May 18, 2012

Help the Northside "Treecover" This Weekend

“Once there was a tree ... and she loved a little boy.” Quick! Name the book! Give up? It’s one of my favorite children’s books, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein—a story about greed and guilt, and eventually forgiveness, generosity, and acceptance—all from a tree’s point of view. (I know there are critics out there who think the book is patriarchal or offensive, “What?! The little boy takes and takes and the tree has no self-respect and she just gives and gives until the boy is an old, hunched-over man and the tree is nothing but a stump, how is that ok!?,” but I don’t view it like that. To me, the story has always been more about how our actions have consequences, we should be appreciative of the gifts we receive, and we have to protect our environment and use its resources judiciously, or there will be nothing left.) Read more »

Posted on Friday, May 18, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 17, 2012

Luxury Home Tour Spotlight: Schrader & Co. and Charles Cudd De Novo

Homes 3 and 4 on the tour feature everything from a 7,000-square-foot masterpiece on 3 acres in Medina, complete with a Romeo and Juliet balcony, impressive music room, and spacious sport court to a 9,400-square-foot beauty in Orono, with a state-of-the-art automated home theater, 2,500 bottle wine cellar, and expansive outdoor entertaining area. Read more »

Posted on Thursday, May 17, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2012

Traditions Turns 25!

Traditions home furnishings store has quite the history in Minnesota. Twenty-five years ago, Mike and Suzanne Schumann started the flagship shop on Selby Avenue in St. Paul. Later it moved to Grand Ave., they opened a second shop in Stillwater (which ultimately moved to Naples, Florida, serving snowbirds!), and a third opened near Lake Calhoun (which later expanded in St. Louis Park). This year, 2012, marks twenty-five years of operation. And you're invited to celebrate!

Both the Minneapolis and St. Paul stores will be serving cake and champagne this Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. No need to... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, May 15, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 11, 2012

Friends School Plant Sale

If you needed prompting to tackle your yard or garden, there's a massive Mother's Day plant sale this weekend. Read more »

Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 10, 2012

Luxury Home Tour Spotlight: Creek Hill and Wooddale Builders

Ever wonder what it's like to live in luxury? Find out on the self-guided 12th Annual Midwest Home Luxury Home Tour June 8-10, 15-17, and 22-24. Each week preceding the start of the Tour, we'll preview two homes on this blog (check back every Thursday). There is a total of 10 stunning million-dollar homes on this year's tour, in cities as far west as Minnetrista and far east as Afton, defining the true essence of "living in luxury." Read more »

Posted on Thursday, May 10, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 8, 2012

Buy a Tablescape, Support the Minnesota Orchestra at Settings of Note

Creating a beautiful tablescape is a work of art, something I have yet to (or maybe ever will?) perfect. The “fanciest” I get when setting the table is putting an ivory tablecloth over the dining room table and buying an assortment of wildflowers from the Farmers’ Market.

Maybe because I am so inept at it, I really appreciate a beautifully-set table—it’s always one of the first things I notice when entering a luncheon, gala, or wedding reception. My train of thought goes like this, “What a cool concept. I... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 4, 2012

Midwest Home's AIA Mingler May 2

I realized a few things after Midwest Home’s American Institute of Architects Mingler, held on a beautiful 80-degree evening this past Wed. (May 2) at 514 Studios in northeast Minneapolis.

I realized that architects are stylish, architects are funny, and architects support one another.

Nearly 150 architects, industry professionals who work with architects, and friends of architects, carved out a few hours to celebrate and socialize at 514 Studios, a unique warehouse space decorated with white lights, candles glowing in glass jars, and vases of colorful yellow... Read more »

Posted on Friday, May 4, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 26, 2012

Fashion + Interiors by LiLu Interiors

Unlike some lucky souls who know exactly what their style is, I’m still trying to determine what I like. I can tell you with 100 percent certainty if I liked a certain book, or sandwich, or song on the radio, but I’m not as quick to respond when it comes to style.

In some ways I’m safe and traditional, in other ways I’m drawn to the free-spirited “anything goes” whimsy of boho chic. Sometimes I like metro mod (the shapes, the bold colors!), sometimes I like timeless simplicity, other times I find myself admiring the beauty and quality of... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 14, 2012

Nor-Son Receives Two Prestigious Awards

Local custom builder Nor-Son, Inc. was recently honored by Minnesota Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) with prestigious Pyramid Awards for outstanding achievement and quality workmanship in the categories of “Residential Single Family, $1-5 million” for their beautiful Summer Kitchen project; and “Healthcare - $1-5 million” for The Garden House at St. Mary’s. The winning projects were selected from entries submitted from across the state and were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety, and budget. Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 8, 2011

Pantone's Color of the Year

This just in: Pantone’s color of year is “Tangerine Tango,” a warm, happy shade that's not quite Hermès orange, but is a keeper nonetheless. Orange is a great, go-to color in a pillow, a pattern, or a paint. I always recall local stylist David Anger’s take on orange: “It’s a color that knows no enemies—you can put it with green, blue, red, or earthtones.”

The color experts at Pantone complicate it a bit more, of course. Tangerine Tango is a spirited reddish... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, December 8, 2011 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)