Michigan or Bust
I'm quite happy to report that I'm off for Michigan for the first time in all my days on Wednesday. Online editor Amanda Dameron and I are off to film the third and final installment of our color theory video series The Full Spectrum in Holland and Zeeland, Michigan, on the grounds of the eminent furniture maker Herman Miller.
Amanda claims that she'll be outside my apartment at 4:30 AM on Wednesday to pick me up for our flight to Grand Rapids, and I'm hoping that I'm in fine enough fettle for the filming the next day. I'm quite excited to see the Herman Miller facilities and archives and talk color with Susan Lyons, who specializes in the stuff.
You can leave a comment on this post, or keep in touch with me on Twitter. I'm The Pocket Square. More from the Great Lakes State once I get there!
Articles
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Michigan: Day One
As I noted last week via the blog and Twitter, and my colleague Amanda so aptly showed in this slideshow, I was in Michigan last week. It was my first trip to the state and I had a hell of a time…
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Inside the Herman Miller Headquarters
As part of our ongoing feature The Full Spectrum, a video series that focuses on color theory, we were invited to get a personal tour of the famed Herman Miller headquarters in Holland, Michigan…
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Herman Miller in Syracuse, NY
We've sent Dwell senior editor Aaron Britt to Michigan to visit the Herman Miller factory and Herman Miller has sent some of its collection to Syracuse, New York, for the new Good Design: Stories…
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Wall Tears
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Orange Burst Clock
Waking up is hard to do. Running late is no fun. Looking up to realize you just watched a few too many episodes of MST3K is a little disconcerting. But the sting of these time-based quandaries…
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Snap-It-Up Organizer
When the unruly pile of stuff on your desk gets a little overwhelming, band together the bits and bobs with this Snap-It-Up Organizer by Barbara Flanagan. Simply secure loose papers, pictures, or…
Video
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The Full Spectrum: Herman Miller
In the final installment of our video series on color theory, senior editor Aaron Britt heads to Zeeland, Michigan, to tour Herman Miller's headquarters and get the skinny on color and material…
Events
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Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller
This traveling exhibition showcases products designed by the renowned office furniture company, and was inspired by the recent book Herman Miller: the Purpose of Design by design scholar and…
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Giveaway: Tour the Miller House
This May, the famed J. Irwin Miller House—designed by Eero Saarinen with landscapes by Dan Kiley and interiors by Alexander Girard—opened its doors to the public for the first time…
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Well in Midland you could go see the Tridge, its like a bridge but has an extra idge. Stop by a small city called Frankenmuth nearby. Its like a nice German village.
Do enjoy Mich, one lovely place that I used to thrill to visit my grandmother in the summer where Dad's family was from - I, the only non- U of M grad in the family (and my parents had a college friend named Sammy Dameron). I don't get back there very often anymore but my husband and children were enchanted when I took them there for the 2004 Schmidt Reunion in Niles. I can't wait to see your articles from the Great Lakes State! Love your stuff!
The Dow Gardens are worth a visit (Midland). Also, the Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May house (Grand Rapids) is pretty cool. It is owned by Steelcase - if you have an in there you may be able to get a special tour, otherwise it is open to the general public. Michigan is at it's best this time of the year. Enjoy your trip!
If you like hot dogs, do yourself a favor and go to Yesterdog in Grand Rapids. Best Weiners around!
Revisit the Massie house: how's it looking today? is it all overgrown? does it really look like that? Man, I LOVED that house!
Yeah - Herman Miller! I love their headquarters - such a beautiful place - especially their use of sustainable practices and low waste manufacturing process!! :D When in Grand Rapids, be sure to visit the Meyer May house - the most completely restored Frank Lloyd Wright home. The tour includes a film of the restoration process. Big deal you might ask? Once you see the film, and fully understand the extent of restoration in which Steelcase took, you will be amazed. Call prior to the visit to be certain you are able to get a ticket. Summer / winter tour dates and times vary. 450 Madison S.E. Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: (616)246-4821
If you're in Grand Rapids (or make a point to go there), be sure to visit Meijer Gardens and the Chihuly glass exhibit. It's incredible. Also, make a point of visiting the Frank Lloyd Wright Meyer May home owned by Steelcase but open to the public. It's one of Frank's best. Holland is a great town with lots of sculptures in public places and excellent restaurants. Enjoy MIchigan! We love it here...
I second the recommendation on the Meijer Gardens and the Chihuly Glass! While in Holland touring our Michigan Manufacture Herman Miller, don't forget about locally owned Haworth and their "One Haworth Center" http://organicworkspaces.com/. I was fortunate to have toured their facility last year, it is a great showcase of design, engineering and beauty all put in to their workplace. Thank you for taking the time to visit the "High Five State", hope you enjoy your stay............come back again!
In Grand Rapids on Belt Line Rd, you should definitely check out the Dale Chihuly exhibit at Frederick Meijer Gardens. This place is a beautiful garden on its own, but there are Chihuly displays all throughout the facility right now, both indoor and outdoor, and they are amazing! Wear comfortable shoes as there is considerable walking involved at this site.
Sorry that first comment posted twice. I can't figure out how to delete the 2nd one. Just another quick thought: Carl Forsland furniture is still hand made - custom order only - based in Grand Rapids. You might be able to get a tour of their facility.
While in Midlan, if you haven't done so already, make sure you speak with Craig McDonald, the director of the Alden Dow house and foundation. He's had the position for 20+ years, knew Mr. Dow and his wife personally, and knows anything and everything about Alden Dow and his architecture. Also seek out Roger Schmidt (who I went to high school with) who is in charge of preservation and maintenance at the Alden Dow house. He's a great guy to speak with. Midland has a number of Alden Dow residences that are worth checking out, all within a 10 minutes drive from Dow Gardens.
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