House Visit

February 21st, 2011

While I was recently traveling around I stopped by my long time art gallery buddy and old friend Stacy’s place. She and her husband John have been meticulously updating and furnishing their new to them mid century pad and I was psyched to see the tremendous progress they’ve made.

Something I have a deep love for in any home (and is excellent to see in any space) is a big ‘ol incredible art collection. Stacy is heavily involved in the contemporary art world and John has long been an enthusiast and collector. So, as you can imagine, this has equaled a fantastic art filled home. Personally, my favorite kind.

Their new eight month old pupster is a little scruffy muffin butt. She’s incredibly cute and silly, and from what I hear, also an excellent hiker.

Check out that sofa! They grabbed it from Brooks at Specific Merchandise, which is probably one of my favorite retailers around. Specific has these super creative and one of a kind offerings that mix both art and design in all the best ways.

I feel terrible though, they thought I was just stopping by for a friendly visit, but being the design crazy person I am I had to immediately pull out the old camera and take some quick shots. They are so nice for not murdering me for doing so and then going so far as letting me show off their in process digs.

Yes. That chandelier?!

It is insanely insane and amazing. It was custom built by Workstead to fit in the slopping dining space and now I desperately want one.

When I stopped by they were still working on all the exterior bits of the house. They have accomplished a bunch so far, but are still in the planting and finishing touches portion of the landscaping.

While there are still outside areas that are in progress, I was pretty blown away by how things are already shaping up. I can picture how things will finish and fill in and can just tell its such a great comfy space for parties and swimming and music and fire pits. Totally inspiring for our own impending landscaping projects.

Thanks guys for having me over to your place. Can’t wait to come back and see all the progress.

FILED UNDER: tour, travel

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Thrifty!

February 17th, 2011

I recently found this Greg Copeland wooden wall sculpture after meeting up with some folks off Craigslist and hitting up a thrift store on the way home. I didn’t quite know what to make of it when I first saw it leaning against a busted up exercise bike – but immediately knew I dug it’s super 70′s crafty funkiness.

The “art” or “piece” or “thing” is temporarily leaning on the fireplace until I find a better – more permanent – installation spot. One day I will have giant vintage moose antlers mounted in its place and a new mantel constructed of the finest rough cut walnut and a bevy of strapping young men to attend to all my renovation needs. Some day…

Luckily it’s signed on the front and has all its COA info on the back. Authentically authentic and such.

Other recent noteworthy finds worth mentioning are firstly, this little chrome and travertine table lamp, and secondly, this full blown reindeer hide. Both found at the same store and both made me feel really lux during my transaction. The crazy woman in her torn pajamas and the guy buying a bunch of old pagers thought I was very posh. I could tell from their bored an impatient stares.

Anyhow, they are chilling in the bedroom temporarily – also awaiting their final install spots.

Buying stuff! Goodwill and Salvation Army respectively. I almost blew out my shoulder carrying the lamp around the store. That thing is HEAVY, but I would not put it down for fear that someone else would spot its awesomeness.

FILED UNDER: art, living, thrifting, thrifty

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Fare thee well, Shelf

February 16th, 2011

A moment of overly dramatic silence please.

————-

Thank you.

BAM! We took the shelf down.

Well, not just down, but booted it out of the house for good. Which means this bad boy is gone FOREVER. It’s off to a better place, a place full of wonder and magic that will appreciate and love it for all its shelfy glory.

Iggy, lurker Gary and The Boy took it apart in about twenty minutes after I struggled to undo it by myself for about a day. Having many hands is a good tip to know if you happen to build one of these and eventually need to take it apart or sell it on Craigslist (which seems to be happening pretty frequently). Go team Coors Light.

Like a disheveled prom queen after a bender, this thing looks busted up.

In reality it’s just in pieces piled in with the rest of Emily Henderson’s giant array of swag from the Rose Bowl. Don’t worry, I gave them a picture to sort out how it all goes back together.

Hey! It’s Team Emily – Chris, Orlando and Emily as well as a super sweet fan who wanted her picture taken with the dream team. Sorry for horning in on your moment with my iPhone.

Nicer folks you do not know. Emily is adorable and has the shopping endurance of a seasoned pro, Chris and Orlando are fantastic and ever so helpful.

So, the shelf will be installed in Emily’s new ‘studio’ set on her soon to premiere show Secrets From a Stylist (February 26th home slice!). How excited are you guys for this show? Me? I’m very excited. Trust me, it is going to blow your mind into little design chunks.

In other words, it’s good. Real good.

Now I just need to figure out what’s next for that open wall space in the living room…

FILED UNDER: flea market

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