Wooden pallets and plastic zipties seem unlikely candidates as building materials. But, as this post on the blog dinosaursandrobots.com attests to, sometimes genius comes in the unlikeliest form. See this pallet paradise come to life here.
Image via dinosaursandrobots.com
Tired of bringing potato salad to summer backyard BBQ's? Consider bringing the decorations next time! Design*sponge.com posted a link to a super sweet paper pennant garland from oncewed.com. Check out the directions here.
Image via oncewed.com
Lloyd Wright (Frank's son) had some pretty big shoes to fill when he decided to become an architect. Though papa's shadow was long, Lloyd became pretty adept at designing and building some real gems. One in particular that is now up for sale is the 1948 Usonian-style Dorland house in Altadena, CA. Check out the "For Sale" website here, which is loaded with drool-worthy photos.
Image copyright Erik Grammer
Even though this blog promotes itself as a place for "Ugly House Photos," they recently featured several interior and exterior shots of the recently sold (and beautiful) David Wright House in Phoenix, AZ. See them here.
Image via ugly house photos.com
My wife and I tried our best to make aspects of our recent wedding as handmade as possible, not only to save money, but to make it unique and personal as well. If you're getting married and would like a little handmade help, the check out this list of articles on etsy.com.
Well, I don't speak French–but I can pick-up on the "International Language" of Organic Design. PrairieMod reader Eric S. sent me a link to an architectural firm working in France that has apparently taken up the cause of "Living Architecture." See more here.
Image copyright Art Trait Design
Have you always dreamed of having your very own little Main Street, USA? Well, now you can cut and assemble one, thanks to the folks at the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. I'm particularly partial to the model of the First National Bank of Dwight, IL designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1906. See the models and download PDFs here.
Image via Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
We recently received a press release discussing the launch of The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Forum, a new series of moderated online discussions among experts from a variety of fields that will occur in conjunction with major museum exhibitions. Read all about it after the jump...
I came across the Loving Frank website today and was surprised to see all of the architectural-inspired Flash animation and photos of Wright buildings. Explore a little here.
Image copyright Random House
I received an email from PrairieMod reader, Randy H. who informed me that today is the 50th anniversary of the practice of creative architect Dan
C. Duckham. Duckham started in Fort Lauderdale on June 1, 1959 and is still actively
practicing architecture in Cashiers, NC. Check out his website here. Thanks Randy!
Image copyright Dan C. Duckham
To all of the readers who are wondering where they can get their new LEGO Guggenheim set, wonder no more! Follow this link to the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's online catalog to get your set. You can build it with the satisfaction that you're money is also helping to preserve Wright's Oak Park Home & Studio and the Robie House! Get it here.
Image via ShopWright.org
Here's a great follow-up to the post I did on Frank Lloyd Wright's un-realized designs for Baghdad, Iraq. A person on the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy "Wright Chat" discussion board posted a link to this animated fly through of the project's Opera House. Check it out here.
Image via Strimoo
I wandered into this very cool store in Forest Park, IL a couple of weeks ago and was bowled over with the amazing stuff I found. @WorkDesign specializes in hip, Mod and well-designed items for your life and life-at-work. Check out their newly-launched website for more details.
Image copyright @WorkDesign
Wow! The new Frank Lloyd Wright Collection® LEGO sets that we broke the news on in a post has been spreading like wildfire across the Internet--even rapper Kanye West is a fan! Here's a very brief sample of some of the other blogs following the story:
• Wired Magazine
• Apartment Therapy
• Design Boom
• Archinect
Image via Kanye West blog
While Frank Lloyd Wright did stay in an Italian Tuscan villa, working on the Wasmuth Portfolio (and spending time with Mamah), there is no evidence that he designed and built anything while over there. So this recent claim of being able to rent a Wright-designed Tuscan villa seems dubious. Does anyone know something we don't about this? See more here.
Image via Tuscany Rent Direct.com
PrairieMod Reader, Eric S. sent me this message and link about the news that Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs estate, "Twin Palms" is for sale:
"2 parts Neutra, 1 part Wright, and liberally seasoned with mid-century Swank. It can now be yours for a paltry $3.2M." Check it out here and Swing, baby!
Image copyright sinatrahouse.com
A recent post on thenewsstar.com highlights the uniqueness of the Walter Burley Griffin-designed G.B. Cooley House in Monroe, LA and how a group of local preservationists are saving it. Also, check out this plucky group's Cooley House website to see some great photos and to read more about this very sweet house on the Bayou.
Image copyright The Cooley House Foundation
Via a post on the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy discussion board, Paul R. shared a link to Robert Harvey Oshatz, an Organic Architect working in Portland, Oregon who is doing some absolutely astounding work. Check out more by following the link.
Images copyright Robert Harvey Oshatz
Earth Day (week, month, year..etc) is upon us and with it are a multitude of ways to participate and celebrate. But which U.S. cities are the best venues for such a "green" occasion? Follow this link to find out. Spoiler alert: Chicago was number 8 and climbing...
Image copyright Daily Mail/via Treehugger.com
Do you want to purchase products that make a difference? How about design your own? Then check out Social Designer. Read more after the jump...
Unity Temple Restoration Foundation has added a podcast player to their website. The first podcast is architecture critic, Paul Goldberger's lecture on the importance of Unity Temple. Take a listen here.
Image courtesy of UTRF
Ok, I have to admit that even though I have a deep seated fear of being stung, I've always thought that tending to a hive of honeybees would be very cool. Seems like I'm not alone in this fascination. I ran across this article about one amatuer beekeeper's adventure with these important pollinators. With the worldwide collapse of bee populations, bees need all the friends they can get! Read more here.
Image via Treehugger
PrairieMod reader Eric S. sent me a link to Rudolph Architects in Chicago. All of their work has a very strong Prairie style to it, from houses to even art-glass details (like the lamp at left.) Check out the work by following the link.
Image copyright Rudolph Architects
Donald M. Aucutt's recent Prairie magazine (formally the Geo. W. Maher Quarterly) ran a piece on the Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts Gallery and their acquisition of a set of Maher windows form the now destroyed Winton House, formally of Wausau, WI. The gallery also has second group of windows from the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Little House II, formally of Wayzata, MN. Read about both houses and their remains by following the link.
Image copyright Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts
The next time you are beguiled by a new plastic dish or votive at Target, consider going vintage instead. Plug in "Vintage Housewares" into an etsy.com search and you'll come across some really cool and cost-effective items. I especially dig these mid-century mod wooden bowls. Whether for yourself or a gift, vintage is always a great choice! See more here.
Image copyright elizabethwrenvintage
The official Moleskine website has recently relaunched with an all-new look with lots of content including the new MSK format that lets you print your own pages...plus their full product offering. When checking out the new site, be sure to leave your thoughts, questions and suggestions for the Moleskine team.
Image copyright Moleskine
Etsy.com recently featured the talents of greenware design, a two woman team that combines the talents of longtime friends, Irene McCollam and Leslie Geer. Their beautiful ceramic vessels are filled with arrangements of unique succulent plantings. These would make great easy-to-care-for gifts for anyone who is looking to "Bring The Outside In." See more here.
Image copyright greenware design
Inhabitat.com reports on a way to utilize a greywater system without breaking the bank. Sloan Valve Company has developed a compact greywater system for existing bathroom fixtures that is easy to install. The Sloan® AQUS® Greywater System
filters water going down the sink drain and then uses it to
flush the toilet, potentially saving up to 5,000 gallons
of potable water each year. check it out here.
Image copyright Sloan Valve Company
You're going to be reading about the Guggenheim Museum in New York a lot in the next few months. The fact that it turns 50 and their holding a huge Frank Lloyd Wright exhibition this summer means that it will get plenty of press. Case in point: check out this online article in Modernism Magazine about the spiral wonder written by author and Wright expert William Allin Storrer.
Photo copyright William Allin Storrer/via Modernism Magazine
Spoonflower is quite possibly one of the coolest things I've come across in awhile. I'm a designer who loves to customize everything, so being able to customize my own fabric designs opens up a whole new world of possibilities for several of my projects. Spoonflower is a company that allows you to upload your graphic designs, choose your fabric size and then they print very small batches of custom fabric for you. check out more by following the link.
Image copyright Spoonflower
The Daily Traveler Blog has put together a suggested list for anyone interested in taking a Frank Lloyd Wright Road Trip this summer. Gas-up the fuel efficient car, get some snacks and head over to this link to see the suggested stops.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation has recently relaunched their website. In addition to updating the look, there is also several pieces of new information to soak up and some goodies to look at as well (check out a short video on the Taliesin Prefab dwelling that we've posted about in the past. See it all here.
Image copyright The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation
PrairieMod reader Philip Bobrowski put us onto a fantastic website all about Buffalo, New York's architectural wonders. This amazing site is the brain child of Chuck LaChiusa and he has definitely put together something special. If you're planning on visiting Buffalo soon (or are just curious) then check out the site here.
Image copyright Chuck LaChiusa
Looking for some great 19th century prints of Chicago buildings like Dearborn Building by architects Jenny and Mundie shown at left? Then check out St. Croix Architecture and their amazing (and affordable) selection of prints. Oh yeah, they also carry other cities as well. See it all here.
Image copyright St. Croix Architecture
I just found out about a site called paper n stitch. It's a very well designed online exhibition space created to promote talented artist, designers, makers selling handmade goods, and independent boutiques. While on the site I found this awesome set of porcelain cups representing the Four Seasons. Head on over and check out all the cool stuff!
Image copyright Bailey Doesn't Bark
With about 6-8 inches of snow clogging streets in the Midwest this morning, there may be plenty of people participating in "Cyber Monday" today. If you're one of the people looking for holiday gifts online today instead of working then check out a few of my favorite places to shop online after the jump...
One of my favorite places to shop for that perfect gift (either for me or someone else) is a little shop called Arte Moderne in Glen Ellyn, IL. They have a fantastic selection of very cool vintage modern items from all over the world. Well, now you can shop their store online! Cruise over to their website to see what they have up or to inquire about what they have in the shop.
Image copyright Arte Moderne
It was recently reported that over 10 million images from the LIFE magazine archive will be made available on Google, some never before seen by the public. There are even some great photos of a certain Mr. Wright and his work to be found. You can play around with searching the archive for yourself by following the link.
Image copyright LIFE and Google
With my recent posts about Thanksgiving, Better Homes and Gardens online contacted us about their 100 Days of Holiday Program. I headed over to their site and was amazed by all of the great ideas. I especially enjoyed the section about Thanksgiving Decorating With Nature. Read what BHG.com emailed us after the jump...
Image copyright BHG.com
Continue reading "100 Days of Holidays Program at BHG.com" »
I just stumbled upon a fantastic site called Art Of The Title. If you love to watch title sequences from movies, you will spend endless hours experiencing this website. I just watched the opening of To Kill A Mockingbird and was in awe of the beautiful cinematography. Enjoy!
Image copyright Art Of The Title
Then check out the website by the same name. Over 350 designers are listed with information about them, photos of the stuff they've created and other very cool stuff. The one problem? Where's America's foremost designer, Frank Lloyd Wright? Check out the site by following the link.
Image copyright Design Addict
The Wisconsin Historical Society has tons of fantastic photos associated with the life and work of Frank Lloyd Wright. Especially significant are some extremely rare photos of Taliesin I before it was tragically burned in 1914. Check out all the photos by following the link.
Image copyright The Wisconsin Historical Society
Vivid colors, geometric abstraction, cutting-edge technology and design. No, I'm not talking about modern architecture, I'm talking about modern cartoons! Check out the Cartoon Modern website, by the author of the book by the same name. I found it while looking up info about one of my favorite modern Disney conceptual artists, Mary Blair. See more by following the link.
Image copyright The Walt Disney Company
Mike from Wisconsin sent this submission...
I received an email from the AIA in regards to their new web site The Shape of America and there is an interesting video snippet about Taliesin West with architect commentary that I thought you might find interesting. There are also some other amazing architectural treasures to peruse as well.
Image copyright AIA
It's a little dreary in Chicago this morning, so I was glad to come across these absolutely stunning photos of the Price Tower on Hypno+Raygun's Flickr page. I gotta get out to Oklahoma to check this place out! See the photos here.
Photo copyright Hypno+Raygun
Check out this great "For Sale" website featuring amazing photos of the R.M. Schindler-designed James Eads How House in Los Angeles, CA. If only I had an extra $5 million lying around...
Image copyright Cory Weiss
Edward Lifson noticed an interesting observation regarding the Guggenheim Museum and your inner ear. Read about it on his website by following the link.
Image courtesy of Edward Lifson
RPPN is a great resource for nurturing public awareness of an under-appreciated era of design: Mid Century Modernism. They generally define the recent past as a moving window of approximately 50 years time. Of specific interest are buildings that are not considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places because they are less than 50 years old. This makes them the most vulnerable to destruction. Follow the link to learn more.
Image courtesy of RPPN
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