August 16, 2012

Art for the Home, Food for the Mind

Summer and art fairs go hand in hand, which means both are quickly (sadly!) dwindling for 2012. So get out there while you can—there are a couple good options this Saturday. Both are free to attend, and promise food, fun, and family activities, along with great opportunities to decorate your home with unique, locally-made wares.

Riverwalk Market Fair
Saturday, August 18 | 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Northfield's market runs regularly for many months, but now's the time to catch it before the open-air market heads indoors. Expect local arts and crafts, like glass work from featured artist Dale Brown; organic and sustainably grown foods from the likes of Luigi Sison and Klaus Thuringer making mustards, jams, and more; live... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 13, 2012

Bee Sting Remedies

Every Monday, we will be answering common seasonal questions related to the yard and garden.

Yesterday morning, my mom was out in the backyard when she was stung by a wasp. Turns out there was a wasp nest carefully hidden behind the clock in the grandkids’ outdoor play kitchen, and my mom came a little too close to the nest while she was busy cleaning the patio furniture. While she wasn’t exactly happy about being stung, she was glad it happened to her and not to one of her young grandkids.  

As the day wore on, her thumb started to swell (and hurt). She hosted a party yesterday, and there were various opinions on what she should do for the pain. One person suggested mud, another toothpaste. At the end of the night, my aunt told her... Read more »

Posted on Monday, August 13, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 10, 2012

Friday Find: Accessories Wall

Nail Polish Shelf

Pinterest can get a bad rap (usually by non users) for being a time suck—albeit an inspiring, gorgeous, envy- or appetite-enducing time suck—but I'd have to disagree.

Numerous times I've needed to bring an appetizer or dessert to a special gathering, and I can immediately reference my recipe board, even while at the grocery store, to make it... Read more »

Posted on Friday, August 10, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 9, 2012

EuroNest Retail Store Closing Sale

It's always hard to hear about a business closing its doors—the hope, and planning, and hard work by so many individuals that surely was involved.

But after almost six years in business, EuroNest, the Minneapolis purveyor of European antiques and all things unique, is closing its retail store.

We've partnered with EuroNest various times over the years, and are sorry to see it go. So many signature pieces were brought over from Holland, Paris, and beyond, giving Minnesota homeowners the opportunity to create truly special, creative spaces.

Owner Lori... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 9, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 2, 2012

Demystifying the Architect

For some, Architects exist in this mythical world of grandeur and dialect. Some think that architects only design really tall skyscrapers, iconic buildings (libraries, museums, courthouses), or multi-million dollar homes. And while it is true that architects do design all of these things of perceived grandeur, they also design the things that impact the other 99%. In short, architects design for just about everyone on nearly every budget imaginable. Whether it is for $100 or $10,000, architects are paid to think and to create the tangible.

The value of design also is demonstrated through the simple fact that not all architects are created equal, just like doctors, lawyers or teachers. In every profession there are those who stand above the rest. It is for this reason... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, August 2, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 19, 2012

Twin Cities Pond and Landscape Tour

Having a beautifully landscaped lawn is like having your own little outdoor oasis, a soothing escape from reality and the perfect place to entertain friends when weather allows.

First, though, you have to figure out what you want in your oasis. Stone, wood, or decorative concrete blocks? A koi pond? A bridge over a stream? An outdoor kitchen? A tiki hut? A natural water garden? Maybe a lulling fountain or an interesting statue?

And once you decide what you want, how do you foresee it all coming together?

Sometimes the best ideas comes from seeing... Read more »

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 17, 2012

Turning Home Dreams into Reality

If you are a homeowner, chances are you have a remodeling project in mind. Day after day you have lived in your home and thought, maybe someday I will fix the chaotic front entryway, my tiny kitchen or make room for a new addition to our family. The homeowners of the upcoming 2012 AIA MN Homes by Architects Tour all had their list of "maybe somedays" and hired architects to turn these dreams into reality.

For four transformation examples, which you will be able to see in person during the tour this September, start in Minnetonka at Home #2 and see how Bob Ganser, Christian Dean, and Ben Awes of CityDesk Studio converted a... Read more »

Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 11, 2012

Three in One: Saturday Garden Tours

Attention green thumbs (or anyone who appreciates a gorgeous scene)! Block off this Saturday, July 14, it's clearly the season of garden tours.

Here's the essential info for three tours to fill your Saturday:

A Midsummer's Dream Tour of Gardens
When: 8 a.m to 3 p.m.
Where: Self-guided; seven homes in Winona
Cost: Tickets are $15. They can be purchased at the WRC and all garden sites day-of, or in advance at The Women’s Resource Center, Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Bluff Country Co-op,... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 27, 2012

Homes on the Horizon

We admit to having some blinders on, but after hosting three consecutive weekends of luxurious home tours via our own annual event, we can finally look to other inspirational homes on the horizon—like those found on the American Institute of Architects' 5th annual Minnesota Homes by Architects Tour.

This tour will be here before we know it, held Saturday, September 22 and Sunday, September 23, 2012... Read more »

Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 22, 2012

A New Way to Buy at Best Buy

Rows of CDs, DVDs, computers, and phones—that's probably what you think of when shopping Best Buy. But beginning this weekend, with the grand opening of a Richfield store, they're introducing "a better way to shop."

Front and center are their new kitchen and home theater experience centers, which go hand in hand with other customer service and convenience improvements like new education and demonstration tools, on-the-floor digital registers, and additional digital displays that update as often as the products do.

For kitchens, Pacific Kitchen & Homes will take up a new space, exhibiting a wide array of... Read more »

Posted on Friday, June 22, 2012 in Home Dish | Permalink | Comments (0)