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July 2008
Jack Viks, Mies Van Der Rohe Student
Modernist Jack Viks (and former student of Mies) had some nice designs and one of them (a Lake Forest, Illinois home) popped up on The Mid-Century Modernist.
Get the details here.
Darwinian Design
Summer means museum visits! Last week I went to see the George Mann Niedecken exhibit. This week we're going to see "Design in the Age of Darwin" at Northwestern University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art. Check out this Chicago Tribune article about the exhibit with some sneak-peek images.
Image copyright Mary and Leigh Block Museum
Eames Friday
Here's a Todd Oldham Handmade Modern video on youtube that focuses on Charles and Ray Eames. View it here.
Image copyright Todd Oldham
Cool Your House The Fallingwater Way
Want to cool your home without having to crank up the A/C? This article takes a cue from Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater to give you solutions when the heat is on. Check it out here.
Photo copyright Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Wright In Racine...In Mason City
WrightInRacine.com has posted on a recent visit to Mason City Iowa, where both the Wright-designed Park Inn Hotel and Stockman House are explored. Best part? Numerous photos! Check it out here.
Photo copyright Mark Hertzberg
Flickr Photoset: The Grammar of Ornament
Check out Eric Gjerde's flickr set about "The Grammar of Ornament," by Owen Jones.
Sourced from the University of Wisconsin
Classic Chair Back Surface Graphics from Blik
Looking to "spice" up those basic looking chairs you picked up somewhere? Look no further than Blik's new collection of surface graphics designed by Studio Jan Habraken.
Don't see a color combo you like? Then check out the custom color options.
Image copyright Blik
Dwell September 2008: Your Sneak-Peek
New Dwell magazine has arrived! I thought I'd give PrairieMod readers a little sneak
peek at what's inside...
Greenroom® Eco
Cool notepads, binders, stationery and journals are really hard to find. Greenroom® eco uses recycled paper, non-toxic soy ink and come in fresh modern styles.
On sale at Target now!
Image copyright Greenroom® eco
Hoop.dee.do Bulletin Board
What a great idea, bold fabrics stretched in a embroidery hoop that double as a bulletin board. You can buy it here, or go to your local fabric store and buy your own embroidery hoop, find some cool fabric (Amy Butler) and have some fun.
Image copyright little pretty studio
MoCo Loco Mag Reviews
I'm kind of a magazine junky. So I enjoyed Moco Loco's recent review of three design/architecture related mags: ID, Azure and Metropolis. Check it out here.
Photo copyright MoCo Loco
A Look At Griffin's Writings and Buildings
Tom Worthington, aka the "Net Traveller", has posted some thoughts on a recent article in The Australian in which Walter Burley Griffin's writings and built legacy is examined. Check out Tom's post here and The Australian article here.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Is This the End Of The American Suburb?
Suburban Flight. It's the new term to describe people moving in large numbers back into cities to avoid the high cost of commuting from the 'burbs. With energy prices continuing to soar, does this mean that the model for suburban living has run its course? Check out this article and let us know what you think.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
Lecture: Wright's Gordon House
Check the “Designs on Portland” discussion about Wright's Gordon House lead by Larry Woodin, author of "The Gordon House: A Moving Experience.” Via AT San Francisco.
• Wednesday, July 16, 6–8pm
• DWR in Portland, OR
• RSVP to portland (at) dwr (dot) com
Question: Stow Davis Mid-Century Modern Chairs?
Tanya and Jim, need help! If you have any leads or tips for them, leave a comment.
We just bought two very cool mid-century chairs and I'm trying to find out more about them. They were made by Stow Davis Furniture of Grand Rapids, MI. One of them still has the original tag. They were part of order number 54823, style no. 113, finish no. 51. We'd love any help folks can give about their origin.
iPhone iCons
Ever wonder how icons are created? Well Felix Sockwell unveils the process of creating icons for the iPhone and the New York Times. It's interesting to see the different iterations and what was finally done. Check out the post here.
Image copyright Apple
Virtual Second Little House
The Metropolitan Museum of Art houses an installed portion of the once-magnificent second Little House, giving visitors a sense of how grand this home once was. If you can't make it out to New York in person, you can now get a virtual tour of it on the Met's website. Check it out here.
Image copyright the Met
$50 Million And Looking Good
Sometimes the good guys win. Case in point: The Darwin D. Martin House is nearing the end of a 12-year restoration effort that brings this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Prairie masterpiece back to its former full glory. Read this article from Bloomberg.com all about it.
PrairieMod Feature, MAKE :: Blu Dot
A new article is up in the Features section about the guys from Blu Dot and their fresh approach to affordable design.
To stay on top of new weekly features as they roll out, subscribe here.
Restoration Rocks!
We received some more images from this special collection of handmade jewelery by Cara Tilker that uses pieces of the recently restored NYC Guggenheim Museum. Check them out after the jump...
Images From Niedecken Exhibit
WrightInRacine.com has posted a few images form the soon-to-be-over George Mann Niedecken exhibit at the Milwaukee Art Museum. If you haven't gotten over to see it yet, make haste--once it's gone, it's gone!
Image copyright MAM
Hop Over To VacaValiente's Website
Who knew recycling leather could be so much fun? VacaValiente is revolutionizing the idea of recycling scrap leather into new and different product design applications. One of my favorites is their Amigo line of useful and beautiful animal friends. These colorful desk-top buddies will make you smile on a Monday morning. Check out all the products by following the link.
Image copyright VacaValiente
A Double Dose of Heath!
Another rocking tile install by Heath Ceramics in a very green house near the Bay Area. The Margarido House is the first home in the country to be LEED-H certified and GreenPoint Rated.
Go to margaridohouse.com for details.
Image copyright MargaridoHouse.com
Heath Tote Bag
Canvas totes for grocery shopping have been increasing in popularity and with this interest more choices have become available. I joined in on the fun when I found a nicely designed set of bags at IKEA.
Heath Ceramics' new tote is no exception, designed by Heather Moore of Skinny LaMinx and printed in the Bay Area.
Image copyright Heath Ceramics
For the Love of Logos
David Airey from LogoDesignLove.com has a very cool blog devoted to Logos. One of his posts talks about how many logos he views in a day. In the first 33 minutes of the morning he viewed 33 logos.
Imagine how many logos you view in a day. This is pretty interesting, I'm going to have to see how many logos I see tomorrow morning.
Image copyright David Airey
Don't Miss Niedecken!
If you haven't gotten up to the Milwaukee Art Museum to see the George Mann Niedecken Exhibit, then get it in gear! The exhibit is over July 20, 2008, so don't miss out. Check out my previous post on the show to see a sample of what you might miss.
Image copyright the MAM
Coach House Living
There are a slue of Frank Lloyd Wright homes on the market, including the Avery Coonley Estate Coach House. Part of the grand Prairie complex that Wright designed at the turn-of-the-last-century, the Coach House has been completely restored, thanks to Dean and Ella Mae Eastman, who own three-quarters of the estate. Check out this article for more info.
Photo copyright Baird & Warner
The Architecture of Wineries
About a month ago I did a post on a winery in Australia with great architecture. So when I found a post on deputy-dog.com that featured the architecture of wineries from around the world, I had to share it.
Take a look, there's info on where the winery is, who designed it and their website.
Image copyright Steven2358
PrairieMod Feature, LIVE :: Little Red House Wrap-Up
Those of you on any of our subscription lists may have seen this week's feature, but if you haven't...be sure to check it out.
Our very own Eric O'Malley gets you caught up on what's going on during the "PrairieMod-ification" of his Mid-century Modern home. This feature has become a favorite for many PrairieMod readers, so don't miss out!
Maywood House Walk
If you are looking for something to do on Sunday, then check out the Maywood, IL house walk. Two Prairie School homes will be on the tour, which is an extremely affordable $15.00 a ticket. Read this Chicago Sun Times article for more details.
Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sun Times
Cream or Sugar?
I'm not much of a coffee drinker, actually I'm allergic to caffeine, but I love the design of the notNeutral Links Black Coffee Set. The design is based off the chain link of a bicycle.
I may not be able to drink coffee but that doesn't mean I can't serve it.
Image copyright notNeutral
PreFabs At MoMA
Inhabitat has posted some cool installation images from the New York City Museum of Modern Art's exhibit called Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling. The exhibit is supposed to be a look at the history and impact of prefab housing and an exhibition of built works on the grounds of the museum. Check out the post here and go to MoMA's site for more details.
Photos copyright Inhabitat
Sullivan In Architectural Record
Lynne Becker's ArchitectureChicago PLUS weblog wrote about the Krause Music Store (Louis Sullivan's last commission) appearing in the July 2008 issue of Architectural Record. The focus of the story is the building's stunning restoration and adaptive reuse. check out Lynne's post here and get your copy of the magazine at newsstands.
Photo copyright Lynne Becker
Native Plantings in Chicagoland Gardening Magazine
The July/August 2008 issue of Chicagoland Gardening features a cover article on native plantings for our region. Ironically the story revolves around a landscape rich in native plants and designed specifically for a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home.
This perfectly fits as an answer to Jaime's question yesterday, but if you have any other ideas or tips about how an owner of a Modern Prairie home can create a fitting garden be sure to leave a comment.
Image copyright Chicagoland Gardening
Anderson Gardens' Japanese Flavor
It was an absolutely beautiful day yesterday here in Illinois. I just bought a new camera and needed to get acquainted with it, so I headed over to Anderson Gardens in Rockford, Illinois. It is a fantastic place to take pictures!
It has been awhile since I've been there and was completely unaware they recently opened a new visitors center and restaurant. What a beautiful building! It's very Japanese with Shoji screens, large open spaces, lots of detail and huge George Nelson hanging bubble lamps.
If you Midwest folks are looking for something to do this summer, head over and check out Anderson Gardens. It is a one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world.
Image copyright PrairieMod
Parashells
Just when you thought there was nothing new under the Sun when it came to umbrellas. Check out these interesting and organically inspired parasols (or "parahells" as they are called) by Di Cesare Designs.
Image copyright Di Cesare Designs Inc.
E. Fay Jones Rental
If you're interested in Organic Architecture, traveling through the South and need a place to stop for the night, consider checking into E. Fay Jones' "Stoneflower." Reader Scott T. found out that The Red Apple Inn and Country Club in Herber Springs, Arkansas rents this architecturally significant cottage for overnight guests. Check out the details and some photos by following the link.
Image copyright The Red Apple Inn
Question: Prairie Garden with Native Plantings?
Jaime from Minnesota wrote us asking about the best way to use native plantings for his modern prairie home. Let us know if you have any resources or tips for him by leaving a comment.
We own a very contemporary home that takes its cues from the Prairie vernacular. One of the last finishing touches is the garden and we have struggled with this. I had hoped your team or your readers could help point us to some resources for native plantings to consider as we finalize this very important detail to our home. Thank you PrairieMod!
Image copyright Mark Baldwin
Motawi Sullivanesque Tiles
We got the new issue of Arts and Crafts Homes and the Revival today and there's lots of great stuff in it. One thing caught my eye right away: Motawi's new Sullivanesque medallion relief tiles. There's nothing on Motawi's website about them yet, but if you're interested, the article provides a number to call.
Image courtesy of Arts & Crafts Homes and the Revival
I.D. Magazine on John Lautner
I.D. Magazine has an article about a new show at L.A.'s Hammer Museum from July 13 through October 12 on architect John Lautner. Check out the article here.
Image copyright Joshua White
New Studio Lettering Typeface from House Industries
House has been busy for three years developing a new typeface that brings the lettering artist's sensibilities back to the modern designer's desktop with their Studio Lettering collection. In a bygone era artists would design advertisements and packaging using hand-drawn lettering.
To celebrate the collection, you can also pick up the accompanying book, a Cast Iron Ampersand or a supercool Ampersand Tee.
Image copyright House Industries
A Usonian For Under $200,000??
The Lamberson House (1951) located in Oskaloosa, Iowa is currently for sale for $185,000. From the photos, it doesn't look like its falling down or anything--in fact it looks to be in great shape. Sounds too good to be true...maybe there's a zero missing off the end of that sum? Check out the details here.
Photo courtesy of The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy
Living PrairieMod Newsletter
Thanks to everyone who has already signed-up for the new Living PrairieMod weekly newsletter. The next one goes out tomorrow with some new tips, the Little Red House update and your exclusive chance to win a Teco vase! If you haven't already signed-up, make sure you do by following the link!
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