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Another strong presence at the NY Gift show has been PuppyMod products. Check these out below...
Hedy Manon's Hampton Polo's:
Harry Barker's Cotton Rope Bone Toy:
Bella Bean's Mod Dots leash:
And for you cat lovers, Everyday Studio's Pounce feline furniture:
Images copyright Hedy Manon, Harry Barker, Bella Bean & Everyday Studio
BabyMod is hot at the NY Gift Show this week! And while I don't have any kids yet, I'm digging this stuff. Celery Furniture makes a changing table with ample storage space, that is made of sustainably harvested bamboo and formaldehyde-free MDF, uses low-VOC paint, plus an optional organic wool or terry cloth mattress and utilizes mortise and tenon joinery that allow for easy assembly without any special know-how. The other great thing about this piece is that it can be converted to a bookshelf after your baby has outgrown the need for a changing table!
The folks at Celery Furniture are based out of Bozeman, MT and their website explains the Celery philosophy, which is definitely in keeping with the PrairieMod Lifestyle...
Perhaps we had assembled more products with excessive amounts of screws than we could bear. But there it was: an idea for a method of assembling parts to create a collection of furniture, and the possibilities seemed endless. We at Celery are parents as well as genuine design enthusiasts. Our line was created for traditionalists and modernists alike. With a nod to time-honored craft and achieved from a contemporary perspective, our pieces exhibit a timeless quality. It is Celery's philosophy that good design transcends trends and labels. Form truly follows function, and our use of quality materials and workmanship produces furniture that can withstand the rigors of childhood play.
Images and text copyright 2007 Celery Furniture
Two freakin' great product categories at the NYC Gift Show that we've given names to are BabyMod and Sustainable+Beautiful home accessories.
Check out Oeuf's very "PrairieMod" convertible crib/toddler bed. It is a brilliant way to have one item replace two! Kudos to Oeuf because they believe strongly that while babies don’t need many items, they do need some essential pieces. Oeuf’s mission is to make those essentials practical and stylish, without compromising quality and safety - their top priority.
Also, worth discovering is MIO's Bendant Lamp, which is a flat-packed chandelier composed of a series of leaf-like shades surrounding a central fixture. Bend the shades up or down and create unique light and shadow arrangements. The philosphy behind the Bendant Lamp is very much in keeping with a PrairieMod Lifestyle:
Material and process guide the Bendant Lamp's design, making it a true example of eco-centric design. The size of the lamp, shape of the cuts and flat packaging are a result of material and manufacturing efficiencies. In addition, the lamp welcomes the user as co-designer pushing the boundaries of design and self-assembly.
We'll be bringing you more great finds from NYC, so be sure to check back later.
Images and text copyright 2007 Oeuf & MIO
One of the things that struck me as I walked around the New York International Gift Show this last weekend was how powerful the idea of gifts are in our lives. Here I was walking around a giant convention center looking at booth after endless booth of products of all shapes, sizes and materials ultimately meant for someone to give as a gift. Gifts are something that we spend considerable amounts of time and money choosing for our friends, loved ones and oftentimes ourselves. Yet, while viewing firsthand the products that are meant to be the gifts we all will be offered to buy in 2007, I was left wondering how principles enter the equation when considering “gifts.” For the last PrairieMod Monday of January and in recognition of the NYC Gift Show, I thought it would be a good chance to explore the “Principles of Gifts.”
Things were hopping at the New York International Gift Fair today and the PrairieMod Squad was scoping out all the cool, new stuff from around the world. Lots of felt, lots of bamboo, lots of lighting, lots of paper, pottery and cool kitchen ware. Cool places to check out include:
• dbO Home--handmade porcelain + stoneware
• Centrifuge Design--dynamic designed domestic furniture and products
• Adam Frank's Lumen--stainless steel oil lamp shadow projectors
• Dermond Peterson Design--fine art textiles
• Mio--Green designed lighting, furniture, wallpaper, etc.
• Artecnica--products that blend Art and Technology--Design With Conscience
We also saw some old friends including perch! with their wonderful ceramic apron vases and Lotta Jansdotter with her beautiful textiles and ceramics.
One of the biggest trends we saw over and over again were what we're affectionately calling "Baby Mod." Plenty of hip and excellently designed products for all sorts of tykes including:
• Oeuf--Loungers, clothes and furniture for all ages
• Ducduc--baby furniture, textiles and accessories
• Dwell Baby--bibs, stuffed animals, crib sheets, and furniture
We certainly soaked up more design than we could imagine possible and our heads will be swimming for awhile. We checked out the Frank Lloyd Wright Collection booth before we left and got a glimpse at some of the new products coming out in 2007 including the anticipated Haeger Potteries' version of "The Flower in the Crannied Wall" sculpture. Look for it in stores and on line in a month or two.
Well, we had a blast at the show and the squad will be JetBlue-ing our way back to Chicago. Look for more info and wrap-ups about the NYC Gift show in future post and podcasts!
photos copyright prairiemod
The PMod Squad has landed in NYC for the New York International Gift Fair. The show opens tomorrow, 1/28/07 and we'll post photos and details on some of the potentially cool stuff that will be on display. This show is the only one of it's kind in the US for gifts and home furnishings where the latest products, creative merchandising ideas, and leading national and international manufacturers all gather in one place....The Big Apple.
Image copyright 2007 NYIGF/GLM
A new design has been released for the proposed "Chicago Spire," designed by starchitect, Santiago Calatrava. The Chicago Tribune has posted a story and critique of the new design, and generally it's seen as an improvement over the flat-topped iteration that people referred to as the "Twizzler." All acknowledge that there is more work to be done before a final design can be executed (and a lot more funds need to be secured before ground can be broken.)
It's interesting to see how Calatrava describes his design as being influenced by the simple spiral of a snail's shell--much like another famous spiral building we know. Calatrava is one of the most exciting and talented organically influenced architects working today and what better place to show off his architectural creativity than Chicago--birthplace of the modern skyscraper. We'll continue to follow the story and keep you updated on any further "twists."
Image copyright Santiago Calatrava
One of our readers tipped us on some upcoming events in February and March about Frank Lloyd Wright at The Chicago Architecture Foundation. Listed below are the names, dates and info about each event. Hope to see you there.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT: The Mike Wallace Interviews (1957)
DATES: Feb 7 12:15-1pm
COST: Free
LOCATION: The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL
BY: on video tape
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BEYOND SPRAWL: Frank Lloyd Wrights Utopian Vision of America
DATES: Feb 21 12:15-1pm
COST: Free
LOCATION: The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL
BY: Robert Fishman, Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning, Univ. of Michigan
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FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT: The Later Career
DATES: Feb 27, Mar 6, 13, 20 6-8pm
COST: $120
LOCATION: The John Buck Company Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL
BY: Tim Wittman, Architectural Historian at Columbia College Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
RSVP: www.architecture.org or call 312.922.3432x224
DETAILS: Frank Lloyd Wright realized more designs as completed buildings during the last 24 years of his career (1936-1959) than he did during the first 49 years (1887-1935). This course focuses on Wright's "second career" during the 30s, 40s and 50s, after the founding of the Taliesin Fellowship and the realization of Fallingwater. This course will provide an introduction to the wide range of buildings from this period, including theaters, private homes and commercial and religious structures. The course will also examine how the application of Wright's organic approach to design evolved over the course of his career.
Image and text copyright 2007 CAF
A couple of weeks back, a copy of the new Room & Board catalog came across my desk. I opened to the first couple of pages and found some great surprises. First, there was a Shaker quote that I believe also showed up in Dwell's Feb 2007 issue...
"Don't make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don't hesitate to make it beautiful."
On the same page as this quote they discuss timeless design, Mid-Century Modernism, Arts & Crafts, Asian design, Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson, natural materials, eco-friendly materials, etc. This all sounds like the essence of The PrairieMod Lifestyle.
Also from the catalog...
Furniture that fits the way you live. We're respectful of the history of design, but mindful of the demands of your lifestyle. The way we live in our homes is ever changing. Because of this, we believe that furniture should be practical, functional and comfortable, as well as beautiful and durable. It's our goal to always provide you with solutions that fit the way you live-however you live-and furniture that truly allows you to relax in your home.
There are so many other great things about this catalog that you might enjoy as a reader of PrairieMod.com. If you're interested, you can request of copy via this link. You can also peruse some of the fantastic offerings at RoomandBoard.com or stop by one of their 9 locations.
Images and text copyright 2007 Room & Board
Neenah Paper is a premium uncoated paper mill that produces the highest quality items for business and creative applications in Wisconsin (We especially dig their Eames line of paper!) They've recently realized how easy and economical it can be to "Go Green," and have made a huge marketing and PR push promoting their sustainable products and philosophy (which they call Neenah Green). As stated on their website:
Neenah Green is our environmental commitment to earth and sky and future generations. Green means going further to conduct eco-friendly business. And Green means making it easier and simpler to do the right thing for the environment.
They are one of the few companies in Wisconsin to be FSC Certified, Green Seal Certified, Chlorine Free Certified and Green-e Certified. Their website lists all the ways they are leading the industry in producing their eco-friendly papers. You can check it all out by following this link. Finally, we can design and print with a clean conscious!
Image courtesy of Neenah Paper
Did you know that every item you place in your abode has an impact on your mood, your sense of calm, and your sense of happiness? Upon first hearing this statement, it may seem odd or mystic in some fashion—but there is actually quite a bit of scientific study devoted to the psychology of your surroundings. Well-designed, beautiful, useful objects placed in a unified environment will help build a warm, happy and healthy environment. It’s an idea that’s at the heart of the 10 principles of living “PrairieMod” and we look for people, places and things that reflect the “art of living in the modern world.” We’ve been taking time this month to explore the principle of “Informal Meets Elegant” and today I’d like to discuss how the texture of your home contributes to its informal elegance.
Sam Grawe, Editor-in-Chief of Dwell, announced the appointment of two editors...Katrina Heron has been named Editor-at-Large and Michael Cannell has been named New York Editor.
Katrina Heron was Editor-in-Chief of Wired magazine from 1998 to 2001. Previously, she was a senior editor at The New Yorker and Vanity Fair magazines and an editor and writer at The New York Times. She's also co-author of Safe: The Race To Protect Ourselves In A Newly Dangerous World which explored the uses and misuses of new technologies. Katrina Heron is also a director of the wonderful Chez Panisse Foundation, working with founder Alice Waters to create food education for children and support sustainable agriculture.
Michael Cannell was editor of the House & Home section of The New York Times for more than six years. He had previously been a senior editor at Architecture magazine, and has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times magazine, Time, Newsweek, Metropolis and Sports Illustrated. Michael Cannell has also written a biography of I.M. Pei titled Mandarin of Modernsim.
The PrairieMod Squad looks forward to the great things that these two individuals will bring to Dwell Magazine!
Image and text courtesy of Dwell Magazine
Our friends at design*sponge recently featured some absolutely gorgeous pillows by Californian artisan, Lauren Saunders. Naturally inspired and interested in producing products that are more personal by being crafted in the United States, Lauren considers her work to be very modern. As she states on her about page:
Modern is the freedom to blend styles
creating a personal reflection. Modern may also mean being different
in aesthetic or the choices one makes in life or business.
• We believe strongly in following personal style and in creating
furnishings that have the qualities to become collected pieces rather
than disposable fashion.
• We believe in acquiring rather than buying. Purchasing less but
getting something that you really desire and reflective of your
personal style.
• We believe in natural materials and looking for ways to include
sustainable and renewable materials as the business grows.
Her two lines of pillows, Canyon and Fusion come in a variety of soft, supple designs and colors, perfect for any PrairieMod environment. We are especially drawn to the Seltzer and Core patterns and would love to find a place for them in our own homes! For more information on the products and where to buy, you can visit the website here.
Photos copyright Lauren Saunders
While we were there, we heard that another lecture is coming up on Thursday, March 22nd at 6pm that you may not want to miss....
Frank Lloyd Wright: Designing an American Way of Living presented by Virginia Terry Boyd, Professor of Design Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also curator of The House Beautiful Exhibit currently traveling the country.
Cost is $15 and you'll need to RSVP to 312.922.3432 x224. You can also buy tickets online here.
Here is a a rundown of the lecture: Frank Lloyd Wright believed that American houses should be designed for a uniquely American way of living. He began pursuing this idea at the turn of the twentieth century and continued throughout his long career. From the Prairie style to Usonian houses, this lecture will explore the new spatial arrangements, modern aesthetics and affordability Wright introduced to American architecture.
So what do several trips to Fallingwater and an imagination yield? In the case of Dutch architects, Boris Zeisser and Maartje Lammers, it's a house that can expand accordion-style over a stream and fold up into itself during the cold winter. According to the Architectural Record article, it was the proximity to the stream and some American inspiration that helped with the building's inception:
“I’m an enormous Frank Lloyd Wright fan,” says Zeisser. “I’ve been to Fallingwater five or six times, and that’s what I wanted—to have my house over the stream.”
At 775 square feet, It's an intriguing example of how to maximize space in a relatively small dwelling (zoning restrictions and maximum square footage requirements made building any larger prohibative). It also appears to be built in the spirit of organic architecture, resembling a large "rock" when viewed from the lake. But don't bring your Apple laptop with you without an extra battery and pack a lot of deoderant:
...the house, which the architects built themselves with help from friends over the course of four summers, has no electricity, heat, phone, or running water.
Ahh, I love the smell of getting back to Nature in the morning!
Photo Copyright Christian Richters
If you like our free download-able wallpapers, than you might want to get to Cost Plus World Market while supplies last! My wife spotted designs just like our digital wallpaper (same stylized organic motifs) on clearance. They are very sweet! Just like Amenity's canvas prints, but a fraction of the price.
In honor of the upcoming Chicago Architecture Foundation's exhibit and lecture on the Price Tower, the PrairieMod Squad thought they would post some photos that famous Chicago photographer, Richard Nickel, took of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Prairie Skyscraper" in the late 1950s as it was being constructed. Enjoy!
Photos copyright 2007 UTRF, all rights reserved
Don't forget to RSVP for the free lecture by Dr. Anthony Alofsin that will be kicking off the new exhibit, Prairie Skyscraper: Frank Lloyd Wright's Price Tower...opening January 18th at the Chicago Architecture Foundation. There will be a reception that will follow immediately after the lecture.
Be sure to listen to the podcast interview we did with Dr. Alofsin regarding what he'll be discussing in his lecture.
Image copyright 2005 Jeff Millies, Hedrich Blessing
The state of preserving our cultural heritage continues to be grim across the country. Case in point, a recent article in the New York Times reports that a Modernist house in Westport, Connecticut, designed by Paul Rudolph, was razed to make way for a new development (most likely a dreadful McMansion of some sort). The rate of tear downs in this country is alarming and we are standing idly by as our cultural heritage is bulldozed away. What can you do? Join conservancy groups in your town and across the country; write your city, state or federal political representatives and ask them to start regulating; most importantly, stop contributing to the mindset that bigger is better and new always trumps old. It's time to realize that if we ignore our heritage, it'll go away...forever.
Photo copyright Douglas Healey for The New York Times
The living room has become the center of family life today. Huddled around the warm glow of a high definition TV, people enjoy spending time with loved ones. It’s an environment that is securely grounded in the notion of “comfort.” But at some point, the idea of comfort started to spin out of control. A perfect example of this can be seen in the centerpiece of the American living room, the sofa. In exploring the principle of “Informal Meets Elegant” in regards to the sofa, we ask: “Has comfort gone too far?”
Sometimes, little things can make a big difference. This is the idea behind a recent article in the Chicago Tribune's Home & Garden section, which highlighted 21 ways that you can save the environment and big bucks around your house in 2007. So, what are some of these little/big ideas?
In this edition: An interview with Frank Lloyd Wright scholar Dr. Anthony Alofsin, a recap of our favorite architectural sites that we've each visited in 2006, the new AppleTV and an article on 1950's prefab from Dwell Magazine's "Grandfather Publication"...House & Home Magazine (see the image at the bottom of this post).
Be sure to tell us your thoughts regarding topics we've discussed in this edition, plus what you think about the new format. Send feedback to mail@prairiemod.com or leave an audio comment at 610-643-3160 (we'll include your written or audio comment in PrairieMod Podcast #10).
Image copyright Time, Inc.
In the last two weeks we here at PrairieMod have been redecorating our office area. We put new carpet tiles in, painted, put up shelves for inspirational products to sit upon and installed a new light on the ceiling. Well, we found out the ceiling light wasn't giving off enough light...so to help resolve the issue we decided to look for some desktop lamps. On my quest for the perfect lamp (that didn't cost too much) I came across some really cool new products I thought I would share...
First, I love this lamp from West Elm. It comes in a white or chocolate base and there are a few options for the shade, which is the coolest part. Instead of the design being printed on the outside like most would do, the design is printed on the inside of the shade. When the light is turned on, the design is revealed. It's like a little surprise waiting to be discovered.
While on the the West Elm site looking for a lamp, I came across a pretty sweet duvet cover.
I love the bold nature design and the fact that it's clean and simple.
After looking at the West Elm site, I went to CB2's website to see if they had any lamps, I didn't find a lamp I wanted but I did find this table runner and place mats that I'm definitely getting.
It's great to see all of these wonderful products that will fit the PrairieMod lifestyle.
Images copyright 2007: West Elm and CB2
Look no further! Gore Design Co. has what you need: a concrete sink that is organic, timeless and a true reflection of nature's beauty....a sink that naturally erodes!! Made using Recycrete, a proprietary concrete mix consisting of high-quality eco-friendly ingredients and aggregates.
These folks also have a wonderful quote by Frank Lloyd Wright on their website that describes one of the 10 PrairieMod Lifestyle principles, "Form is Function"...
“Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”
View the finer details about this fascinating company at www.goredesignco.com.
Image copyright 2007 Gore Design Co.
Pierre Koenig's Case Study House #21 went for a record breaking amount at the December 3, 2006 wright20 auction. In recognition of all the new found interest in all things mid-century, we thought we'd post a link to an interview that wright20 had with Julius Shulman (who photographed this mid-century icon on a few occasions) to hear the master photographer's thoughts on it. Enjoy!
Image copyright wright20
Get ready for the Treadway/Toomey Galleries' next 20th Century Art and Design auction: Sunday, March 4, 2007. The on line preview photos feature quite a bit of Native American pottery, baskets and clothing. It's interesting to see these items and how their geometric abstractions meld well with the designs and motifs found in the other Arts & Crafts and Modern pieces up for auction. If you're in the Oak Park area, check out the preview in person February 25—March 3 at the John Toomey Gallery. Happy bidding!
Image copyright Treadway/Toomey Galleries
If you're in the market for a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home that could use a little restorative TLC, then this may be your lucky day! We had to do a little digging on Realtor.com, but we came across the 1917 Wright designed Oscar A. Johnson Residence located at 2614 Lincolnwood in Evanston, Illinois.
Engadget.com is on the scene at Macworld Expo 2007 in San Francisco. Steve Job's keynote is still in progress as I type this, but Engadget is posting live from the expo and they've got the goods on Apple's new iPhone!!!
This is a perfect mobile device for the PrairieMod lifestyle....check it out.
Find more details here at Apple.com.
Here it is....another sweet freebie to download! It comes in a variety of sizes to fit a range of computer screens. Click here to download and enjoy!
In the Chicago Tribune’s Sunday paper, there is a section called Home & Garden. It’s one of the sections of the paper that I enjoy looking at over a cup of coffee on a drowsy Sunday morning. There is a column in that section of the paper called Snoop Patrol that interviews someone slightly famous about such things as “What’s three things in your medicine cabinet” or “do your dirty dishes go in the sink or dishwasher?” It’s pretty superfluous stuff, which I usually just pass over reading. However, this morning I happened to skim over their question, which asked: “maker of your fine china?” and it made me pause. Here was the perfect question to discuss in relation to this month’s PrairieMod Principle, “Informal Meets Elegant”—Not “who makes your fine china,” but “does fine china make any sense?”
One of our readers sent us a link to a New York Times article about how prefab housing is being used as a way for residents of the Gulf states hit by Hurricane Katrina to bounce back. With a severe lack of qualified contractors to service the housing needs along with skyrocketing material costs, modular homes are a way for many to have shelter in a reasonable amount of time and at an obtainable cost. As stated in the article:
Modular houses have a number of advantages over conventionally built
houses, their advocates said. For example, once they are delivered,
modular homes can sometimes be completed in days, rather than months.
They are relatively easy to perch up on stilts to comply with flood
zone rules. They require less local labor in a region where there is
more than enough construction work to go around. Some are less
expensive than conventional houses — they range from $50,000 to
$500,000 — and manufacturers say some can withstand 160-mile-an-hour
winds.
It will be interesting to see the outcome of this style of building phenomenon in the post-Katrina South and what the long term affect will be there if prefabs take off. Much like Chicago after the Fire of 1871, the Gulf Coast could become the next center of architectural evolution if people embrace it.
Image copyright Lee Celano for the New York Times
Skram Furniture is...
...based in North Carolina, designs and fabricates high quality furnishings for residential and commercial markets throughout North America. Featuring the designs of Jacob Marks, Skram offers products that merge exceptional craftsmanship with energetic modern design. Spare but welcoming, the furniture is an exploration of form in space, of balance and asymmetry.
Their Lineground series is...
...an austere and refined six piece collection of solid wood furniture. The heart of the collection is the butterfly leaf dining table, a triumph of engineering that expands to accommodate eight people via a hinged leaf emerging from within the table’s understructure, making leaf storage unnecessary. Substantial and elegant, the table is both complement and contrast to the lineground armchair, a distinctively modern, sinuous nod to mid-century danish classics. More than an object of beauty, the hand-shaped chair — intended for use either with the dining table or as a freestanding side chair — is ergonomically designed and crafted for a lifetime of use.
This is some good stuff.
Images and text copyright 2007 Skram
If you are in need of some new tile or tableware and can't find any that are perfectly PrairieMod, we suggest you head over to Heath Ceramic's website. The pottery was founded in the mid 1940s by Edith Heath (1911-2005) after her line was picked up for sale at Gumps of San Francisco following her one-woman show at the city's Palace of the Legion of Honor. As described on the company's website:
Edith's life was dedicated to the craft of ceramics as one distinctly tied to the skill of the artisan. This passion, along with the legacy of her work in stoneware body and glaze development, gives Heath its unique place in ceramics today. Many of Edith Heath's pieces are currently in the collections of museums such as the MOMA in New York City. Heath Ceramics is one of the few remaining mid-century American potteries still in existence today. We have been making tableware and tile for
over a half-century right here in our Sausalito, California factory. Our crew of 40 skilled artisans (many having been here for 20+ years) still makes every product on premises, often utilizing the methods and techniques developed by Edith throughout her career.
It's the perfect marriage of Art and Craft, one that yields amazingly sublime ceramic works. Many artisans used and continue to use Heath wares, including at one time the Taliesin Associated Architects. Cruise over to the Heath website and check out their stuff, it's not to be missed.
Image copyright Heath Ceramics
The Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois will be hosting a series of lectures and events January through May titled "Breaking The Box." As explained on the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's website (a partner with the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation on the events) the series will:
...explore non-conformity as a spur for growth and innovation, using the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright as guide and inspiration. The architecture of Unity Temple offers great evidence of Wright’s creative non-conformity: according to Wright, Unity Temple was the first successful expression of his belief that "the reality of the building is the space within." This was a radical departure from the typical, and it characterized Wright’s life-long creative approach.
To start things off, Phillip Allsopp, President and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, will be presenting a lecture on Saturday January 13th from 7-9 pm. Follow this link to read more about this and the other events scheduled for this exciting series at one of Frank Lloyd Wright's cornerstone of modern architecture, Unity Temple. See you there!
Unity Temple art print image courtesy of Prairie Arts
The San Francisco-based design studio Thing Tank, has created a line of six unique mobiles to hang in your home. The mobiles have distinct patterns cut out, which create visual interest (see the Grass Mobile design above) on three 30"x20" pieces. These items are available in two materials: mahogany plywood and opaque acrylic.
Thing Tank's mobiles are fully assembled and ready to hang, right out of the box. Order yours today!
Images copyright 2007 Thing Tank
Michigan's HomeTownLife.com has an article about a gentleman who has built a "Frank Lloyd Wright-style" home in Clarkston, MI. This structure is pushing the boundary of where home building is going to have to go. It's built with Ready Wall foam blocks, a 96 percent-efficient boiler, steel studs, radiant heat floors, an air-exchange system and many more wonderful features!
H. Michael Tozer is no stranger to design. The once car designer, now home designer used to work for GM, Volkswagen and Volvo. He also calls himself a space planner rather than an architect.
The house in Clarkston is described as a Modernized Prairie Style home. Um, this potentially sounds like a PrairieMod home to me!
Image copyright 2007 John Stormzand
The February issue of Dwell magazine is dedicated to "craft." Usually, people hear "craft" and they confuse it with the cheesy red hats and Popsicle-stick angels you see in the park during Summer. Instead, according to Satyendra Pakhalé (one of the 5 modern makers interviewed) "craft" is defined as:
Universal, it's human reality; it's neither exotic nor ethnic. It's the repository of human warmth, of all the qualities that we have lost in standard industrial production.
Welcome to the first PrairieMod Monday of 2007. We missed last Monday due to holiday festivities and being out of town; but I felt like starting the new year off right by getting back into the swing of things with a new topic for PrairieMod Monday. This month's principle for exploration is "Informal Meets Elegant." It's a uniquely Modern trend that we have been enjoying in the last decade and a half or so, following the rise of stores like Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware. Pottery Barn in particular has done much in the way of championing the notion of "Informal Meets Elegant" with their wares and through information posited in their books. So what can we learn from Pottery Barn?
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