Issue 284 December 15th 2021

The Headlines

New Management Coming To Wright's Park Inn Hotel

The Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa is getting new management. The Indigo Road Hospitality Group (IRHG) out of South Carolina recently announced it will take over the 27-room downtown hotel on January 1, 2022. Founded in 2009, IRHG now operates over thirty properties across the country and says it will assume management of all hotel operations, including management of the onsite restaurant and bar. Details on a new restaurant concept and name are expected early in 2022. Read more here.

William Morris, Arts & Crafts, And Living One’s Values

Behind the exquisite floral wallpaper lurks a social reformer. British designer William Morris (1834-96) is today best known for his lush, garden-inspired patterns for wall coverings, but his lifework encompassed far more than mere decoration. He sought nothing less than to overturn what he considered the deleterious effects of industrialization on Victorian society. And his artistic influence continues today, not only at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum, an institution he helped shape, but also as inspiration to contemporary artists.

A gorgeously illustrated book, titled simply William Morris, edited by Anna Mason and released by the Victoria and Albert Museum, offers a detailed portrait of the man, his work, and the values that fueled both. Even the dust jacket is embellished with one of Morris’ elegant designs from the museum’s extensive archives of decorative art. The book, with essays by more than a dozen experts, lays out the varied aspects of Morris’ life as an artist, designer, poet, educator, entrepreneur, preservationist, and political activist. Each role fed the others, influenced numerous other creative visionaries—like Elbert Hubbard and Frank Lloyd Wright—and nourished his own restless and fertile mind. Read more here.

Keep HGTV Far Away From This MCM Gem

There is just something special about the architecture and spirit of mid-century homes. Their character, their unique shapes, and design elements. They truly don't make homes like they used to and times change but sometimes you come across some true mid-century modern gems for sale that you just hope and pray someone keeps just the way it is. Case-in-point: This wonderful Alden B. Dow design in Midland, Michigan. It's pending sale and we can only hope that the new owners appreciate and maintain the unique character and materials of this home and don't go all "HGTV" in changing it. Read more here and see the Zillow listing with more photos here.

Get Your Limited Edition Holiday Ornament

The Organic Architecture + Design Archives celebrated their inaugural Holiday Fundraising Event last Saturday at their new archival study center in Chandler, Arizona. Also making its debut was a limited edition etched acrylic holiday ornament as a special gift for attendees.

But don't fret! If you couldn't make it to the event and want an ornament of your own, then follow the link and donate $100 or more via a one-time donation or ongoing support subscription and they will make sure to ship you one for your tree!

But act fast—these ornaments are limited availability and once they are gone, they are gone! So donate generously to support the effort to save organic architecture and design materials here.

P.S. If you've already recently donated to help support OA+D during their end of year fundraising initiative, you're already getting one!

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