The Rug is rugged

Last Fall I placed my Poppy & Pod rug outside my front door to test its ruggedness.  It's an indoor rug but the fiber and backing led me to believe if someone wanted to use it as a door mat, they could.  But before I could say for sure, I put it through a very tough, long snowy winter. Ask anyone, this was one of the worst in Minneapolis.

I'm happy to report that the rug came through with flying colors!  All its colors remained true, it withstood wet boots, salt, sand, sleet and whatever Old Man Winter threw at it. The stitched edge is still perfect and the rubber on the back looks great considering it was frozen multiple times to the concrete.  Now it basks in the Spring weather while our cat Malik looks on. I feel confident the rugs will do well on your doorstep, too.  

Craftsman Restaurant Ambience Review

As an Arts & Crafts Movement fan, the Craftsman Restaurant in Minneapolis was on my curiosity list, not for the food but to check out the interior design.  So last night we dropped in for a drink and checked it out.  I ordered the "Craftsman Manhattan" which took some careful sipping on my part with its twist of homemade cherry liquor, orange bitters and potent brandied cherries.

It had the right backdrop palette of rust, green and yellow on the walls, wood floors and a high chair rail, wooden bar backdrop, stained glass wall lighting and simple suspended ceiling lighting.  My photo shows an example of the dining table and chairs made of metal, wood and black seat covering. A stencil motif on canvas frames were repeated in the dining room and two framed bungalow home and floor plans art pieces were hung near the rest rooms.

A bit odd was the divider shelf between the bar area and dining room with jars of their home grown herbs and pickled items they grow out back. It wasn't visually interesting to look at. (Sorry I didn't take a picture but the diners probably wouldn't approve of my flash.) The outdoor patio wasn't open for the season yet but lacked any Craftsman style with its diagonal lattice and tin roof. The website link shows a view of it in summertime use.

It needed a little something more to make me happy.  Maybe a craftsman fireplace or more pottery or art on the wall to keep my interest. If anyone wants to suggest other Arts & Crafts restaurants to check out, I'd be happy to add them to my list.