It’s Halloween, so let’s talk about something scary: crossing the Chicago River on a tight rope 50 stories up. That’s exactly what Nik Wallenda will attempt this Sunday. He’ll be crossing from the Marina City west tower to the roof of the Leo Burnett building. There’s still a few details up in the air, like whether Wallenda will be forced by the state to wear a tether or use a net, but however things go down (and here’s hoping they don’t go crashing down), we’re scared at just the thought of it.
Pure Detroit organizes tours all over the city, but you won’t find any better views than on their Downtown Skyscraper Tour. Led by historic preservationist and urban planner Michael Boettcher, the tour winds through the Guardian Building, an art-deco gem; the Penobscot Building; the First National Building and the GM Ren Cen, a contemporary masterpiece. There are dates all through November; see Pure Detroit’s full schedule.
This lot in Deephaven, Minnesota was deemed “un-buildable” due to a pond on the property, but David Salmela’s architecture firm found a way to make it work with almost no impact on the land. Using pre-fabricated construction techniques and materials, Salmela still added unique character and local touches to the home. Arch Daily has a stunning tour of the interior: start the tour now.
The Oh Brother Brand launched in March with a successful Kickstarter and they keep on kicking. This shirt of theirs is our current favorite (it also comes in cranberry). All of Oh Brother’s products are made in the U.S., and their t-shirts are printed by hand. What’s more, Oh Brother donates a portion of their proceeds to organizations making a difference. This round’s donation goes to support ArtWorks for Milwaukee.
Introducing the Saunalautta, a floating vacation getaway available for rent in Finland. The houseboat structure sleeps six, with room for a full sauna, trampoline, hammocks, barbecue and observation deck. The Midwest has been heavily influenced by Scandinavian design, and we’re hoping this trend makes its way stateside as soon as possible. Imagine summers not at the lake but on it. Did we mention it’s eco-friendly as well? The entire thing is built from recycled wood. We’re ready to float away.
Tyree Guyton’s solo show “SPIRIT” opened at Detroit’s Inner State Gallery to great fanfare. Guyton, best known for founding the Heidelberg Project, which transformed abandoned homes into art and sculpture, displayed a range of work, including pieces recently damaged by the fire that struck some of the Heidelberg Project homes. The show will be on view from October 17 to November 17 and is a must-see for those interested in the role art is playing in Detroit’s renaissance.
Walking onto this property five minutes outside of Minneapolis is like stepping back in time. Designed by architect John Polivka and built in 1961, this modern gem still has all of its mid-century design touches: black slate tile, warm wood beams, interesting levels, linear lines, and of course that splash of teal on the front doors. The home sits on Sweeney Lake and offers spectacular views of the water. They don’t make ’em like this anymore. Tour the entire home with Retro Renovation.
Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits in Chicago is welcoming fall with delicious cold weather favorites. Today they’re serving up mugs of french onion soup smothered in melted aged Gruyere. Bring on the brisk winds if it means more meals like this.
Detroit’s Capitol Park neighborhood was once bustling with tobacco trade, but that was over a century ago. The Brown Brothers Cigars building on State Street has since sat empty for years, but is now bustling with life again thanks to artists Brian Barr and Lauren Rice. They’ve taken over the building and created a nonprofit space that will support Detroit’s artists and creative entrepreneurs. The space is now called Passenger, and has already hosted several events. The ultimate plan for the building includes a contemporary art gallery and space for an artist residency program.
Mid-century architecture Harry Weese is responsible for some of the most imaginative buildings in Chicago, though many people have never heard his name. We’re fascinated by some of the work he did outside the city, including this stunning structure suspended over Lake Michigan: Shadowcliff. Built as a “vacation office” for a corporate president, the dazzling glass box juts out from a sheer rock cliff in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin.
Eau Claire’s favorite son, Justin Vernon, will return to his hometown this July to put on a “a world class festival which will uniquely present and blend music, dance, art, cinema, and the culinary arts.” That’s per the permit application for the festival. Vernon, best known as the man behind Bon Iver, has long included Eau Claire in his musical success. More details about the festival are forthcoming.
The alumni of Detroit’s College for Creative Studies have made waves throughout the design world for decades. The school’s new partnership with Shinola will only increase the Motor City’s influence on fashion. Shinola and the College for Creative Studies will begin offering a bachelor of fine arts degree in fashion accessories design, beginning in the fall of 2015. Students will learn about fashion product development from beginning sketch to finished product. We look forward to seeing the fashionable results!
The Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects just unveiled their 2014 Design Excellence Awards, and the results will have you drooling over sleek buildings and stylish interiors for the rest of the day. We loved this award-winning privacy solution: Wheeler Kearns Architects designed a 5,000 pound pivoting door that conceals the residence’s garden. Check out the rest of the AIA Chicago award winners here.
This modern Minnesota cabin is anchored by two salvaged shipping containers, which are fast becoming a go-to material in sustainable architecture. The containers, which each cost only $800, hold a kitchen and sleeping quarters, while the loft area in the center offers a central gathering space with beautiful views of the woods.
Eat Street Social is reopening their tiki lounge — the Torpedo Room — for a limited time only. The room is bedecked with vintage furniture and a decidedly nautical feel thanks to the palm trees, fishing nets and the swordfish up on the wall. The master bartenders mixing drinks will change throughout the limited schedule, but Nick Kosevich kicked it off with seven custom cocktails. See the full menu at Eater Minneapolis.
Thrillist showers Wisconsin with love this week, listing the top nine reasons you should visit the state. (There’s way more than nine, for the record.) Our favorite destination on the list is the Driftless region, which will instantly quiet anyone who thinks the Midwest is nothing but flat plains. The rolling hills of the Driftless region shine in this photo via Flickr/Ken Fager.
Anthology Coffee wants to put Detroit on the caffeinated map. The independent coffee distributor sells fair trade and ethically sourced coffee beans to restaurants and businesses around the city and the country. Anthology recently garnered a $10,000 NEIdeas prize to help grow their business and expand to new markets. They currently operate out of the Ponyride collaborative workspace in the Corktown neighborhood, and we’re excited to see them grow.
Chicago’s iconic Marina City has inspired designers for decades. Built in 1964 by Bertrand Goldberg, the twin residential towers are some of the most photographed buildings in the city. (Can’t picture Marina City? They’re the Jetson-style rounded towers on the banks of the Chicago river.) But how do they look inside? Apartment Therapy goes inside the home of Julie Michiels and Iker Gil, two designers who live in the historic building. Their all-pink kitchen caught our eye first, but don’t miss the rest of tour.
Another historic home for a steal: this Mies van der Rohe townhouse just went on the market for $149,000. The three-bedroom home features striated cork flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows and geothermal heating and cooling. Built in in 1959 by the famed modernist, this Bauhaus gem could be your haus.
Food & Wine released their list of the best DIY kits and we’d like to order this Make Your Own Bitters kit from Easy & Oskey, stat. The Minnesota company provides everything you need to perfect your own custom cocktail flavors. A hint of habanero? A dash of a mystery spice? The kit comes with miniature bottles and custom labels so you can name your custom bitters creations. See the whole list of DIY kits here.
TimeOutChicago toured the city’s top cocktail bars to find the perfect fall concoction, and their list does not disappoint. Our favorite comes from Nico Osteria bartender Matty Eggleston. Eggleston’s dubbed his autumnal taste sensation the Bella Mella, meaning “beautiful apple” in Italian. We’ll be sipping this mix of apple brandy, vermouth, orange peel liqueur, apple cider and chocolate bitters long after the last leaves have fallen.
St. Louis is doing seafood right. The Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co.’s menu of Acadian coastal favorites makes it hard to choose just one dish. Pictured is their namesake sandwich, the Peacemaker, a po’ boy with fried oysters and remoulade. Chef Kevin Nashan first earned culinary acclaim at St. Louis’ Sidney Street Cafe, and we’re loving his foray into seafood — don’t miss the oysters (fresh or fried!).
George Vidas’s art has a certain glow about it…a neon glow, to be exact. Vidas crafts neon signs as his job and as his art. His solo show at Thick Air Studios in Detroit opens tonight and features over 20 neon wall sculptures. For more details of the show, check out Thick Air Studios’ Tumblr.
Mill City Men, one of our favorite Twin Cities style blogs, strikes again with another stunning photo shoot around town. Photographers Erin Pederson and Roy Son caught up with the annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and captured fashion moving at high speed. The ride, which raises funds for prostate cancer, encourages bikers to don their most dapper duds when they hit the street. In their words, “think monocles, jaunty trimmed moustaches, silk vests, crisp shirts and tailored suits.” To see the high styled gentlemen that hit the streets in Minneapolis, check out Mill City Men’s full spread.
You’re looking at a winner: this house on Lake Okoboji in Iowa is the winner of not one but two AIA Nebraska awards. The modern home won for its overall design and for the custom furniture in the master bedroom, which echos the ripples on the lake. Designed by Nebraska and San Francisco-based architects Min|Day, the home offers incredible views of both the water and the woods. Tour the inside and see the award-winning furniture at Apartment Therapy.
