Bistro Newsletter

To celebrate my mom’s birthday my sister, Christine, and I took her to Midland for a girl’s weekend. We drove up Saturday morning and our first stop was Maru for lunch. Sushi, Fried Tofu, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and Garlicky Shrimp were all tasty. We had a little bit of time before our home tour, so we browsed Willow. Very cute ladies clothing store in downtown Midland… if you want to look like a successful, intelligent middle aged artsy Ann Arbor type. Apparently, I do, as I liked lots of their selections. I’m starting to notice that my mom and I often end up looking at the same clothes. I can’t decide how I feel about that yet. As a young girl, I remember when the dressing room was a place where we had some heated moments. But I digress.
Our afternoon was spent touring the Alden B. Dow studio and home. Built in the 1930’s this structure is incredible. If you’re a fan of Mid Century Modern, this is an absolutely “must do” tour. Our docent was a fabulous storyteller, eager to share many surprising details, you could tell she was very inspired by the design. The house is fascinating. They do not allow you to take pictures inside the home, and I could see why once the tour started… you would never put down your camera as there is just so much to see! Besides the unique architecture, the home is filled with incredible art. Pottery, glass and fine textiles are everywhere. Dow was friends with not only Frank Loyd Wright, you can see the influence, but many MCM designers and artists.​

Dow had designed over 20 different homes in Midland before he started the addition of his home to the original studio in 1939, at the age of 35, completed in 1941. I was awe struck by the fact that this happened just as the Great Depression was ending. But I guess being the son of Herbert Dow (founder of Dow Chemical) had its advantages. The home is built into the landscape reflecting his slogan “…gardens never end, and buildings never begin” using “concrete” that Dow developed with his father’s engineering and science background. Parts of the home are actually submerged in the surrounding pond. The grounds feel relaxing and organic.
Throughout his life, Dow designed over 500 structures, 150 in Midland. Midland is a mecca of MCM homes and buildings, there are over 400, many by Dow, many by his friends and peers of his architecture firm. We really enjoyed driving around the neighborhoods, looking at the insane homes and checking out the Zillow listings. I was amazed at how less expensive real estate is in Midland vs. Oakland County. Besides Dow Chemical, U of M has a hospital there and you can see the trail of money. It’s a really pretty area.

After our home tour, we walked the Dahlia Hill Garden and poked around the little Charles Breed Studio. Us ladies checked into The H Hotel, drank a well-deserved bottle of bubbles, rested and had dinner in the hotel at ONe18. Midland was hosting music in their “social district”, so we checked out a local band before heading to the pool for a late-night dip.

After a walk along the river and over “The Tridge”, breakfast was on the patio at Café Zinc. We drove through different neighborhoods on our way out of town, stopping at a few garage sales… hoping to peak into another MCM home or two. We will have to return to see the Dow Gardens as we were all too pooped to walk the gardens this trip.
A stop in Fenton on the drive home for lunch at the yummy Crust Bakery completed a fabulous weekend celebrating Sandra and her 80th birthday. I highly recommend a day or two in Midland.


Cheers,
Sharon

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