Copenhagen by Design: Part 1

Copenhagen has been on my travel list since I read a book set there called Number the Stars in fourth grade. But in recent years my interest evolved from childhood nostalgia to a serious curiosity about Denmark’s progressive approach to design solutions, public spaces, and living generally.

When I saw an ad for cheap flights and found some willing travel partners, I decided to make it happen. A little research pointed me to the Osterbro and Vesterbro neighborhoods, which were said to be less touristy and a bit less expensive.

The Vrbo rental I found in a Vesterbro neighborhood of historic townhouses called Humleby—built for blue-collar shipyard workers in the late 1800s—was so much cheaper than the other options, I worried until a just few days before we left that it might be a scam. It was not.

The street was lined with parked bicycles, and each home had its own tiny courtyard out back. The interior was expectedly Scandinavian.

Between Humleby and the nearest metro station lies Enghave Climate Park. We discovered it one night when we peeked through a natural hedge and saw a rowdy game of roller hockey taking place in a sunken court. The Park is huge. Another day we found a packed pickleball court, a group of older men playing bocci, and a pack of teens practicing what we could only assume was their TikTok dance routine. Originally designed by Arne Jacobson in 1927—Enghave Park has since been reimagined as part of the City’s Cloudburst Management Plan.

In 2011 a cloudburst overwhelmed Copenhagen’s streets and basements with five inches of water in just two hours. The flood forced people to evacuate and caused over a billion dollars in damages. A year later, the City unveiled a plan for handling future storm events: in addition to enlarging underground water storage spaces, it undertook 300 separate projects to redesign wetlands and green spaces to hold or slow water runoff.

At the Danish Architecture Center I read that Danish design combines function, beauty, and sustainability. Copenhagen’s vast array of public spaces truly embrace this thinking.

Between the grounds surrounding Copenhagen’s historic castles, the free botanical garden, and countless parks, large expansive green spaces were everywhere. Like in Prague, I noticed that the spaces accommodate a mix of ages and activities. Whether you want to sit and relax, get active, or be alone or in a group—there’s a space for you.

Moss and other plants top buildings and bus stops, adding a natural cooling effect and an opportunity for water to be absorbed before making its way to the stormwater pipes.

In addition to adding new features, the City removed whole sections of pavement, replacing concrete with permeable pavers and allowing native plants—some might say weeds—to grow unkempt between streets and sidewalks. We walked by an example on our way to tour a rooftop farm.

After the historic cloudburst, one landscape architect spent time studying New York City’s approach to urban gardening before creating Gro spiseri, Denmark’s first urban rooftop garden.

To see it we climbed a tiny winding staircase so high and narrow I thought it best not to look down. On top was a green oasis.

The farm grows a strikingly similar mix of flowers, herbs, and vegetables to those that I have in my own garden. Several bee hives bring local honey, and a crew of chickens provide eggs.

The farm feeds around 40 CSA members, who pay a fee for produce. They don’t participate in the actual farming—the owner blamed their lack of interest on Denmark’s culture—but they can volunteer to help care for the chickens, as this young family was doing.

While the rooftop garden project received several government grants to get started, it now sustains itself with money from CSA fees and proceeds from the communal meals served in its cozy restaurant. We ate a meal there of five delicious dishes alongside a mix of Danes and Americans.

The Danish woman next to me asked how I found the place—the Danes don’t even know about this, she said. Instagram, I told her. (Sometimes the algorithm really does work.)

The most dramatic environmental feature we saw, however, was Copenhill. Now the City’s tallest building, this facility incinerates 440,000 tons of municipal waste each year and offers an array of recreational opportunities.

You can ski or snowboard down it in any season. It offers amazing 360 views of the city, and a giant climbing wall to boot.

And on top of all those features, I found it just plain beautiful to look at.

While these public spaces serve an important ecological purpose, they have also been very intentionally designed with people in mind.

Everywhere we went there were natural and built features made for play and relaxing.

Graffiti seemed to be embraced. We saw it in skate parks and along walls and buildings flanking the canals. It added color and texture to areas that were otherwise rather color-neutral.

Multiple spots along the City’s clean canals invited lounging, swimming, and jumping into the water.

We even saw an older man doing laps in the nude.

The canals were filled with a mix of kayakers, tourist boats, and small groups enjoying boat picnics.

Another section of water was roped off for kayak water polo. Who knew that was a thing?

A canal-side cafe offered a large lending library of books.

Outside the architecture center was a huge play area of slides and climbing features.

I love how they made much out of so little: even my 16-year old joyfully ran up and down this pocket park’s sandy hill and jumped on a tilty bouncy thing just for fun.

We would have jumped on these sidewalk trampolines too, but they were filled with kids!

And note the lack of plastic play equipment. I don’t think I saw a single piece the entire time we were there.

We may not have the environmental bent that clearly pervades Danish society, but we can follow their example in simple ways. Why not replace synthetic equipment with natural features that invite playful creativity and never have to die in a landfill? How about re-imagining our public spaces to include options for people of all types and ages? This is totally possible.

Costa Rica Crushes Ohio and Pennsylvania

Not long after Coban selected his classes for the first semester of high school, we had a conversation about college. I’d always assumed once he graduated, he’d move far away and I wouldn’t see him much. (Obviously college was the perfect opportunity for him to move out west to a mountain town I knew I’d love to visit.)

He had other ideas. Ohio and Pennsylvania seem pretty cool, he told me, with all the confidence of an eighth-grader.

And this, my friends, is why we went to Costa Rica. I’ll be damned if my kid is going to leave high school thinking Ohio and Pennsylvania are the best the world has to offer.

Waking up to a view of a real-life volcano went a long way toward proving my point.

Our adventure started immediately. On the very long drive from the airport in San Jose to our hotel just outside of La Fortuna, we stopped on the side of a windy mountain road to let Michele stick her cute little face in the largest leaf I’ve ever seen.

We also pulled over to ogle this huge group of coatis like the tourists that we were. And right across the road from those were two toucans talking to each other from the branches of a very tall tree!

The next day we did a hike in Arenal Volcano National Park. The hike was definitely more of a stroll, but we saw some amazing plants and creatures along the way.

The crush of tourists we encountered where the trail ended (you can’t climb the volcano, sadly) reminded me of the band of coatis, so I photographed them too.

Next up was La Fortuna Waterfall, which, despite being overrun with people, was well worth the trip.

Behind the falls was a huge rock face covered in ferns, with long dangly vines reaching for the water. It wasn’t nearly as hot as I expected there, but we got in the water anyway. Because, Costa Rica!

I wasn’t sure about stepping right into a bunch of fish that I could clearly see. But, they kindly swam away so we could enjoy an amazingly refreshing dip before climbing the 520 steps back to the top. (Dad counted.)

And this is where our adventures with our Tour Guide really began. He told us before we arrived that we would lunch at the restaurant near the waterfall. Dad told him that we preferred to eat somewhere local. When he got no where, Coban took a shot. The answer to his direct request was also a subtle but discernible no.

And so we ate the food for tourists and then returned promptly to our hotel to hang out without our guide. The bar by the pool served both drinks and food, and by the time we left, several of us were following Bartender Luis on Instagram.

There was plenty to see just on the grounds. The toucans were there too, as well as this perky fellow. And monkeys swinging from tree to tree! I literally stood staring up at them with my mouth hanging open.

Meanwhile, everywhere you look, the plants are huge and dramatic. I had a camera that is great with close-ups, and I could not stop. If you’re not into plant photos, just keep on scrolling.

The next day we took a safari float on the Peñas Blancas River, which was low key but amazing. We saw monkeys, huge iguanas, toucans, and two caymans. And ate the freshest pineapple I’ve ever tasted.

Maybe the most remarkable thing we did was a night walk through the rain forest on an organic farm. Huber, the owner, had an uncanny ability to spot animals in the dark, even if they were 30 feet up in a very leafy tree. We saw a sloth, a baby ant-eater, several kinds of frogs, and the deadliest snake in the whole country, the fer-de-lance. This made my snake-hunting dad very happy.

After several days of feeling pushed around by our ever-talkative tour guide, we ditched him on our last day and took an Uber into town. He found us, though. As soon as we saw him, dad tucked into a shoe store, and Michele, Coban and I jumped into a clothing shop. I squatted down to hide when I saw his van go by, in a very Seinfeld-like moment.

After he passed, the four of us fast-walked down the street, taking quick turns down alleys to try to lose him. Not a half hour later, he pulled up across the street from where Michele and I stood waiting on a sidewalk, and offered to give us a ride. (We did not give in.)

Our shared irritation led to a lot of discussion and so many laughs. We were a united family front against an opportunistic earner.

Color has always made me happy, and it was everywhere you turned.

Even the trash pile of fruit peals behind the hotel looked beautiful to me.

And who knew a blooming banana could take so many forms?

Our drive back to the airport took us through a different mountain pass. We saw steep hillsides carved into truly impressive angular terraces, filled with coffee plants, grazing cattle, and even soon-to-be Christmas trees.

We stopped briefly in a tiny town whose square was filled with large, sometimes comical, topiary.

The doors to the Catholic Church stood open, so anyone could wonder in. I loved the colors on this elementary school—which made even the wrought-iron fence look inviting.

Our trip was short, but filled with jokes and laughter. And I felt so calm when I got home. The world is large, and I’m so grateful for the chance to go out and see it.

Does Morgantown Need Its Own Graffiti Alley?

I got Coban a passport last May. And then a year flew by. After he scheduled his high school classes this spring, we had a serious talk about college. “I think Ohio and Pennsylvania are pretty cool,” he said.

Umm…let’s just say my travel aspirations for the child suddenly took on a new sense of urgency.

When my friend told me that she and her family would be busy the whole weekend we’d planned on visiting them at Keuka Lake, I saw an opportunity: the drive to Toronto is even shorter from New York.

As we drove past picturesque vineyards on our way north, I asked Coban if he knew the purpose of our trip. To expand our horizons? He said, with a question in his voice. (I must say, I felt proud that he understood this.) Well, yes, I told him. But do you know what else?

To have fun!

As the words left my mouth I glanced to the right and saw a giant wooden sign with the words FUNLAND written in large capital letters. If that wasn’t a sign…

Can we stop in Buffalo for authentic wings? (The obvious next question.) Naturally, the answer was yes.

So we made a detour to Duff’s Famous Wings. Coban reports they were the best wings he ever had. He may be young, but the kid knows food.

The night we arrived in Toronto I picked a noodle place at random for dinner. On the way Coban spotted Mom’s Pan Fried Bun. Redirect.

This was our first experience with steamed buns, and I must say, they were amazing. So much so that the next day, he had to have more. (And also takeout from the same spot on Sunday morning for the ride home.)

We walked to Chinatown on Saturday, and then on to Kensington Market. There is art everywhere in Toronto, from sculptures between buildings to enclosures surrounding street trees.

Kensington Market is full of so many kinds of food and art.

Get an artisanal donut, a fresh smoothie, or an inspirational message, all in one eclectic neighborhood.

From there, we made our way to Graffiti Alley, the one must-see destination on my list.

I’ve loved the idea of a dedicated graffiti spot since I visited Austin’s graffiti park years ago. But Toronto has taken this concept to a new level.

Graffiti Alley is an amazing mix of traditional murals and impromptu street art—even the trash cans and dumpsters are tagged.

There was a steady stream of people passing through an otherwise unremarkable passageway, taking photos and appreciating the sprawling creativity, some with suitcases in tow. Clearly this Alley has a reputation.

As we finished walking through, I spotted a sign for a food hall across the street. Because of course, we were hungry and thirsty. Just goes to show how unexciting places can become destinations with a bit of intention and some creativity. That Alley is now not only a place for artistic expression, but a tool for economic development.

Which makes me wonder, does Morgantown need its own Graffiti Alley?

Prague! Part Two.

We packed a lot into the five days I was in Prague, including a train ride to Karlstejn, a tiny town whose tourism centers around a nearby castle.

We lunched at an adorable family-run bistro whose owner made the entire patio of diners laugh when he invited us to follow them on Instagram and pointed to the “like” counter mounted on the wall.

Its numbers changed as we got out our phones and liked their page. The kids went wild.

After lunch we hiked on wooded trails behind the castle to a series of rock quarries. The largest has been called the Czech Grand Canyon. They were deep and beautiful. Clever turning former industrial property into a destination by surrounding it with hiking trails.

Another day we visited the Jewish quarter, where four synagogues and one tiny cemetery filled with over 12,000 bodies sit in close proximity.

The artistry in each synagogue was impressive, the associated history sobering.

On the other side of the city, we took an elevator to the top of the Žižkov Tower, whose ugly architecture contrasts sharply with the beautiful neighborhoods around it. The creepy metal babies crawling up the side were created by David Cerny, whose sculptures dot the city. We saw several without even trying, including a man that hangs unnervingly from a pole in a square called “Man Hanging Out.”

At the top of the tower, we were treated to this unbelievable view. Just look at those colors.

And the thoughtful arrangement of the buildings. Each set of housing units surrounds an open courtyard, so everyone has outside access.

Green parks large and small appear at every turn.

Whether it’s classic architecture, edgy sculptures, or graffiti, art is everywhere. Prague has all the charm and history you expect from Europe but with the added edge and grit of a truly creative community.

And not only are there parks. There are things to do and see in them. We found these tiny trampolines next to a paved walking path that led to a giant iconic horse sculpture.

Another day we took a bus to the edge of the city to the Prague Botanic Garden. As you might expect by now, it was thoughtfully designed too.

I listened to a recent Armchair Expert interview with Gretchen Rubin, who talked about using the five senses to be more mindful.

The Botanic Garden put this concept into action.

There were at least three exhibits that invited you to sniff different scents, from natural oils to the different grape varietals grown in the surrounding vineyards.

Sculptures that make sounds when you touch them.

We saw an outdoor movie screen surrounded by chairs where people were relaxing. Another area was filled with hammocks. It struck me how much effort they put into creating different spaces and ways for people of all types to engage with the same property.

The same could be said for my favorite place from the whole trip, which we stumbled upon completely by accident. All because of this big pink sculpture.

It sat just inside a large metal door and acted as a wordless sign that said “Come on in!”

We walked into a “cultural center” known as Kasarna Karlin. Surrounded by five-story buildings that were built to house the Austro-Hungrian army in the 1840s, this multi-faceted social space is part of a larger revitalization effort in a part of the city that declined after a flood devastated it in 2002.

Talk about something for everyone. On the left as you walk in, next to a row of rental scooters and bikes, tucked into a wall of green ivy, is a retro Photo Booth. Behind that is a cluster of yellow chairs where people can lounge and watch an athletic game of volleyball being played in the sand court.

In the center is a large metal unicorn sculpture. Around it are trees and picnic tables where people can eat and drink.

Multiple vendors offered coffee, food, beers, and even fancy mixed drinks.

There’s an outdoor movie screen, surrounded by sunny yellow chairs and tables. And a fire pit. And sometimes techno parties.

And of course, a kids playground with a sandbox and a climbing wall. This wasn’t the first time we saw a space where parents could drink beer while their children played. How civilized.

In case you are still wondering, the answer is yes. You should definitely visit Prague. Its relaxed pace and commitment to free public amenities gives me hope for humanity.

Prague! Part One.

My flight to Prague arrived just after midnight. It was dark and drizzly outside, and I saw nothing of the city on the bus ride to my friend Amy’s apartment. Imagine my surprise when I woke the next day, opened the tall, ornate windows, and found this outside.

There was art and architecture EVERYWHERE.

The sidewalks all over the city are made with 2’’x 2’’ stone tiles. The patterns vary, but even new sidewalks are constructed this same way. They are easy to walk on and beautiful to behold.

The color palette of the buildings is so tight, I actually googled to see if it is regulated. I couldn’t find anything, but I definitely noted the absence of any garish colors. We wondered if the inspiration comes from natural pigments. The terracotta clay tiles on the roofs are distinctive, and the colorful buildings complement them perfectly.

In addition to beautiful architecture from so many different eras—especially Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque—we found large, green parks filled with trees and places to relax everywhere we went. And we went a lot of places. We walked nine miles per day for at least three of the days I was there.

Art appeared in so many—sometimes unexpected—places. The long series of yellow penguins shown below lights up at night. I spotted it from across the river, and later we had a beer at the adjacent cafe just so we could sit next to them.

People seem relaxed. The many public spaces are filled with all types and ages, hanging out and chatting. Sometimes drinking a beer (which is cheaper than water!), but never openly intoxicated.

Graffiti is embraced and not just reserved for “alternative” spaces.

The Vltava River, which runs through the city, has peddle boats for rent, large sets of pool balls that act as bumpers, and a bright pink covered boat labeled “Bar” that serves people on the water. The public amenities seem to be created by people with a sense of humor.

The combinations of old and new and quirky and classy are just everywhere. I felt like there was a beautiful surprise just waiting to be found down every street. Check out the subtle line drawing on the beer bar above, where the mug slowly transitions into goat. Funny, right?

In the Old Town section, you can take your pick from beautifully crafted pastries to the offerings of a nearby sex shop before emerging into a giant historical square filled with people speaking all sorts of languages.

All this within walking distance of the apartment. As you might guess, I took hundreds of pictures. So I divided this trip into three separate posts. Next up includes the coolest public space I’ve seen yet.

Sights and Inspiration from My Surprise London Detour

The flight I booked to Prague included a three-hour layover in Heathrow, which seemed perfect. The 12-hour layover that turned into once my initial connecter was cancelled, slightly less so. But thanks to the wondrous internet, I found an article with such specific instructions on how to tackle a London layover (store your bag here, buy a train ticket there, get off at this stop, etc.) that I quickly downed my coffee and got to it.

The recommended stop took me through a sprawling park filled with lounging people and ancient trees, and directly to Buckingham Palace. I know plenty about the inside of that place from watching The Crown, so I didn’t bother trying to book a tour.

Nonetheless, it was quite something to see those (dare I say ridiculous?) palace guards in their giant fur hats high-stepping it back and forth in front of the entrance.

Curiosity satisfied, I headed through the Palace grounds toward the River Thames. The streets in between were filled with tourists wandering around Westminster Abbey and posing in front of Big Ben.

I liked seeing the red double decker buses in person—they’re just so quintessentially London. The ferris wheel in the distance was a fun surprise. Why not insert a visually dramatic carnival ride right in the middle of your river walk?

The scene along the South Bank was definitely my favorite. If there’s one thing I learned on this trip, it’s that there’s a formula for great community development: Include a little something for everyone.

This area had some really great visuals, such as this polka dot creature (a panther, I think?) and his brightly-colored companion.

There were tons of food and drink options, of course. Some so creatively designed, they just begged you to stop and explore. Love the reuse of metal food cans here to create the 3-D BBQ sign.

Colorful planters filled with greenery tall enough to provide a nice visual barrier added some classy privacy for this outdoor seating area.

This was an arts and cultural district for sure, but that didn’t stop them from including a skate park filled with graffiti right next to the main path. Kids were skating and an artist was creating as I walked by. I love seeing this art form channelled rather than scorned. Suddenly this underused space offers something to see and something to do.

The hardscape included sculptural features that were clearly fun for kids. Playground equipment is not always needed.

Since I’ve been collaborating with several groups to help bring a maker space to Downtown Morgantown, I was really excited to discover that London has done a very similar thing.

The first floor of the building above was filled with retail shops. The top had a nice restaurant with a view.

The floors in between offered individual workspaces for artists and craftspeople.

Even the common hallways got some artistic attention.

The courtyard behind had its own intrigue, including a giant digital sign shaped like an iPhone that offered up information and an associated QR code.

Naturally all of this was done at big city scale, but the concepts are repeatable. We can do this here.

I couldn’t tell if the art on the wall above was part of a construction site or permanent, but it added some colorful vibrancy either way.

I ended my little walking tour in the gardens around the Palace. I wasn’t expecting this group of pelicans next to the pond, seemingly unbothered by the throngs of people walking by and stopping to stare.

My legs felt blissfully exhausted as I headed back to the airport for the next phase of my travel adventure.

Forest Pathologist Turned Seamstress

I first met Dani several years ago when our mutual friend invited us over for a craft night. Soon we were all getting together nearly every week to make things.

We carted our sewing machines to each other’s houses and gave each other tips. Dani was just learning to sew.

Our craft nights eventually came to an end, but Dani never stopped. A forest pathologist by day, she gets out her creative energy at night by sewing purses, clothes, fanny packs, and more.

Fast forward a few years, and her hobby is now a burgeoning side business called Icelandic Ponies. She’s impressively prolific, and people are loving it. They go crazy for mushrooms and Japanese cat prints, she says.

Dani has been selling at local festivals and arts market, and she also sells directly through her Facebook page. Her work was even featured in Morgantown Magazine not long ago.

This kind of independent creative energy makes me so happy to see. We took these photographs in Dani’s back yard, where she’s growing veggies and raising chickens. When she’s not working or sewing, she’s out kayaking whitewater or riding her bike.

She’s making West Virginia living look good.

Coco & June's New Studio

I first met Emily Kurth several years ago, when she was running her creative business, Coco & June, from home. As we toured her house and her bright basement studio, she told me how she came to spend her days doing something she loves—making abstract art.

“I’ve always been self-directed,” she said, “structuring my days based on what feels good at the moment. But for a long time, I thought ‘That’s not what successful people do.’”

Turns out, she was wrong.

Coco & June began years ago when Emily and a friend decided to monetize something they were already doing—refinishing old furniture. That work required a very clean space (free of the dog hair that Emily’s golden retriever Augie can’t help but shed), as well as a lot of moving and heavy lifting. When Emily’s business partner took a new job, Emily changed course.

She began selling lifestyle goods, including hand-painted wooden signs and shirts she designed. (I still have and love a tank top she made back then that says ‘Stay Wild.’) Her signs proved popular and sold well. Even so, after a while Emily began feeling a pit in her stomach every time someone ordered one. She realized she was just making what would sell.

She explained all this—as well as her love of abstract painting—to a photographer who presented at a conference and spoke about her own career shift. The presenter told Emily it was time for a change.

Emily returned home to find the computer she’d used to create all of her sign designs had crashed. Nothing could be saved.

And yet? Emily felt a sense of relief. It seemed to be a sign. (Sometimes the puns just happen.) She shifted gears and began focusing on abstract painting.

Fast forward a year and a half, and things have shifted once again. This May Emily opened a public studio space at 1195 Pineview Drive.

This time the new opportunity came to her.

When Emily first received an email from interior designer Laura Davis Stone asking about her paintings, she thought it was a hoax. It wasn’t until Laura approached her in a coffee shop that she realized her mistake. Laura began using Emily’s paintings in her design work and encouraged Emily to move into the building she’s been renovating in Suncrest, which houses Laura’s interior design studio and boutique, Edgar Rae.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that when something like this falls in your lap,” Emily told me, “You say Yes.”

I’m so glad she did. Her paintings are lovely in person, and it’s powerful to see a whole series of them all together. She’s also selling cards, prints, mugs, and other goods featuring images from her paintings. In the coming months she plans to hold small painting classes in the space.

Her studio can be found around the back side of the building for now, but eventually you’ll be able to access it from upstairs as well. (And I think she’d want me to tell you that she will soon be getting a new door, which will complete the lovely cohesive look she’s created inside.)

Go check it out. You’ll be glad you did.

Always Onward: A Glimpse at Oklahoma City's Revitalization

Ever spend way too much time dreading something only to have it turn out to be completely fine? Or even good? This happened to me last month when I visited Oklahoma City for the first time. My preconceived notions were so wrong. That City has been working really hard at redevelopment. And I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw.

First of all, the Omni hotel where I stayed downtown was well designed, with a great sense of place. Tall vertical landscapes dominated by sky and dramatic clouds lined the hallway leading to my room. A pencil drawing of a buffalo hung in the bathroom, and the gold mirror’s edge looked like rope. Several small open-air shelters lined the side of the rooftop pool bar, each with its own set of comfy seating and a disco ball.

Across the street was sprawling Scissortail Park, with an amphitheater that faces a large grassy lawn, a giant playground, pollinator gardens and ponds, and a cute little lunch spot with shaded outdoor seating.

Next to the hotel is the arena where the Thunder play (that’s basketball for those of you without a sports-obsessed child to fill you in), as well as OKC’s new convention center. It was built after the federal highway department decided to relocate the freeway that previously ran right through downtown, leaving about 800 acres of empty space in its wake.

The convention center too was beautifully done and thoughtfully designed. One of the architects who worked on the project described how they took influence from the area’s history and natural assets. Here in Oklahoma, he said, the sky is our nature. When he showed photographs of a wolf and a fawn next to grey and brown building materials, I suddenly understood the color palette I’d been seeing throughout the convention center and the hotel—and appreciated it all the more.

I ran past Scissortail Park on my way to the river, which had a beautifully paved path next to it. I kept going until I was directly across from the Ferris wheel on the opposite side of the river, which I later learned was the starting point for a housing development and bikeable community known as Wheeler District. The development group that built the community installed a previously-owned Ferris wheel (I swear they said they got it on eBay, but don’t hold me to it) on a former downtown airpark to generate interest in the project before anything was built.

Next they started holding cycling races on the old runways. Meanwhile, they surveyed actual people in the area to find out how they really wanted to live. They asked people where they would move if they could go anywhere. The fact that people named places like Portland helps explain the rainbow houses. Now every Tuesday night there is a bike crit that runs through the community. New homeowners get little cow bells in their welcome packets so they can cheer on the cyclists every week. Talk about establishing a sense of place using what you have.

The other project I learned about and had to go see involved turning the Fred Jones building, formerly used by Ford Motor Company, into a boutique art museum hotel called 21c.

When I mapped the route to walk there, I realized I could walk right through a 15-acre botanical garden that was just across the street and down a block from my hotel.

That place felt like a secret garden full of tiny discoveries…sculptures, a teepee, growing sheep, a huge water-misting sculpture, all tucked in next to tall city buildings.

Koi swam with swans in the pond. Little kids climbed on 3D letters and older kids arrived to skate.

And even though the overall space is large, it felt like so many distinctly different spaces in one. The plantings were native and well developed, in a way that felt very organic.

And then there were these giant sculptures, bold and unexpected after the calm of the garden.

I was shocked by how much this City integrated art at every turn.

Below is the entrance to 21c. It’s part of a series of hotels located across the country, which the owners started because their personal art collection got out of hand. I feel very glad they did.

There was quirky place-appropriate art throughout the large downstairs space, and it was free to walk around and check it out. The woman who approached me and asked me to sign a waiver for taking photos told me that OKC is a like a big small town. Everyone knows each other, she said. I always like the sound of that.

Apparently there’s original art in all the rooms too. This little restaurant looked quite enticing, and out back and to the side I spotted a pool bar. Not sure you can go wrong with that concept.

I found this “Always Onward” slogan interesting. It has a hint of the underdog in it, I think. Combined with a strong resolve. The folks in OKC seem to have their fair share. From what I saw, they’re moving forward in really nice ways.

Get an Early Spring Fix at Phipps

This morning I saw the early green leaves of tulips and allium in my garden, which feels promising. Spring is just a few weeks away, technically speaking, though I’m sure plenty of cold days remain.

If you need an early warm weather fix in the meantime, I have just the answer: take a trip to Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. Right now they have both an Orchid and Tropical Bonsai show and a Tropical Forest Hawaii exhibit.

These plants require warm air to thrive, of course, so walking through the various sections where they’re growing feels like taking a trip to the tropics. The variety and beauty of these plants was truly amazing.

The food at the cafe was pretty tasty too. Food & Wine called it one of the best museum restaurants in the country, in fact.

In my mind I had been to Phipps before. I remembered it as cool but with too many birds. My mind turned out to be wrong; I was thinking of the aviary. This place is pleasantly bird-free.

I love the feeling of being transported to a new place, even if just for a few hours.

Just looking at natural beauty is surprisingly uplifting. Hope this tides you over until the spring blossoms really start to pop.

Creative Inspiration for Languishers

Remember when The NY Times said the feeling of 2021 was languishing? I so identified with that. I wish I could say the feeling went away with the start of the new year, but it seems to be hanging around. Just like this pandemic.

Sometimes I feel quite guilty about the languishing. I’m a creative person with lots of supplies on hand. Why can I not figure out something to do with them? I know it would make me feel better to create something, but it’s nearly impossible without a real purpose. Give me a reason (that bed needs a bright throw pillow; someone needs help finding a new rug), and I’ll get started immediately. Without that, I find myself dragging out a bunch of pretty fabrics or my sketchbook only to put it all away again after a few minutes. That said, even though I have few creative projects of my own to show right now, I’ve enjoyed seeing what some other creative people are doing, and I thought you might like to see too.

In December, I got to meet artist and entrepreneur Emily Kurth. Emily runs her abstract art and coaching business, Coco & June, from her home, with the help of her friendly golden retriever, Augie. 

I’ve been wearing a tank top that Emily designed with the words “Stay Wild” on the front (so many possible meanings, I love it) for several years, so it was a real treat to get to talk with her in person.

Emily’s basement studio is a bright, playful space featuring a work bench, a desk, a large easel, and a beautiful velvet couch.

Coco & June began when Emily and a friend decided to monetize something they were already doing—refinishing old furniture. When Emily’s business partner took a new job, Emily began selling lifestyle goods, including shirts she designed and hand-painted wooden signs. Her signs sold well, but after a while she started getting a pit in her stomach every time someone ordered one.

Long story short, she listened to her gut, and it led her to shift directions yet again.

Emily now focuses on her real love: abstract painting. Though paintings aren’t necessarily where she makes her money, she’s found clever ways to incorporate her artwork into lifestyle goods that people want.

You can find her abstract art on jewelry, pillows and bags, mugs, and one-of-a-kind hand-painted Vans. Last spring she added a new dimension to her business: coaching other female business owners. Painting abstracts and helping others tap into their own inner strength puts her into a flow state and allows her to embrace her natural tendency to work intuitively. Now she helps other creative ladies do the same.

Yesterday I photographed a very cool old house that Lisa and LJ Giuliani have dubbed The Meditation Palace, which will soon be available for rent on Airbnb. You might recognize it from the studio tour I blogged about last fall.

It’s a beautiful old house, and they’ve filled it with a great combination of lovely new textiles and vintage finds.

Naturally there’s a mediation room. It’s got a very pretty rug overtop a padded yoga mat, plenty of floor cushions, and room for a massage table. So you can book a private massage while you stay. Oooh la la!

As you can imagine, the interior designer in me would LOVE to have an extra house to fix up and decorate, so I was ever so happy for the opportunity to live vicariously. Spring is coming soon(ish), which always helps. In the meantime, if you have projects and would like some help, let me know! We can escape the languishing together.

Fine Craft and Connections at the Annual Lock House Studio Sale

The photos I took a few weeks back of the Mo’Town Studio Tour led to the opportunity to take yet more photos at the annual Lock House Studio holiday sale last weekend.

The first floor of the house next to Lisa’s studio, which they’ve dubbed the Meditation Palace, was packed with the work of multiple potters, as well as Bryn Perrott’s bold wood block prints.

(I got a real kick out of the pink possum shown above in left center.)

All the ceramics pieces were intermingled rather than separated by artist, and it was fun to see how their distinctly different styles complemented one another.

I love how ceramics brings together art and function, elevating basic items that you can use every day.

These pendant lights, for example. So good.

I found these cuties hanging out in a corner eating snacks. Beside them was a display of the (prolific!) work of Lisa’s daughter, Leila Jade (in the red). I was so impressed. She’s clearly been working really hard.

I came for the art, and it had its usual effect. I find others’ creativity both inspiring and uplifting. What I didn’t expect was the crazy number of connections I had with so many people there. It was almost comical.

Here goes: I’ve been working with the husband of the artist who hosted the event, who happens to employ my step-sister. My step-sister’s cousin had her beautiful work on display too, and she and I ran cross-country together in high school. She and some other graduates of the WVU art department were having dinner that night with a retired ceramics professor, who my mom also had when she was in school. One of my best running buddies came over to tell me she loved my boots (she was wearing the same ones) and introduced me to her friend, whose son I recently met at a football game.

This complicated, interwoven network of wonderful people makes me smile. You can’t get that kind of connectivity just anywhere. It’s one of the best things we have to offer here in small town West Virginia, and it’s one of the things I love the most.