Text: Kyle Gandy The Benzie County Visitors Bureau, or CVB, specializing in tourism and hospitality marketing in northwestern Michigan off the coast of Lake Michigan is revitalizing their brand with the launch of Make it Benzie. With the help from Greenlight Marketing based in Traverse City, Michigan, the organization continues to work on redesigning their name, logo, photos, videos, and…
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Arbor reborn
Text: R.Collins In the early 2000s, when the invasive Emerald Ash Borer beetle sparked an epidemic in southeastern Michigan, many trees native to the region had to be cut down and replaced. Then, about five years ago, Jenny Barger, co-founder and director of sales and marketing at Live Edge Detroit, received a coffee table composed of ash wood and beautifully…
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Outdoor oasis
By Kyle Gandy The summer heat is an old acquaintance with residents of the Midwest; the abundance of lakes restores a balance, yet not everyone is fortunate enough to live directly near a body of water. Retractable Solutions Inc., located in Lansing Michigan, however, believes their customers can feel as if they are on vacation in their own backyard. “From…
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Functional art
While a return to modern and a look to contemporary design has taken hold of the industry in more recent years, there is a luxury home furnishings company in Grand Rapids, Michigan—Joseph Jeup Inc.—that has emerged as a high-end, couture furniture designer with a collection that defines lifestyles and redefines luxury. “I would love to say that our furniture is…
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Designing the future
By R.Collins Earlier this week on June 11 through June 13, 2018, NeoCon, the annual design showcase considered by many to be one of the world’s largest and most important events in the commercial interiors industry, celebrated its 50th anniversary at Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart, or theMART. The industry’s major and emerging manufacturers displayed new products in categories such as furniture,…
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Savoring season
By R. Collins For years Aerie Restaurant & Lounge in Acme, Michigan—Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s award-winning in-house dining venue—has annually crafted two seasonal menus to showcase Michigan’s diverse harvests. This summer’s newest three-part menu featuring starter, lounge, and dinner menu sections, is delivering a new grouping of ingredients to the many national and international guests the resort draws…
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Paint by light
Gwen Grossman Lighting Design, or GGLD, is Chicago-based, award-winning lighting design firm drawing upon the diverse backgrounds of its team members to deliver innovative solutions for client projects. “Our firm is very diversified with backgrounds in theatrical lighting, architecture, interior design, and fine arts, so we bring a lot to the table that has different perspectives,” said Gwen Grossmen, IALD…
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Sound and light
By: R. Collins At Detroit Pitch Night on May 31, 2018, ArtPrize, an international art competition drawing more than 500,000 annual visitors to Grand Rapids, Michigan, awarded Detroit-artist Troy Ramos $5,000 for his installation piece known as Sound Space. The award will allow him to bring Sound Space to a high-profile venue during ArtPrize 10 in September, 2018. Pitch Night…
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Among the stars
When the Capitol Theatre Building was completed in 1928, it not only epitomized the atmospheric style that would come to define John Eberson’s architectural career, but also was the largest theater in Flint, Michigan and among the Butterfield Theatre chain’s most lavish. While the theater shuttered its doors in 1996 and sat dormant for nearly two decades, a multidisciplinary group…
