PrairieMod

PrairieMod Feature, THINK :: Lessons From The Housing Crises

Now in the Features section, Eric O'Malley writes about the current economic situation and why a small house is beautiful.

To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.

And the Winners Are...

Thank you to everyone who entered to win the September give-a-way generously given to us by Amy Butler. The winners are...

Marcia L won a signed copy of Midwest Modern, Meg L. won a signed copy of In Stitches, Angela A. won a signed copy of Little Stitches and Phil B. won the prize pack with Amy's card kits, Sunblooms stationery and a sweet canvas bag. Congratulations everyone!

If you haven't signed up for the weekly newsletter for your chance to find out and win next month's give-a-way, do so now!

Dinner Served-Up Mod Style

Looking for that perfect place setting for your Atomic Ranch? Then check out the revived line of Bauer dinnerware. Simple, streamlined and available in a wide range of their famous Mid-century Modern colors. This might be a good choice for dinner parties at the Little Red House. Check out the full line of Bauer ceramics here.

Image copyright Bauer LA

Onekama Hybrid Home Wins Awards

Image Design's Onekama Hybrid Home won two national awards from the Insulating Concrete Form Association. The ICFA Excellence Award is the premier industry recognition for the most innovative ICF projects of the year. Read more here.

Photo copyright Hybrid Homes, LLC

Most Popular: Week of 9/22/08

In case you missed them, these were our reader's favorite posts from last week:

1. Colorstrology
2. Asparagus Pendant
3. From "The" Boom Town to Other Boom Towns!
4. Teco in Modernism Magazine's Fall 2008 Issue
   
5. September 08 Living PrairieMod Newsletter Drawing
   

Toms Price 2008 Floor Sample Sale

Toms Price has radically changed their floor sample setup this year for their 100th Anniversary. It's earlier, bigger and longer than ever! October 4 - November 2, 2008.

40-70% off all samples plus, 40% off any custom furniture orders. For details visit www.tomsprice.com.

Image copyright Toms Price

Griffin's Cooley House

Walter Burley Griffin was an Organic Architecture maestro in his own right. His 1926 G.B. Cooley House is sound evidence of this fact. Check out part one of a special article about this amazing house by following the link.

Cool Animation Video

Check out this great animation video by Le-TONE. I can't imagine how much effort went into this.

via Drawn! image copyright Le-Tone

Wright's Really Big Show

If you're anything like me, you can't wait for 2009. Why? Well the biggest Frank Lloyd Wright-related museum exhibit is set to open at the newly restored Guggenheim museum next year--reason enough! Check out this recent article full of info about the upcoming event.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Splendid Table at Room & Board

This month is all about dining at Room & Board. To celebrate, they are hosting Lynne Rossetto Kasper, the host of NPR’s The Splendid Table and co-author of the book, How to Eat Supper, for an evening of facts and fun.

Get details and RSVP here if you're in the Minneapolis area.

Image Splendid Table

Small Is Beautiful: The Seth Peterson Cottage

You need no more proof that amazing thing come in small packages than a stay at the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Seth Peterson Cottage located on Lake Delton in Wisconsin. Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of an article written about this beautiful small structure.

Image copyright Bo Mackison

PrairieMod Feature, MAKE :: Amy Butler's Midwest Modern

Now in the Features section, an interview with  the design community's rising star Amy Butler. Her work is inspired by nature and Midwestern sensibilities.

To stay on top of new PrairieMod features as they roll out, subscribe here.

Image copyright Amy Butler Design

Loren Pope Passes Away

Original Frank Lloyd Wright client, Loren Pope has passed away. This dedicated individual to the ideas and principles of Organic Architecture was an outspoken proponent of how Wright's architecture changed his life. Read about his life and legacy by following the link.

Griffin, Utopias and Cities

Here's an interesting essay on the how the way cities are designed affect the idea of democracy. It even refers to Walter Burley Griffin and his essay Democracy and Architecture. Check it out here.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

People Who Don't Get It

Here's an example of either a FLW site tour guide giving a poor interpretation or people failing to understand the context of design decisions by only viewing it through the lens of their own personal prejudices. Read this one-sided diatribe if you dare.

Question: Info on Architect Herb Fritz?

Tim from Wisconsin emailed us this question below. Can anyone help?

I recently acquired a 1960 Herb Fritz house in rural Wisconsin and am trying to find out more info about Herb Fritz and his other projects. Thanks, and keep up the great work! - Tim

If you have any info, leave a comment.

Image from Eric Saed's Flickr Photostream

It's Time to Play

There's a new gallery opening September 27 in Manhattan's 141 Division with an interesting exhibition where horizontal images of architecture, interiors and landscapes will be projected vertically onto walls. It's a collaboration of artist and graphic designers Rebecca Giminez and Macgregor Harp.

The show is called It's Time to Play W/______ and it will run for 2 weeks.

Wish I could be there to check it out.

Via I.D. Magazine

Tea Forte Gets Ready for Fall and Goes Organic

Tea Forte has two new tea collections...

$24 can get you a warming collection of teas, specially selected for cool autumn days that include African Solace, Orchid Vanilla, Apple Pomegranate, White Ambrosia and Orange Pekoe. Or $24 can also get you certified USDA Organic teas that are the first step towards sustainably produced Tea Forte tea. Three reformulated favorites and one new blend (Earl Grey, Ginger Lemongrass, English Breakfast and Jasmine Green) with more organic flavors coming soon!

Image copyright Tea Forte

Schindler How House For Sale

Rudolph Schindler's 1925 How house is currently for sale for $4.995 million dollars. As stated on MAK Center, the house's layout is "almost completely symmetrical through the diagonal axis of the plan...Its axis also links the interior and exterior spaces, passing through corner windows." Check out this beauty by following the link.

Image courtesy of Curbed LA

Wright's Gardens

A new book titled Gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright by Derek Fell is scheduled to be released in March 2009. Read more about it after the jump...

How Burnham's Plan Changed Chicago

Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan for the City of Chicago turns 100 next year. Big celebrations are in the works and possibly the execution of un-realized aspects of it. Want to learn about how the Plan has already changed Chicago? Read this article by architecture critic, Blair Kamin to learn more.

Photo copyright Blair Kamin

Another Look At Adler & Sullivan Church Rebuild

The Chicago Sun-Times recently chimed-in on the planned rebuilding of Chicago's Adler and Sullivan Pilgrim Baptist Church and included a rendering of what the church and cultural center add-on will look like. Read about it here.

Wright Synagogue Receives Historic Honor

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Beth Shalom Synagogue was recognized with a Pennsylvania State historic marker this last Sunday. Read about this mountain of light and glass by following the link.

Photo copyright The Jewish Exponent

Asparagus Pendant

Check out the Asparagus Pendant light at Modern Dose. Dimensions are 17.5" Diam. x 17.5"H. Cost $120.

Fight For Your Wright

Here's another article on the continuing saga of the proposed closing of Illinois state historic sites (including the Dana House in Springfield) and the public outcry it is generating. Read the article here.

Arts & Architecture All Boxed Up

Hennessey + Ingalls Books and Taschen are coming out with a complete facsimile edition of John Entenza's groundbreaking magazine, Art & Architecture, which launched the Case Study House Program. The first part (1945-1954) ten boxes, each containing one year's worth of magazines. Check it out by following the link.

Image copyright Hennessey + Ingalls Books and Taschen

Introducing Amy Butler's New Dinnerware: VINTAGE BOTANICA

After months of teasing, Amy Butler has introduce her new dinnerware collection, VINTAGE BOTANICA for MIKASA! The shapes are decidedly modern, but the vintage colors and familiar motifs lend an air of old-world charm. Available now through Mikasa. If you'd like to see the full collection go to Amy's web store.

Image copyright Amy Butler Design

Morton Arboretum's 2008 Bulb Sale

If you're in Chicago and into gardening, don't miss the Morton Arboretum's Bulb Sale this Saturday, September 27, 2008.

Choose from a selection of nearly 150 varieties of tulips, crocus, daffodils, irises and specialty bulbs to plant now for spring color!

For a listing of the bulbs, plus growing information and prices -- follow this jump.

Image copyright Allsortza.com

Chicagoland Watch List

Landmarks Illinois recently released its list of the most endangered historic sites in the Chicagoland area. 13 structures have been named, including 2 Bertrand Goldberg structures and a Frank Lloyd Wright house. Follow the link to find out more about the list and how you can help.

Image copyright Landmarks Illinois

The Plan To Resurrect An Adler & Sullivan Church

Pilgrim Baptist Church, designed by the famed architectural team of Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan, burned to the ground in January 2006. The Chicago Tribune reports on the new $37 million dollar plan to rebuild and replicate the church. Read about it here...

Photo courtesy of HABS

Farnsworth House Flood Update

Caroline Barker, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was kind enough to send us an update on the state of Mies van der Rohe’s iconic Farnsworth House after the recent devastating flood. Read more after the jump...

"Tagging" The Guggenheim

Don't be alarmed, the Guggenheim Museum in New York has not be the victim of vandals. Instead, the Museum officially marks the completion of its restoration by commissioning artist Jenny Holzer to produce a piece to be projected onto the building. The work will illuminate the exterior of the building every Friday evening, beginning September 26 through December 31, 2008, from dusk to 11 p.m., with a special additional showing on New Year’s Eve. Read all about it by following the link.

Colorstrology

Interested in finding out what color you are? Well head over to the Colorstrology site and find out, its a fun little distraction.

Image copyright Michele Bernhardt

Dow And Wright Tours

Looking to tour Organic Architecture in Michigan? You're in luck! The Alden B. Dow Home and Studio and two Dow-designed homes will be open to the public as part of an annual Autumn Reflections Tours Oct. 3, 4 and 5 in Midland, Michigan. Also, the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Meyer May House in Grand Rapids is part of this year's 39th Heritage Hill Weekend Tour of Homes October 4 and 5. Read all about it by following the link.

Blu Dot and Herman Miller: Lifework Portfolio Bench

Blu Dot has a nicely designed bench as part of Herman Miller's Lifework Portfolio and were invited by Herman Miller to be one of four designers to help create this collection. Blu Dot's focus was on storage, and when they began the project, they were struck by the lack of options that “feel” residential. Their approach: borrow a residential typology (the blanket chest) and re-purpose it for home office storage needs.

Image copyright Herman Miller

From "The Boom Town" to Other Boom Towns!

A new exhibit opens today at the Chicago Architecture Foundation titled Boom Towns! Chicago Architects Design New Worlds. It is composed of pairings of iconic works of architecture from late 19th-century Chicago with parallel works in today’s China and the Middle East. Details follow this jump.

September 08 Living PrairieMod Newsletter Drawing

This is a reminder about our September 2008 give-a-way...

Amy Butler has given us a signed copy of her book Midwest Modern. But wait...there's more because Amy has just given us more prizes! Someone will also win a signed copy of In Stitches, another will get a signed copy of Little Stitches and yet another will receive a prize pack with Amy's card kits, Sunblooms stationery and a sweet canvas bag. We will choose four winners September 30th, 2008.

Only subscribers of the Living PrairieMod weekly newsletter are eligible, so sign-up.

Most Popular: Week 9/15/08

In case you missed them, these were our reader's favorite posts from last week:

1. Update: PrairieMod Founders in Chicago Tribune
2. Sarah Susanka's "Not So Big" Event
3. Not A Happy Hallmark Moment
4. Flooding At Farnsworth
5. Question: Prairie-Style Curtain

Flor Girard Rug Winner Update

Our June 2008 give-a-way winner Martie from Florida emailed us today with an image of where she put her Girard Rug by Flor.

This is what she had to say:

Here is a picture of the Flor Rug you sent us - THANKS - check out how it looks in our Sarasota School of Architecture mid-century modern home. As tribal art dealers, we have always mixed modern with African, Oceanic and Pre Columbian items. See www.michaelcichontribalarts.com.

Your fans in Florida!
Martie and Michael

Thanks for sharing this beautiful picture Martie!

Dana House Open A Little Longer...For Now

A recent article in The State Journal-Register of Springfield, IL reports that the threatened closing of state historic sites (including Frank Lloyd Wright's Dana House) has been pushed back until November 30, 2008. Read about it here.

Homes By Architects Tour Wrap-Up

PrairieMod reader, Eric Saed, was kind enough to report to us on this weekend's "Homes By Architects" tour in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnestoa. Read Eric's impressions about this very cool tour after the jump...

Mid-Century Real Estate Agent

Here's the site of real estate agent Alyssa Starelli, who specializes in mid-century properties. Not only does she have a hip Bettie-Paige-Meets-Meg-Tilly vibe, but the properties profiled in her "Pick of the Week" link will leave some weak in the knees (especially at those Oregon prices!).

Image copyright Alyssa Starelli

Alfred Browning Parker Exhibit

The life and work of Florida Organic Architect, Alfred Browning Parker, is the subject of a new exhibition in "the gallery" at the University of Florida J. Wayne Reitz Union from Sept. 22 through Oct. 3. Check out more details by following the link.

360 Winnett Ave: Tear It Down To Go Green?

An average couple in Toronto, Canada want a bigger house to start a family. After looking and not finding what they wanted, they decided to tear down their postwar bungalow and build the modern eco-house of their dreams.

On the surface this seems like a fairly straight forward, everyday situation. However, it seems regrettable that all the inherent energy and materials in that quaint little bungalow have to be wasted in order to pave the way for a bigger, better "green" house. Could a well-designed remodel have been the answer to this issue? I'd really like to know what readers think. You can follow the progress and get more details at their blog by clicking here.

Photos copyright 360 Winnett Ave.

Teco in Modernism Magazine's Fall 2008 Issue

There is a brilliant feature in the new issue of Modernism about the rich history of Teco pottery called Modern Before its Time: Teco Art Pottery. The in depth 8-page feature is worth reading and you can access the online version of the magazine by registering here.

The issue also has some other great items like an article titled Ancient Meets Modern, An Architect's California Home, Chicago: Raising Modern Architecture and a blurb about Frank Lloyd Wright's Spring House in Florida, which has fallen into disrepair and is being brought back.

Image copyright Modernism Magazine

Sutton House Book Announced

A recent article in the McCook Daily Gazette discusses the upcoming book about the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Nebraska, the Sutton House. Donald Morgen and John Altberg have studied the history and architecture of the house extensively and are ready to publish a book about it which should be out by the end of the year. Read the article by following the link.

Photo courtesy of the McCook Daily Gazette

Restoring Wright: Willey House

Here's a link to the online version of the Willey House restoration article that is in the current issue of Old House Journal Magazine.

FLWBC 2008 Wrap-Up: Day Two

It was another full day of lectures and afternoon tours at the 2008 Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy Conference, culminating with the gala dinner and silent auction. Get the details after the jump...

FLWBCC 2008: Update

We just got back from our afternoon tours and we saw a lot of great stuff, including Illinois ex-patriot, the Duncan House. We're off to the dinner and to see if I won anything in the Silent Auction, so check back for the full details of the day's events in tonight's wrap-up. Stay tuned!

Photo copyright PrairieMod

Gloves for iPhone Users

Last winter if I wanted to use my iPhone, I had to take my gloves off and it was cold! This winter I'm going to buy these new gloves called Dots Gloves.  They come in different colors and cost $13 - $18.

Image copyright Dots Gloves