This coming Sunday, February 28th, Victory in Minneapolis is holding their “(Not So Secret) Sunday Sale.” The store will be closed on Saturday to get ready for Sunday’s event from 12-5pm. Victory is a store that specializes in antiques and gifts for the home. There are a ton of unique items that owner, Kerry Ciardelli, picks up from around the world. The store is located at 3505 W 44th St in Minneapolis, MN.
Have you ever wanted to remodel your home using the most energy efficient resources, but was intimidated by the cost? If so, then you might want to visit Do It Green! Minnesota’s Solar Powered Clothing Exchange this Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th. This is a free way to recycle clothing and learn about green remodeling all at one time. While exchanging clothing, you can tour one of Minnesota’s most affordable “eco-friendly” homes. The home was featured on the 2009 Minnestoa Renewable Energy Society Solar Tour….Read on after the jump for more info:
You know spring is around the corner when the Home and Garden Show hits the Minneapolis Convention Center. The show starts today and runs through Sunday. This is your chance to sample the cream of the crop of Twin Cities remodeling, decorating, landscaping and home improvement ideas. Plus, you can see all the cutie HDTV stars and other reality TV stars strut their stuff. Additionally, see local TV news anchors go head to head in the celebrity cooking contest. Go check out the entire lineup at the Home and Garden Show’s webpage.
Art by Berry Holz
While I was having a delicious omelet for brunch at Birchwood Cafe, I was intrigued by the art on the walls. Using mostly calming colors, careful gradation and simple shapes, artist Berry Holz produces art that is nothing short of elegant. She uses a low-tech reverse stencil method done with spray paint and layered stencils. With a background in art history and interior design, her love for color is easily seen in her artwork.
She is having an art opening for her show, “Roughed Up Heart,” at Birchwood Cafe, tomorrow, February 24th at 7pm. Her art will be on display until April 4th. Go check it out!
Image from We Got Served
Usually we talk about local design on this blog, but I thought I would deviate for a day to bring focus to the 50th and Bryant neighborhood in South Minneapolis. No doubt most know about Thursday’s fire that destroyed the building built in 1912 that housed the popular Blackbird, Heidi’s, Patina, and the months old Shoppe Local and Stacey Johnson Jewelry. Although we are all fortunate that no one was seriously hurt, the feeling in the neighborhood is still somber. The neighborhood shares in the loss that the owners of all of these businesses feel.
While we pay so much attention to how to make our own houses beautiful, we sometimes take for granted how beautiful neighborhoods impact our home life. The building on 50th and Bryant housed some of the best local cuisine and gift shops and contributed to the beauty of the neighborhood. It was not only the good food and shopping that they provided for us, those business were our neighbors and our friends. Being situated in a cozy neighborhood, they were the places we could walk to and enjoy a cup of coffee and a black bean burger. They were where we took our friends and families to celebrate and to share great conversations and create great memories.
These businesses were an asset to all who lived in the neighborhood. They created the vibrant vibe of the neighborhood, and as neighbors, we took pride in sharing these innovative businesses with our friends. Having local businesses within walking distance is so important to our home life. They impact how we feel about where we live. They make us proud to live where we are living. They make us happy to be able to support local entrepreneurs who are fulfilling their own dreams.
Although it is uncertain what the next step will be for these businesses, they should know how big an impact they made in their patron’s daily lives and for the Minneapolis community. So to the folks at Stacey Johnson Jewelry, Blackbird, Heidi’s, Patina, and Shoppe Local- we wish you a successful recovery. We all are behind you for a stellar comeback!
Image from Roxiedoggie
If you are a dog owner who appreciates well-designed doggie accessories, you will want to check out the brand-new local company, Roxiedoggie. Specializing in modern dog dishes and t-shirts, one can be sure their dog keeps up with the latest trends. Read on after the jump about the story behind Roxiedoggie…
Photography by Steve Henke
Last week I had the opportunity to tour a model condo at the Edgewater Condominium building at Lake Street and East Calhoun Parkway. The condos come as unfinished shells that condo owners can hire architectural firms to finish to their liking. This particular model was completed by architectural firm, Streeter and Associates and furnished by Room and Board. Its floor to ceiling windows look out upon Lake Calhoun and parts of Uptown. The best part is that it is a hop, skip and a jump away to the best lakes and restaurants in Minneapolis!
Check out pictures by Steve Henke Photography:
Restoration Hardware’s Oviedo Chaise bridges both mid-century modern and twenty first century industrial design. But let’s put this question to the test: is it hot or not? Please post a comment telling what you think!
Picture from dovetailinc.org
Ever wonder in the midst of all the green housing talk, who has actually talked the talk and built a certified green building? The crew over at Dovetail Partners Inc put together a map of all the certified green building projects located throughout Minnesota. Dovetail Partners is a nonprofit corporation that fosters sustainable behaviors by collaborating to build unique concepts, systems, models, and programs.
Head on over to the link to see the google map of where all the cool kids are building their green homes and buildings.
This is super cool. If you have a spare wall in your home, grab a bucket of Glow in the Dark paint and put it in your wall, grab a UV-LED flashlight and be prepared to be amused for hours. If you have very light or white wall the paint color will blend relatively well with the original color. The painting process is simple: put on 2 coats of white primer, 3 coats of the glow-in-the-dark paint and 2 layers of optional varnish (if you are afraid of your kids scraping off the paint).
PaulBo at the blog, Fangletronics, figured out a way to put together P small UV-LED light pens cobbled together from some small LED key chain flashlights, coin cell batteries, and a soldering iron. If you don’t want to hassle building them, then the LED flashlights will work fine but the glow just won’t last as long.
Another cool trick is to have someone stand in front of the wall and then take a flash picture. You then get the resulting silhouette on the wall:
You may find Benjamin Moore’s Glow in the Dark Paint at your local Hirshfield’s store: 10 Twin Cities locations.
