A summer cycling trip sounds perfect. And a hotel geared towards cyclists sounds even more perfect. The Earth Rider Cycling Hotel in Brodhead, WI is just want you’ve been looking for. Located in Green County, just 35 miles south of Madison, this hotel provides guides that will get you cruising on 75 miles of the Midwest’s best biking trails and 275 miles of paved low-traffic roads. Plus, the hotel has bike schwag, an in-house tune-up guy, and a rental shop while the local town offers cheese factories, breweries, and Amish businesses. It’s no secret why Wisconsin was ranked the second most bicycle friendly state in the U.S. and is the proposed course for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Check out earthridercycling.com.
Bike Trip
June 10th, 2009Bike Basket
June 9th, 2009Don’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.
Bike Week: Design your own bike
June 8th, 2009Although it’s still a bit chilly (and rainy) out, it’s “Bike to Work Week” in Wisconsin. Die-hard bicyclists have been out for a while now, but us regular-bike-folks are just starting to dust off our helmets and choose our bikes as our preferred mode of transportation. So, we’re kicking off Bike Week and all the great design that goes along with this eco-friendly sport.
First off is Trek Bike’s Project One. Trek is not only a premiere cycling brand who sponsors Lance and the Tour de France, it is also a 30-year old company based in Waterloo, WI. Their all-new Project One custom bike program gives you the ability to design your very own bicycle. Their site gives you more choices, options, color combinations and control in designing the bike you’ve always dreamed of. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination. Visit trekbikes.com.
Functional Felt
May 28th, 2009Looking for a last minute grad gift? Or maybe you deserve something new? Grab one of these (or all three) wool felt accessories at Design Within Reach. This iPhone holder, wallet and card holder are not only fashionable, but practical for those days that you prefer to travel light. This sustainable material is warm in winter and breathes in summer, conforming to its contents like a mitt. Check out dwr.com or visit their store in Milwaukee’s historic third ward district.
Think Baby
May 27th, 2009Concerned about toxic chemicals leaching from your plastic baby products? Try the new Think Baby Stainless Steel Feeding Set – it combines plastic and stainless steel to form an insulated feeding set, free of BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Melamine and Lead. The new Think Baby line brings eco-friendly versatility to your child’s meal time while designing it to look good too. They’ve taken their expertise in stainless steel sport water bottles and applied it perfectly to their baby bottles and new feeding set. You can find this children’s feeding set at a number of Wisconsin retailers including Bark River Kids in Delafield, Destination Maternity in Brookfield, Freckle Face in Milwaukee, Little Green Booties in Hartford, Planet Wise in New Glarus, Satara Home and Baby in Madison and also at Whole Foods, Babies”R”Us and Target.
Pretty Pinwheels
May 19th, 2009And not just any pinwheel… a pinwheel mobile for your pretty baby. Made by Dosta Beba, these hand-made pinwheels are perfect to entertain your little one above their crib or changing table. Each pinwheel is knotted with utility thread combined with clear, heavy craft glue, making these mobiles sturdy and everlasting. They’re also ceiling mounted and adjustable to stay out of reach of your rapidly growing itty-bitty person. Based in Waukesha, this designer mom sells her mobiles on etsy along with other custom nursery decor. Make your baby happy with one of these darling designs.
Egg-cellent Invention
May 13th, 2009Loved poached eggs, but hold out for Sunday brunch to enjoy? Now you can make your favorite egg dish, like Eggs Benedict, at home using the PoachPod. Created by Fusion Brands this modern silicone poaching tool allows you to float and poach an egg in boiling water like a lily pad on a pond. Dishwasher safe, this flexible silicone can also be used to melt chocolate or bake and mold other items such as rice and custard. Find it at Orange Tree Imports in Madison, Crate&Barrel at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa or see other Wisconsin retailers at fushionbrands.com.
Kidrobot Kraze
May 11th, 2009Often collected by designers and once only available in NY, SF, LA or MIA, Kidrobot can now be found at MODA3, a shop striving to be the Midwest’s premier lifestyle “aka skateboard” store. With locations in Delafield and Milwaukee, you can find Kidrobot’s “Ye Olde English Dunny Series” and many others. Not familiar with Kidrobot? Founded in 2002 by designer Paul Budnitz, Kidrobot claims to be the world’s premier creator and retailer of limited edition toys, clothing, artwork & books. Budnitz’s style merges urban street trends, fashion and pop art to produce limited edition collectables while collaborating with top international artists with backgrounds in all areas of design. While these are collectables, once they’re sold out, they’re sold out, so hang on tight to yours, in hopes that they appreciate in value over time. Shop at shop.moda3.com/store.
Ohhh Oompa!
May 5th, 2009For 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.
Mad-town tour
April 16th, 2009
This past fall, Design*Sponge featured our own state capital, courtesy of guest blogger Laurie. This lengthy list of shops, restaurants and museums is a great resource to check out if you’re planning a day-of-design in Madison. Some of our favorites that made the d*s list include Satara, Pop Deluxe, The Century House, Sundance Cinema, MMoCA and Lao Laan-Xang (yum!). See the entire list here.















