He likes the sign for the aesthetic and nostalgia it holds, but it also reminds him of his grandfather’ s work ethic and visionary style, as well as his craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. And those are traits he works to incorporate in all his projects, whether they be the tourist home or his ongoing work in graphic design and branding.
Plāhaus has been a popular retreat. Airbnb has named him a Superhost. With two bedrooms and one bath, the retreat will accommodate four guests, with an internet connection, Netflix, and YouTube TV. Blass’ s self-designed guest book contains recommendations on things to do in Brown County and local restaurants.
Brown County resident Trisha Fobes has been working with Blass since the tourist home opened, cleaning and getting the home ready for guests.
Blass calls her“ my right arm, who is essential to this operation. She is the absolute best.”
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, Blass studied at the Columbus College of Art and Design, and previously worked for Thomson Consumer Electronics in Indianapolis, doing graphic design and brand development before starting Brainstorm, a branding and design company, in 1995, which he ran for 16 years.
He now owns oornj( pronounced orange), a branding design and marketing company which his son
Ryan was a part of for eight years. Ryan now runs his own business. Another son, Jake, was the 2018 Enlisted Person of the Year for the U. S. Coast Guard, and his daughter Emma is a massage therapist. All three live in Florida.
Blass’ s journey to Brown County really began, he said, when his mother got terminal cancer in 2013. Blass made a pact with his sister that their mother would not have to go into a treatment facility. For 11 months, Blass took care of his mother Monday through Friday, commuting from Indianapolis to Dayton, while his sister, a registered nurse, took the weekends.
“ It was one of the toughest times of my life,” he said, taking care of his mother while continuing his day job. Before she died, Blass and his mother took a“ bucket list” trip to Mackinaw City, Michigan, in a rented RV. Both Blass and his son ended up buying Airstream trailers( made in Ohio, he points out), but have since sold them.
After her death in September 2014, and with his children living in Florida, Blass needed to make a decision on the direction of his own life. About a month later, he bought the Brown County property, and it turns out it was just what he needed.
Ryan had lived in Brown County for about 18 months, and Blass got a taste of what it would be like to live here as a local, savoring the arts community and outdoors experience.
“ There was no looking back,” he said.“ I loved it here.
“ The whole endeavor has been conducive to who I am.”
For more information: < Plāhaus. com >, 317-652-9661 or < bob @ plahaus. com >. •
May / June 2021 • Our Brown County 51