Autographed products designed by Pia Amsell & Barbro Wesslander

This past Friday, Swedish Product Designers Pia Amsell and Barbro Wesslander gave a talk at Minneapolis’ IKEA store to show off their latest creations for the Scandinavian home furnishings store.  At the FIKA (the Swedish term for a coffee break), I had the chance to learn about the inspiration behind their latest accessory designs for IKEA and sit down and talk with Pia Amsell about her background in design.  Read on after the jump to learn more:

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Pia Amsell and Barbo Wesslander

Images from sagaform.se & gallerypascale.com

Tomorrow, Friday, March 19th, the public is invited to come partake in Fika (Swedish coffee break) at IKEA Twin Cities with IKEA designers Pia Amsell and Barbro Wesslander.  The pair, who design glasswear, vases, dishwear and fabrics for IKEA, have their work featured in the American Swedish Institute’s “17 Swedish Designers” exhibit (on display through May 30).

They will give a brief talk at 10am in the restaurant, followed by a question and answer session. Their talk will touch on their sources of inspiration and what it’s like to design for IKEA. A selection of the pieces designed by the duo will be on display and available for purchase. Attendees will also have the opportunity to enter to win items signed by the two designers. The event is free and open to the public.

Jason’s South Minneapolis apartment has all the charms to feel right at home.  His furniture and accessories come from his history of working at Restoration Hardware and Room and Board.  Growing up in rural Minnesota helped make him appreciate the look of older antiques, which he has interspersed with his new acquisitions.  He takes bits and pieces of the places he has been and puts them together to create a clean, classic contemporary interior.  Read on after the jump to see the entire house tour and to see my interview with Jason.

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Domain Architecture’s 2009 ASID House

Uptown’s Design Within Reach is hosting Domain Architecture this Thursday, March 18th from 6-8pm for an introduction to their Small Domains project.

According to DWR’s event page, “Small Domains are designed to be lean and green yet elegant spaces. SIP panel construction, day-lighting design, minimal site disturbance and optional off-grid packages further contribute to overall reductions in energy use and a smaller environmental footprint. Small Domains are designed to create warm, healthy and inviting shelters that allow simple and easy living in whatever landscape you enjoy most. The final result is a building that is extremely strong, energy efficient, low maintenance and cost effective.”

Domain Architecture’s Deborah Everson, Jason Briles and Mike Everson will be at the event to talk about the Small Domains project.  Models of the new project launch will be on display at Design Within Reach’s studio until March 19th.

Please RSVP to minneapolis@dwr.com

Small Domains: Off the Grid and on Display at DWR

Thursday, March 18, 6-8pm

DWR Minneapolis Studio

2939 Hennepin Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55408

Phone: 612.827.0990

Directions: http://www.dwr.com/category/find+a+studio/minneapolis.do

Image from Intereum

Everyone loves a great deal, right?  Now local office space solution company, Intereum, has their own outlet with some really good deals.  Surprisingly good.  That Herman Miller Celle chair in the picture above?  $50 on their outlet site. It is first come, first serve in the online outlet.  This is great especially since more people are telecommuting from home and are looking for a comfortable home office.  Check out their outlet site for more great deals on used merchandise.

This is an event you do not want to miss.  This coming Sunday, March 14th, over 70+ local restaurants are coming together to provide a fundraiser for the owners of the recently torched Heidi’s and Blackbird restaurant.  Please visit their facebook page for a full list of participating restaurants and then go out and enjoy a dish to help these restaurants get back on their feet!

This Thursday, March 11 at 5pm, be prepared to witness the epic battle between creative minds.  2 designers.  2 chefs.  2 florists.  2 hours.  Can you handle it?   The Style Laboratory is putting on their third annual The Duel of the Design at the Metropolitan Ballroom.  Armed with a chef and a florist, the designers have 2 hours to design a tabletop for 8, develop a menu, select beverage and set the mood with music, all in front of a live audience.  Read on for more information on event and how you can attend:

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Meet Kay.  She is a formed mono wood shell upholstered in recycled vinyl billboard over high-density foam, lightweight tubular stainless steel frame.  She is also one of the latest creations from the innovative mind of George Mahoney of SOLV Studio.

Read on to learn more about SOLV Studio and see other examples of George’s work.

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Images of the corner of Lyndale Ave & Lake St from nokohaha.com

Anyone interested in the history of Minnesotan architecture should check out the blog, Nokohaha.  Chalk full of fantastic images from Minnesota’s past, the website offers glimpses into how the “good ol’ days” looked.  The site is updated constantly, so you can get your daily fix of Minnesota architecture.  The best part is that Nokohaha includes a google map so you can go tour the sites featured in the post!

Image from Apartment Therapy

Minneapolis natives Alison & Jeff had their apartment recently featured on Apartment Therapy’s blog.  They do a fantastic job of bringing color and coziness to their space.  It is amazing what a splash of color will do to walls of a rental (if the landlord lets you paint!)  The turquoise dining and living room make the space feel vibrant and fun.  The couple mixes vintage finds with new finds that they save up for and know will stand the test of time.  They can be found over at their own blog, Deucecities.  Check out their full post on Apartment Therapy’s website.

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