​I've had no shortage of huge life changing events in my life in the last 6 months, almost all of which I've neglected to share online. First, and most important, I'm getting married (yay!) in June. Second, I'm moving to Austin (what!!) in July. I'm hoping I'll get around to sharing the backstory about everything eventually and how absolutely elated I am with the way my life is going. For now, just know I'm happy and living the life I've always wanted. 

Thrown in with all these life events came the announcement that our lease in the house my girlfriend and I were renting was up, and our landlord wasn't letting us renew. That left us essentially homeless for the last 2 1/2 months we'd be in SLC. Luckily we were able to get a very short term lease in Patrick Lofts, where I was living before I moved in with my girlfriend. I suppose it's fitting that the place we met is the place we'll be in when we leave SLC. 

After a flurry of moving and giving things away we did manage to get settled into the new place. Above is a teaser shot of our fancy new (1964) Milo Baughman sofa we picked up for $600, and some of our art. The 13' ceiling and huge curved wall are perfect for wall hanging art.* ​

Locals, join me and my little family and friends this Saturday for a fantastic DJ Dance Party. ​

A kids DJ Dance party that is, complete with craft projects inside an awesome renovated airstream, hot dogs for the kids, and BYOB for the parents. Seriously, can you think of a better way to spend time with the family on a Saturday evening? ​

If you have kids in SLC and you don't know about The Creative Capsule, you are missing out. Really.​

​Get you tickets to Saturday's event here. I've already got mine. See you there!

I'm absolutely humbled (and elated) to have gotten a mention in City Weekly as part of their 2013 "Best Of". It seems somehow amongst all the amazing talent in Salt Lake City they decided that I was deserving of the "Best Eye for Design" award.

 It really means a lot to me, now more than ever, because of all the really great design that is happening in Salt Lake right now. I feel like the amount of talent here has skyrocketed in the last 5 years or so. In fact, I'd like to take this opportunity ​to share with everyone some of my local favorites in the design world (in no particular order). All these people are not only huge design influences, but also really, really great people and some of my dearest friends. Support them.

• Jaren @ Modern Union
• Jesse @ New City Movement
• Ron @ The Green Ant
• Cody (and the crew) @ City Home Collective
• ​Seth @ Sparano Mooney
• Missy (and Lliam) @ Misc.​ Boutique
• ​Mark @ Sausage Space
• Scott @ Modern Architectural Systems​
• Gary @ Meld Design
• Tony @ The Tonus
• ​Rich @ Cosmic Pictures

Yeah, they are a pretty impressive group, and that's just a few of my "design" friends that have websites I can link to. Don't even get me started on "foodie" friends, or all the other "kick ass" friends. There seriously isn't enough room to include everyone in this town that is dear to me. ​Hugs SLC. 

One of my favorite places to get coffee in Salt Lake City is Nobrow Coffee and Tea. Not only is Joe the owner a total coffee nerd, he happens to be a design nerd too. So when I heard that they were moving to a new location designed by Atlas Architects I was quite excited. When I found out my friend Jaren from Modern Union was doing the interior cabinetry and woodworking I was even more excited. 

This Wednesday was their first official day open (even though the Visual Supply Co crew dropped by earlier during Alt) so I decided to meet Jaren there for a pour over and check it out. 

The space is quite a bit smaller than their old location, which surprised me. Personally I think it's a good thing, although I know some people enjoyed being able to find a nice private corner in the old space. There is a really great little courtyard in front that will make a fantastic outdoor space in the summer. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and say if you are looking to sit out side in the summertime and have a cup of coffee, you won't be able to find a better spot.

While I was there we ran into Jason Foster of Atlas Architects. No real surprise considering their office is going in next door. Speaking of Atlas, they've done a really nice job with some of the subtle details of the building. The most obvious thing is the material pallet. The building is made of a cinder block with a smooth sawn face that has some nice flecks of color in it. 

It's a great look, but combined with the concrete floors and bright white Corian countertops it can be very hard and cold. To balance this there is a good amount of reclaimed wood in the space. The wood is some reclaimed beams that used to be in Trolley Square, a local trolley station turned mall. It's beautiful, warm, and really brings the space together.

To add even more interest to the space there is a beautiful (and rumor has it very heavy) section of an upright piano that is bolted to a wood face in a small nook at the end of the room. That combined with some nice industrial style pendants round out the simple, yet fantastic interior.

Nobrow Coffee & Tea - 179 W 900 S SLC, UT

Atlas Architects

Modern Union

Tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM is SL Modern's fall tour. It will be held at Snowbird ski resort, and will include a tour of Utah's only modernist resorts with one of the original architect/planner Ray Kingston. For those of you in Salt Lake this is a once in a lifetime chance to get all the details about what went into this amazing resort. 

Not in Utah? No problem. Check out the docomomo website to find a modern tour near you. 

Buy tickets and get more information about the Snowbird event on SLModern.org

You can also get more great information about Snowbird's modern architecture here.

Photo's via SLModern.org

It's been over a years since I first wrote about the potential demolition of the Prudential Federal Savings and Loan building in Salt Lake City. Since then the issue has mostly been out of the public light, but thankfully in the last few weeks there has been some discussion around the issue. Today the Salt Lake Tribune ran an article discussing the potential loss of the this great piece of Mid Century Modern architecture. It's interesting to see that almost all of the comments are in favor of saving the building. 

If you would like to know more about the building, I'd urge you to read the short article about it on SaltLakeArchitecture.blogspot.com

Want to get involved. It's easy, start by sending Mayor Ralph Becker a message to let him know what you think.

*Top 3 images via saltlakearchitecture.blogspot.com

Photo by Julius Shulman from Art in Architecture - by Louis G. Redstone, FAIA

Artist: Tom Van Sant, "Birds in Flight," 100 birds with wingspread of 4 feet, attached to three bronze-encased stainless-steel rods, each 120 feet high (electrode posited - bronze process developed from the aircraft industry); theme symbolic of seagulls which saved Morman crops by eating locusts, 1964

A few days ago I was at an open house for a local MCM Furniture store called The Green Ant. They've been around for years, but just recently expanded the store (congrats Ron!) and now have an entire half dedicated to more high end design. Sitting in the middle of the space was this Reale table from Zanotta. I loved the look of it, but I was a little confused as to why it was in the space, as it looked to be a new design and not truly mid century. You can imagine my surprise to find out that it was really designed in 1946 by Carlo Mollino. It's a pleasant feeling to continue to be surprised at just how timeless good design can be.

Reale Table 

Carlo Mollino

The Green Ant

More pics from Zanotta's website

It was a whirlwind of a week last week, and I'm just now getting a chance to catch my breath. I'm usually pretty horrible about keeping people updated with all the personal projects I've got going on, so consider this an attempt to get better. 

The first update is the Saarinen tulip base I posted about a while ago. Turns out it's really a Burke base, which is fine by me. I tried one time to repaint it and it turned out horribly and I had to start all over again. After the second time sanding it all down I needed up going to an automotive paint supply store and getting some white one stage automotive paint. It was really reasonably priced ($5 a can I think) and sprayed way better than the can of enamel I got at Ace. I ended up sanding the old paint down and moving from 150 grit sandpaper to 200, 400, and finally 600 grit to get it smooth. I then made a "paint booth" in my garage so the wind wouldn't screw things up and slowly started putting coats on. Near the end I did a little wet sanding with 600 grit paper to make sure it stayed nice and smooth. There is a bit of orange peel but it's pretty good looking. 

For the top, we were originally talking about cutting down the old laminate top to the 32" size we wanted. After a lot of going back and forth we decided to spring for a new marble top. We called around to a bunch of local places, and most wanted close to $500 for a top. Luckily we found a remnant at European Marble and Granite for $370 (Thanks Tally!). It's a really beautiful piece and they did a really nice job getting the back bevel just right. I was planning on attaching it with silicone like they do with countertops, but after setting it on top we decided it's not going anywhere. If I wasn't in a rental and planning on moving sooner than latter I probably would have attached it.

All in all I think it turned out really great. I apologize for only having a crappy instagram picture of it, but I figured it was better than nothing. 

As I type this post, I'm riding shotgun in a  truck on my way down to southern Utah to a Buddhist Retreat. No, I'm not having another dramatic change of faith, I'm actually going to install cabinetry. The retreat was designed by a local firm Imbue design that continues to impress me with both the quality and caliper of work they are doing. The rendering above doesn't do justice to just how cool this project is. The exterior is dominated by gabion walls and the interior wrapped in Ipe. In fact even the cabinets I'm installing with Modern Union are made of Ipe. I'm excited to be working with such great architects and clients on this job. 

I'm about 4 hours away from the job site right now. Check out the Modern Union Facebook page for pictures and updates. 

Modern Union

Imbue Design

Also, while you are at it, make sure you read the write up that City Home Collective did on the Buddhist retreat a few weeks ago.

For those that have been reading my blog for a long time, you may recognize the name Mark Haslam.  He was they one that did a lot of hand holding and hard work for me when I built my addition behind my house in Sugarhood.  Back then he was working for Benchmark Modern, and together they went on to do a lot of great modern projects, including a few I was able to do some work on.  The House 2 project I featured last year was my first big job with my new side company Modern Union.

Not only is Mark one of the nicest guys I know, in my opinion he is also one of the best general contractors in SLC to build a modern home.  I get a lot of people who ask me who they should use, and I always point them towards Mark. 

So what does this have to do with Sausage? Oddly enough, that happens to be the name of Marks new construction company.  Mark has decided to branch off from Benchmark and do his own thing. I expect great things coming from him in the near future, so do yourself a favor and bookmark Sausagespace.com now. You'll thank me later.

Sausage : Modern home construction in Salt Lake City

My friend is selling his amazing Mid Century Modern home. It's a few block away from my old place in olympus cove, and I remember walking by it many times in complete envy.  If you area sucker for a good butterfly roof (which I totally am) this is one of the rare good ones in Salt Lake City.  To sweeten the deal even more, the home is amazing original looking inside. It has some of the best built in partitions I have seen ever.  Check out the photos below (courtesy of City Home Collective) and check out all the details on the MLS

4130 S Diana Way $399,000

From the MLS listing...

Amazing Oly Cove Mid-Century Modern with Fantastic Mt., Lake and Valley Views. This 1954 Parade of Homes was purchased from Original Owner. Very clean Unique 50's features like Butterfly Roof Design, Big Open Living Rm & Open Air Dining. Architectural features like Floor to Ceiling Glass, Mahogany Walls, & Exposed Brick make this home very eclectic and desired for original 50's modern design. Some updates done keeping the style intact! Grt Walkout Basemnt w/ Wetbar. Could be easy Mother in Law conversion.

Interior Features Include Bar: Wet Dishwasher, Built-In Disposal Gas Log Kitchen: Second Kitchen: Updated Mother-in-Law Apt. Range/Oven: Built-In Floor Coverings: Carpet; Hardwood; Tile Window Coverings: Draperies; Part Air Conditioning: Central Air; Electric Heating: Forced Air; Gas: Central Basement: (95% finished) Full; Walkout Exterior Features Include Exterior: Basement Entrance; Deck; Covered; Entry (Foyer); Outdoor Lighting; Patio: Covered; Sliding Glass Doors; Storm Doors; Storm Windows; Walkout Lot: Corner Lot; Fenced: Full; Secluded Yard; Sprinkler: Auto-Full; Terrain: Grad Slope; View: Lake; View: Mountain; View: Valley; Private Landscape: Fruit Trees; Landscaping: Full; Mature Trees; Vegetable Garden Roof: Tar/Gravel Exterior: Brick; Cedar/Redwood Patio/Deck: 1 Patio 1 Deck Garage/Parking: Parking: Covered; Parking: Uncovered Garage Capacity: 0

Inclusions Microwave Range Refrigerator Water Softener: Own Window Coverings Other Features Include Amenities: Cable Tv Available; Electric Dryer Hookup; Workshop Utilities: Gas: Connected; Power: Connected; Sewer: Connected; Sewer: Public; Water: Connected Water: Culinary Zoning Information Zoning: RES Property Tour Tour

Rooms Include

• 4 Total Bedrooms
• Floor 1: 3
• Basement: 1
• 3 Total Bathrooms
• Floor 1: 1 Full
• Floor 1: 1 Half
• Basement: 1 Three Qrts
• Other Rooms:
• Floor 1: 1 Family Rm(s); 1 Kitchen(s); 1 Bar(s); 1 Formal Dining Rm(s);
• Basement: 1 Family Rm(s); 1 Kitchen(s); 1 Laundry Rm(s);

Square Feet On Each Floor

• Floor 1: 1426 sq. ft.
• Basement: 1378 sq. ft.
• Total: 2804 sq. ft.

Local Schools

• School District: Granite
• Elementary School: Oakridge
• Jr High: Churchill
• Sr High: Skyline
• Priv High: Judge Memorial
• Other High: 

Lot Size In Acres

• Acres: 0.22

Over the weekend I got the first real taste of summer, spending some quality time on the back porch of one of my favoritelocal watering holes.  Unfortunately I found myself lacking a quality pair of sunglass, something I intend to change soon. While the exact pair I get is still up in the air, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that they don't come in a case anywhere as attractive as this one by Tanner Goods. Made of Horween Chromexcel leather, they are burnished, dyed, waxed and stamped with their signature mark. Perfection

Tanner Goods sunglass case $62

Via

It looks like local realtor / home remodeler Geoff Tice has done it again.  You may remember him from his well detailed home on Jupiter way or Herbert. His latest project is located in Salt Lake City on the benches near capital hill. Once again he has taken a good solid MCM home and gone through it and updated all the important parts. Like his other projects, chances are this thing will be sold before it ever even makes it onto the MLS, so if you want to get a peak at it tomorrow may be your only chance. Check out his Facebook event for all the details on his latest open house.

199 E South Sandrun Rd. Open House

I seem to have amazing luck when it comes to Tulip tables.  When I first moved to Salt Lake City, I found an old tulip table base behind my apartment next to the dumpster.  While that particular one unfortunately met an early moving related demise (long story) I have recently stumbled across a similarly amazing deal. A good friend and owner of  local, and absolutely amazing MCM furniture store Green Ant, hooked me up with a base and laminate top for a screaming price. The top is a bit larger than I need, so I'm thinking about cutting it down smaller, and the base needs a good sanding and repaint.

Does anyone have any good restoration resources for Saarinen Tulip tables?

Looking for your own Tulip table? Check out The Green Ant, or these Tulip Tables for sale on Ebay.

Photo via.

I have had the pleasure of being on the Salt Lake Modern committee for a couple of years now. As a part of Utah Heritage Foundation, Salt Lake Modern is dedicated to preserving and promoting the region's mid-century modern architecture and design. I'm excited to announce that we now have our own official website, full of great information about local MCM architects and buildings. Make sure you check it out, join as a member, and register for our upcoming modern homes tour. We have some amazing homes lined up.

SLModern.org

As some of you may know, I'm on a subcommittee of UHF that focuses on Mid Century Modern architecture in Salt Lake City. I'm excited to announce that our fall event is coming up this weekend! We are going back to the roots of modernism and having an open house at a Taylor Woolley home. One of Utah’s first modernists, Taylor Woolley is known as the architect that introduced the Prairie School Style to Utah in 1911. Outside the state, Woolley is known as Frank Lloyd Wright’s trusted draftsman and a prominent fi gure in the popular book “Loving Frank.”

Saturday, October 8 · 10:00am - 12:00pm

1408 E. Yale Ave. (approx. 1150 South)

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake Modern Facebook page

Event info

This Monday I had the opportunity to walk through one of my favorite mid century modern homes in Salt Lake City. Designed and built in 1965 by one of Salt Lake City's more prolific modern architects Ed Drier, the home has heavy Miesian influence. The exterior roof line is defined by a massive steel H beam that is contrasted by a white tile soffit that continues into the home. The continuance of surfaces is actually one of my favorite aspects to the home. Everywhere you look flooring, walls and ceiling materials seamless cross the indoor outdoor plane. This is made possible through a significant amount of glazing and careful attention to detail. Considering the amount of glass in the place I expected it to be a huge energy hog, like some of the other MCM glass and steel houses in the area, but I was pleasantly surprised to find just one furnace in the basement. The fact that it has a pool and close to a half acre sitting on the side of a ravine makes this house ideal for me. Unfortunately the $800,000 price means it's about 4 times out of my price range. I propose 3 other people go in on it with me. First pool party is on me.

3182 Millcreek MLS listing

More info on Ed Drier

Full photoset

Here's a little insider tip for all my Salt Lake City readers with kids...

We've covered some cool Airstream remodels on GRM before, but never one quite like this. The Creative Capsule started its life as a normal Airstream trailer, but recently got completely gutted and refinished inside with one purpose in mind. Entertaining and teaching kids. Tenfour industries is using the space to teach children's craft projects and host birthday parties. They are making their inaugural appearance tonight at the Millcreek Community market from 4 to dusk.

Follow the Creative Capsule on Facebook to see where they will be next.

Salt Lake has its fair share of hidden modern architectural gems, but perhaps one of the best is virtually unknown to locals, let alone the rest the world. The recently completed Saint Joseph The Worker Catholic Church is in my opinion, one of the best examples of modern architecture in the entire state. In fact, it's one of the better projects built anywhere in the last couple years.  The background story to the project is just as interesting to me as the building itself. The original parish was a relatively conservative group, in a conservative state. The found an unlikely partnership with Sparano + Mooney a local architectural firm known for its modern aesthetic. Sparano + Mooney was able to connect with the client by infusing the design with symbolism until the parish felt a sense of ownership and pride in the design.

From specific details like the 12 amazing color windows that infuse the chapel with light, representing the 12 apostles, to broad but perhaps more subtle things like a material pallet of board formed concrete and cedar appropriate for Saint Joseph The Worker.

My favorite space is a small intimate chapel separate from the rest of the buildings. The interior is lined with cedar and light is funneled down into the space by a skylight positioned over the altar.

LOTS more photo's after the jump.

Sparano + Mooney

View from the parking lot looking into the main courtyard. Small chapel to the left, administrative area straight ahead and the main chapel to the right.

The small chapel with the cedar interior.

Inside small chapel.

Looking towards the back.

Main Chapel.

Projected color windows.

The two large concrete panels are from the original church that was built in the 60's.

1st photo courtesy of Sparano + Mooney. Additional photo's by Grassrootsmodern. See the entire photo set in HD here.

If you live in Salt Lake, and you love mid century modern furniture, then surely you know about The Green Ant. Shop owner Ron Green has been giving insight, advice and amazing pricing on vintage modern furniture and accessories for 12 years now. In an effort to say "Thank You" to all the wonderful people in Salt Lake that have supported them over the years, they are having their annual Anniversary Sale. Today through Monday the 17th everything in the store is 20% off. That means if there is something you have been pining for, now is the time to get it. If you haven't seen the shops new location at 179 E Broadway it's worth it for that alone. Make sure you tell Ron "Hi" for me!

The Green Ant
The Green Ant Facebook page
(photo's via YHO)