The Vintage Modern

The Most Important House Tour I'll Ever Take

2012-01-17T22:27:00.000-08:00

January 19th marks one year since my husband proposed! I'm not sure why I'm just now telling our story, because the whole event revolved around my love for design! My husband knows me so well!

Without my knowledge, he got in touch with Billy Rose, a big dog in LA real estate. Billy amazingly agreed to give us a personal tour of this house right off the Sunset Strip! Kevin said he arranged a house tour and a fun day in LA because he wanted to encourage my love of design. Sneaky, sneaky!

As we pulled up, we saw the house from the back:

I snapped only a few pictures because I was keeping my eye on Kevin and Billy's suspicious behavior!

Here are a couple shots of the open concept living area...simple, bright, clean lines. Love it.

And here's where it happened...the proposal. Overlooking the city (and a giant billboard of Kanye West.) Perfect!

But here's the craziest part!

Soon after we were married, we happened to catch the first episode of Selling LA. The realtor was showing prospective bachelor pads to a suave race car driver...and lo and behold...one of the options was OUR house!

If you'd like to see the full tour of the amazing house and "meet" Billy Rose, our personal guide, you can watch the episode of Selling LA.

Click HERE and then choose the first episode titled, "Bachelor Pads and Party Homes."

The house tour is 13:00 minutes in, and the finale is at 20:00. Enjoy stepping into our story with us!

You can also see more details and pictures of the house HERE.

Like I said, it was the most important house tour I'll ever take. :)

The Backyard!

2011-10-27T23:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, so...a backyard is a backyard. We're renting our house, so I don't have the option of any major transformations, but our backyard has definitely become our favorite part of the house and feels like home.

Here's what it looked like the day we moved in...

Since then, we've added two handcrafted adirondack chairs (made by my talented father-in-law) and a fabulous fire pit made by our talented friend, Mr Eric Trine. Believe it or not, the fire pit is a reclaimed washing machine drum!

You should see the way that thing flickers and glows with a fire in it! It reminds me of the Lite Brite I played with as a kid!

And lastly, we added lots of candles around the yard and strung lights across to really make it feel like an outdoor room. The only thing we'd love to add is a picnic table or patio table so we can eat outside!

We love spending time out here with our friends and family.

Anyone down for a s'more? We're getting quite good at making them!

Waiting for the End of the World...

2011-10-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

This is the most bizarre thing I've seen in a long time...so I just had to post it...

A wealthy financier, named Girard B Henderson, was one of the last true believers in surviving nuclear war by going underground. His underground 1978 house, beneath a normal two-story suburban house in Las Vegas, is one of the last relics of the Cold War.

From Metropolis Magazine..."This 16,000-square-foot bomb shelter—complete with ranch house, guesthouse, pool, yard, and barbecue—may be that era’s most surreal expression."

You can read more here...
or...
you can see the eerie pictures below...

It's like a creepy, subterranean Brady Bunch house and I am fascinated! The house can still be rented for corporate events and parties...if you're interested. :)

The Room In Which We Live

2011-10-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

As we go from room to room, I will share with you my treasures, as well as tell you the projects I'm hoping to do and the changes I'm hoping to make.

So, let's start with the living room...

I was a little bummed when we moved in because I wasn't able to set the living room facing the direction I wanted. (Blame the tv antenna...)

I had to get creative and it's definitely a work in progress...but here's where we are at!

This is my favorite corner...

This is what I like to call my little vignette.
- My beloved avocado vintage chair (rescued from a to-be-trashed pile at my old office).
- Needlepoint...one from grandma, one thrifted.
- Vintage nightstand and fab vintage pendant lamp from my friends, the Trines.
- DIY pillow with vintage fabric.
- Vintage clock from grandma.
- Sunset magazine (the only magazine I eagerly watch the mail for).

Changes to make: Curtains. Plain white = boring. We need some texture and pattern in the room.

Next: Found this awesome mid-century chair at work, shoved in a closet. Bought it from our owner for $25! Beats $300 on Craigslist! It needs some TLC...perhaps refinishing, new foam and definitely new fabric. Preferably not green...one can only have so many green chairs!

Next: These fab bookshelves were made by the talented Mr Eric Trine and given to us as a wedding gift. (Yeah, they are nice friends and yes, I get lots of fun goodies from them.) They are filled with vintage treasures, including a few of my grandpa's cameras. I spent two full days rearranging them, and I'm still not sure I'm done...but here they are...

Other views of the living room:

Changes to make:
- Our next big purchase will hopefully be a new couch to replace my hubby's bachelor couch. And yes, it is also green! (Which will change!)
- We really need a rug in the living room...the trouble is that rugs are expensive and cool ones are hard to find! It will probably require some flea market scouring.
- We would love to get a proper coffee table so we can use our bench as a bench! (Novel idea.)

So, there you go. Room 1!

Stay tuned for more rooms and more projects to come!

Eichler House Tour!

2011-10-05T22:42:00.000-07:00

I am loving this Eichler beauty that is coming to market soon in Granada Hills.

Not much to look at from the front, but the rest is fab!

If you're wondering what to get me for Christmas, this baby will only set you back $739,000, but boy would it make my year. :)

2011-10-05T22:19:00.000-07:00

If you haven't yet heard of Pinterest, now you have. It took me awhile to get the hang of it, but once I did, I realized how amazingly useful it is. Not only is it useful, but it's addicting! It's easy to spend hours pinning away.

It's a pretty powerful (and fun!) tool to visually organize bookmarks, great ideas, diy projects, etc. Not only that, but you can follow other people, share ideas, and search for inspiration. I often use it to catalog great finds in magazines or save my shopping list for the house.

Here's a screenshot of my Pinterest:

I encourage you to join and find me!

Cheers! :)

A Succulent DIY Project

2011-10-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

We have finally settled in to the new house (pictures to come) and now it's time for some projects!!

We love our quaint front patio, but I wanted to jazz it up with some greenery.

I was given this amazing plant stand by my dear friends, The Trines, when they moved to Portland. They bought it at the flea market and guess that it once belonged to a florist shop.

There are succulents planted all around our house (nice and low maintenance) so I decided to continue the theme and fill the pots with a variety of them.

The great (and cheap!) thing about succulents is that you can take clippings from an established plant, stick them in some dirt, and they will grow! I only used clippings from my yard...this was a completely free project!!

Just break off a piece from the plant, strip enough of the bottom to leave 1-2 inches of bare stem, insert it in the dirt, pack the dirt around it, and water! Simple as that!

The other great thing about succulents is that you can arrange them into miniature gardens in the same container, combining different varieties. The result is awesome!

Here's how my plant stand looks now...

Not bad for a free project! We are definitely enjoying the improved view from our front window!

In The Beginning...

2011-09-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in my last post...I got married! And I moved!

We left our tiny apartment and found a great two bedroom house to call home. We now live in a town with tons of history, so I'm enjoying mixing my love of all things vintage with the old adobe mission style of the area.

Over the next months, I will take you through all of our upcoming home projects. Being a newly married couple, we each have a few pieces we love, in addition to a number of hand-me-down items. On a tight budget, we are determined to makeover our space, one project at a time!

Let's start with pictures of our blank slate...

The house...

Front Patio...

Living Room...

View Into LR from Kitchen...

Kitchen...

Dining Area of Kitchen...

Our favorite part of the house...
(It's a yard! Low maintenance and filled with succulents!!)

Master bedroom...

Bathroom...

Guest Room/Office...

Great blank slate but needs some work! Next time, I'll show you the status after moving in our belongings. After that, we'll get working on some projects!

Stay tuned! :)

Fresh Start!

2011-09-01T19:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all.

Well, it's been over a year since I posted, and a lot has happened since then! First of all, I got married! That pretty much consumed my life for 5 months. We were married on June 5th. As if that weren't enough, we moved shortly after! We left the cookie-cutter town we lived in and headed south about 20 minutes. We now live in one of the oldest cities in California and are loving being surrounded by all of the character and culture!

We are renting a great two bedroom house (which is such an upgrade from my husband's tiny one bedroom apartment we started out in). Now that wedding craziness is over, I want to pick up design, once again, and get this blog rolling...once again. :)

So, next time I'll post a tour of our new home as it was when we moved in. Over the next months, I will take you along as we settle in, decorate, redecorate, tweak, and do fun projects!

For now, below are a few of our engagement and wedding pictures, taken by the talented Mike Radford.

Stay tuned for some interior goodness!!

LOVE: By Design

2010-07-26T00:00:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, but with good reason!

Along with some friends, I have been busy developing a new organization called LOVE: By Design. The vision of our organization is use design to serve and love our neighbors. There are so many in our community who give so much yet have so little...we want to use design to serve them. Our desire is twofold: to create a refuge they are excited to call home, and to share their stories with the world. Think "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" but less extreme and more local!

Our first project was for an organization called Taller San Jose in Santa Ana. Taller San Jose is an innovative Santa Ana program that walks young people out of poverty by offering the hope of a productive and self-reliant future. Whether they are emerging from prison, poverty, or young motherhood, the team at TSJ walks these 18-28 year olds through rehabilitation and job training in the areas of medical careers, office careers and construction.

The heart and soul of Taller San Jose is their Career Center. Here, students and alumni find the resources and personal assistance they need to find a successful career. The problem is, the Career Center was in a poor state. It was run-down, old and boring. Students have been crying out for the room to be updated and to have a space where they feel comfortable spending time.

We were inspired to help. Here are the results of our first project!

BEFORE:

AFTER!

BEFORE:

AFTER!

BEFORE:

AFTER!

BEFORE:

AFTER!

TA-DA!

If you are interested in learning more about our organization, interested in volunteering or donating for future project, or want to follow our progress, you can visit our website at www.lovebydesignproject.org or find us on Facebook!

Terrariums: The Simple How-To

2010-04-18T22:28:00.000-07:00

We all know that plants make a house feel like home. They add life and character. One of the best ways to stylishly liven up your home is with a terrarium...and they're definitely making a comeback in a very fresh and modern way! The best part is...they need very little care and need to be watered infrequently.

So, I set out to build a terrarium for my space. I thought I would bring you along for the ride and give you the how-to!

Step 1: The materials...

a fun glass container (I got this funky one at Marshalls for 12 bucks!)
plant of choice: ferns are a good option...as well as any houseplant that does well with moisture and indirect lighting. Stay away from succulents, as they struggle in the moist environment of a terrarium. (Keep in mind when choosing a plant, and when watering, that terrariums with lids will stay moist longer and need plants that will thrive in these conditions.)

small rocks or pebbles
charcoal
moss
potting soil

We start with the drainage layers: put down a layer of moss to absorb water and a layer of rocks to provide drainage and separation between the soil and the container bottom.

The charcoal is added next to absorb any odors and aid in drainage. Another layer of moss is added to keep the soil from falling between the charcoal and stones.

Next comes the soil. Add as much as you can: enough to supply room for the plant's roots yet keep the plant away from the top and sides of the container. Feel free to make the soil uneven to add character.

Then add your plant friend. It's a good idea to break up the root ball, spread the roots out, and perhaps clip them a bit to keep the plant from growing too large for its new home!

I added some moss and a few rocks here and there. And thus you have the finished product:

After a few weeks, I decided to try a different look. I removed the moss on the surface and used only rocks with a few cute fungi friends I found on etsy. I like the color contrast of the dark rocks, the bright green and red.

Make sure the soil is evenly watered, but don't over-water. Terrariums don't need to be watered all that often. If they have a lid, they need to be watered even less! With a lid, condensation will build up. When it does, remove the lid for awhile until it dissipates.

And there you have it. Terrariums 101.

Enjoy! But be careful, they're addictive and darn cute! :)

If you make one, please share a picture!

ModEats: Mid-Century Goes Country?

2010-02-22T16:19:00.000-08:00

Question: What do you get when you mix mid-century modern with down-home country comforts?

Answer: TART - a fabulous restaurant in Los Angeles serving up food with a Southern flare in an environment to satisfy the design-happy.

Located on Fairfax, TART is directly across the street from The Farmer's Market at The Grove. Although The Grove offers many food options...it is totally worth it to walk across the street and experience this dining treasure.

The dining room can only be described as fabulous modern meets country kitchen. The pendant lamps, leather barstools and bright teal walls scream mid-century while the lace-lined cupboards, wooden chairs and sweetly displayed teacups remind you of apple pie and simpler times.

While the food was great and kept my tummy happy, I was busy gawking at the decor and the amazing patio. The center of the patio features an oversized collection of succulents while lines of clear bulbs criss-cross overhead, making it feel more like an outdoor room than a patio. We were snuggled in a corner booth on the patio with the best view in the house!

I wish I had taken pictures, the following online photos don't do it justice or show its finest features...

The restaurant is actually part of the Farmer's Daughter Hotel, which is an equally cool place and totally worth checking out!

So, next time you're in LA, check out TART. Follow the link to see their menu...because...after all, it IS a place to eat. :)

Just as a sidenote...I'm happy to report that they only serve grass-fed beef, free range chicken and organic greens! They're also well-known for their yummy breakfast. The service could be a little speedier, but in a place like this, who cares!

Enjoy!

Inspiration :: Bar Stools

2010-02-16T22:04:00.000-08:00

A reader commented on my last entry saying that she needed some inspiration finding colorful bar stools to complement her all-white kitchen. Let's see what we can find:

We'll start off by aiming high...

These Erik Buch bar stools are classically Danish...
While these Onda barstools are classically Design Within Reach...

Or, you can head over to Modernica to build your own!

But for those of us on a budget, we will dream big and purchase logically. These great orange stools were found at a secondhand store...

Stalk Craigslist for great deals, like these Bertoia Stools (whose seat pads can be interchanged and brightened up)...

And lastly, search the Pennysaver weekly for local estate/garage sales and keep an eye out for up-and-coming websites like This is Not Ikea that offer unique, vintage finds.

Good luck, Jen! :)

The "I Hate" Series...Part I

2010-02-12T09:55:00.000-08:00

Here begins an occasional installment I'd like to call the “I Hate…” Series. Because there are too many monstrosities out there being passed off as “design” that just bug me to no end!

First off…

I Hate…Contemporary Kitchens!

Living in Orange County, I have seen more Tuscan, contemporary kitchens than I can stomach. If I see one more cookie-cutter kitchen with granite countertops, I may just die of granite overload! For example:

Yuck. You've basically just seen a picture of every kitchen in the city where I reside.

In the 50's, kitchens started becoming the hub of the house. We all know that eating fosters community...where we eat is where we gather! So, this begs the question…why would you want your kitchen to be generic, cold or void of feeling?

Does that look like a place you'd want to recline with friends? I mean, it's pretty...but, c'mon...

Kitchens are part of a home...they should be inviting and have character! If you live in an old house, don't gut the kitchen and replace it with contemporary nonsense...let some character remain (or at least rebuild it with character!) Whether old or new, kitchens can be completely stylish but still be warm, inviting and unique!

And don't be afraid of color! Color adds warmth and personality...

Even brand new, modern kitchens can have character...but they need to look LIVED in! I'll admit, I do think this one is pretty...

So...when you are thinking about your dream kitchen, imagine yourself there...holding a hot cup of tea and talking with a good friend. It might even be possible that the kitchen of your dreams is already under your nose, in your own home! Maybe it just needs a little refresher!

Until next time, when it comes to design...don't be concerned about keeping up with the Jones's...be yourself, be unique...and don't fall for the granite countertops. :)

P.S. If you have any great kitchen pictures to share, please do! We would love to see them!

P.P.S. I apologize if I am offending anyone, I'm sure your granite countertops are lovely. :)

Longing for Brasilia

2009-12-27T23:55:00.000-08:00

Over the years of vintage treasure-hunting, I have discovered and rediscovered a particular design that never fails to induce in me a serious case of furniture lust. I could walk into a room crowded with vintage pieces and this design would never fail to catch my eye.

(click to see blog source)

Only recently did I discover exactly what it is and where it comes from...

The Brasilia line by Broyhill Furniture:
Created in 1962 to mimic architecture in the capital city of Brasil. Much of Brasilia (the city) was designed between 1956 and 1960 by Oscar Niemeyer. The most noteable characteristics of his architecture are the hyperboloid structures and clean, simple, modern lines. This is illustrated in the design of the Palacio de Alvorado and the Cathedral of Brasilia, shown below.

Broyhill was inspired by Niemeyer's city and manufactured these pieces throughout the 1960's. Here are a few more:

To see the rest of the line, click here to see Broyhill's original brochure.

The Brasilia line is well-made and has stood the test of time. Owners of these pieces must surely be proud of their fabulous finds!

I am definitely a fan...
I am also definitely kicking myself for not purchasing the Brasilia headboard I recently saw at an estate sale. (I blame my common sense for reminding me that I do not own a double bed!)

One day...

For The Love of Hand-Me-Downs...

2009-11-02T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a lovely Halloween weekend!

Over the weekend, I acquired some fun vintage finds I want to share with you.

The circumstances are unfortunate. My grandmother has reached the point where she would rather live in a retirement community than remain in her own home alone. As a result, she gave me the freedom to go through her cupboards and take what I like. There's not much in my grandmother's house that has ever caught my eye, except for this dresser (which now stands in my house)...

...but it's amazing what you can find when someone has lived in a house for over 50 years.

Here are some of the treasures I took home:

My grandfather's old bow ties / my grandmother's aprons (I remember her wearing these when I was young)...

An old candy dish / kitchen canisters...

Two vintage clocks / my grandfather's old coffee mugs...

A set of highball glasses / an old sewing box...

Great vintage fabric (it's so hard to find good fabric these days!) / an old Austrian ceramic cup...

A great vintage serving platter / a super 80's-fabulous German sweater knitting manual (you should see the pictures inside!).

Over the years, my grandmother gave away her best treasures, but I feel lucky that a few remain for me to hold on to and display in my home.

I would love to see what each of you have been given by your own grandmothers! It doesn't get any better than treasures with stories.

Cheers!

Artist Spotlight :: Ashley Goldberg

2009-10-27T23:03:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I'd like to spotlight an up-and-coming artist. Because really, no home is complete without some life on the walls, right?

Ashley Goldberg is an artist from Portland, OR. According to Ashley, her artwork is "simple, but with a sophisticated or stark color palette." I am drawn to her mix of ink sketches and bright colors.

Here are some samples of her work:
She also does custom portraits! They're pretty fabulous and I would love to have one someday. See below...

Colorful accents are one of the keys to fabulous mid-century and modern homes.
To read more about Ashley's story and inspiration, and to see more of her work, visit her website: Ashley G & Drew!

Design on a Dime...

2009-10-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

Being a lover of design becomes complicated when living on a tight budget. While most modern designs and great vintage pieces will cost you a pretty penny, there is a solution...and no, I don't mean Ikea.

The solution is in the vocabulary.
I refer to myself not as a shopper, but as a treasure hunter.

Forget big retailers and expensive antique stores (unless you find a deal!)....start searching thrift stores, estate sales, Craigslist, flea markets and the Pennysaver. You'll be amazed at the treasures you can find at affordable prices!

I've been searching for a simple mid-century dresser for a few years. About a month ago, I saw this little guy sitting outside an antique store with the shocking sticker price of $55! I couldn't believe it. It was meant to be. Now he's at home in my bedroom adorned with my beloved flea market owl bank and my estate sale glass bowl (okay...along with a couple of Ikea finds, I admit it!)

I love this little guy...However, my favorite find of all time was my late 60's/early 70's Philco console stereo. I found it at an estate sale at the discounted price of $75! I love it and the sound of vinyl in my living room! (Perhaps I will share those pictures another time, along with some of my other great finds!)

There is something so satisfying about taking your time to collect wonderful pieces over the years. It's so much better than simply running to the store and ending up with the same thing everyone else has! And, as they say, the journey is the best part!

Treasure hunting can not only save you money, but it will fill your house with unique pieces that each have their own story...stories you'll be telling for years.

Happy hunting!

Reclaiming Baby's Room...

2009-10-24T01:41:00.000-07:00

Due to the increasing number of my friends who are pregnant and/or new moms, I've decided to take a look at design when it comes to making a home for baby.

While the rest of the house evolves into modernity, nurseries seem to remain stuck in the past.

We've all walked into cliche nurseries that look like this...
...leaving us practically choking on pink ruffles and fluff!

People desperately want to find out the sex of their baby early to avoid the dreaded "gender-neutral" baby room. Green? Yellow? Orange? *Gasp* How awful!

Let's expand our horizons, people! It's possible to bring baby up in style without resorting to pink and blue extremes! Besides, can all that baby pink and sky blue really be good for a newborn's brain??

Let's give warmer tones a second look, shall we?

GREEN: Here are a few ideas that bring "the nursery" into the modern age...babies can be cool too! Complete with Eames Elephant and Rocking Chair, this room incorporates modern, clean-lined baby furniture that actually looks good!

ORANGE: For those mid-century fans, like myself, here's a room that features vintage finds in the style of yesteryear. There's no reason baby's furniture can't include estate sale treasures re-purposed as dressers, changing tables and toy boxes!

I'd be one happy baby if I got to hang out in there...

Lastly...during my search I discovered a slew of fabulous modern mobiles, and I just have to share a few of them with you...

So, really, there's no excuse for boring baby rooms. Bright colors are not only important for baby's development, but also for their sense of style (and mom's)!

Happy nesting, modern mamas!

To Plant and Watch Grow

2009-10-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

The reluctant neglect of this blog has unfortunately been due to the increased hours I am lending to my new-ish job at SEED: People's Market.

While I do have a new blog post that will appear in the next few days, for now I want to simply share with you that SEED is finally making itself known to the world with its official web-launch and Grand Opening this weekend!

Please feel free to check out the website:

SEED: People's Market

and stop by the store this weekend for the Grand Opening!

Trust me, it's a great one-stop shop to begin tackling your Christmas gift list...whether you need candles and cards to Patagonia snow jackets and anything in between.

Our hours this weekend are:
Saturday 10am - 8pm
Sunday 10am - 7pm
(I only work Sunday.)

See you there!

Beds :: Now you see them...now you don't...

2009-09-05T22:46:00.000-07:00

While researching sofa beds for my previous post, I came across a British company called Clei that takes wall beds to a whole new modern, genius level. These beds are so cool, I just had to share them with you.

Murphy bed, eat your heart out!

First, a horizontal wall bed...

A sofa-fold-away wall bed...

A bed cleverly disguised as a desk...

And then a roll-away desk/wall bed version...way cool...

A bookshelf wall bed...

And my personal favorite...the wall bunkbed...

So, no matter how you want to disguise a bed...you can do it with Clei beds. Check out their website for more models and to check out some of their way cool convertible beds.

In other news, things at the store are going well...pictures still to come. It's changing all the time! Stop by if you haven't!

Organic Designs by Aggelige

2009-08-12T16:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently, beginning new full-time jobs and getting a new store up and running keeps a girl pretty busy and unfortunately unable to update her blog as often as she desires. I apologize for my absence over the last week. Seamlessly transitioning to a whole new life schedule is proving to be a bit more difficult than I thought!

However, the store is up and running and looks great! The customer response has been overwhelmingly positive. The last post was mostly filled with concept pictures of the store, but I will post some actual pictures very soon!

In the meantime, I want to introduce you to a fabulous small business owner whose shop is directly across from ours. Operating out of an old silver, airstream trailer, Aggelige Spanos is a lovely lady who's trying to make a living around something she loves...something we also happen to love here at thevintagemodern....

Succulents!

Aggelige plants her beauties in various vintage and unique containers she has found on her many treasure hunts. She does an excellent job and I can't wait to get paid so I can take one of them home!

Here are some pictures of her adorable shop:

I highly encourage each of you to stop by if you're in the area. She has arrangements in every price range, size and shape! On top of that, Aggelige is one of the nicest people I've met in a long time! You can find her in her silver bullet every Wednesday - Sunday at The CAMP...2937 Bristol St in Costa Mesa, CA. And while you're at it, visit me at SEED!

So...here's to the love of succulents, local artists, and turning your dreams into reality...

SEED: People's Market - Opening Thursday!

2009-08-04T22:35:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce the opening of a new store THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 6TH, at the CAMP in Orange County, CA...

I am excited about this store for the following reasons:
1) because it is extremely cool.
2) because I am lucky enough to work there.

Here is some information about the store to pique your interest!

SEED: People’s Market is a marketplace for emerging
designers, makers and artists. The People’s Market
showcases sustainable products and local handmade
crafts in a modern eco-friendly space at the CAMP in
Costa Mesa, CA.

The People’s Market includes community space for
demonstrations, classes and events and a fresh food
bar with living room, outside deck and laptop station for visitors.
Shop owners will be encouraged to attend monthly
“Meet the Makers” events and People’s Market will organize
and manage ongoing programs for the community.

We will carry a huge variety of items, including...

Here's a bit more info about the CAMP, where the store is located:

As the first green retail compound of its
kind, the CAMP opened in 2002 anchored by an array
of authentic green boutiques and organic, healthy eateries.
Award winning architecture, indigenous landscaping
and environmental aesthetics are coupled with
the following amenities offered to CAMP customers:
a grass roof, certified redwood, on-site percolation system
(to avoid urban runoff to the ocean), a central yurt, and
local artisan touches throughout the grounds.

I am excited about the artists participating in SEED. We have some great merchandise and I've already bought a few things myself. I'm afraid my paycheck won't last very long in that place!

Over the next few weeks, I will spotlight some of our contributing artists here on my blog...to give you a better idea of the amazing creativity and products we will feature!

The store is definitely a work in progress. We will continually build our list of participating artists and the space will be constantly changing and growing.

So...come check it out and check back often!

There's definitely something for every interest and every price range at SEED. As a lover of art and design, I am excited to participate in the start-up of this project and I can't wait to see where it goes!

Stay tuned...and I hope to see you in the store!!

HOURS:
Monday - Friday, 11am-7pm
Saturday, 11am-6pm
Sunday, 11am-5pm

Visit thecampsite.com for more information and directions!

Hotel Highlight :: Commune By The Great Wall

2009-07-30T16:02:00.000-07:00

On the off chance that you're headed to China for vacation, I have the perfect place for you to rest your head.

Our second Hotel Highlight is the amazing Commune By The Great Wall. The Commune is comprised of a hotel + a variety of individual houses available for rent.

I am probably posting way too many pictures, but I highly recommend you visit the site and browse through the slew of other pictures in their photo gallery. The pictures I have posted don't even begin to give you a proper idea of the wonderful architecture, design elements and landscape. Gorgeous.

Here's a sneak peak:

They really aren't kidding about the "By The Great Wall" part!
Guess I finally found my reason to visit China!

The Stylish Way to Sleep Where You Sit

2009-07-29T23:26:00.000-07:00

We've all seen and slept on our fair share of ugly sofa beds. We're talking fluffy, poofy, bars in our back, springs in our sides, coins and popcorn in our sheets, over-sized, over-stuffed...ugly. Something like this:

Ummm...no thanks.

Unfortunately, most modern sofa beds aren't much better...however, there are a few front runners that give you the convertability of a sofa bed and the good-looks of a modern piece of design. This new generation has shed the name "sofa bed" in exchange for the smoother sounding name, "sleeper sofa."

So, if you have a small house and long to have more room for guests, you just might find your solution below.

First off...I want to introduce you to the grandfather of good-looking sleeper sofas. This baby was made in 1968 and recently sold on Ebay for a pretty penny. You can see why...genius.

And here are a few of my modern favorites. Some are more affordable than others, but hopefully you'll find that all of them give "sofa beds" a better name.

Top Ten Sleeper Sofas

1. My favorite, no doubt, is the aptly named One Night Stand by Blu Dot. It sells for $1799.
2. I also enjoy the James Sofa by Gus Modern, selling for $1356.

3. Third, we have the designer Nomade-Express by Ligne Roset. Selling for $2580, it'd better be comfortable! It also comes in a large variety of fabric textures and colors.

4. Next we have the first of two sleepers from beloved DWR. This is the Havana Sofa with Storage, selling for $3500. (Okay...so we don't necessarily love DWR's prices...but still!)

5. Also from DWR, we have the Twilight Sleep Sofa, which comes in some fun colors and rings in a bit cheaper between $1680 - $1880.

6. If leather is your thing, we have the Oz by Innovation, coming in at $1346.

The next four comprise our "Easy on the Wallet" category of sleepers. For those of us who dream big, but earn little!

7. It just wouldn't be right if Ikea didn't make a showing. Here they are with their Karlstad Sleeper Sofa, coming in at $799. They have a few other sleepers, as well, but this one is the most sofa-like, in my humble opinion.

8. Next we have the Flex Sofa by CB2, coming just short of a four-digit price tag at $999.

9. Next to last, we have the new Clark Sofa by West Elm, also coming in at $999.

10. And in the last slot is a no-name find that is surprisingly attractive as well as being quite budget-friendly...a sleeper by Stendmar Sofa, coming in at a price of $675!

And...an honorable mention, just because it's so darn cool...the Doc sleeper sofa/bunk bed. Check it out:

So, now you really have no excuse not to be hospitable and invite the in-laws over for a stay. You can thank me later!