The Argonaut Building was originally designed to be a research laboratory for General Motors, but in 2007, the company donated it to the College for Creative Studies. Now, the historic structure houses three organizations that are revitalizing Detroit.Detroit Creative Corridor Centertakes up the first floor,theCollege for Creative Studies (CCS)has set up a graphic and product design campus on the second floor, and up on the fifth, you can watch Shinola watches being made at one of the company’s manufacturing sites.
This thoroughly modern gem dates back to 1936 and was designed by Emil Zillmer, who studied at what is now the Illinois Institute of Technology. The home is tucked off the road in East Grand Rapids and was sold to a modern architecture enthusiast in 2014 who has preserved much of the original interior design. To tour the home and see more about its history, check outWest Michigan Modern.
The American Edit sat down with Lisa Hackwith of the Minneapolis fashion powerhouse, Hackwith Design. Hackwith’s latest line has us longing for summer: the HDH SWIM collection features fashion forward suits for a range of body types. Learn more about Lisa’s inspirations and creation process from The American Edit.
Brooks High promises a future full of perfectly fried cheese curds. The forthcoming beer-battered food truck plans to use local brews to shake up the traditional fish fry. And there will be cheese, of course. They shared this shot of two different curd varieties: one fried with Ponyboy Gold from the LynLake Brewery and one fried with Stargazer from Bauhaus Brew Labs. We’ll take one of each.
Demolition has long been looming on the horizon for the historic Shriners’ Hospital in St. Louis, but the building may get a reprieve. The building, which dates back to 1924, may earn a spot on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to the St. Louis’ Preservation Board.
Matt Shilan, an Ann Arbor-based artists and alumnus of Cranbrook Academy of Art, is featured in the new issue of American Craft Magazine. Shilan’s intricately folded paper creations almost take on a life of their own. Shilan draws inspiration from everything from nano-particles to traditional Islamic tile design to his daughter’s pop-up books. Explore more of his work at American Craft Magazine.
Red Wing Pottery has made a little piece of Minnesota you can take wherever you go. Their limited edition Sotamugs make the perfect party accessory or housewarming gift. We loved the classic loon scene, and, of course, the iconic Red Wing logo.
Landscape photographer Tom Gill has captured the Midwest winter in all its breathtaking glory: his shots of the frozen lighthouses on the shores of Lake Michigan are almost dream-like. Gill braved the frozen catwalk to capture this icy scene at the St. Joseph lighthouse in Michigan. To see more of Gill’s incredible photography, visit his blog.
How do you capture the groundbreaking ideas of Nobel Laureates with fashion and music? The American Swedish Institute’s new exhibit captures the magical translation with “Nobel Creations.” Students from Beckman’s College of Design and the Royal College of Music in Sweden collaborated with the Nobel Museum to create artistic representations of the laureates’ work. The exhibit is on display from Jan. 31 to May 24.
Electric guitars are just the beginning. Artisans are crafting goods and accessories from abandoned homes in Detroit with spectacular results. Wallace Detroit Guitars makes sweet music from the reclaimed wood, Homes Eyewear fashions glasses and Woodward Throwbacks makes everything from cutting boards to six-pack holders. Entrepreneur has all the details on these enterprising artisans.
Metromode gives a run down on the up-and-coming Detroit chefs whose work you need to sample and savor. These chefs are helping stoke the culinary revolution unfolding in the Motor City. Check out the complete list and plan your next night out accordingly.
No matter the winter temperatures, you can have a tropical escape without ever leaving Chicago. Paul McGee latest tiki-endeavor (his first was the award-winning Three Dots and a Dash bar, ranked one of the best in the world) is called Lost Lake. This is just one of the whimsically delicious drinks they’re serving up–get the full scoop from Chicago Magazine.
UrbanWorks Architecture brought this dreamy artist housing complex to life in Northeast Minneapolis. Jackson Flats features family-friendly units for artists to both live and work. The building also has a communal 2,000 square foot studio workshop. Did we mention it’s environmentally sustainable?
Just when you think the doughnut revolution has pulled out all the stops, Strange Donuts in St. Louis pulls out another astonishing creation: the duck poutine doughnut. The fanciest doughnut we’ve heard of is a collaboration between Strange and Guerilla Street Food, which has duck poutine on their regular menu (pictured here): sous vide duck breast, duck fat fried ube fries, garlic, adobo sauce and black pepper aioli. Now picture all that on a doughnut and you can die happy.
“There’s a Scandinavian expression, which I’ll paraphrase: ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing or equipment,'” Kevin Hardman said. Wauwatosa Now catches up with Hardman, a hardcore winter bike commuter, who explains his philosophy. Hardman rides all year-round to his downtown Milwaukee office.
This victory tastes delicious. Avec was just named the best restaurant in Chicago by Zagat. Celebrated for both their minimalist but warm décor, as well as their mouthwatering menu (the stuffed dates are “life-changing,” Zagat says), Avec is a long-time Windy City favorite.
Brooks High food truck specializes in the traditional fish fry with a twist: they use all local beer for their batters. This collaboration between the craft brew scene and the local food movement yields delicious results.
Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal is no longer filled with train traffic – instead, it’s filled with museums. The terminal has been transformed in recent years into The Cincinnati Museum Center, with three separate museums operating within the striking art deco structure. The Cincinnati History Museum, The Museum of Natural History and Science and the Children’s Museum all call the terminal home.
Minneapolis continues to climb the charts for cities investing in the arts. According the Star Tribune, “Minneapolis ranked No. 5 based on a comparison of the largest 100 cities’ spending, sales and jobs in the arts.” Whether it’s going to concerts or purchasing artwork, Minneapolis residents are spending money on artistic endeavors, to the tune of $1,165 per person per year.
Who doesn’t want to spend their weekend enjoying s’mores pancakes inside a refurbished firehouse? Enter Engine No. 3, a new entrant on the Milwaukee restaurant scene. Milwaukee Magazine reviews their must-eat breakfast treats.
This Prairie School gem in Winnetka, Illinois is now on the market for $3.5 million. Built by William Deknatel in 1957, it channels many elements of Frank Lloyd Wright’s signature style. Crafted from stone, mahogany and glass, it sits right on the shores of Lake Michigan and includes a private beach.
Condé Nast Traveler has set their eyes on Corktown, a vibrant Detroit neighborhood packed with must-see shops and dining hot spots. In Traveller’s “2015 Destinations to Watch” they dropped a few delicious reasons to stop in Corktown: Slows Bar B Q, the Astro coffee shop (pictured), Sugar House and Gold Cash Gold. Check out their full list of Motor City favorites.
The preservation committee docomomo digs into the history of the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in their latest blog. The theater, designed by legendary architect Ralph Rapson, was a true architectural gem. It represented a “new kind of theater” designed to provide a “more intimate connection between the audience and the actors.” The exterior was extraordinary as well, with a playful facade of interlocking rectangles. Unfortunately, however, the building was demolished in 2006. Learn more about the thought that went into every detail — including the fabric for the theater seats — at docomomo.
The U.S. Pond Hockey Championships wrapped up this weekend on Lake Nokomos. Founder Fred Haberman declared “There’s nothing better than being a kid again, skating with wild abandon, free from the pressures. But the ultimate rush is playing with others who love the game.” The scrappy tournament, founded in 2005, continues to grow and has caught the eye of ESPN, which declared it one of “101 Things Sports Fans Must Experience Before They Die.” The winners each year take home the Golden Shovel; 2015’s Open Champs were the Red Army.
Minnesota Monthly’s Fashion Yearbook for 2014 contains plenty of picture-perfect moments. One of their favorites, and ours, was the debut of Wit & Delight’s party line of housewares for Target. Lifestyle blogger Kate Arends is behind the brand.
