Tongue ‘n’ Chic

For classic contemporary furniture, sometimes it’s best to go back to the future.

Sitag International has done just that, reviving trend-setting designs of the ‘50s and ‘60s to launch its new division--Sitag Vision.

Sitag, in Irvine, was founded by Reto Eberle, a native of Switzerland who came to the United States to open a branch of his family business about six years ago. The company had been manufacturing office furniture and products until the Vision series.

The Vision series, which was introduced in the spring and is now shipping to stores, features sofas, chairs, tables, cabinets and other pieces for the home.

Among the more memorable furnishings are the Tongue chaise ($1,200) and Ribbon chair ($2,900), which were designed by Pierre Paulin in the late ‘60s.

Paulin, a French designer, is known for his construction and upholstery techniques. The chaise is part of the New York Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. The chair is considered Paulin’s most sculptural work.

The Cleopatra chair ($2,880) was created by Geoffrey Harcourt, who is known for his space-age designs.

All three are available in 10 of the original bold colors.

“With Sitag Vision, we wanted to celebrate great designs,” Eberle says. “We looked around and found designs that we saw as icons of classic modern furniture and are making them available in the United States at an affordable cost.”

The Sitag showroom, 170 W. Technology Drive, is open to the public 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call (800) 348-0055.

Kids’ Corner

Combining fun and flexibility is the goal of Kids’ Studio furniture created by Alla Kazovsky of Los Angeles.

Made of Finland birch plywood, the pieces are not overly decorated, which allows the child to create his or her own space, Kazovsky says.

The Kids’ Studio collection includes the Art Cart ($250), an adjustable easel with storage trays, vertical slots and drawers that work from both sides. The side panels and drawer fronts are painted in yellow, red and green.

The play table with two seats ($250) has a rounded tabletop and legs. The drum seats double as storage bins. The show-and-store chest ($950) has an adjustable configuration of shelves and sliding drawers, which are free of hardware, so they can double as play boxes.

The sleep-and-store bed ($1,950) has a series of colored, semicircular panels that may be used both upright and laterally as headboard, guardrails, back supports and removable footboard shelf and side table. There are roll-out bins for storage underneath the bed.

Call (213) 655-4028 for more information.

Clutter Busters

Need a little order in your life?

If your mess has you truly stressed, enter the “Help! I Need an Organizer!” contest, sponsored by the National Assn. of Professional Organizers. The association, holding the contest to celebrate National Get Organized Week Oct. 6-12, will offer the winners a team of experts to bring some order during the week of Nov. 11.

To enter, write a paragraph or two describing your mess and why you need the help of experts. Any mess is eligible--be it the garage, a closet, kitchen or desk at work.

Entries, which must be postmarked no later than Oct. 19, should be mailed to “Help! I Need an Organizer!” Contest, 351 N. Newport Blvd. No. 357, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Or you can fax your entry to (310) 493-3240 by Nov. 1.