bettershelter blog

Elk Nest Hunting Lodge 1928

2012-01-28T06:27:00.000-08:00

View inside the Elk Nest Hunting Lodge on Catalina Island in 1928.
I love the suspended logs hanging from chain, it looks like something out of Twin Peaks!!
Genius!
One meeting I wish I was at!

Pre MLS Party At College View Ave

2012-01-24T22:48:00.000-08:00

4774 College View Ave is ready for it's close up!
We are having a pre MLS preview party!
4774 College View Ave
Los Angeles CA 90041
Friday, Jan 27th
5-8pm
Consider yourself invited!

Backyard Oasis

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Part of the Getty Foundation’s Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A., 1945-1980 regional initiative, Backyard Oasis examines swimming pools in photographs from 1945 to 1982 as visual analogs of the ideals and expectations associated with Southern California.
As a private setting, the backyard pool became a stage for sub-culture rituals and clandestine desires.
At the Palm Springs Art Museum.

Shit Surfers Say

2012-01-22T22:46:00.000-08:00

SO true! Hilarious.

Moonrise Kingdom

2012-01-22T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wes Anderson can do no wrong. Going to be so good.

Atwater Village Home Renovation

2012-01-20T07:24:00.000-08:00

Atwater Village home renovation we just started.

Another gut job!!

5415 Monterey Rd, Los Angeles

2012-01-19T07:35:00.001-08:00

See whole listing HERE
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, approx 1,400 sq feet
Price: $499k
Contact ACME REAL ESTATE for more info
Home is beautiful!!

Will Adler

2012-01-14T20:10:00.001-08:00

Ugly Furniture!

2012-01-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

Hilarious

585 boardriders Complete

2012-01-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

Tatiana from Verdego Design sent me pix of completed 585 boardriders in Venice.
Store came out great, Verdego did a great job, bravo!

585

What's Coming On The Market In January

2012-01-09T20:34:00.001-08:00

We have 3 homes coming up for sale in January:
HERMON: 3 bedroom, 2 bath

EAGLE ROCK: 5 bedroom, 3 bath

FRANKLIN HILLS: 3 bedroom, 2 bath

Nest Thermostat For Your Home

2012-01-03T07:06:00.000-08:00

The average home spends more than $2,200 per year on energy bills and roughly half of this amount goes towards heating and cooling, according to the Department of Energy.
When a programmable thermostat is set and used properly, a homeowner can save about $180 annually.

But the problem is, virtually everyone with a programmable thermostat doesn’t set or use it properly.
Nest Labs aims to solve this problem with a new thermostat that’s simple, sleek, intuitive, and smart.
Nest learns by remembering temperature adjustments entered over time. It creates a custom schedule from adjustments or can be manually programmed for seven days with 20 set points per day.
Nest shows a leaf when you’re saving energy and displays the time it will take to arrive at a certain temperature. Nest also has an auto-away mode and can be adjusted remotely through a laptop or mobile phone.Thanks to Jetson Green

Happy Holidays Everyone!

2011-12-23T23:14:00.000-08:00

With the holidays coming up I thank my lucky stars for all my friends, family and opportunity.
2011 was a wonderful year and I am looking forward to an AMAZING 2012!
Happy Holidays!

New Home On Mulholland Dr

2011-12-23T22:41:00.000-08:00

The View!
180 degree jetliner city lights vista!
The Hollywood sign!
Griffith Observatory!
Gawd!

Bettershelter Home Buyer Interview

2011-12-23T19:34:00.000-08:00

Great interview with 2 brothers that bought our San Rafael home over at ACME Real Estate website!
Read it HERE

An Homage To The Modern Beachcomber

2011-12-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

Recently the Modern Beachcomber opened up a pop up shop at Macalistaire @ 1850 in Laguna Beach.
I urge everyone to check it out.
I went to the opening night party to see the store and support my friend of over 20 years and of course it is amazing!

The Modern Beachcomber never fails to impress me; he has been a source of inspiration for soooo long now.....he taught me how to look for things at flea markets and thrift stores, he gave me an appreciation for culture and fashion and "to do the right thing".
His influence is all over the homes we do.

We have been working together recently on some retail projects and he always brings a fresh eye and perspective to his work.
I acknowledge and thank the Modern Beachcomber for his friendship and inspiration over the years!
Thank you!

All photos above of the "LOCALS" pop up shop at Macalistaire@1850

All photos above of Roxy display install in Huntington Beach

Long Beach Update

2011-12-19T09:33:00.000-08:00

The crew is FLYING at the Long Beach home!
Every day I show up is like Christmas.....so fun to see all the progress!

Video Games

2011-12-17T22:42:00.000-08:00

Progress Franklin Hills

2011-12-17T07:36:00.001-08:00

Franklin Hills / Los Feliz area.
3 bedroom, 2 bath updated Spanish
smooth stucco coat applied.
Wood floors going in this week.

I Friggin' Love LA!

2011-12-15T22:20:00.000-08:00

This is soooo good, bitch!!

Urban Myth?

2011-12-13T22:19:00.000-08:00

Found wedged in between walls of a remodel. Some things do go bump in the night.
Ugh.
They were pretty big too. They were also kind of spooning. Weird.

Tom Sachs Is So Rad

2011-12-13T20:32:00.000-08:00

I saw Tom Sachs' show in NY recently.
Brilliant.

"I thank the Lord I'm allowed to work everyday" - James Brown

"In the James Brown series, Sachs celebrates James Brown’s (“The Godfather of Soul”), religion of work.
Not only a musician, but also a key figure who helped define African American and American culture in the 20th century, Brown reinvented himself and innovated his industry many times over. Everyday objects from Brown’s life have now become collectible relics.
Sachs uses these real artifacts as a starting point for works in his James Brown series."

On view at Sperone Westwater through Dec 17.

James Brown Listening Station, 2009

James Brown's Hair Products, 2009

James Brown's Hair Products (detail), 2009

James Brown's Hair Products (detail), 2009James Brown's Last Supper, 2009

James Brown's Last Supper (detail), 2009

Victoria Hagen Refined Simplicity

2011-12-11T19:47:00.001-08:00

A waterfront home on Nantucket
Interior design by Victoria Hagen.
Refined simplicity!

photos courtesy Architectural Digest

Shop bettershelter on Etsy!

2011-12-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

We have a shop on Etsy and it is live!
Get your favorite bettershelter items for your home.
Check back often, we add new stuff all the time and are developing a home furnishings line!
Would love your feedback as well please!
Shop bettershelter HERE

Much thanks to Kara Bartelt, she has been the leader on the store.

Long Beach Home Begins Renovation

2011-12-04T08:12:00.001-08:00

Located in the historic Cal Heights area in Long Beach.
Adding on extra bedroom and bathroom to make the home 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom.

Death Of A Gremmie

2011-12-02T21:30:00.001-08:00

RAD
Fine art by Raymond Pettibon

Under The Sun

2011-12-02T21:27:00.000-08:00

Under the Sun Trailer from www.KORDUROY.tv on Vimeo.

Classic Rincon 1966

2011-12-01T09:57:00.000-08:00

Fence Install At College View

2011-11-28T22:12:00.001-08:00

We tried one fence version, it did not look right, I tore it down and started over, much happier with this fence, goes so well with the home!

This will be the most amazing bettershelter home yet.
Loving it!!

Latest Hermon Update

2011-11-28T22:09:00.001-08:00

Almost done!

Her

Kevin Ancell Mural At 585 Boardriders

2011-11-28T22:01:00.000-08:00

Mural looks so good, Kevin did an AMAZING job.
Such a gift to the city.
Love the sly reference to CR.
Lots of hidden gems abound.

Go see it:
585 Venice Blvd
Venice CA

As Seen At Thalia Surf Shop

2011-11-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

As seen at Thalia Surf Shop: the bettershelter GREEN AWARD trophy.
Awarded in 2008 for their retail store design using various recycled materials.
Store design by The Modern Beachcomber!

The trophy is displayed with pride as it should be, the store looks great.

Hedi Slimane At MOCA

2011-11-21T22:33:00.001-08:00

The Museum of Contemporary Art presents Hedi Slimane's California Song
On view at MOCA Pacific Design Center
November 12, 2011, through January 22, 2012.

California Song spans the photographer's "California period" and traces his explorations of cycles of urban youth culture and artistic communities, through installations of photographic essays, exhibitions, and publications.

bettershelter says: ROCK IT!!

bettershelter + SoCal Connected

2011-11-21T22:17:00.001-08:00

I was contacted by KCET for a story they were running on businesses that are opening in this economic climate.
The piece focuses on.....HIGHLAND PARK!
They asked me to participate in the shoot, seen below!

bettershelter is proud to be a part of NELA's transformation.

video platform video management video solutions video player

As Seen At Highland Park's Art Walk

2011-11-21T22:06:00.000-08:00

Highland Park Art Walk is held on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

This month saw the participation of the Tin Box Of Curious Artifacts.
GENIUS.

Watts Towers

2011-11-21T22:01:00.000-08:00

OK, I had never been to Watts Towers until a few days ago.
So great!

bettershelter says: DO IT!!

How Good Is This Song?

2011-11-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

GENIUS.

Los Feliz Update

2011-11-14T09:33:00.001-08:00

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home
Rahter than try to patch the stucco, we tore everything off and started fresh.
Why not!

Stussy Surfboard Shop Opening

2011-11-04T22:18:00.001-07:00

Genius Mailbox

2011-11-01T21:23:00.000-07:00

From Design Studio Ahsayane.

When working on our homes I am ALWAYS looking for a better mailbox than what is out there.

I love this one!

Bookshelf Porn

2011-11-01T19:44:00.000-07:00

Yes, there is a BOOKSHELF PORN website!
Really great! All wonderful images of books.

Classic quote from John Waters I found on bookshelf porn:
"We need to make books cool again.
If you go home with somebody and they don't have books, don't fuck them".

HA!

Palm Springs Home Tour

2011-10-31T20:18:00.000-07:00

All images from Arthur Elrod's personal residence he sold in 1962.
Really fun.

Eagle Rock Update

2011-10-31T20:15:00.000-07:00

Hermon Update

2011-10-31T20:10:00.000-07:00

3 bedroom, 2 bath home closing in on the completion side.

Disneyland In 1956

2011-10-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

Shot one year after the park opened.
Can you imagine people's reactions?
Mind, meet blown.

Home Movies At DisneyLand - 1956 from Jeff Altman on Vimeo.

Raymond Pettibon At Regen Projects

2011-10-29T23:03:00.000-07:00

Raymond Pettibon at Regen Projects
Nov 4-Dec 22

585 boardriders

2011-10-27T10:50:00.000-07:00

Almost ready, although you would never know it!

Flagship 6,000 sq feet Quiksilver store @ 585 Venice Blvd, corner Venice & Abbot Kinney

Shower Drain Grid

2011-10-24T07:04:00.001-07:00

Adds a great touch to your shower floor, not your typical Home Depot style drain.
$200.
From California Faucets

The Transparent Drain

2011-10-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

“If you drop a diamond earring down the drain, it gives you a chance to see where it’s at before you go and make a mistake and just run the water.
Plus, it eliminates a lot of the need for really intense chemicals.
If you can see the clog and deal with it without pouring Drano down there, you’ve already done a good job.”
PermaFlow Never-Clog drain, $25.99, faucetdirect.com

Thanks NY Mag

I Am Liking These Barn Doors

2011-10-18T21:06:00.001-07:00

The bright color adds a bit of life to the rooms, yes?

Designer Garage Sale

2011-10-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

I am a total hoarder and I HATE to give up my stuff, but I am finally waving the white flag!
Need to unload!

Saturday, Nov 5th
9am-2pm
The Cove
410 W Coast Hwy
Newport Beach

See you there!

Lippy Kids

2011-10-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

Tree Trimming

2011-10-12T08:03:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it pays to trim the trees.
There was a whole home hidden!

The Surfing Essay

2011-10-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

The Surfing Essay, photographs by Anthony Friedkin.

drkrm gallery
727 S Spring St
Los Angeles
Sept 17-Oct 29, 2011

“The Surfing Essay” spans more than three decades, beginning in the mid-sixties and continuing to the present.
There is no romanticizing the surf scene in the “Beach Blanket Bingo” spirit in these photos.
Instead, viewers are privy to a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the time spent on the other side of PCH.
Friedkin's beautiful shots of the ocean and waves serve as a counterpoint to the sense of danger and decay in the images of people and the beach, yet in all the images, it feels like lives might be threatened.
The viewer is put on edge, on the brink of something unknown, and possibly fearsome.
The Surfing Essay is part of Pacific Standard Time

description from Malibu Times

Hey Bro

2011-10-08T18:46:00.001-07:00

Keeping it real.

I Can Relate

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

Rad value??
Of course!

Thanks to ACL

Danny Galieote

2011-10-07T21:17:00.001-07:00

Represented by Hollis Fine Art

Coming Soon

2011-10-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Come Hell Or High Water

2011-10-02T22:26:00.000-07:00

Raymond Pettibon

2011-10-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

"In No Title (But the sand...), a wave of gigantic proportions forms a high, foamy peak against a flat, dark-blue ocean with no land visible on the horizon.
Multicolored surfboards without their riders are caught in free-fall down the side of the wave.
A text is inscribed at the bottom-left: "But the sand or clay to which by one or the other process we are reducible are turned to glass and foam."
No Title (But the sand...) presents one of Pettibon's largest works on paper with this subject matter."
Auction sale price: $820k

No Title (From life to...)
Auction sale price: $760k

Eagle Rock

2011-09-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

This Book Looks Good

2011-09-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

"A Perfectly Kept Home Is The Sign Of A Misspent Life"

Order HERE from Amazon, I just did.

Highland Park, 1908

2011-09-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Panoramic views of Highland Park, circa 1908.

The main street running through the middle of the first photograph is Pasadena Avenue (today, Figueroa Street). On the left, the tracks of the Santa Fe Railroad parallel the road. That same right-of-way today carries the light rail cars of the Metro Gold Line.

And to think some of the homes we work on were around at that time, so exciting.

How To Build A Water Feature

2011-09-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

The video makes it easy to do, I have a water feature in my yard and it makes a HUGE difference!
Courtesy Stylelist Home

Quiksilver Watermans Store Fashion Island

2011-09-26T23:09:00.001-07:00

We finished the Quiksilver Watermans store in Fashion Island and it looks great!
Thanks to all, it was a team effort!

Help Save Atwater Elementary School Library

2011-09-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Help in the transformation of the Atwater Elementary School.

With the current educational crisis in California, Atwater Elementary has been left without the funds to cover the cost of running the library during the school year year.
Donate HERE

Great Drawer Pulls

2011-09-24T23:22:00.001-07:00

Great drawer pulls.
From Anthropologie

White Wash

2011-09-24T16:11:00.001-07:00

Urbanized

2011-09-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Dispatch From The Field

2011-09-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate it when the inspector makes you tear down your roof?
I do!
HA!
I came to the site and the whole roof had been removed. Nice and airy.

Amazing.

2011-09-18T14:02:00.001-07:00

As Seen In Long Beach

2011-09-16T21:50:00.000-07:00

Pacific Standard Time

2011-09-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

Pacific Standard Time.
Going to be so good.

Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980 from Scripps College on Vimeo.

Open House Sunday Sept 18

2011-09-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Open house this weekend Sunday from 2-5pm
2427 Loma Vista Pasadena CA
3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
Completely redone!
$634K
Interested in viewing? Contact Courtney
See whole listing HERE

The Perfect Opening Credits

2011-09-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

Still looks so good!!

Proud To Be Part Of NELA's Transformation!

2011-09-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

The Eastsider posted a great story on NELA Business Culture.

A while back we started NELA Business Culture, a group of like minded business owners committed to the preservation and enhancement of North East Los Angeles.

We have been meeting regularly now for about 6 months and it has been great to mix with other business owners in the area and see what they are up to. NELA Biz Culture is also a great way to network and for businesses able to help other businesses.
See posting HERE

Thanks Arroyo Magazine!

2011-09-12T09:56:00.000-07:00

This month's issue of Arroyo Magazine features bettershelter.

Great profile focusing on 2427 Loma Vista St in Pasadena.
You can see it online HERE

Thank you Arroyo.

Grandmother's Home

2011-09-12T09:52:00.001-07:00

We are working on a home that reminds me of my grandmother's house, all big and roomy.
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and 2 fireplaces.

To Build A Home

2011-09-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

Cinematic Orchestra
"To Build A Home"

"There is a house built out of stone
Wooden floors, walls and window sills...
Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust..
This is a place where I don't feel alone
This is a place where I feel at home......."

bettershelter's theme song! I LOVE this song. I listened to it for like a year straight.

Treehouses For Adults

2011-09-05T08:19:00.001-07:00

Treehouses by Baumraum.

Looking For A Design Writer

2011-09-05T07:55:00.000-07:00

I am looking for a design writer for a project I am working on.
If you know of anyone, please let me know!

Should be well versed in Los Angeles real estate, design, urban planning, etc.
The project is great!
info@bettershelter.com

Gnarly!

2011-09-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Blu Dot Shows Up At Weldon!

2011-08-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

We partnered with Blu Dot at our latest home on Weldon Ave, using their furniture in our home staging.
Blu Dot and bettershelter share similar sensibilities; we both think good design can make a difference in your life!

Blu Dot recently opened a beautiful showroom at 8000 Melrose Ave (@ Edingburgh St) in Los Angeles. Go by the showroom and say hello!

You are invited to view the Weldon Ave home and the Blu Dot furniture this Thursday, Sept 1st from 6-8pm.
3210 Weldon Ave, Los Angeles CA 90065

Toro Lounge Chair
$1,099 Drift 5 Drawer Dresser in walnut
$1,399

Buttercup Chair in walnut
$799 Splash Coat Rack
$279

3210 Weldon Ave Los Angeles CA 90065

2011-08-29T23:31:00.000-07:00

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom
2 bonus rooms on lower level
approx 1900 sq ft
$499k
Not on the market yet
Interested parties can contact Courtney

Bad Lieutenant

2011-08-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

It's hard to relax when you owe your bookie $60,000.

Lewis Baltz

2011-08-28T13:18:00.001-07:00

585 Boardriders mural

2011-08-28T12:44:00.000-07:00

We commissioned CR Stecyk and Kevin Ancell to create a mural on the side of the Quiksilver 585 Boardriders store in Venice.

Kevin's work seen here:

Seven Days by Kevin Ancell from RVCA on Vimeo.

Sunset At Weldon

2011-08-27T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sunset at Weldon Ave was gorgeous.
The home gets amazing light! Just finishing up on renovation.
Very happy with how everything came out, the home is beautiful!

Thank You Westways!

2011-08-25T08:34:00.001-07:00

The Sept issue of Westways Magazine has a "Tiny Houses" story.

bettershelter was honored that we were included in the article, we are in good company and it is nice to see 1.7 Ocean featured alongside the other great examples.
Thank you!

Andy Spade's Hampton Home

2011-08-24T07:38:00.000-07:00

A guided tour by Andy.
Quiksilver has been working with Partners & Spade for a while now, I am very impressed with what they do and this tour gives great insight into Andy's mind.
Also a beautiful home!

This tour

Andy Spade's Hamptons Manorfrom Alison Chernick on Nowness.com.

Video courtesy of Nowness

Hey Remodelista, We Got That

2011-08-23T23:09:00.000-07:00

Spotted on Remodelista today, a post on yellow doors.

Um, yeah, although we prefer our yellow just a bit more....mellow.

Great minds think alike!
Love it!

A Great Quote On Putting Yourself In Uncomfortable Situations

2011-08-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

I saw this in an LAT article on the CEO of Deusch LA:

"I do a lot of speeches now, and I always start by saying, 'I will tell you the secret to life.

Every day you wake up, brush your teeth, drive to work, work your butt off, come home, watch TV and go to bed.

On weekends, you party and then start the week all over again.

The key is to inject out-of-the-ordinary experiences into that backdrop. Go someplace with people you hardly know. That's the secret to life: Inject life with these new experiences. Scare yourself a little.'"

That's how he met Deutsch. "I went to this advertising breakfast-dorkfest that I really didn't want to go to, but I met this person who would later tell me to meet Donny.

Every time I do something that I really don't want to do, it turns out to be a memorable experience."

Love that!

Dear Friends

2011-08-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to all my friends!
Muah!

Home Within A Home

2011-08-19T18:22:00.001-07:00

From Architizer Blog:
"In Home Within Home, an upcoming show at Lehmann Maupin Gallery in New York, South Korean artist Do Ho Suh will present a series of architectural spaces carefully constructed out of fabrics, resin and Styrofoam. These intricate sculptures play with traditional notions of space, scale and site specificity.
The work examines the concept of home and attempts to deconstruct what it means to identify with a place. The artist contemplates strongly architectural issues often as a way to explore themes of cultural displacement and cultural identity."

Over here at bettershelter, we can relate!

The Modern Hillside Home Is Close To Atwater Crossing Kitchen!

2011-08-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

We are making progress on our modern hillside 3/2 home and everything is looking great.

Added bonus: the home is 3 minutes from Atwater Crossing Kitchen!
I ate there this morning and I could not believe how good everything was AND I can't believe I didn't know about it sooner!
Seriously one of the better places to eat in the area.

Says it's Facebook page:
"Centrally situated off the I-5 and conveniently located just east of Los Feliz and Silverlake, Atwater Crossing: Arts and Innovation Complex (ATX) is a new creative community complex. Anchored in LA's up-and-coming Atwater Village, ATX serves as an incubator and catalyst for contemporary creative culture."
Who knew??
I am a total fan.

Words Of Wisdom

2011-08-16T22:27:00.000-07:00

I like what Mark Healey says about "afraid of being afraid".....it is so good and so true!

Sometimes I just need to acknowledge my fear (yup, I'm scared) and just move forward anyways!

Coming Soon To Cal Heights

2011-08-15T08:24:00.001-07:00

Coming soon to the Cal Heights area in Long Beach, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home completely re-imagined!

Hipster Hideaway Update

2011-08-15T08:14:00.001-07:00

4 bedroom, 2 bathroom with bonus lower office space/rumpus room.
Views, deck, plenty of outdoor space.
Almost ready!
Tucked away in a hilly enclave between Atwater Village and Glassell Park!

You Know You've Made It As An Artist...

2011-08-09T23:07:00.000-07:00

...Not when your artwork is acquired by MOMA or your studio is visited by a curator from MOCA.....Nope, you know you've made it when one of your pieces appears in the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach!
This happened to my friend Sandow Birk in this summer's version of the pageant and the theme this year is "Only Make Believe".
Sandow had FOUR pieces in the show, all from his "Great War Of California" series.

I had the opportunity to see the Pageant recently and believe me, it is NOT to be missed.
The Pageant is single-handedly the greatest living piece of kitsch alive today.
And I don't mean that in a negative slant at all. You just have to see it to believe it.
Bravo to the Pageant for including it in the show.
The crowd loved it.
And so did I!

vintage photo of the Pageant of the Master theater, above there is a nice profile on Sandow in OC inSite

Open House This Weekend Sat + Sun

2011-08-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Sat + Sun, Aug 6 + 7
2-5pm
5153 Irvington Place
Los Angeles CA 90042
3 bedroom, 3 bathroom
$519k

Perched atop it's own tiny little mountain sits this home filled with charm galore.
Come by and say hi!
See more info/images HERE

Presented by Courtney Poulos