Writing this letter while visiting my Twin Cities hometown feels serendipitous, as I’m about to wax poetic on the notion of, you guessed it: home. As someone who can’t stay put in one spot for too long, the idea of home is less of a physical residence and more of a feeling, rooted in community and experiences. More of an “it’s the people that make the place” sort of mentality, if you will. For others, perhaps home is grounded in consistency. It’s the reliability of living someplace containing the people and things that make you feel whole and grounded. Turning your key in the lock of a house that is uniquely yours. I suppose that’s the beauty in it — each of us feels “at home” in different ways.
In the Midwest, our abodes are crafted in a particular form, function and fashion unlike our counterparts in other parts of the country. Images of a seaside Nantucket cottage or a Mediterranean-style Palm Beach stunner easily come to mind. But Midwestern design? We’re a bit more nuanced. In our feature, “Midwestern Sensibilities,” Merritt Bamrick digs into the five quintessential home types that make up the Midwestern aesthetic. Featuring insights from seasoned industry experts — from nationally renowned interior designer Nate Berkus to Twin Cities home builder John Kraemer — we uncover the unique complexities that contribute to crafting the important structures we call home.
Photography by Ben Colvin/Spacecrafting
Of course, there are more stories to linger on. In “Along for the Ride,” David Coggins curates a gentleman’s guide to road tripping just in time for summer travel. In “Horse Sense,” Editor-at-Large Kate Nelson shares how horses heal us — especially relevant during the Year of the Fire Horse. In “Live Like a Celeb,” Bonnie Pop rounds up dreamy vacation spots once inhabited by historical figures. (Enjoy the same cream puffs in the same cottage where John F. Kennedy and Jackie O honeymooned? Immediately yes.) Plus, in “Natural Beauty,” we give you a sneak peek into Jenni Kayne’s latest tome, Pacific Natural Everywhere — here, the acclaimed interior designer and tastemaker shares a collection of dreamy homes across the globe with that signature casual yet cool California flair that her brand embodies so well.
And now that we’ve got your summer reading material sorted out (excellent choice, might I add), it’s time to kick back and enjoy a few well-deserved months of peak Midwest weather. After all, that’s why we stick around here, right? Whether these sun-soaked days take you around the globe or keep you near the nest, I hope you feel right at home.
Stay cool,
Lexi Sunberg, Executive Editor
