Missed

a few Photo Fridays. Here's what Ruby and I have seen on our walks the last few days:





The roses have been gorgeous:

Photo Friday

2modern

Just wanted to let you know that I am now posting on sundays over at 2modern.com. Here's a link to my first post. Happy Mother's Day!!

Cranbrook

When I was little my family lived in suburban Detroit. My grandmother lived in Bloomfield Hills in a big house filled with art and an actual Eames chair. Bloomfield Hills is home to Cranbrook House. Cranbrook is the former manor house of Detroit philanthropists George and Ellen Booth and was converted to an art institution a la Bauhaus in 1904.

Currently, Cranbrook consists of an art academy, art museum, institute of science, a private K-12 school and the home and gardens are available for tours.

The art school and museum featured such greats as Eliel Saarinen, Harry Bertoia and Ray and Charles Eames. Saarinen was commissioned to develop the site in 1925. He built a house for himself and his wife on the property and lived there until 1950.

Dining Room of Saarinen House

Courtyard of Saarinen House

Bertoia Chair

Eames Chair

I can remember going to summer camp at Cranbrook one year. I must have been 6 or 7. Aside from the mid century modern goldmine that it is, Cranbrook is also beautiful and I can remember archery in the yard, swimming in the sunken pool and sitting in a secret chair by a small pond. I can also remember the rooms where we did art - high ceilings and bright spaces - inspiring - even to a little kid.

Eames Studio at Cranbrook. Archive Photo.

I hope to visit again one day. I'm curious to walk the grounds that inspired such innovators as an adult. Maybe I won't try to find that secret chair, though, some things are better left as a memory.

Iconic Flirtation

I love this lamp from England's Pottinger and Cole. It's called the Marilyn lamp.

Pulsatilla

Modern Inspiration

Open to the public for the first this june, the Philip Johnson Glass House is a modern inspiration. Built in 1949, the house is one of 14 structures on the property and is constructed from 1/4 inch glass sheets and black steel pillars - no walls! Take a trip to suburban Connecticut this summer and experience an icon of modern architecture!

Yes, Please

Anything and everything is cool at Oly Studio. From the furniture to the accessories, the designers at Oly create gorgeous and functional pieces that work in a variety of settings, modern to romantic.





photos from Oly Studio

Photo Friday

Leite's Culinaria

A few years ago I got turned on to this great food site called Leite's Culinaria. Begun by writer/educator/all-around-total-and complete-foodie, David Leite in 1999, the site has received numerous accolades including the 2006 James Beard Award for Best Food Website. Chock full of gorgeous photographs and enticing recipes, I always devour the newsletter when it hits my inbox and check the RSS feed often for new recipes from well known chefs. The most recent round was from Lorna Sass (Queen of all things healthy AND delicious made in the pressure cooker), Paula Deen (Queen of the fudge made with Velveeta cheese) and Ina Garten (Queen of the BEST beef bourguignon in all the land). Mom's getting this Orange Chocolate Chunk Cake from Ina Garten for mother's day this year. Looks delish.

Photo from Leite's Culinaria.

Peonies From The Peony Tree