Wright at the Guggenheim

June 30th, 2009

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Fifty years after designing Manhattan’s renowned museum, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim celebrates the golden anniversary of its landmark building with the exhibition Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward. Open May 15—August 23, the exhibition brings together sixty-four projects designed by one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. Although he died just six months before the opening of the Guggenheim, Wright worked independently from any single style and developed a new sense of architecture in which form and function were inseparable. The exhibit includes newly created three-dimensional scale models that examine the internal mechanics of functional space in relation to exterior form in a variety of Wright’s projects. Planning a trip to New York this summer? Then visit guggenheim.org for more details.

Wright Week

June 29th, 2009

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This week, we’ll be featuring our very own, Wisconsin native, Frank Lloyd Wright. As one of America’s most prolific architects, whose life and career extended from the steam age to the space age, Wright has left a legacy that all Wisconsinites should be proud of.

Today, we’ll begin with Wright’s Taliesin in Spring Green, WI. Born just 20 miles west in Richland Center, Wright chose Spring Green as the location for his principal residence in 1911. Set in rolling countryside, it is said to be the source of his ideas and is one of Wright’s 500+ commissioned buildings in the U.S. Today, the Taliesin Preservation offers tours of the property from May through October and is also available for wedding or party rental. If you’re looking for a afternoon of architecture, tour Wright’s Taliesin Preservation, located just 45 miles west of Madison.

Bike Basket

June 9th, 2009

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Don’t just use any old basket to carry your things. Madison’s Century House sells this eco-sheik bike basket from Design House Stockholm. It not only looks cool, but easily detaches to become a shopping tote. It’s available in green, black or white and costs $60 at centuryhouseinc.com.

Wonderful Wood

May 20th, 2009

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Made out of 73 pieces of cherry and walnut wood, this bowl deserves to be used as both a centerpiece of a table and a conversation. Milwaukee designer, Ken Neitzel spends his retirement shaping wood into functional and beautiful pieces of art. His attention to detail and creative eye are evident in all of his work and are amazingly affordable for their fine craftsmanship. See this bowl and other wooden items, such as vases, buttons and even tops at UrbanTurn.etsy.com.

Elsie Marley

May 12th, 2009

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Former Chocolatier and Baker, now blogger, mother of two (and #3 on the way), Meg “Elsie” fills her creative void sewing toys, clothes and accessories for the modern tot. One of her signature creations, kiddy messenger bags, can be purchased here, starting at just $30. Machine washable (few!), they’re perfect for your tot’s library books, matchbox cars or that stuffed animal that they can’t leave home without. Meg lives in Madison with her husband and children in a beautiful vintage/European-inspired home. Last year, thanks to Joanna Goddard of Cup of Jo, Meg’s home was featured on Cookie Magazine’s Nesting blog and her children’s room was seen on Apartment Therapy’s ohdeedoh.

Ohhh Oompa!

May 5th, 2009

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For the little one in your life, oompa.com is the place to find unique, natural and wooden toys. Featuring European and USA-made products, this company prides itself in finding quality gear while keeping design in mind. Their room décor, furniture and diverse organic selection are just some of the additions to toys that you’ll find. While they sell hundreds of products online, they also have a groovy retail store, located in Middleton, which showcases some of their best-selling products ready to take home today. Find this attractive Chalet Dollhouse with furniture, made from natural, chemical free rubber wood and finished with non-toxic and child friendly colors.

Earth Day

April 22nd, 2009

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Earth Day began in Wisconsin. On April 22, 1970, Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin U.S. senator, initiated the first Earth Day to organize a nationwide public demonstration. His objective was to get the attention of politicians and force issues of environmental protection into the legislative forefront. The first Earth Day was celebrated by more than 20 million individuals and is credited with spearheading the modern environmental movement. In honor of our gorgeous globe, consider installing a gorgeous new cork floor in your home from Wisconsin’s own Eco Friendly Flooring. Believe it or not, cork is used for other things besides sealing your delicious bottle of wine. It is one of the many materials used in sustainable flooring products. This wholesaler and installer works with you to provide eco-friendly alternatives for your living environments. So, next time you’re in the market for a new surface, look into these great looking alternatives of cork, bamboo, metal, glass, linoleum, stone or wood. Visit ecofriendlyflooring.com for more info and to order samples.

Take a siesta

April 9th, 2009

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Modern Scandinavian Interiors, The Century House, has amazing taste in furniture and design. Their featured Siesta chair, had been in production for decades and feels as great as it looks. Available in different leathers, fabrics and wood finishes, this fine piece of furniture and many others are located at their retail store on Madison’s west side and online at centuryhouseinc.com.

Tempting textiles

March 20th, 2009

dermondpeterson

Founded by Sandra Dermond and Susan Peterson, Dermond Peterson Design is an artisan/manufacturing company that combines the rich, tactile qualities of “fine-art” printmaking techniques with innovative and conceptual design strategies. These sisters produce fresh, functional textiles for everyday use at home. Based in Milwaukee, they use environmentally sensitive, water-based inks that are free of solvents. See the Flora Collection and their many other fabrics and linens at dermondpeterson.com or visit George Watts & Sons or The Home Market.