"Arias With a Twist"

I saw "Arias With A Twist" on Friday night, pretty....unforgettable. The show features Joey Arias with a bunch of puppets!

I had no idea Thierry Mugler designed Aria's costumes in the show, there is a great article in the LA Times about that.
Thanks to Carol for the awesome time!
The show runs through Dec 12 at the Red Cat Theater.

Erica Wakerly Wallpaper

Love this wallpaper! From Erica Wakerly.

Awful Library Books

Awful Library Books is a website about....awful library books.

The one below, "How To REALLY Love Your Teenager" is featured.
Says the site: "This title creeped me out when I first read it. Emphasis on “really” made me do a double take. Maybe I watch too much television and assume the worst."
Pretty funny stuff, good website

Long Beach Design District

I visited KURO's offices today to meet regarding bettershelter website update.

They moved their offices around the corner to the Long Beach "Design District".
A group of businesses have been popping up in same area....somehow the city got involved and presto, a design district is born.
I liked what I saw, the design district is an example of good urban planning; let most of it grow organically and the city steps in every now and again.

Says the city of Long Beach's website:
"A dynamic new Design District is emerging in the neighborhood generally bounded by Anaheim Street, 14th Street, Temple Avenue and Redondo Avenue. Over the past few years, an influx of private investment from graphic design studios, architectural firms, construction management services, branding engineers and product development firms have located in the area, organically forming the Long Beach Design District. Agency staff has been collaborating with the district community to develop an action plan for future area improvements."
I like what I see.
This is the begining of turning Long Beach into a place where there is a "there" there.

Kind Of Silly

A Japanese ad shot by Spike Jonze featuring Brad Pitt.
Love the Department Of Eagles song.

Softbank Sumo from We Love You So on Vimeo.

Satan Rides Alone

Isn't that the truth??
I love this piece.
A CR Stecyk III silkscreen up for auction.
Juxtapoz Art Auction happening online now

Nickey Kehoe Store

Seen on the Nickey Kehoe section on 1st Dibs:
A cool pair of Italian vintage chrome eyeball sconces.
$425ea
I love the look of these, they would fit in many different room styles.
Their store on Highland Ave is worth checking out.

The Modern Beachcomber Strikes Again

Jonathan Lo featured the Modern Beachcomber in a 'zine that he created through his business, J3 Productions.
I was very flattered and honored that Jonathan asked me for a quote....more than happy to give one!
The Modern Beachcomber's home is an example of both excess and restraint at the same time, almost impossible to do, but here he did it.
Jonathan captured the spirit and sensibility of the home PERFECTLY.
My scans are pretty lousy, but I think you get the idea.

You Need This

Opening Ceremony has a Raymond Pettibon beach towel for sale.
Pretty much the best thing since sliced bread, wouldn't you agree?
Thanks to Megan for the heads up.

Cool Lightswitch

Dubbed "The Invisible Lightswitch" by Forbes & Lomax, these switches have a cool industrial feel to them.
Designed mostly for wallpapered walls, these would look great anywhere.
Cost: approx $60 ea
Loving these.

Mike Stilkey artwork

I like what he does with books!
Thanks to Fecal Face.

Coming Soon To Glassell Park

Coming soon to Glassell Park: 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a 1 bedroom rental in rear.

Alex Grey At Orange Coast College

I teach a class at Orange Coast College, "Display + Visual Presentation"
Today part of my class went to the OCC art gallery store to help merchandise the space for the upcoming Alex Grey show.

Hurley is sponsoring the show and they were responsible for helping gallery director Andrea Harris get the store fixtures made and installed. Great brand.

The show opens this weekend and for me the best part of the show are the 300+ self portraits that Alex Grey did starting over 40 years ago!! To see a person's from a self portrait perspective is AMAZING.
The early self portraits show him as....this teenage kid....!
The show was being installed when I took the pix, they do not do it justice.

a lot of the selp portraits have a Raymond Pettibon feeling to them, a good thingAlex Grey tee shirtsThe Hurley gang

The girls getting their extra credit!!

Alex Grey's artwork has a density to it, a lot going on!

Um, can you say gnarly?

Spark Modern Fireplace

I am always looking at new fireplace technology for homes, Spark Modern Fireplaces looks great.
Says the site:

This clever design proves that less is more. Even glass doors have been eliminated, leaving nothing but the appearance of a pure ribbon of fire.

Because no venting is required, this design offers extraordinary freedom in placement and installation. Your Fire Ribbon vent-free can be at any height, on interior or exterior walls, basement or common room. No chimney, flue, or hearth is needed. And its vent-free engineering satisfies stringent national standards of safety.

bettershelter says: BURN IT!

An Appreciation

Julius Shulman began his career in 1936 when he photographed a Richard Neutra house with a vest-pocket camera. He quickly moved on to shoot the work of many prominent architects who later became friends: Rudolf Schindler, Raphael Soriano, Gregory Ain, to name just a few.
He photos literally defined modernism.
RIP Julius Shulman.

Atwater Ave Home Makes It Onto Curbed

Our Atwater Ave home made it onto Curbed!
See post HERE

See You There??

I will be on the Palm Springs Modern Home Tour tomorrow Sat Oct 31.
The tour is sold out, I am looking forward to all the great homes and inspiration.
Sponsored by the Palm Springs Modern Heritage Fund, this is a GREAT opportunity for anyone who appreciates design and architecture.

Are You An Eco-Terrorist?

"Eco-Terrorists" are what landscaper John Greenlee labels people who have grass lawns.
Rather severe, but we get the point.
His new book, “The American Meadow Garden: Creating a Natural Alternative to the Traditional Lawn.” again takes direct aim at lawns.
bettershelter is a fan of NO LAWNS.
Lawns are wasteful and completely non-sustainable.....

For more info on what sort of options you have instead of a lawn, go to the Lawn Reform website
Thanks to LAT for info.

Our New Listing On Take Sunset

Our newest Atwater Ave listing made it onto the Take Sunset blog.
His take: "This compound is totally enclosed and is perfect for a small family. It has a victory garden – one of Steve’s favorite new trends. I love the French doors on the master bedroom, the long walkway up to the front door and the spacious living area."
See whole article HERE

Update Meridian St-Highland Park

Our remodel on Meridian St is going great, tile is in and master bedroom is taking shape.