This month International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter held the first of their annual Pioneers of Design Series in downtown Manhattan. I was fortunate enough to attend the in-depth presentation by Todd Oldham on the life and career of the amazing Alexander Girard.

Todd and Kiera at book signing

Todd partnered with Kiera Coffee to produce a 15lb. (seriously) coffee table book that is a collection of his work  – including interiors, packaging, typography and furniture. I was most impressed with Todd’s passion and admiration for the prolific Renaissance man. I could’ve listed to him go on all night! His team sifted through thousands of documents and photos, and interviewed his relatives and employees, to weed out his best works and most quirky habits.

Patricia Wall/The New York Times

I have studied most of Girard’s contemporaries, and was shocked at how little I knew about him. I knew about the wood block prints that Room and Board had:

But had no idea he designed this amazing furniture line for Herman Miller:

Or this restaurant just down the street from where our office is now:

La Fonda del Sol

I paid $200 for the book, but had it signed by Todd himself.

But you can get one on amazon for a mere $125.00.