Twin Cities 70 Best Shops, Furniture, Bargains and much more
Styled By David Anger
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16 Asian Antiques
Celebrating 20 years next spring as a direct importer of seventeenth-, eighteenth-, andnineteenth-century antique furniture, artifacts, and art from China and the Far East, C.W. Smith knows its stuff. Stop by the St. Louis Park shop for a quick tour and a history lesson courtesy of one of C.W. Smith’s very knowledgeable staff members. 4424 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-922-8542, www.cwsmithinc.com.
17 Treasure hunting
Larue’s packs a truly mind-boggling collection of fashions, artisan-made jewelry, and collectibles into a corner storefront on 40th and Lyndale in South Minneapolis. This charming bird, perched on vintage binoculars, sports wings and detailing that artisan Mullanium (a.k.a., Jim Mullan of Pompano Beach, Florida) created using clock parts, cogs, and other reused items, $378. Watch in mid-September for the makeover of L2 into a full-fledged gift store on W. 40th St., one door down from the main shop. 3952 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-827-7317, www.larues.com.
18 custom letterpress
In a vine-covered brick building that once housed a mom-and-pop grocery, custom letterpress artist Kent Aldrich, proprietor of Nomadic Letterpress, crafts divine invites for weddings, housewarming fêtes, baby showers, and holiday galas. He works on a massive, circa 1890, Chandler & Price press (and a 1932 Kluge for big jobs). Also skilled with woodcuts, Aldrich will print on just about anything: bubble packaging, handmade papers from India, matte board, and even thin sheets of brass. “I say ‘yes’ to almost everything, and then I get to figure out how to make it happen,” he says. 878 Stryker Ave., St. Paul, 651-291-1494, www.nomadicletterpress.com.
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Natural Built Home
19 Place to Go Green
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Natural Built Home
Natural Built Home, a locally owned store that sells just about everything you need to turn your home into an eco-friendly retreat, is so PC you could excuse it for being smug. But you won’t have to. The knowledgeable and friendly staff, headed by store owner Rachel Maloney, will help you pick out natural cork flooring, non-toxic caulking, zero-VOC paint, cabinetry made of sustainably forested FSC-certified local hardwoods, and darn near everything in between. 4020 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis (a few blocks from the 38th St. Light Rail Station), 612-605-7999, www.naturalbuilthome.com.
20 Way To Find Out Who Died In Your House
Every home has history, but (usually) the walls aren’t talking. Luckily for Minnesotans, Jim Sazevich is. This architectural historian has spent the better part of the last half century researching birth certificates, land records, church rectories, and historical societies to dig up skeletons in the closets throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. Jim Sazevich, house detective, 651-222-8160.
21 Art Gallivant
Once a sprawling seed-packing company in Northeast Minneapolis, the Northrup King Building is now a sprawling warehouse of artists’ studios that opens up twice a year for wine-soaked, art-buying sprees: Art Attack (in the fall) and Art-a-Whirl (in May). Our recommendation: Skip the raucous free-for-alls and head over on the first Thursday of each month from 5 to 9 p.m. You’ll get more face time with the artists, and you won’t have to squeeze through the hallways to get from one place to the next. A few of our favorites: potter Maren Kloppmann makes modern geometrically-inspired works; stoneware potter Kate Daly uses a rich, earth-toned palette and incorporates delightful “sumi-e” brushstroke finishes into some of her pieces; Emily Dyer uses motifs from folk art quilts—polka dots, tiny red flowers, blue birdies—to make her nursery rhyme-esque bowls, platters, and cups; Art Andes is an airy Peruvian rug shop; and Sean Tubridy, artist and owner of graphic design and web development firm Blue Over Blue, makes cheeky prints of vintage blenders, beaters, and milk cartons as part of the “Home Economics” series. 1500 Jackson St. NE, Minneapolis, 612-363-5612, www.northrupkingbuilding.com.
22 Stroll for Home Inspiration
Edina’s Galleria is a one-stop spot for everything home. From Gabberts to Crate & Barrel’s new two-story space, the mix of local and national shops makes both window shopping and serious buying a pleasure. A sampling chosen from among the 20-some stores that sell home furnishings and accessories: dish by designer Elsa Peretti, Tiffany & Co.; classic brass handle, Brass Handle; John Derian “Red Peony” plate, Kim Seybert faceted wood placemat and napkin rings, Ampersand; Mullanium bird decoy embellished with found objects, Three Rooms; and Ankasa pillow, Que Sera. 3510 W. 70th St., Edina, 952-925-4321, www.galleriaedina.com.
23 Kitchen Gadgets & Gizmos
Twin Cities gourmet cooks head directly to Cooks of Crocus Hill for state-of-the-art cutlery by Wüsthof-Trident, juicers by Breville, blenders by Waring, and mixers by Viking, as well as stylish espresso machines. Nor are aspiring cooks left out: The shop also offers classes to help boost your skills. 3925 W. 50th St., Edina, 952-285-1903; 877 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-228-1333, www.cooksofcrocushill.com.
24 Design Power Couple
Lynn Barnhouse is an exclusive interior designer; Tom Oliphant is a notable furniture designer with discriminating clientele across the country. They rarely collaborate, says Oliphant, but they work right across the desk from one another and “essentially share the same clients.” Though both studied at Cranbrook Art Academy (at different times), they met by happenstance. “I was a student architect at Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, and I winked at her,” he says. The rest is history: two decorative arts fanatics under one roof, with a “dark roast-blend rescue dog” named Rowdy. Barnhouse Office, 612-840-4846, and Tomoco, 612-781-8851, 558 Vandalia St., St. Paul, www.barnhouseoffice.com and www.thomasoliphant.com.
Outside Inspiration
Here are our favorite home retailers in the ’burbs.
| NORTH | SOUTH | EAST | WEST | |
| TRADITIONAL | Furniture Manor Vendors include Hooker, Stanley, and Flexsteel. 3334 County Rd. 81, Osseo, 763-425-3424, www.furnituremanor.com | Rosie Posie Feminine and fabulous. 14020 S. Hwy. 13, Savage, 952-226-5240, www.rosieposie.net | AUTUMN COTTAGE Cottage finds. 229 Main St. S., Stillwater, 651- 275-1333, www.autumncottage.com | Amalia G. Custom furniture, lighting, and window treatments. 430 Pond Promenade, Chanhassen, 952-906-1352, www.amaliag.com |
| TRANSITIONAL | Carroll’s Furniture 42,100 square feet of furnishings. 1203 W. County Rd. E., Arden Hills, 651-494-3908, www.carrolls-furniture.com | Ikea Contemporary home goods, plus granite countertops, sinks, and more. 8000 Ikea Way, Bloomington, 952-858-8088, www.ikea.com | Coco Bello Chic boutique now offering “green” living items. 411 Second St., Hudson, 715-381-3433 www.cocobellodesign.com | Room & Board Sleek, contemporary furniture and accessories. 7010 France Ave. S. Edina, 952-927-8835, www.roomandboard.com |
| MODERN | HEAD SOUTH. | COUNTERPOINT HOME Nambé, Knoll, Marimekko, and Eva Solo. 111 S. Broadway Ave., Rochester, 888-280-6419, www.counterpointhome.com | Schreier Home Purveyor of Baker, EJ Victor, and Jeff Schreier signature collection. 124 S. Second St., Stillwater, 651-426-8428, www.schreierhome.com | Dwelling Designs Modern takes on classic icons. 5041 France Ave. S., Edina, 612-922-9361, www.dwellingdesigns.com |
| OFF BEAT | Goodthings High-style and quirky gifts. 12139 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, 763-494-9255, www.seegoodthings.com | Digs In-store and custom-ordered fabrics. 310 Division St. S., Northfield, 507-664-9140, www.shopdigs.com | Seasons on St. Croix, Local artisan treasures. 401 Second St., Hudson, 715-381-2906, www.seasonsonstcroix.com | Soleil Brule Moroccan style. 726 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-476-9600 http://soleilbrule.com |
40 Americana
Near the town of Hackensack (population 285), about 10 minutes south of Leech Lake, former New Englander Bob Dillon makes Windsor chairs and settees, just like those made in Colonial-era Philadelphia. Dillon steam-bends the arms and bows, turns the legs and spindles on a lathe, and uses some of his grandfather’s woodworking tools to hand-sculpt white pine, birch, and red oak (that he cuts himself) into seats. For this kind of perfection, be prepared to wait—Dillon is about 10 months behind on orders. $660 for the continuous arm Windsor chair. 218-682-2075, www.bobdillonwindsorchairs.com.
41 Furniture for the Gentle Soul
Richard Helgeson’s furniture is simple, yet elegantly nuanced, like the man himself, a quietly understated fellow. Perhaps it’s no surprise that when Helgeson is not designing dining tables and chairs, he’s creating pulpits and holy water fonts for churches. His “Gleason” chair, made of walnut, ebony, and leather is available through Xylos Gallery. 3020 W. 50th St., Minneapolis, 612-922-1702, www.xylosgallery.com.
42 New Life For Old Furniture
Whether it’s a collection of old belts, zippers, or out-of-production fabrics, Sandy Stone has just the use for them. This savvy seamstress breathes new life into old stools, chairs benches, and sofas with flair and wit. When she runs out of furniture projects, Stone turns her creativity to accent pillows, shams, and bedspreads. Contact the artist directly at 612-618-6457, www.sandystonedesignstudio.com, or check out her work at Hunt & Gather, 4944 Xerxes Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-455-0250, www.huntandgatherantiques.com.
43 Stylish Seat
Started by three college buddies who knew how to take it easy, Blu Dot’s furniture is all about comfort and style. The streamlined “Real Good” chair is no exception. Made of powder-coated steel, this sleek seat ships flat, folds along laser-cut lines, and comes in four smashing colors—ivory, aqua, black, and red. Available at Roam, 813 Glenwood Ave., Minneapolis, 612-377-6465.
44 Most Meaningful Thing to Buy This Year
His most notable building, the old Guthrie Theater, was bulldozed in 2006, but the “Rapid Rocker,” first designed in 1945 as part of an eight-piece collection for Knoll, is one of many contributions that will survive Ralph Rapson, who died in March at age 93. Purchase one through his firm, where son Toby and grandson Lane carry on the family profession, and memorialize 2008 as the year he said good-bye. $1,475, through Rapson Architects, 409 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-333-4561, www.rapsonarchitects.com.
45 Historic Repreoduction
Well, almost. Eagan woodworker, Tony Kubalak, creates reproduction period furniture—particularly Queen Anne and Chippendale—that comes as close to the original as is humanly possible. He studies the originals, takes measurements, finds the original plans, and carefully reviews reams of photos. His work has won several awards from the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild. Tony Kubalak, 651-452-2021, www.tonykubalak.com.
46 Style Hybrid
Out of a two-car detached garage in Hanover, Ross Peterson makes elegant (and surprisingly comfort-fitted) furniture. The Minnesotan’s work has been showcased at the Smithsonian Institution and given as official gifts from the White House to a Japanese emperor and an Italian prime minister. Peterson likes to quip that his designs are “Scandiasian Decocraftsman” because they have a little bit of everything. Peterson is just as free with woods: a single chair or table might contain any combination of wenge, lacewood, hop hornbeam, koa, and a host of others. Prices start at $1,000. 763-222-4063, www.solomonrossfurniture.com.
6 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
