When: 8PM-2012

Where: 4023 E Lake St. in Minneapolis

Cost: Free

The exhibit will feature a vintage Rapson chair produced in the 1940s for H.G. Knoll as well as many sketches of the designer’s unrealized designs. New pieces from family-owned Rapson-Inc’s Greenbelt line of modern classics will also be on display and available to purchase in the Twin Cities exclusively through Danish Teak Classics.  The furniture line features the Highback Rapson Greenbalt Rocker, first designed for the MoMA’s landmark Organic Design in Home Furnishings Competition of 1940.

Additionally, the exhibit will feature 3 drawings of pieces from the Rapson design library and give fans the chance to vote on which design will enter limited production at Danish Teak Classics in 2012. Fans may vote in-person at the exhibit or online until January 31st. The winning design will be announced during a closing ceremony on February 2nd from 6-9pm.

The exhibit begins December 29th and goes through February 5th. There will be an opening ceremony on December 29th from 6-9pm at Danish Teak Classics, located at 1500 Jackson St. NE, Ste 120 in Minneapolis. The exhibit is free to the public during the stores normal hours, which may be found at http://www.danishteakclassics.com/.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts succeeds again in providing festivities for visitors. In addition to decorating the museum’s period rooms for the holidays, the MIA decorated the Purcell Cutts house in trimmings in the period style from when the house was built in1913. Built by William Purcell and George Elmslie, the Prairie School house is located in Minneapolis. The MIA is hosting tours every Saturday and Sunday, now through January 1st. Tickets are free to MIA members and children under 12, $5 for adults and $4 for students. More information on how to purchase tickets and tour times can be found on the Winterlights Tour Page.

Click after the jump to read more about Uniquely Attainable and to see photos from inside the bus.

The idea came from an observation that while there are plenty of local home decor stores, local folks usually shop within their own neck of the woods. Providing a unique twist, Angela brings the store to various neighborhoods around the Twin Cities. Started this summer, Angela has parked the bus at places like Indulge Boutique in Eagan, and Terra Cotta Floral in South Minneapolis. Not only does Angela create her own pillows, but she restores most of the furniture sold on the bus.

Lovely store owner, Angela

Describing her style as contemporary, Uniquely Attainable sells everything from chests, to chairs, to lamps and other accessories. The Uniquely Attainable bus can be found all around the Twin Cities metro, but to find out where it will be next, check out its website, Facebook page, or Twitter account.

I have driven by the Lustron homes on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis more times than I can count and I have always wondered what these look like on the inside. Thanks to Steve Date from MinnPost, you can view the a video tour from the current homeowner! If you like the article, you should become a MinnPost member and support local journalism!

Click here to follow the link to the MinnPost story.

]]> http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/11/17/lustron-homes-video-tour/feed/ 0 http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/10/14/store-opening-find-furnish/ http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/10/14/store-opening-find-furnish/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:33:50 +0000 Twin Cities Design Scene http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/?p=1023 Nestled in the first floor of the white factory building at the Casket Arts Building is a new store called, Find Furnish. Owned by Marie Zellar and Brian Wilcox, Find Furnish specializes in found Mid-Century Modern furnishing and accessories. Marie spends hours looking through garage sales in the Midwest region and brings her treasures back to Minneapolis to restore to their original glory.

Brian and Marie both learned restoration when they were young. After working the political and environmental scene for a number of years, they both decided to partner and return to their restoration roots and open Find Furnish. Whether it is a Pomegranate colored sofa, a lime green 8-track table, or some funky lamps, Marie and Brian keep the selection fresh. In addition to stopping by their new showroom, one may also purchase items off of their Etsy site. 

Please join Marie and Brian this weekend for their Grand Opening of Find Furnish at 1720 Madison Street NE, #10, Minneapolis Minnesota, 55413.

Saturday, October 15 from 12 noon to 8pm

Sunday, October 16th from 12 noon to 5pm.

]]> http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/10/14/store-opening-find-furnish/feed/ 0 http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/05/17/summer-hiatus/ http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/05/17/summer-hiatus/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 00:25:26 +0000 Twin Cities Design Scene http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/?p=1012 Image by kari.volkmanncarlsen

It is finally summer again! We thought winter would never end! As I am finding the days stay lighter longer, I am also finding it hard to keep myself on a normal blog schedule. Because I want to get out and enjoy the spring/summer, I am taking a little summer vacation from the blog. Feel free to keep sharing links and comments on the blog or on the blog’s facebook page and let everyone know of all the cool events and stores in the cities. I hope you all have a great summer!

This is Jen and Fran Shea. Not only are they awesome ladies, but they also run Zeichen Press, an awesome, local letterpress company. What exactly is letterpress? Letterpress is a relief printing process using raised inked letters and images pressed on paper. It is also making its way into a myriad of fashion decor. Zeichen Press’s portfolio is full of prints, business cards, stationary and invitations. They also offer custom creations, so you can add a touch of letterpress to your next business card or event. I recently interviewed Fran over e-mail. We discussed typography, letterpress, and the story behind their funky little logo!

Read on after the jump!

We like being a part of the revival of letterpress – bringing it back to life. Letterpress has only lurked in the shadows since the advancement of printing technology – offset and digital printing made letterpress seem cumbersome and obsolete. It IS slow and not practical but no other method produces the look and feel of letterpress.

What are some of your favorite fonts and why?

I like any font that gets the job done but I tend to lean toward fonts that are san-serif.

What are your thoughts on the typography trend in home furnishings? Is it a fad, or is it here to stay?

I know that people like a visual break from digital communication and seeing type in print triggers an emotional response. Typography as a design element will always work – people like that reminder.

Do you do custom work? If so, what sort of projects do you do?

Identities, cards, invites, cd sleeves, posters… http://zeichenpress.com/portfolio

You seem like really happy people.  What part about your business makes you the most happy?

We do? It’s all marketing.

I love all of it.

Jen loves the money.

Zeichen Press’ prints for Room & Board

They are sold in these places: http://zeichenpress.com/where-to-buy/location/1133

We also have a line of prints that we make exclusively for Room & Board: http://search.roomandboard.com/?search=zeichen

Don’t forget to check out the photo gallery below to see Fran hard at work on her prints! Much thanks to Fran and Jen Shea!

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Image from girlfriendsgetaway.wordpress.com

If you could re-do Nicollet Mall to create more outdoor gathering spaces, what would you do?  That is the challenge that Graduate Students of the University of Minnesota’s College of Design posed for a recent workshop.  You may read more about the project at The Line.

Video by Permanent Art and Design Studio

Local office design and consultancy company, Intereum, and Herman Miller teamed up to host a launch party for their new SAYL chair.  Held January 25th, the party was held at the Ritz Theater and featured dance performances by Ballet of the Dolls.  Currently, I am sitting in a SAYL chair writing this entry, and it is COMFY!  Inspired by the Golden Gate Bridge’s suspension system, the SAYL chair gives ergonomic support at an affordable price.  The video posted above features highlights from the launch party.  I encourage you to take a look at Intereum’s blog, Better Ways to Work to see more pictures from the event!  While you are on their blog, you should subscribe to their feed.  They provide some of the best news and information on office design in the Twin Cities!

Video Courtesy of Fran at Zeichen Press

I would like you to meet Tanek!  Tanek, an architectural and design firm, is nestled in a converted turn of the century office building in Minneapolis.  The firm was started in 1999 by Nat Shea and Ken Piper.  If you flip their first names backwards and combine them, you get Tan and Nek, or Tanek!  I had the chance to meet with Ken and Nat last week and learn more about Tanek’s  projects and design process.  Take a moment to meet Nat and Ken and their talented staff in the video above and then click after the jump to see my interview with Tanek!

With a background in both architecture and real estate, Ken Piper and Nat Shea know plenty about creating inventive commercial environments.  Ken was the President of Genesis Architects, a commercial real estate firm.  He brought Nat on board as Vice President.  At Genesis Architects, they were serving developers, brokers and property managers.  Nat explains, “We really got to see design and construction from the inside out from a design and real estate standpoint.  We really got to learn the business.”

After working 5 years at Genesis Architects bringing up their business, Ken and Nat decided to strike out on their own.  They started working out of their front porch, but soon moved to an office space on Hennepin Avenue, next door to Liquor Lyles.  Nat fondly remembers his early office days, “I would get in early to work, and hear the bottles breaking as the garbage person took out Liquor Lyle’s garbage and think, ‘Oh, is it 5:30am already?!’”

The early days were challenging.  Nat explains, “Everyone told us in 1999, that we shouldn’t start because it was a bad time.  And we didn’t know any better.  So for us, we had good support. And we had a strong client list and we had been in the business for many years.  People already knew us in the business.”

By reaching out to their contacts, Nat and Ken were able to garner up a business and hire talented employees.  Tanek is a small firm, which allows Ken and Nat to be active on each project.  Clients benefit from getting the expertise from the principals and the entire Tanek staff.  “It gives us a pulse on what’s going on,” Ken states, “It keeps us active and involved, it’s the ‘roll up your sleeve’ concept.”

Their active collaboration with the client is evident on every project.  Nat explains, “We approach it from a couple different ways.  Really, for us, it is looking at it from a business strategy.  We try to think about our clients, where they are in business and say, ‘Okay, what are their needs?’”  After discussing the project with their clients, Tanek uses 3D rendering to provide an almost exact picture of how the building will appear.   “3D can sometimes can be more complicated, but the speed our team can use these tools are amazing!” Nat exclaims, ” They are able to come up with ideas in 3D, and then present it and show it on a screen.  It has been a great tool.”  Some of Tanek’s 3D rendering can be seen in the photo gallery below.

All of the tools Tanek uses helps accomplish their main goal: to capture the heart and soul of their client.  “There is a story to be told for what we do,” Ken says, “That is where our expertise  comes in.  Anyone can design, and I think the essence of who the client is and really solving the problem in a really creative way is it for us.”

After all their years working in architecture, it is evident that Ken and Nat love what they do.  What part of the job excites them the most?  “For me, it’s always seeing the satisfaction of our clients and in this business,” says Ken.  Nat continues, “The fun of it is we have such a great team of people now.  That is the biggest thing is bringing the team of people around this table and doing stuff in real time with the client.  It’s not just one person, its our team collectively bringing a lot of energy to the project.”

It was a pleasure to talk with Nat and Ken and I want to thank them for showing me their lovely offices.  If you would like to learn more about Tanek, please visit their website and view a selection of their projects in the gallery below.

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Image from the American Swedish Institute

From organic curves to beautiful natural wood, it is evident why Danish furniture is loved by many!   Next Wednesday, February 23th, please join the American Swedish Institute and learn about Danish design from Susan Jacobson.  In this lecture, speaker Susan Jacobsen will explore Danish designers including Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner and Poul Kjærholm, whose iconic creations have come to define “Danish Modern.”  Jacobson is the Director of Public Programs at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and is active in the Danish American community.  She has served on the boards of the Danish American Center in Minneapolis and the Danish American Heritage Society.

Come join other arts and design enthusiasts and enjoy the lecture at the American Swedish Institute on Wednesday, February 23rd from 7-8pm.

ASI Forum presentations are free for ASI members and included with museum admission for nonmembers. Freewill contributions are welcomed for refreshments after the talk. Reservations are encouraged but not mandatory – call 612-871-4907 to reserve your spot.

You may also RSVP on the American Swedish Institute’s Facebook event page!

]]> http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/02/17/event-danish-design-at-the-asi/feed/ 1 http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/02/15/profile-italy-by-web/ http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/2011/02/15/profile-italy-by-web/#comments Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:37:20 +0000 Twin Cities Design Scene http://www.twincitiesdesignscene.com/?p=967 Continue reading →]]>

For centuries, Italy has been at the forefront of luxurious fashion, dynamic art and fine craftsmanship.  When visiting Italy By Web’s showroom at International Market Square, one realizes the art of Italian furniture making is alive and well.  Italy by Web is a web-based company specializing in Italian-imported furniture   I had the chance to stop by the Italy By Web’s showroom and talk to the manager, Robert Kelen.  After looking around, I was truly impressed by the quality of craftsmanship that goes into each piece.  Please read after the jump to learn more about Italy By Web and take a photo tour of the showroom!

Italy by Web was started about 6 years ago by an Italian American, Bob Annaldo, who had a passion for Italian furniture.  He identified some key artisans and producers in certain parts of Italy, including Verona and Tuscany, and built a system to bring those pieces to the US.  By importing the furniture, he was able to share the the pieces with individuals who did not usually get access to this style of Italian craftsmanship.

Over the years, the business grew and Italy by Web established partnerships with several Italian manufacturers.  These manufacturers are able to provide detailed customization of pieces depending on the client’s taste.  The sky is the limit to how far you want to customize your piece.  For instance, not only can you change table finishes, but you can pick the type of pedestal and type of apron used, in addition to what sort of inlay you want in the tabletop.  If you are looking at upholstery, but don’t like any of the manufacturers’ fabrics, you may also provide your own fabric and they will produce a lovely piece of furniture!  When talking about the level of customization, Robert Kelen tells me, “One of the advantages of having something made to order is that you can test the limits.  You can send the manufacturers ideas and then they can get the quote over and see if it can be done.”

While Italy by Web works directly with customers over the web, they also have a designer program.  With their showroom at International Market Square, it is convenient to stop by and see some of the furniture in person.

What sets Italian furniture apart from other furniture?  Kelen tells me, “They are still doing it the same ways they used to do it.  The idea of multi-generational business, doing what they used to do 40-50 years or more, is persisting.  People who value that sort of hand-craftsmanship and generations of doing things can find something special in Italian furniture.  It is a tradition.”

You can find Italy by Web at International Market Square, or on their website. Take a look through the photo gallery below to get a taste of their beautiful pieces!

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Photo from the University of Minnesota

Where do you want to live when you grow older?  For many individuals, the answer is “at home.”  But how can we make “aging in place” more comfortable?  This question is posed in the latest exhibit, Smart House, Livable Community at the Goldstein Museum of Design.  Showcasing the development of new products and technologies, the exhibition demonstrates how the aging population can make simple adjustments to make their home comfortable.  Using interactive content, the exhibition explores planning for age-integrated communities.

The opening party is Friday, February 4th from 6-8pm.

The exhibit runs from February 5th through May 22.

The Goldstein Museum of Design is located at 241 McNeil Hall, St. Paul, MN.

One of my favorite local blogs, Nokohaha, recently posted this video from minneapolis.org.  The video features Jackie Peacha from MS&R showcasing some of the Twin Cities’ most beloved architecture.  With that being said, what are some of your favorite building in the Twin Cities and why?  Leave a comment below!

Time to start digging in your attic and basement to see what sort of hidden treasure you may have!  Antiques Roadshow, aired on PBS, has appraisers estimating how much people’s treasures may be worth.  The television show stops by Minneapolis on July 9th.  No venue has been announced yet, but you may learn more about the show’s Minneapolis stop on the Pioneer Press website.

Five Event Center-Photo Courtesy of Angela Juhl

I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone for your support this past year.  It has been so much fun to write this blog and help showcase the local design talent and resources we have in our own backyard  With that being said, I want to jump on the “end of the year list” bandwagon and share the top posts for 2010.

1)   Alternative Headboard Ideas- Not ready to commit to a bed frame yet?  Check out these great options to create something different.

2) House Tour: Jason’s Classic South MPLS Apartment- Love Jason’s design style.  A great example of how to mix elements from different design periods.

3) Store Profile: I Like You- If you have not shopped here yet, you must!  This NE MPLS shop is a great place to find locally made gifts.

4) Annie’s Colorful Abode- A house tour of Annie’s townhouse shows how much fun it is to decorate with bright colors!

5) Profile: Remnants Upholstery- David Osterberg is one of the finest Modernist furniture upholsterers in the Twin Cities.  Check out his new studio in the Northrup King Building next to Danish Teak Classics.

6) Interview with Swedish IKEA Designer Pia Amsell- IKEA design team Pia Amsell and Barbro Wesslander stopped by Minnesota to share how they create their elegant home goods designs.  I had the pleasure to talk with Ms. Amsell afterwards.

7) Uff Da Palace at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum- I don’t know what I love more, the sculpture, or its title.  Good thing I don’t have choose!

8 )   Twin Cities Mid Century Modern (TC MCM)- The multi-talented Jake Rudh sits down with me to discuss his love for the Modern aesthetic and the facebook community he created to bring together fellow Modernist enthusiasts.

9) Minneapolis Home Featured in Dwell Magazine: A great South Minneapolis home by Julie Snow Architects.

10) Tour of FIVE Event Center- Gorgeous event center tucked behind the intersection of Bryant Ave and Lake St in Uptown.  It almost reminds me of a swanky club from the 1930′s or 40′s meets modern style.

There you have it!  What a great year!  I am so excited to be blogging for 2011.  There are so many great topics that I can cover for next year.  I would love to hear from you if you have an idea, story or topic I should cover.  Please leave me a comment below or e-mail me at info@twincitiesdesignscene.com and let me know what you want to see for 2011!

Now that we are starting  a new year with new resolutions, are you getting the feeling that you need to spruce up your home?  If you are a fan of Marimekko and other modern Finnish designs, head over to FinnStyle for their Semi-Annual Clearance Sale!  The store, located down the road from International Market Square in Minneapolis, is putting many items up for clearance with discounts up to 60%.  Some items you will see include,

- ALL Marimekko on sale 20-60% OFF

- Marimekko Bedding 25% OFF

- Glassware & Dinnerware up to 60% OFF

- Home Accents & Vases up to 60% OFF

- Christmas Ornaments, Music & Decor up to 70% OFF

The sale is going on now.  The Marimekko sale runs through 1/15, the Iitalia sale goes through 1/30, and other items are on sale for a limited time.  For all the details, please visit FinnStyle’s website.

The Minnesota Historical Society knows how to throw fantastic themed holiday events for architectural history geeks.  This past Halloween, they put together an event that let visitors tour Fort Snelling After Dark.  Anyone who has used the Fort Snelling Light Rail stop at night can attest to how eerie the area feels after dark.  Mix that atmosphere with costumed actors telling stories of medical procedures, duels and illnesses, by candlelight, and the spookiness level only increases!

This holiday season, the Minnesota Historical Society gets the James J Hill house  spruced up for Christmas, and puts on several fun programs to celebrate the season.  Click after the jump to learn about the schedule of events lined up!

Image from City Pages

The first event, titled, “The Camel’s Back,” is inspired by a short story written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, who wrote the story for the Saturday Evening Post.  After returning to St. Paul in 1919, Fitzgerald heard of a wild costume party occuring at Louis Hill’s house on 260 Summit Ave.  This party became the inspiration for the short story, “The Camel’s Back.”  Actors will act out the short story at the James J Hill house, in their own radio play adaptation of the story.  The adaptation features live music and sound effects!

The date for this event is Friday, December 17th at 7 & 9 pm.

Fee: $15 adults; $12 seniors and college students, children ages 6-17 and MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-297-2555

The next event, “Hill House Holidays,” features a guided tour of the James J. Hill house by actors, who are dressed up as individuals who worked in the house.  They give tours from the servants point of view, basing their script from actual letters and oral histories from the people who worked or the Hill family during the first decade of the 20th Century.

Dates: Dec. 18, 2010, Dec. 19, 2010, Dec. 26, 2010

Time: 1 to 3:30, tours begin every 30 minutes

Fee: $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $6 children ages 6-17; $2 discount for MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-297-2555

There are also other events which include Victorian Christmas stories, as well as a tour aimed at kids.  The MHS always does a great job at putting together these events, which allow the public to view Minnesota’s beautiful architecture through interesting historical stories.  For a full schedule of events please check out the Minnesota History Society’s Events Page.

Sustainable design is not a fad, but a necessity in interior design and architecture.  As more individuals become educated about the environmental and cost benefit of going green, the more they demand it in remodeling and new construction.  To help consumers, builders, designers and architects become more knowledgeable about eco-design, the first Greenprint expo is being held in the Twin Cities.

Greenprint, occurring on April 20, 2011,  is an expo featuring 18+ networking and learning opportunities, round table discussions, CEU presentations, a cocktail reception and a keynote speaker.  Being held at the Como Park Conservatory, Greenprint will be a guide towards education from the design perspective.  Registration is coming up on January 31, 2011.  For more details, please visit the eco-event planning company, limegreen’s website.