

• If I weren’t in too deep: KEF LS60

If I ventured out of the B&O ecosystem, I’d be hitting a showroom to try out the KEF LS60s.

Let talk chairs.

Lounge Chairs:

• Eames Lounge - The chosen one. Basically the Rolex Submariner of lounge chairs. It’s simply perfect. All roads lead back to the Eames Lounge.

• Eames LCW - My all-time favorite. It’s funny seeing people light up when they sit in it. It almost breaks the brain being as comfortable as it is.

• Vitsoe 620 - I still want these. Geriatric-core. Find me another chair that would look fly in a Mies van der Rohe home AND just right in a nursing home. You can’t.

• Curveball: Ikea Poäng - Ikea in almost every case goes against my entire buying ethos BUT the Poäng Chair is really something to consider if you need something that doesn’t cost thousands. It sits so well. Even Matt Castilleja has one, and he has commented on its good design. If you get it, you have to get it with the ottoman.

• Pro tip: Vintage (or simply used) + Patience, baby. I found my LCW used on craigslist over 10 years ago. I literally put out an add for one. This was my move that landed me this chair, a barn find 5,xxx mile ‘72 CB750, and the home I live in today. Thanks, Craigslist!

Dining Chairs:

• Eames Shell - What I have. The Eames were masters of making hard surfaces comfortable. Old ones like I have were made of fiberglass and have such a cool texture - I’d go vintage.

• Bertoia Side Chair - I had some of these for a spell some years ago. Loved them. I think they are so unique and versatile (look great outside too). Mine were from an old IBM office and still had IBM markings on their seat pads.

Dining Table:

• Either put some effort into finding some rad vintage number with character or go custom. I have a solid oak Plinth Table from Matt Castilleja and I admire it every single day.

Shelving:

We are talking investment pieces, so whenever possible, I want to know with a high likelihood that I’d be able to use something in another home. The following are modular. They are a big investment, but can 100% go anywhere. These are hand-me-downs.

• Vitsoe 606 - Dieter Rams 🫡

• USM Modular - Fun, classy, versatile, EXPANDABLE

Outdoor Furniture:

• HAY Palissade Collection ← DWR has a sale going on this week. 30-40% off HAY Outdoor right now. Rad. Heads up that the shipping on this kind of stuff is fuggin’ brutal. I remember it stinging. (if you’re over $2k on your order it looks like it’s free)

These things are modern classics. And they feel so high quality, like they’ll last basically forever. They’ve got some HEFT to them. A bar in town, Campground, has had these on their patio for years and the finish looks new. I’ve got green.

Lighting:

• Desk Lamp - Artemide Tolomeo

Always loved this lamp. Have one in my bedroom. Something about has a personality like you’d find in a Pixar movie.

• Floor Lamp - Big ass Noguchis

These things are so fun and give off such a lovely candlelight. I have the 10A, but there are plenty of others I like. BB3-33S always piqued my interest.

• Other Lamps

Flos Snoopy - SO good looking.

HAY PC Lamp - What I use for places that don’t have plugs nearby (including outside). It’s a vibe. Shown in the outdoor photo above.

Glasses - Duralex Picarie

I bought both the 12oz and the 8.5 oz per more than one subscribers’ recommendations on these. I feel like the 8.5 is the do-it-all: water, negronis, wine, you name it. Check out the reviews of these on Amazon; people comment on owning these for over a decade. They are affordable too.

Mugs - NotNeutral Lino

Greatest mug ever made. Ruined all other mugs for me. It’s so smart - handle is ergonomic in every grip, and the lip has a taper, unlike dumb DUMB diner mugs. God, I hate diner mugs.

Dishes - I went with a local artist named Mike Crouch.

He wood fires his plates and bowls and they are so stunning with a earthy, rustic quality to them.

If I didn’t buy those, I’d probably get Heath Ceramics. Tried and true.

Maybe something in their “Moonstone” color, which is gorgeous in person, or Coupe line.

Cutlery - Normann Copenhagen

I always comment on this in reviews: touch points always have to be top notch. So naturally cutlery needs to feel special and considered. Needs to feel sturdy. I’ve been using a set from this full set for several years. Love them, good heft and such clean design, but I’m only seeing their spoons for sale right now. Not sure if they are bringing back the rest of the line or not.

Coffee Maker - Technivorm Moccamaster

Counter top art. Uses copper coils to heat the water and it sounds like a tiny space shuttle taking off. Love mine. Got mine in silver - in hindsight, I’d probably go a fun color.

Cuttin’ - Boos Block

Recommended by a number of subscribers.

Alarm Clock - Nanu Arc

Metal. HEFTY. MECHANICAL CHIME. Not only is it in stock again, it’s on sale this week.

Bed - Floyd Bed

Clever design. The headboard looks great but doesn’t feel very sturdy. The cool thing is parts of this bed are replaceable and expandable, say you decide to go from Queen to King—it’s a simple add-on.

Mattress - I’ve had a number of subscribers ask for advice on this, and I don’t have it. I’m not in love with my mattress. What recommendations do you guys have on this? This is a group effort to save our backs from aching in the morning.

Bedside Table - I’d go USM Modular or vintage here. I have two Componibili Storage Units for bedside tables, and I don’t recommend them for this use case. They look great, but the tops are too small and the plastic feels and sounds so cheap. I will say, having the storage space is really great though.

Lighter or match striker - JM Brass Match Striker

Part match striker, part party trick, part home defense. People love this thing. It’s beautiful. It’s heavy. It’s a solid hunk of brass that patinas over the years.

Toilet/Bidet - Toto Drake + Washlet

You want a Ferrari in your bathroom? You got it, baby. Don’t ever go to Japan unless you have also budgeted coming back and buying these for your home. Also budget having an additional outlet installed next to the toilet to power this. Cost me $500 per bathroom.

Rugs - Vintage is more fun. Worth the hunt.

Art - Buy paintings and photos you love and get them framed. Framing is expensive but it’s gotta happen.

p.s. Are you subscribed to my YouTube Channel where I go in depth on all of this kind of stuff??? You should be.

p.p.s. Some of these links may toss me a commission without costing you any extra.

Thanks for the love, Y’all! You know I appreciate it.

- Dominic