Love Shoes & History? Oh Boy, Does the Taft Museum Have Something For You

Walk This Way is on view February 27-June 6, 2021 in the Fifth Third Gallery. For more information and to plan your visit, check the website. / Image: Phil Armstrong, Cincinnati Refined // Published: 3.1.21

Future Retrieval: Close Parallel Combines Eras of Art In New, Interesting Ways

The works pulse with energy and challenge the viewer to see old things in new ways. Parker and Davis selected an eclectic array of objects from the CAM's decorative arts collection, and juxtaposed these with startlingly fresh pieces of newly-created art.

A Near-Perfect Recreation of the 'Goodnight Moon' Room Sits Above a NKY Book Store

It's been featured in Buzzfeed and has been above Blue Marble Books for 30 years. Anyone else feeling nostalgic or is it just us?

PHOTOS: This Is What Cincinnati Looks Like Under a Level 2 Snow Emergency (2.15.21)

Very few cars. Even less people. As the freezing rain pummeled Cincinnati for hours, all was quiet and calm. We haven't seen Cincinnati so still since the start of the pandemic!

A Local Couple Designed & Built a Stunning, Fully Custom Home in NKY

Not only is the Muddiman house colorful, open, and supremely attractive, but it's also fully custom. Not a single home in Cincinnati can say it's just like it.

Build Your Own Wedding Dress at This Local Designer's Boutique

The Weston House, a Cincinnati Modernist Masterpiece, Has an Indoor Pool & More

Designed in 1984 and completed in 1986, the Weston House was built for Harris & Alice Weston, two of Cincinnati's greatest arts supporters. You've very likely seen the Weston name around town-they were founding patrons of the Weston Art Gallery.

A Downtown Bespoke Tailor Goes Beyond Suits and Into Custom Casual Wear

Look better than ever in your work-from-home attire, outdoor wear, and more with Philippe Haas’ new tailoring showroom and custom stylings.

A Local Artist Upcycles Materials to Make Fun Jewelry and Tapestries

With more time at home, Genevieve Lavalle’s side hustle of tufting beautiful tapestries has gained momentum.

The Art Museum Reopens for a Limited Time To Showcase a Local Master's Work

Cincinnati has been home to many great artists over the years, and chief among them is the great American master painter Frank Duveneck. If you've spent any time in Cincinnati, you'll likely be familiar with his name, and more likely his work.

Catch-a-Fire Blue Ash Is Among the Prettiest Pizzerias We've Seen in Awhile

Alright, we already knew Catch-a-Fire Pizza was delicious, but their first standalone restaurant is a sight for sore eyes thanks to a fantastic interior designer.

A Mid-Century Modern Furniture Restorer Stages Everything in a 1960s Home

Instead of a warehouse, Jeff Molski fills a 1960s rental home with his Mid-century modern finds to restore them and sell them to those who also dig retro. And no, he's never watched Mad Men.

DraKar Parker Is a Local Jack of All Trades in the Fashion & Beauty Industry

When he’s not making custom clothing and organizing photoshoots, he’s styling hair at a downtown salon. It’s safe to say DraKar Parker does it all when it comes to the world of fashion and beauty.

The Purple People Bridge Is Prettier Than It's Ever Been For a Limited Time

Wow. The Purple People Bridge is simply stunning right now, and it'll stay looking fabulous until January 15. Get down and see it yourself!

A Huge Online Cincinnati Art Shop Launched Today

While the Pendleton Art Center has an open house every Final Friday, this new online shop allows people from across the world to browse, purchase, and support Cincinnati artists regardless of the day of the week.

Cincy-Based Baqette Upcycles Old Leather Scraps Into New Handbags

If you’re making an effort to #shopsmall this holiday season, Baqette is a great small business to support.

Ohio's First Mobile Boutique Also Makes House Calls for Shoppers

You'll find this portable boutique posted up at events around the area or parked in your own driveway if you'd like.

Thrill Your Inner (or Outer) Geek With a Visit to Earth to Kentucky

Eclectic toys, local art, fun sci-fi finds whatever floats your boat, Earth to Kentucky might just have it.

For a Hundred Years, an Elegant Property in Wyoming Was Home to One Family

If you're a long-time Cincinnatian, you likely know the Stearns name. Edward R. Stearns, once head of mattress-maker Stearns & Forster, had his family home built in the early 1900s. For a hundred years, the opulent mansion stayed in the Stearns family.

Artist Spencer Van Der Zee Started "Fence Gallery" in His Backyard

Queen City artist Spencer van der Zee started Fence Gallery in his backyard this spring as a way to bring color and cheer to his neighbors. Since then, the project has continued to grow.

Artists of All Ages and Skill Levels Flourish Within McHarper Manor

Get in touch with your artistic side (virtually or in-person) with classes and DIY workshops at McHarper Manor's new space in Milford.

Neal's Design Remodel Beautifully Reimagined a Prospect Hill Couple's Kitchen

Neal's Design Remodel did a glorious job of transforming a historic house's old, tucked away kitchen into the bright, beating heart of the home. Check this thing out.

We're a Little Obsessed With Ludlow's Beautiful Two-Story Train-Viewing Platform

Does your neighborhood have a sweet train-viewing platform that's totally free and open to the public year-round? Ludlow does, and it rules.

Inside the Magnificent, 170-Year-Old Skiff House With a View of Downtown

Built in 1850 along Riverside Drive in Covington's Licking River Historic District, the Skiff House is about to receive new owners, and we got a peek inside before they moved in. We couldn't pick our jaws up off the floor during the whole tour.

Reztark Design Studio Has a Hand in Major Local Developments, Both Past & Future

Get to know the design firm behind Newport on the Levee's revamp, and see some of the other exciting projects they've worked on over the years.

This Indian Hill Mansion Can Be Rented For Weddings, Retreats, and So Much More

Turner Farm’s stately Meshewa House is a renovated mansion and event venue that keeps the property’s traditions intact.

A Corryville Couple Turned an Industrial Art Studio Into a Stunning Residence

Kim and Carolyn Krause had a vision to turn their art studio and workshop in Corryville into their personal residence. After an extensive renovation that started in May of 2019 and ended this summer, the final result is nothing short of stunning.

Oakley's Brazee Street Studios Let's You Make Your Own Dazzling Glass Art

Take a glass-making class or get a glass-making kit to use at home from Brazee Street Studios. Either way, you get your glass-making bragging rights.

A New Cincy-Themed Design Company Makes Gorgeous Custom Stationery for Invites & More

If you get an invite made by The Invited Cincy in the mail, you're receiving a work of art that was custom made for two people you care about by professional artists.

First-Time Home Renovators Used YouTube to Transform a 1940s Bellevue Apartment Building

Yes, it's only their first time renovating, but is it too early to call them Greater Cincinnati's Joanna & Chip Gaines? And the fact that they did everything while using mostly YouTube is nothing short of awesome.

The Taft Museum Celebrates 100 Years of Cincinnati Art With Its Newest Exhibit

Curated from private collections and other museums, the exhibit features nearly 60 works of art from Rookwood Pottery and works by sculptors and painters such as Robert S. Duncanson, Elizabeth Nourse, Frank Duveneck, Lilly Martin Spencer, and others.

Banz Studios: Part Downtown Art Gallery, Part Event Space, All Wonderful

Get married, throw a baby shower, or have a good old-fashioned socially distanced gathering in this stylish art gallery with a view of Downtown.

Javarri Lewis Creates Vibrant Portraits to Portray Inspiring Black People

"I feel I have a responsibility to always show Black people and our ancestors in a regal and positive light." -Javarri Lewis

Anam Akhter's New Poetry Book & Why Cincinnati's Her "First Real Home"

We asked her about her time spent in Cincinnati, her inspiration for the poems in her book, how different/similar life is here compared to India, and we asked for her perspective as an architect on Cincinnati's vast collection of historic architecture.

Bona Hardware's Staff of Five Has 138 Years of Combined Design Experience

Few family-owned home decor stores in Cincinnati can claim the same. Whether it's a kitchen faucet or a towel warmer for the bathroom, Bona has it.

One of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places Is Right Downtown

Many walk by the 20-story former hotel every day without noticing. Vacant since 2008, it was the first post-WWII hotel built in Cincinnati (finished in 1948), and remains an important cultural icon today thanks in large part to ground-breaking architect.

Sediment Design Creates a Local Space's Identity Through Customized Furniture

When it comes to making one-of-a-kind pieces for one-of-a-kind places, Sediment Design does just that.

A Walking Tour of Excellent Murals Between Fountain Square & Findlay Market

Have you seen all 50+ of these murals between Fountain Square and Findlay?

Learn the Art of Hand Lettering Using Unfettered Letters' Online Guides

Covington resident Gracia Goldberg turned her hobby—the graceful art of hand lettering—into a successful business through easy-to-understand online tutorials anyone can do.

We'll Just Be Over Here Imagining We Live in a Gorgeous Bishop-Designed Home

Natasha Bishop and her team at Bishop Design know exactly how to give your space a sleek and stylish makeover or renovation.

The Masterful Work of Hank Willis Thomas Can Be Seen at CAM Through November 8

From now until November 8th, the Cincinnati Art Museum will be presenting artist Hank Willis Thomas' show 'All Things Being Equal.' The show is free for the opening weekend thanks to the PNC Foundation.

Nearly a Dozen Art Galleries You Should Seriously Peruse Soon

If you're looking for a refreshing escape from the mundane, consider stopping by one of these art galleries in person or (in some cases) virtually.

Elementz Encourages Young Inner-City Artists With Teachers and Mentors

Elementz offers classes in hip hop, DJing, and more that affords kids the outlet to express themselves.

A Lockland Art Gallery Showcases Local Talent & Plans to Be a Social Space in the Future

Part gallery, part social house, Mason Maria is a creative space on Mill Street in Lockland that opened at the dawn of the pandemic. It's run by local artist David Elmer, who paints under the same name of the gallery.

Self-Trained Local Artist Gee Horton's Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings Will Blow Your Mind

While I haven't done any research, I'd wager a guess that coaching women's basketball at the university level is not a typical starting off point for most artists. However, most artists aren't Gee Horton.

From BLINK to P&G, Paper Acorn's Unique Sculptures Make Cincinnati a Prettier Place

What began as a tiny box in the shape of a paper acorn a decade ago blossomed into Jessica Wolf's full-time creative outlet.

Local Artists Brightened Plum Street With a Brand New Mural

Cincinnati celebrated Juneteenth with the unveiling of a Black Lives Matter mural covering a portion of Plum Street. The mural was done by 17 local artists.

Oakley to Receive Historic Candid Photos of Nelson Mandela This Weekend

Caza Sikes, the Oakley gallery that's no stranger to hosting incredible works, is poised to exhibit David Turnley's historic Nelson Mandela photographs from 11 AM to 7 PM on Saturday (June 20th). The free exhibition will be held outdoors for safety. Turnley was a friend of the Mandela family and documented South Africa's effort to end apartheid over a 30-year period.

Local Designer & Artist Sean Foster Does Beautiful Work You Simply Must See

See if you can recognize these Cincy scenes from graphic designer Sean Foster's watercolor series.

A Cincy-Based Home Improvement Show Is Currently Airing on Cable Through June 27

The English Contractor, a Cincinnati-based custom home builder and contractor, has its own cable TV show all about home improvement. We toured the home in the first episode to see their quality work for ourselves, and it lived up to the hype.

Sadie Kern Captures Cincinnatians' Spirit With Custom Drawings & an Original Coloring Book

When artist Sadie Kern isn’t working in a coffee shop, she’s illustrating imaginative custom portraits that promote self-love, self-expression, and women empowerment under the name Popgunflo.

Cincy Shirts' "Stay at Home" Collection Features Shirts & Masks With Cincy Flair

The folks at Cincy Shirts have kept creating during the last couple of months with shirts and masks that lightheartedly reflect the day's current events.

One of Mt. Adams' Most Enviable Properties Makes a Run on the Market

A year ago, I wrote about an incredible house on one of the choicest plots of land in Mt. Adams. 1059 Celestial Street dazzles with all its imported windows, beautiful wood and stone finishes, and minimalist aesthetic. It wasn't for sale last year—it was just a story about the greatness of the house. A lot can change in one year, though. As of today, the house is now for sale. DETAILS.

Local Artist Tyler Reed Spreads Cheer & Humor Through a Collective of Colorful Characters

Reed's art brightens the Instagram and Twitter feeds of those who follow him through carefully crafted visual art and humor.

A Beautiful Bungalow in Madisonville Received a Tasteful Makeover

Bigger isn't always better. Keeping it modest and tasteful can provide a huge amount of value without extra square footage to maintain or the price tag to go along with it. 4325 Homer Avenue in Madisonville is a perfect example of an excellently renovated older home with loads of stylish finishes and personality in a relatively small package.

Take a Hike up the Handsome New 9-Story Staircase to the Art Museum

We've been watching it go up over the months, and now it's finally open. Take a peek at the Cincinnati Art Museum's new Art Climb.

Covingtonian Ron Padgett's Excellent Nightly Costumes Are a Sight to Behold

One Covington man found creative and humorous ways to enjoy the Halloween costumes he made for himself over the years while entertaining his friends and neighbors online.

You Can Visit One of OTR's Finest Historic Buildings In the Next 3 Seconds

Yes, it's currently closed to in-person visits, but you can see nearly all of it by using this awesome interactive virtual tour that the Oval Room built for the building's website.

The Mercantile Library Connects with Queen City Readers in New Ways

Founded in 1835, TheMercantile Library is a diamond in the crown of the Queen City. It’s a membership library that welcomes anyone who wants to join. They routinely host packed author readings, poetry and book discussions, and all sorts of interesting literary and community events. You can use it as a workspace during its open hours, and their collection of books is hard to beat, whether it's their print collection or their vast and ever-expanding e-library.

Just Because You're Stuck at Home Doesn't Mean You Can't Look Good

8 Music Videos That Were Filmed in Cincinnati

From East Price Hill to Fairfield and many locations in between, artists have utilized the area's diverse architecture and visually appealing scenery as a complement to their music.

A 100-Year-Old Local Jeweler Offers Its Precious Stones & Accessories Online

Welling & Co., a century-old local jeweler, takes its wares totally online amid closures to its brick and mortar stores.

Are Bugs Beautiful? An Artist Showcases Colorful Critters In a Positive Light

'Synthetic' is a photo collection of scanned bugs and animals displayed up close to give you a sense of their biological beauty.

Ben Wright Photographs Cincinnati, Nature, and a Variety of Abandoned Places

From abandoned places to Red River Gorge and plenty of beautiful Cincinnati cityscapes in between, local photographer Ben Wright covers all kinds of interesting places with his camera.

How to Draw a Cheese Coney Using 4 Colored Pencils

If you love Cincinnati, you probably have a strong opinion about its chili. If you love it, why not learn to draw a cheese coney? Could come in handy one day!

Refined Rewind: Finding Sculpted Faces in Cincy Places

For decades, architects routinely added human figures to their blueprints, amplifying the artistry of their work. And Cincinnati, the treasure trove of architectural riches it is, is brimful of examples of beautifully sculpted faces.

25 Facts About the Once-Controversial Abe Lincoln Statue in Lytle Park

What started as a memorial to a department store and hotel owner slowly evolved into a unique controversy linking the art world with politics, and ended up being one of Cincinnati's most prized works of public art.

Get Creative at Home with These DIY Kits and How-Tos From Local Shops & Artists

You don't need to go anywhere to make art. Local organizations and artists are providing resources such as virtual how-to courses, DIY kits, and other ways to spend quality creative time at home.

A List of Awesome Local Musicians You Should Stream Today

If you're feeling restless, stressed, bored, or otherwise down in the dumps throw on some headphones and listen to any of these local bands/musicians to improve your mood.

A Local Artist & Ballet Dancers Collaborated on This Amazing Underwater Photo Series

These may look like paintings from the Renaissance Era, but they're actually photos from an awesome underwater series that includes ballet dancers and models.

Cincy Students & Spirited Alumni Should Check out This Sweet Clothing Line

Local designer and marketer Sarah Hannapel makes custom clothing geared towards students and those who love local colleges. Check out her work!

Artist Ellebrux Whisks Us Away to a Rich World of Nature, Bold Colors, & 90s Nostalgia

Local artist Laura Brooks, also known as Ellebrux, draws inspiration from the 90s and nature when it comes to making her handcrafted jewelry and artwork.

A Few Local Authors Whose Books You Can Read or Listen to Right Now

If you find yourself looking for something to do during your down time, consider downloading or ordering a book written by these Cincinnati authors.

A Local Ad Agency Calls the Historic Walnut Hills Cable House Home

This Walnut Hills-based ad agency has some slick new digs inside a building that used to pull cable cars up Gilbert Avenue over a century ago.

Know Theatre Keeps Art & Culture Alive With Streaming Shows & Audio Theater

Revenue made from sales of all streaming and downloadable content will be split 50/50 between the theater and the artists who made the shows possible. That support will help everyone involved in the artistic community.

15 Facts We Learned About Hippos During the Zoo's Daily Broadcasts

Did you know hippos are surprisingly fast on foot? After watching the Cincinnati Zoo's free online Home Safari session about hippos, I learned quite a bit about them.

How to Draw a Flying Pig in 8 Simple Steps

Here's one easy way to draw the Queen City's porcine mascot!

11 Movies Filmed in Cincinnati You Can Stream Right Now

Cincinnati is no stranger to the silver screen. You can stream these 11 films made in Cincinnati right now so long as you have an internet connection.

This Interior Designer Knows Her Way Around a Historic High-Rise

Heliotrope Design LLC has been in the local interior design biz for 10 years now and has a portfolio that includes everything from an 1800s church to two Downtown apartment buildings.

Get Ready For This Weekend's Free Multi-Venue Arts Day

OTR Arts Day, presented by ArtsWave with support from Macy's, is a free six-hour event on Saturday, March 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM that features tours, performances, art-making, and more at venues all around OTR and Pendleton.

Know Theatre's 'Alabaster' Is a Touching Drama With a Cast That's 50% Goat

It's funny. It's sad. It's scary. It's touching. It's classic drama without the predictability.

Some of Our Favorite Colorful Houses & Buildings In and Around Cincy

White, tan, beige, dull red...fuhgettaboutit! These buildings shirk conventional, boring palettes and get funky with a splash of color.

The Best of Union Terminal's Week of Nightly Light Shows

Union Terminal did light shows on its face following its grand reopening, and we enjoyed the heck out of them.

A DAAP Alum Took This 1870s Covington House & Gave It a Total Facelift

If he isn't already, Tom Covert is on track to becoming a household name when it comes to historic home renovations.

Pam Kravetz's 'Elevated' Brilliantly Colors Outside the Lines at the 21C Museum Hotel

Ya gotta love Pam.

A Custom Woodworker in Pleasant Ridge Has Been Creating for Over 16 Years

Thane Lorbach Custom Woodworking specializes in personalized woodworks, laser-cut pieces, and even hosts workshops out of his Pleasant Ridge shop.

One of the Last of Its Kind, Dixie Union Station Is a Model Train-Lover's Paradise

For over 20 years, this amazing little model train store has kept chugging away while competition fled to the internet. Today, it's among the last of its kind in the region.

A Local Stylist Will Clear Your Closet and Fill It With the Outfits You Need

Sometimes shopping is hard; buying clothes and coordinated outfits should be a breeze, right? Alli Robben makes it so.

We Toured the Art Museum's Hidden, Incredible Fashion Archive

Hundreds of years of dresses, hats, and shoes fill movable shelves deep within the belly of the Cincinnati Art Museum. We went inside to see it for ourselves.

From Officer to Fine Artist, Tony Lipps Is Among Cincy's Best Contemporary Painters

You're probably familiar with Tony Lipps' amazing paintings. The story of how he became an artist, however, isn't a story you typically hear.

Helltown Bazaar + Workshop Is a Treasure Chest of Vintage & Retro Decor

Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Mid-century Modern piece to add to your home or a local service to reupholster the dated furniture you already have, you’ll find it all at Helltown Bazaar + Workshop

The Work of Visionary American Artist N.C. Wyeth Graces the Taft Museum

A selection of work by N.C. Wyeth, one of the most talented early-19th century American artists, is currently on display at the Taft Museum of Art. The show highlights Wyeth's profound breadth of creative genius until May 3, 2020.

There's a Reason These NKY Apartments Have "View" in Their Name

These Newport apartments are only a short walk from the Levee and even closer to becoming some of the most enviable places to live in town.

This Local Home Improver Only Uses Eco-Friendly Materials

Greener Stock is celebrating a decade in the biz, and one look at their beautiful work makes it easy to understand why they've been around for as long as they have.

Two Locals Started an Eco-Friendly, Industrial Sewing Facility for Others

Sew Valley was started in 2017 by Rosie Kovacs and Shailah Maynard, two former students who wished they had had access to industrial sewing equipment and a small batch manufacturing facility while in school.

A Local Designer and a Woodworker Make Fantastic Custom Signs

When you see these signatures wooden signs around town and at your friends’ parties, know that they weren’t made by a random person from the internet. They were made by *local* people from the internet.