Heritage Bicycles, one of our favorite Chicago shops, had a baby: Heritage Littles. The kid-centric shop not only has great bikes for the little ones in your life, but they also serve up milk and cookies for customers of all ages. In the back is a little photo studio — literally. Melissa Salvatore, owner of Heritage, runs A Little Photo Studio, her family portrait business, right on site. The whole place is picture perfect.
Source: Heritage Littles
The Library Street Collective is filling Detroit’s streets and sidewalks with art. This mural-in-progress by Dave Kinsey is their latest public art project, this time in partnership with Bedrock Real Estate Services. Pictures of the finished project and the Collective’s other artful endeavors are up on Facebook.
Source: Library Street Collective
Ever wondered where museum displays are built? For Chicago institutions like the Shedd Aquarium, the Children’s Museum and the Museum of Science & Industry, the answer is often Chicago Scenic Studios. With the upcoming Open House Chicago, you can go behind the scenes at their warehouse to see the elaborates sets and exhibit pieces under construction.
Source: Chicago Architecture Foundation
In this Chicago home, it’s both. A beautiful walnut stairs/slide combination winds through the four-story house, making going downstairs an adventure every time. The family dreamed it up, but architect Julie Fisher of fcStudio inc made the whimsical wish a reality. We definitely want one!
Source: Dwell
The St. Louis Fashion Week festivities kick off Friday, September 26, and preparation is in full-swing. The model call is September 13, if you think you have what it takes! Local designers, international brands and emerging artists will all be showcasing their one-of-a-kind fall styles on the St. Louis catwalk.
Source: St. Louis Fashion Week
The Mill City Men project profiles men of style around the Twin Cities. The newest subject of their “Men At Work” series is Jason Walstrom of Sea Wolf Tattoo Company. Photographer Diana Albrecht captured Jason inking away at the shop.
Source: Mill City Men
Eau Claire, Wisconsin is working to crowdfund a new arts space in the heart of the city. It’s called the Confluence Project, named for its location at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. The development will include a community arts center, a public plaza and a mix of housing and retail space. Diehard Eau Claire fan Justin Vernon, of Bon Iver, has been helping to spread the word about the project.
Source: Eau Claire Arts
Elegant but edgy — “Old World Parisian with a hint of attitude.” That’s how the Star Tribune describes Carter Averbeck’s North Loop loft in Minneapolis. Averbeck, founder of Omforme Design, makes a living restoring furniture in unexpected ways. The Star Tribune‘s tour of his home shows off some of his most stunning arrangements.
Source: StarTribune
Five adventurous friends are currently attempting to make the 60-mile journey across Lake Michigan on stand-up paddle boards. They’re leaving from Algoma, WI and heading for Frankfort, MI; they will be trailed by a support boat for safety. Previous attempts by paddle boarders to cross the lake have been met with 17-foot waves. We’ll see how they fare! The friends are raising money for the Great Lakes Alliance; learn more at standupforgreatlakes.com.
Source: The Detroit News
Esquire released their list of the Best Men’s Stores in America, and the Midwest was well-represented. Four of the eleven style houses fall right in the heartland: J3 Clothing Company in Moreland Hills, OH (pictured); Cuffs in Chagrin Falls, OH; Askov Finlayson in Minneapolis; and Badowers in Des Moines. Each has a unique style, from heritage denim to custom Italian suits. Best dressed in the Midwest!
Source: Esquire
This is where Red Wing’s classic boots start. The Minnesota shoe company shared this shot of their six-ton tanning drum being installed at the tannery. The drum had to be lowered through the tannery roof by crane. You can watch the whole installation process in action here: http://www.redwingshoes.com/red-wing-video-different-drum
Source: Red Wing Shoes
“David Bowie Is”…coming to Chicago. Or at least his costumes are. The Museum of Contemporary Art is putting selections from Bowie’s wardrobe on display in a new exhibit, opening September 23rd. Pictured is his “Tokyo Pop” vinyl bodysuit, designed by Kansai Yamamoto in 1973.
Source: Time Out Chicago
The Detroit Mercantile Co. hosted legendary Detroit street photography Bill Rauhauser this past Saturday. His book, 20th Century Detroit Photography, captures Motor City history in stunningly candid shots.
Source: Detroit Manufacturing
That’s a direct quote from The New York Times — their recent review of Travail Kitchen & Amusements calls the menu “a blend of the playfulness of molecular gastronomy and the homey charm of Midwestern cuisine.” The Times hailed the wildly creative restaurant as one of the best in the Twin Cities, and the wackiest in the country.
Source: The New York Times
Calling all mod enthusiasts: MidModMen is hosting a clearance sale this weekend. They posted a sneak peek of their sale items on Facebook, and we fell in love with this blue sofa and bench. Find the perfect piece at their St. Paul boutique to really make your decor pop.
Source: MidModMen
Detroit’s Lincoln Street Art Park came to life for Drinks x Design’s monthly open studio event. Every second Thursday of the month, Detroit’s creative businesses gather to put on a lively networking event in a different creative venue. The August shindig took over the Art Park with amazing sculptures, summer cocktails, a bonfire and paper rockets — pictured here — from TechShop Detroit. Photography by J. Singleton Photo.
Source: Drinks x Design
Riverfront Times delved deep into the hoppy history of St. Louis’ craft beer scene and pulled together an oral history of how the Gateway to the West has become a bastion of great beer. St. Louis has always been a beer town, but it’s fascinating to hear how microbreweries and the craft beer scene stepped out of the shadow of Anheuser-Busch.
Source: Riverfront Times
At the Minnesota State Fair, anything is possible. Rick Nelson of the Star Tribune took it upon himself to try all of the fair’s new taste sensations, and he posted this snapshot on Twitter. Yes, that’s a S’mores Beer. A chocolate porter with a few floating marshmallows, finished off with a chocolate and graham crack dusting on the rim. Bottoms up.
Source: Rick Nelson
Omforme, a furniture design and restoration shop in Minneapolis, is throwing the most swingin’ fundraiser of the season. They’ve transformed their parking lot into a 1950s backyard, complete with vintage furniture, old school lawn games and plenty of cocktails and snacks. They’ve taken care of every detail, down to the cars parked out front. Proceeds will benefit Smile Network International.
Source: Omforme
Handcrafted. High quality. Made in America. That’s how Tretow, a Milwaukee-based furniture design shop, sums up its Urban Lifestyle Collection. The collection made an impression in Chicago at the 10th annual Guerrilla Truck Show — Tretow’s work took home the “Best In Show” prize. We love the collection’s sleek lines and playful pops of color.
Source: Tretow
This week, The New York Times explores the revitalization of downtown Kansas City. “Over the last decade,” writes the Times. “Kansas City’s urban core has become known as a cool place to live instead of a dreary place to drive immediately away from after eight hours at the office.” Pictured are architect and developer team turning a downtown former bank headquarters into a “mixed-use vertical city.”
Source: The New York Times
Bike sharing has hit Milwaukee! The Twin Cities have Nice Ride, Chicago has Divvy, and now Brew City has Bublr. Kiosks for the bright blue Bublr bikes are currently being installed through the city. Find the Bublr bike station closest to you and start your two-wheeled adventures!
Source: Bublr Bikes
The Floating Library has returned for another summer. On Minneapolis’ Cedar Lake, you can paddle or swim up for summer reading material. The brainchild of Northern Spark Art Festival associate director Sarah Peters, the library is outfitted with artist-designed zines and chapbooks. Don’t worry about splashing around — some of the books are specially designed to dissolve into the water.
Source: Vita.mn
Beez Kneez will bring local honey right to your door. The sweet Twin Cities operation maintains bee hives in public spaces, teaches beekeeping classes and has a metro-wide delivery route. Did we mention they deliver by bike? Pictured are their country wildflower hives, home to bees busy churning out honey with floral hints.
Source: The Beez Kneez
Time to break out your best folk dance moves. The Minnesota History Center is hosting the Grammy Award-winning folk band The Okee Dokee Brothers on their front lawn tonight. The Tapestry Folkdance Center will be on hand teaching traditional dances for all ages. For those less inclined to cut a rug, there are lawn games and snacks from Cafe Minnesota.
Source: Minnesota History Center