If you didn't already know that we work with some very talented local designers, here's more proof. We asked four local furniture designers and makers (Squared Furniture, OCD Furniture, Tandem Made, and Live Oak Ironworks) to take the same simple piece of 20x54 oak slab and turn it into something new. No limits. No criteria, other than that they had to use the oak. The finish product is four new beautiful and very different from the next pieces. Stop into the store and vote for the piece you're most drawn to. We will have them on display through May.
Sunday, May 12th. It's just around the corner and will be here before you know it. Here's a few Mother's Day gift ideas, as suggested by our trusted employees.
"The Helix Vase in French Grey by Hennepin Made. This is the perfect vase for spring flowers and will blend with almost any decor plus it's hand crafted in Minneapolis! What else could you ask for?" - Brittany (in store only)
"I would surprise my mom with any Falcon enamelware set and a fog linen kitchen towel set. So fresh and perfect for spring!" - Katie
"My mother's day pick would be the matchstick and shallow root vessel planters by Steel Life. They bring life indoors in the winter and herald springtime seed planting and summer herb gardens on the patio!" -Sara
"Ceramic Vases by Ty Aymond. Beautiful, simple, nice statement pieces even without flowers." - Christopher (in store only)
Tivoli Radio. "What mom wouldn't like to listen to sweet tunes on this?" - Mike
Nobody appreciates spring more than a Midwesterner...especially a Minnesotan.
Today driving to work, it was all I had to do to not exit onto 94E and head to my parent's lake home and go swimming (current temperature = 37 degrees)! Also, James cleaned the windows today! A sure sign that spring has arrived.
At Forage, we've been thinking spring since January. Below are some items that we've been loving that bring out our Spring Fever.
We like to have parties. We like Wes Anderson Films. We like to style rooms. And we like our new friends, Pierrepont Hicks. So naturally, we are happy to announce the Tenenbaums' style happy hour we are hosting with Pierrepont Hicks, Pierrepont Forages for a Martini.
Brandy and Tyler are getting married in May. They care a lot about shopping local and love the style and aesthetic of Forage. So, of course, they're adding Forage Modern Workshop to their list of wedding registries! I mean, who wouldn't want to furnish their new home with Forage goods, right?!
FOR BRANDY AND TYLER WEDDING GUESTS
Since we like to keep things simple at Forage, and so do Brandy and Tyler, the registry is available in store only. If you're planning on buying Brandy and Tyler a gift, make sure when you get to Forage that you let the Forage staf f know so that there aren't duplicates, etc.
Local band, greycoats (owner Mike is the drummer) asked some fantastic artists to each interpret a song from their newly released album, WORLD OF TOMORROW with a piece of art. The result is an interactive exhibition called INTERPRETATION, PLEASE. We are pleased to be hosting this exibit through March 1. Greycoats will be performing an acoustic walking tour this Saturday (February 23rd) at 1pm. Spread the word. Read more notes about the exhibit from the band below.
An extended listening party / Art exhibition ...
Featuring artwork from
GARY WOLFE ANDY DUCETT ANDY STURDEVANT JENNIFER DAVIS MILES MENDENHALL ADAM TURMAN WILLIE WILLETTE JESSICA ASHLEY NELSON BRADEN LEE NATHAN SCHROEDER BETHANY BIRNIE CAITLIN KAROLCZAK ...
Feb 18 - Mar 1 Forage Modern Workshop 4023 East Lake Street
Everyday | 10am - 8pm ...
FREE ADMISSION Acoustic tour of the exhibit at 1pm on Saturday, February 23 ...
When the nights are long and the days are cold...
With depression on the mind, we set out to create a dust bowl record. We found our way through the 1939 World's Fair instead. The dreamers of yesteryear looked to the future to lift themselves from a Great Depression. It's January in Minneapolis. The timing couldn't be better for an exhibition of our own.
We've asked 12 artists whose work we love to interpret each song from our new album, World of Tomorrow, in any fashion they see fit. Each piece will be on display near a listening station, where visitors may offer their interpretations.
For the truly curious, we'll be leading walking tours of the entire exhibit every Saturday at 1pm, playing an acoustic set of the album and offering our interpretations.
INTERPRETATION, PLEASE will open on Monday, January 28 at the Grain Belt Bottling House and continue at Forage Modern Workshop, starting Monday, February 18.
We can't believe our good fortune in collaborating with such incredible artists.
Wind and Willow is turning 1! Hard to believe that these amazing products have only been available for 12 short months. Enjoy 10% off Wind and Willow products now through 2/17/13 both instore and online. Follow Wind and Willow's Blog for more birthday celebrations (like sweet giveaways!!!).
February is all about love and hearts. And yes - it's overkill and obnoxious. But, we know we're not the only one's that secretly like getting a love shout out here and there. So we're dedicating the month of February to appreciate just some of the people/businesses/things we truly...heart.
We'll update the blog daily throughout February as we add new things we 'heart'.
Let's start with Eastvold Furniture.
Matt, owner/designer of Eastvold Furniture was one of the first to jump on board with our crazy idea...back in the day (umm...a year and a half ago...) We owe a lot to his willingness to share tricks of the trade and insider biz knowledge. On top of all of that, Eastvold Furniture is pumping out some of the best modern furniture from Minnesota. He's actually quite popular when you cross over to the lands of...Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bay Area, LA, and Toronto. His new Elko line is such a great marriage of beautiful wood and steel. We just launched our new Midwest Love discount on Eastvold Furniture pieces - some really great discounts to our pals living in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Next up, Aesthetic Apparatus
Aesthetic Apparatus are the geniuses behind our branding and, in our opinion, are the pioneers of great commercial art and print making studios in Minneapolis, the Midwest, and beyond. They have a way of simplifying design while telling very complicated stories through screen printing and more. We are lucky to know them. Check out more of their branding work that they did for us. We also sell a handful of their original prints.
Coffee and Doughnuts
It probably started with Agent Cooper in Twin Peaks, but Mike and James working construction didn't help. We love coffee and doughnuts in the office! And lucky for us, there's no shortage of incredible, well crafted coffee in the Twin Cities. Kopplin's, Dogwood, Bull Run, Urban Bean, Quixotic, Spyhouse, Peace Coffee, and now Parka next door ---- we thank you. You are our muse. Our inspiration.
Now...doughnuts. Mojo Monkey is the only place in town that is able to call their pastry a doughnut. We're connosiuers of sorts. Lots of people have tried and failed, and thank goodness Mojo Monkey is around to keep us sane and provide a pillar for all to look up to. Coffee + Doughnuts + Forage = Success.
Thirty Two Magazine
We heart Thirty Two Magazine. Thirty Two Magazine is an honest representation of the intellect and modesty that comes out of the Twin Cities. It's smart, unpretencious, accessible, relevant, and thought provoking, showcasing art, literature, music, and local and world news topics, and more. If you haven't read their magazines, you need to. We actually have a few copies of the Inaugural Issue and Issue 2 to get you properly caught up. Thirty Two, thank you. From the bottom of our Midwest hearts!
Golden Age Design
Husband + Wife Team, Golden Age Design as totally stolen our heartss. They refinish Danish Mid-century Modern furniture and offer it for sale to the public at incredibly fair prices. But that's not really why we heart them. We heart them because they are two of the most genuine and kind people we've met. Plus - they have two adorable kids that make us smile. Follow them. We promise you'll heart them, too.
Youtube.com
Yes. We are not ashamed to say that we heart youtube. Just think - it's been a crazy day and you're kind of crabby. And then you watch an awesome video, like this one and instantly the world feels lighter and you can kick butt the rest of the day. And don't think you've got anyone fooled...we know you heart youtube, too.
Dogs
We heart dogs. Our dogs. Your dogs. Stray dogs. They are wonderful and getting to know their personalities is very entertaining. We like figuring out the type of dog strangers and friends should get, and even heart figuring out what type of dog people would be if they were, well...a dog. Bring your dog in to visit at the store. We'd love to meet them.
Jason Strong Photography
We heart Jason Strong Photography- an architecture and interiors photographer out of Sweden. Having had architecture training, Jason has a unique gift of being able to tell stories through images the architecture and interiors themselves, seeing the details and bringing out the beauty of each space. Seriously, check him out. We were honored that he took a few shots of our building when he was visiting this past summer when we hosted a Docomomo party before we opened. And lucky for us...he's also a good friend of ours. [photo credit below - our office - taken by Jason Strong Photography]
Twin Peaks
This is the second time that Twin Peaks has been mentioned in one blog post...We heart Twin Peaks. You'll actually see notes of products in the store that have a Great Northern Lodge aesthetic (like soon to arrive Pendleton blankets...wee!). There was a fire extinguisher repair man that came in last month that looked just.like.Bob. and we were all a little freaked out. From Agent Cooper to Nadine and even Donna, the characters feel like they are a part of our life and we believe Twin Peaks to be one of the best television series of our time. It's on Netflix...watch it...just don't watch the movie first!
Now offering special discounts in store and online to our pals living in Minnesota and Wisconsin on Eastvold Furniture pieces. This one is for our homies.
When it's cold like today is (for you out-of-towners, high of 5 degrees feherenheit....), it's tempting to stay home, bundled up on the couch with too many blankets and movies.
And our staff took a vote - if we could all be at home, cozied-up in any of the couches we sell, which one would it be? - and the answer was The Inheritance Sofa by Stephen Kenn. So comfy!
We asked Stephen a few questions and thought we'd share them with you. Also - make sure you check his video...it will make you want the couch all the more!
How did you get your start designing and building furniture?
At times I can be impulsive, especially when I'm passionate about something. About 1 year ago I was driving with my wife Beks and mentioned that "I had been thinking about furniture design a lot lately" (I had actually been thinking about it for 10 minutes). Just then I saw an old wooden chair poking out of a dumpster in Hollywood. I pulled over and bolted out of the car. I ran back down the block and pulled it out of the dumpster and dusted it off. My wife helped me squeeze it into the back of our Mini Cooper and take it home. That night I took the whole thing apart and then rebuilt it, reupholstering it with an old Swiss Military blanket I had. The next week I did the same to my wife’s vintage 70’s vinyl armchair (don’t worry, she’s forgiven me for ripping apart her chair). My curiosity about furniture design and construction has not lessened at all since that first day.
Tell us about your design process? Where do you draw inspiration?
I used to really hate being alone. I am social and fairly extroverted by nature, so being alone was something I avoided. But once I became interested in design and the creation of objects (first denim, then bags, and now furniture)., I have come to crave that time alone. Time to spend journaling, sketching and solving design problems in my head. You can’t do those things in a room full of people. I have come to really crave those times of curiosity and question asking. They help me to keep my eyes and ears open throughout the day.
I am inspired by a great many things. Obviously, I am very inspired by old military materials that are being put to a new purpose. These materials have such an incredible story to tell from their previous “lives”, and now to get to have a second life in the furniture we use them for. I am also very inspired by design that solves problems. I loved the Tip Ton chair that Vitra put out a few years ago. It engages the student sitting in it to lean forward towards the teacher. I love that! I’ve also been reading a book that the Smithsonian released a few years ago called “Design for the 90%”, about using design skills to solve problems in poorer parts of the world. I love the idea of designing for more than the top 10% of the worlds wealthy that can afford the things I make. I am seeking more opportunities to do projects like that.
What are you most excited about in the next year?
I am looking forward to carving out more time for fine art on top of a few collections I have in mind. Starting a business can sometimes mean that you actually have less time to just make art for arts sake, for the pure love of creation. I want to make more time for painting and making things with friends, things that might never take to market. Besides that, a few collections I want to work on for the Stephen Kenn lines are: leather travel bags, indoor table & chairs as well as an outdoor version of the Inheritance Collection.
What is your favorite part about living where you live?
DTLA! (Downtown Los Angeles) It is a crazy mash up of people from every walk of life. Currently my favorite part is the amount of creative start-ups. New restaurants, small businesses, and art and design studios. The community is growing so fast and it feels very inclusive. We’re all excited about each other and do our best to help each other out.
It's raining and you can only pick one song to listen to, what would that song be?
“Damn Sam (I Love a Woman That Rains)” by Ryan Adams. Ah, I wish it rained more in LA! I took a trip to Portland a few winters ago and came back and did a painting inspired by the grey and stormy clouds that hung over the city the whole time I was there. Now I get to sit and journal and sip coffee across from it every morning in my loft and it makes me crave the Northwest.
What's the best meal you've had in the last year?
Just about every meal I have had at KTCHN DTLA would qualify. Anything by Chef Felix Barron the IV is the best! His waffle BLT with pear syrup for brunch on a weekend will blow your mind. My amazing wife just told me that he’s going to cater a dinner for my birthday next week. I am unbelievably excited.
We asked