Features

Welcome to the Features Section of PrairieMod!

Many times we'd like to dig deeper into particular PrairieMod topics than what a regular daily blog post allows us. So, we created this special section to showcase more in-depth stories on design, products, people, places, ideas and events that promote a principle-based modern lifestyle.

We'll regularly be exploring a range of topics that will fall under 6 different feature categories: Build, Think, Make, Connect, Live and Recall. To find out more about what these categories cover, read our Submissions page.

We're also looking to feature your own stories! If you've got a PrairieMod-related topic or idea that you'd like to share, please let us know. Get all the details about submitting a feature here.

LIVE :: Cost Effective Natural Landscapes Reduce Maintenance Costs

A LANDSCAPE TO SAVE YOU MONEY, WRITTEN BY ECOLOGIST JACK PIZZO

No this is not the weed-patch of the long-haired, aged hippie living off the grid. Natural landscapes are cost effective, functional and beautiful. You may know that creating natural landscapes helps the environment in many ways - native plants help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, increase water quality, provide a habitat for songbirds and butterflies and provide beauty all year long, too. What you may not realize is that one of the real advantages of a natural landscape can be "the bottom line." Once established, your savings in maintenance costs can pay a huge dividend, by reducing maintenance costs. While we understand the need for sustainable landscape, we do not advocate removal of all lawn and traditional landscape, what we do advocate is creating an energy efficient, cost effective, and radiant landscape when the need for a new, retrofit or problem-solving installation arises.

MAKE :: Herman Miller, Then and Now

AN INTERVIEW WITH SUSAN KOOLE OF HERMAN MILLER

Herman Miller has long been at the forefront of modern furniture design. I was fortunate enough to be able to catch up with Susan Koole from Heman Miller's Zeeland, MI office to dicuss where the company's legacy began and where it is going in the 21st Century. Deeply rooted in classic modern ideals, Herman Miller is leveraging their rich design tradition to continue future innovations.

BUILD :: Castleone Design's Terraced Housing

AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT CARPENTER OF CASTLEONE DESIGN

Many noted architects have struggled with the challenge of low-cost housing throughout the years. Chief among them was Frank Lloyd Wright, whose 70-year career gave him several opportunities to try and tackle this fundamental question: How to design a system of affordable architecture based on principles. Robert Carpenter of Castleone Design has proposed a design for multi-family housing that looks to the principles of Wright's Organic Architecture as inspiration.

MAKE :: Epic Burger, A More Mindful Burger

AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID FRIEDMAN OF CHICAGO'S EPIC BURGER

We're driving down State Street in Chicago's South Loop this past fall and my wife points out a restaurant with Nelson Bubble lamps hanging inside. We pulled over, walked right in and were struck by a visual treat...the aforementioned lamps and Saul Bass-like graphics on the wall. And this was only just the beginning of our love affair with a hip and socially conscious burger joint called Epic Burger. Owner David Friedman was kind enough to tell us a bit more about his fantastic hot spot that is a "must-eat" for any local or visitor to Chicago.

MAKE :: Furniture With A RePurpose

AN INTERVIEW WITH RANDALL KRAMER OF KRAMER DESIGN STUDIO

Randall Kramer is my kind of guy. Not only does he have a passion for design, making furniture and architectural artifacts—but he can appreciate a good nature documentary as well. He recently contacted PrairieMod with more information on a Louis Sullivan inspired project he was working on and I followed-up to talk more with this intriguing designer. Enjoy the interview and be sure to check out his website.

MAKE :: Form3's Minimalist, Modern & Eco-Friendly Design

AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS NARDONE & GREG NEUHAUS OF FORM3



We were turned on by the clean and fresh designs that Form3 creates after getting an email from them several weeks ago. Wanting to find out more about how they got started and what they have been up to, I did an interview to uncover what Form3 is all about. Enjoy the interview and be sure to explore their website.

MAKE :: Sherilyn McElroy's Simplicity of Form

AN INTERVIEW WITH EDUCATOR, ARTIST AND DESIGNER SHERILYN MCELROY

We received an email a couple months back from Sherilyn McElroy that piqued our interest. She shared with us her amazing portfolio of original prints using unique processes. With a passion for design and the Prairie, Sherri's two fantastic print series Prairie Fairies and Prairie Alphabet are something we recommend you explore for your enjoyment. She also shared the fascinating reasons behind why and how she does what she does.

THINK :: Lessons From The Housing Crises

HOPE IN THE IDEA THAT "SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL"

With all the talk of bailouts and panic on Wall Street, it seems like nothing but bad news. The current administration's team of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke had hoped that infusing the market with confidence via a $700 billion dollar bailout of the financial system would help act as the shot in the arm the economy needs. Not everyone is sure this rush to throw money at the problem will actually solve it and Congress responded by voting down the Paulson plan on Monday the 28th. It remains to be seen how government will deal with this economic quagmire, but most everyone can agree that something has to change. In these unprecedented times of economic anarchy, credit drought and an avalanche of foreclosures, many of us are left wondering how we got here and what the future holds. If we can permit ourselves to look beyond the barrage of bad news, there may be a ray of hope to come out of this mess that can lead the country towards the path we should have taken many years ago. So what is this silver lining I speak of?

MAKE :: Amy Butler's Midwest Modern

AN INTERVIEW WITH CRAFTY GURU AMY BUTLER

Amy Butler has taken her Midwest Modern design approach to the world with great success and was kind enough to talk with me about where she's come from, what she has been doing and where she is going. You'll also get some insight into Amy's “Mid Mod” philosophy, which takes inspiration from the natural world.

CONNECT :: East Coast Arts & Crafts "Side Trips"

SUBMITTED BY MIKE TRESCOTT

After reading the recent article on PrairieMod about David Rago's choices for Arts & Crafts collections worth visiting, I started thinking about places close to me that I might explore on an upcoming trip. I often look for "side trips" I can make while I'm traveling to see amazing homes, museums, and collections. All of the collections Rago mentions are great choices; however, I’m eager to find additional places and things to see close by my home town.