PrairieMod

Introducing Arrowroot

ODO (Organic Design Operatives) recently announced the launch of their Arrowroot Collection of furniture and home decor. Inspired by nature and the American Prairie School of design, this unique collection of home furnishings goes beyond the typical historical reproductions of the classics. Each piece is an original design created by ODO using the same organic design principles pioneered by Prairie School masters like Frank Lloyd Wright, Purcell & Elmslie and George Mann Niedecken. Check out the entire collection here.

Image copyright ODO

A Look At Walser

After running the post yesterday about the eBay sale of art glass from the woeful J.J. Walser, Jr. House, PrairieMod reader, John C., was kind enough to share some photos of the home. More after the jump...

Book Review: The Sutton House

When I picked up Donald Morgan and John Altberg's book The Sutton House, I wasn't aware that I'd be reading a love story. No, it's not Loving Frank, where architecture meets heavy-breathing. Instead, The Sutton House is more about the love between a small Nebraska town and a special house. It's a story of love that spans 100 years, 6 different sets of owners, a tragic fire, several renovations, the threat of total loss and a wondrous rebirth. Read more after the jump...

About Francis Sullivan

Here's a link to an article that outlines the life and legacy of Canada's Prairie School architect, Francis Conroy Sullivan. Read it here.

Image copyright Julie Oliver, The Ottawa Citizen

For Sale: Mary M. W. Adams Residence

Frank Lloyd Wright's 1905 Prairie work, the Mary M. W. Adams Residence in Highland Park, IL has recently come on the market for $699,000. Check out the details and more photos here.

Image copyright D. Gunning

Griffin's Garrity House Needs Some Love

The Walter Burley Griffin-designed Garrity House in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago has had some tough breaks in the last decade. Foreclosed-on, re-muddled, neglected—it's been through a lot. It's now involved in a short sale and according to the realty web page, under a contingent contract. Hopefully it will see some better days. Read more here, here and see the realty page here.

Image via cribchatter.com

Robie's Year

2010 marks the 100th anniversary of Wright's Prairie School masterpiece, the Frederick C. Robie House, located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. The Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust is planning a slew of programs and events celebrating the building's milestone birthday and its restoration. Read an article about it all here and find out how to plan a visit here.

Image copyright Tim Long/via FLWPT

Jensen's Drawings For River Forest Parks

Recently, River Forest, IL residents voted down a proposed referendum that would have destroyed a park originally designed by Prairie School landscape architect Jens Jensen. There's also discussion about restoring it back to its intended design, adding to the town's cultural value, tourist interest and Prairie School cache. To keep the ideas flowing, here's some images and links from the Bentley Library Image Bank of the original drawings that Jensen created for the River Forest park system. See more after the jump...

Van Bergen Open House

The John Van Bergen-designed Allan Miller House in Chicago is currently for sale and will be having an open house from 12-3 on Feb 6th & 7th. Dennis Rodkin from Chicago Magazine's "Deal Estate" recently filmed a videography about this Prairie School gem, touring it with one of the current owners. Check the video out here.

I'd Be Happy To Bail-Out This Bank

Jeff Logan, a businessman in Mitchell, SD has secured public financing for his effort to restore the historic Logan Branson Bank Building, a Prairie School gem designed by Purcell and Elmslie in the early 1900s. Read more about it here.

Beautiful Boathouse Pavilion

Chicago Architecture maven, Lee Bey, provides some great info and even better photos of the 103-year-old Prairie School-era Humboldt Park Boathouse Pavilion. Read and see more here.

Image copyright Lee Bey

Help Save A Masterpiece By Seeing It

Currently wrapped in scaffolding as part of a massive restoration effort, Frank Lloyd Wright's Unity Temple still shines as an important destination for anyone interested in Modern Architecture. Take advantage of the new tour hours recently announced by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation to visit this icon and be apart of saving it for future generations. See more here.

Image copyright UTRF

The Grandest Prairie School Building Ever Built

At some point this year, I need to make my way to Sioux City, IA to see the Woodbury County Courthouse. A Prairie School architectural Tour de force, it was designed by William LaBarthe Steele (with help from William G. Purcell & George G. Elmslie and Alfonso Iannelli). Read more about it here and check out photos here.

Image via Wikipedia

Prairie School Walking Tour in Wilmette

PrairieMod reader Paul R. gave us the scoop on a cool event this weekend we thought we'd share with you all. The Wilmette Historical Museum is hosting a walking tour of Prairie School architecture in Wilmette from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. July 12. The tour is free to museum members and costs $5 for non-members. Pre-paid reservations are required. Call (847) 853-7666 or follow the link for info. Thanks Paul!

Image copyright Rick McNees

Wright Plus 2009 News

The annual Wright Plus Housewalk, put together by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, will be here in just a little over a month. We recently got word of two new ways to experience the event that are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Read more after the jump...

A Look At Griffin's Work

Photographer and author, Mati Maldre has lived in a Walter Burley Griffin-designed home in the Beverly Neighborhood of Chicago since 1980 and is still filled with wonder about it. Check out this article and video tour of his fantastic Prairie School house.

Image courtesy of the Southtown Star