Urban Outfitters has some pretty sweet new furniture that is very Mid-Century Modern. The chair pictured is called the Eiffel chair. They also have an Eiffel side table and Eiffel coffee table.
The products say they are inspired by classic Mid-Century Modern designs. The designs look very similar to the Eames Eiffel Chair by Herman Miller.
Image copyright Urban Outfitters
Tired of the run-of-the-mill A-frame bird house options? Then check out these zen-like clay orbs that designers Gavin Christman and Kate Knapp developed as their answer to combat the loss of small bird habitats. Choose a hanging or wall-mounted version. Each are $95.00 and are available at Design Within Reach.
Photo copyright DWR
It's no secret that I love books. I also love design. So it stands to reason that books about design are always of special interest to me! Rockport publishes several of the best in the business. I'm an especially big fan of the Design Matters series they put out. These are extremely well designed books that contain a mountain of great information about topics such as logos, brochures and packaging design. You can check out all of Rockport's titles here.
Photo copyright Rockport
Customization of consumer products has been increasing in popularity over the past couple of years, but now you can trick-out your own candy!
M&M's can have your own personal message, logo, photo, etc. Just go to www.mymms.com.
Image from mymms.com
What do all of these things have in common? A recent article in The Australian examines the connections between the ideas of the Prairie School (as exemplified in Wright's Unity Temple) and reconciling the pressures of a modern society with the natural world. Check out the article here.
Photo courtesy of utrf.org
On a day like today, not only am I proud to be an American, I am also extremely proud to be a Chicagoan!
Last weekend, The Skyline featured a survey and poll that showed Chicago being the #1 ranked city in the US for architecture and design. The study was done by a NYC firm that has no office in Chicago, supposedly making this data unbiased.
Sarah Susanka, architect and author of the hit "Not So Big House" series, will be giving a lecture titled "Spatial Genius: 'Not So Big' Philosophy Explains Wright's Big Influence on September 17 in the Ballroom of the School of the Art Institute, 112 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Check out the details by going to the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust's website.
Image copyright Sarah Susanka
Blair Kamin's blog post on the claim that 29 previously unknown Frank Lloyd Wright-designed homes is now up. In the article, he lays out the claims put forth by Wright scholar and author, William Allin Storrer and two of his colleagues that these houses are Wright's. As with many claims of murky authorship, you have to take in all the facts and weigh it against the unknowns before you can make up your own mind. Read the article here and let us know what you think.
Photo copyright Chicago Tribune
Check out this article in I.D. Magazine about an urban farm in Queens, NY by WORKac. I love the concept! Check out the picture below with the colors and the shadows...it is useful and beautiful.
Public Farm 1, a functioning agritecture, so to speak, that will feature an ascending factory-waxed industrial-strength cardboard tube structure that echoes the form of the elevated trains that will bring visitors to the museum.
PF1 is now open to the public, I would love to hear from anyone who may have experienced it.
Image copyright WORKac
Quoted text copyright ID Magazine
Here's a cool YouTube video showing the Louis Sullivan Owatanna, Minnesota Jewel Box bank in all its glory. I especially love all the close-ups of the terra cotta and other decorative details.
Image copyright onekgguy
Yesterday was the launch of our new weekly newsletter called Living PrairieMod.
If you're interested in signing up, you'll receive weekly tips on how to "live PrairieMod", regular updates about the Little Red House renovation, plus a chance to enter monthly give-a-ways.
This month's give-a-way is a Double Gourd Vase from the Teco Art Pottery Collection™ in a glaze of your choosing (there are 8 of 'em). In order to be eligible, you'll need to subscribe to the newsletter.
Getting in the spirit for Independence Day?
You may want to check out our feature titled Recall :: Wright By Design, Frank Lloyd Wright's Grand Old Flag, if you've haven't read it yet.
Happy 4th of July!
Pollinators are really, really important. 80% of our crops are the result of pollinators like bees, birds, bats, butterflies and other bugs. However, there has been a lot of stress on these pollinating friends of ours and the news is full of reports on dwindling populations of honeybees and bats. Want to help? Check out this site and find out ways to be friendly to these unsung heroes!
It's the Thursday before 4th of July...yeah, if you're at work you are probably cruising the internet. Might as well look at something cool. Check out this link to a great pool of Frank Lloyd Wright photos on Flickr.
Photo copyright csemege
Dinnerware...you want something tasteful and timeless, yet it has to be unique and interesting.
I have these and enjoy them, but I really covet these babies. However, CB2's triangular nesting dinnerware collection called Trois has gotten my attention.
Great price, great design. See what you think.
Image copyright CB2
As if we needed another reminder of the terrible flood damage that has impacted so many people's lives in the Midwest. A recent article in Architectural Record by Blair Kamin underscores the damage wrought on Iowa's architectural treasures. Read this sad story and see more photos here.
Poor Marion Mahony. She was such an amazing designer and thinker – truly pivotal in the shaping of the Prairie School and Progressive Architecture. Yet, she gave up her place in the spotlight to play second fiddle to both Frank Lloyd Wright and Walter Burley Griffin. Check out this article for more on one writer's views of Marion's sacrifices.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
Because I've been on an Amy Butler kick lately, I can already hear my fellow PrairieMod Squad peeps chuckling as they read this. But, if you love crafting and little kids...this is a must see.
Amy Butler has just released her new book Little Stitches for Little Ones via her online store and it seems like it is packed full of projects to aid in the creation of special gifts for the tiny ones in your life.
I have to say, this stuff looks pretty tight. BabyMod is going to a whole new level here!
Image copyright Amy Butler Design
The wife and I have been in search of some vintage MCM chairs for our three season room and this one piques my interest. Listed on eBay is a rare Danish Modernist armchair (listing mentions Finn Juhl's name) with an adjustable multi-position back. Very cool. Of course, it looks like it could use some new upholstery.
Via The Mid-Century Modernist
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