Easter Items {Williams Sonoma}

I love Easter at Williams Sonoma. Find the Easter Decor here. I bet a lot of you crafty types could DIY a couple of these.

Surprise Surprise {Davis campus}

I am totally intrigued! We went to Joshua Bell at the Mondavi Center at UC Davis and I was so stunned see the beautiful, modern architecture of the buildings. It was my first time there, it was night, but the few buildings I saw in the vicinity of Mondavi were of superb design. Of course the music was heaven! I must check out the campus again sometime during the day!

Home & Garden Tour

Saturday May 1, 2010 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
"This annual event is a self-guided walking tour of Venice homes and gardens. This year's tour will feature 25-30 gardens and homes in the historical heart of Venice, Oakwood and the Palms, Milwood neighborhoods just a short stroll from the bustling activity of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and the beach community. This fundraising event that benefits the Neighborhood Youth Association's Las Doradas Children's Center in Venice, is an annual showcase of creativity that inspires California's homeowners, the one day of the year when dozens of private enclaves are open to the public.

In this foray into old and new, fast-changing Venice, the walking tour will wander through quiet, palm-shaded streets, dappled with sunlight, and peek into homes open to the environment and where indoor-outdoor living is the norm. These are the "secret gardens" of Venice, private oases sequestered behind inviting gates and doors, where homeowners seek peace and beauty in their carefully tended gardens hidden away from hectic Los Angeles.

The Garden Tour inspires landscapers and homeowner gardeners who are intrigued by the use of salvaged materials used in interesting ways, by an abundance of art, by bold splashes of offbeat colors - eggplant, mustard, rust – that add spice to old stucco or creamy white wood, and where solar panels pop up amid rooftop grasses adjacent to elegant Craftsman bungalows. Tour-goers will feel the Venice vibe, the constant activity of homeowners nurturing their vegetable gardens, creating their pockets of privacy, a community where residents actually talk to each other, introduce their dogs, where bikers spin by, clutching surfboards, and artists, interior designers, photographers do their work in home studios.

Photo: Erhard Pfeiffer

Venice hums with its own unique energy generated by the blessing of being close to the Pacific and the home of so many creative people. The tour will visit Jay Griffith's office, where inspiration for today's sustainable landscaping was developed, and will also include iconic contemporary homes by Steven Ehrlich, Marmol Radziner, Callas Shortridge and Charles Ward, among others. Many of the adventurous, influential Los Angeles architects reside in Venice, where the genius of Charles and Ray Eames permeates the air, and where artists have settled and worked for decades. This Garden Tour showcases the creative individual spirit that continues to thrive in Venice."

Photo: Maarten de Boer

Photo: Grey Crawford

More info here.

Kitchen article

In this March's Bon Appetit magazine, there is an interview of kitchen designer Mick de Giulio.



When asked about the 'work triangle,' Mick says "if you establish a work triangle but put your fridge in a main artery, it means that somebody's always opening a door in the path of traffic." Hmm... interesting! Designers are always relying on the triangle! More of the interview here.

Product Design Competition

This store has the neatest gifts! Wanna get your product made by UncommonGoods? Deadline is fast approaching...

"Do you have the perfect idea for a product, but just don't have the time, money or tools to create it? Let UncommonGoods do the work! Send your brilliant ideas (in sketches, pictures, videos or models) to yougoods@ugoods.com by March 8 for a chance to have your product produced and sold at UncommonGoods in 2010.

We'll evaluate the submissions and choose 3 finalists to be voted on by Facebook fans. The big winner will be named on March 15th. He or she will receive $500, two round-trip flights to NYC courtesy of JetBlue, hotel accomodations and a chance to meet with our team to discuss their product idea. So, get your thinking caps on and good luck!" Details here.

Featured on {SPPN}

The blog Sweetie Pie Pumpkin Noodle is having a giveaway week to unveil their blog redesign and Day 1 featured a LIVE OAKS zip pouch from my Etsy shop. Cool!

Trash to Treasure

My friends were giving away some old art and I picked up this number to put in our office trailer at work. The only 'decor' in the office had been a poster of a post-earthquake fire (ugh). Major improvement I'd say!

Quotes {FLW}

Last week in History II, we discussed Frank Lloyd Wright. His Wikipedia page is here. Below are some of his famous quotes.

"All fine architectural values are human values, else not valuable."
"Get the habit of analysis- analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind."
"I find it hard to believe that the machine would go into the creative artist's hand even were that magic hand in true place. It has been too far exploited by industrialism and science at expense to art and true religion."
"If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger."
"No stream rises higher than its source. What ever man might build could never express or reflect more than he was. He could record neither more nor less than he had learned of life when the buildings were built."
"TV is chewing gum for the eyes."
"The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life."
"The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope."
"The scientist has marched in and taken the place of the poet. But one day somebody will find the solution to the problems of the world and remember, it will be a poet, not a scientist."
"The screech and mechanical uproar of the big city turns the citified head, fills citified ears -- as the song of birds, wind in the trees, animal cries, or as the voices and songs of his loved ones once filled his heart. He is sidewalk-happy."
"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."
"The truth is more important than the facts."
"Youth is a quality, not a matter of circumstances."
"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature."

Article at Housingzone.com

The kitchen is still king: The 10 must-have features in today's new homes

Outbid! {And fine with it}

This Paul McCobb desk on eBay is cute-eous maximus! My bid has just been overtaken! I'm kinda fine with it. It would have shipped from St. Louis, and although I'll be in that area in April, they wouldn't store it for me. My co-worker seemed to think it would be cinch to freight it over, I think I'll keep looking and when the find is right, I'll know it! But hey, if anyone is interested, the sale still has a few hours left!

2010 SF Decorator's Showcase

It is almost that time again! And I'm going for sure this time, for reals! It's the 2010 SF Decorator's Showcase!

"Proceeds to benefit the Financial Aid Program of San Francisco University High School, www.sfuhs.org

Showcase Statistics: $505,000 was raised by Showcase 2009, Nearly $11 million in student Financial Aid raised since 1977, 25% of the student body benefits this year

Dates : May 1 through May 31, 2010

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday,Saturday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm (last entry)
Thursday & Friday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm (last entry)
Sunday and Memorial Day: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm (last entry)
Monday: Closed (except Memorial Day)

Tickets: Available at the door
General Admission $30, Seniors $25 (62 and older)
Tickets are not available in advance
We accept payment by cash, check, VISA and MasterCard"

More info here.

Credenza Lust

How magnificent is this sideboard? Swoon! Faint! Smelling Sauce! During my Craigslist hunt for the desk and/or vanity, I kept running into stylish mid century modern sideboards. But alas, I don't need one. All that searching has brought sideboards/credenzas to the forefront of my mind though. Oh how, oh how could I use one? After spotting this one while shopping for brother's bookcase, I have GOT to find a way to need a sideboard.

"006 atlantico sideboard, Design Atlantico. American white oak, American Cherry or Walnut. Made in Portugal by De La Espada.

This long rectangular sideboard stands tall on slender legs. Inside, one central shelf divides the left half of the sideboard, while the right half consists of one central shelf followed by three slender stacked drawers. These generous and varied compartments create effective, organized storage in the dining area. Sliding doors with rebated handles conceal the goods within.

Atlantico is a brand of modern furniture created by the people behind De La Espada. Atlantico focuses on beautiful hardwood, elegant joinery and natural finishes. Atlantico rejects the idea of disposable furniture, ensuring that every piece is built to stand the test of time.

As part of Atlantico's commitment to the environment, all timber is sourced from sustainable forests, waste created during manufacture is minimized, durability and aesthetic relevance is maximized, and every piece may be easily recycled at the end of its lifecycle.

All Atlantico pieces are offered in solid Walnut, American Cherry with a traditional oil finish or American White Oak with a choice of a traditonal oil or white oil finish. Some assembly required.

70.87" w 19.87" d 31.5" h, oak; $4,495.00 + $295.00 shipping in the continental U.S. (usually ships in 20 business days if in stock, otherwise, please allow 8-12 weeks for delivery. Please call for stock check)." Room and Board

Mobile Bonanza

With so many pals expecting this Spring, I've been exploring baby items online. Here is a mobile roundup:

Coy Kitties mobile by KLT Works at Spunky Sprout

Jet Set Mobile at Spunky Sprout

Dinghy Regatta mobile at Modern Seed

Monkey Mobile at Inquisitive Kid

confetti mobile by Frazer + Wing at Fawn and Forest

Well I'll Be!

Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. As much scowering I do on Craigslist. Humpf! Hubby finds an Aeron chair, only slightly diminished for $150. Well played. I put a bid on a desk and I've got two days to see what happens. Fingers crossed. I'll let ya'll know!

Product Review {Frigoverre}

In an effort to ditch the old, used, grimy plastic containers, I did a bit o' research and decided upon these Frigoverre Glass Storage Containers. You can find them at Chef's Catalog here. They can go in the freezer and can be microwaved (sans lid). So far so good I must say! We got one large, two medium, and four small. I think it would have been better to get 2 small and 2 more mediums instead. The lids don't seem to discolor (so far) and the glass itself seems to be sturdy (as far as glass goes). I can't really take these to work though.

I will let ya'll know about this Mr. Bento I ordered last week. I think this will be great if we break down and sign up for a CSA. Apparently you can store soup (one of my most favorite human inventions) on the bottom level.

Art Project Announcement {Postcard Project}

Hey guys, I have put a little pic/link on the right hand side of the page referring to The Postcard Project. In an effort to avoid 'storing' or 'collections & storage', etc. I am sending out every postcard I have ever collected in my whole life from my travels. I know the stack looks a little small, but it is quite a bit of postcards! Almost every vacation, I usually pick up a postcard or two, send out one and save one. This is the stack of saved postcards. From Vietnam, Yellowstone, and all over!


I'd like you to email me your address (for art purposes only), I'll randomly pick a card & write you a little note and send it to you (at my cost!). The only thing I ask is that you take a pic with you holding the card and email it to me. This can be an iPhone pic, no biggie. I want to collect a bunch of photos of my postcard recipients and maybe turn it into a big art installation.

Just a little experiment in art - for fun! susanna@liveoaks.net

Is this the right desk? Vanity?

I've been checking out eBay and Craigslist here and there for a desk for hubby. He wants it to be around 44" long, just a place to keep his laptop plus a little storage. I'd like something similar to serve as a vanity to apply makeup and store jewelry. This writing desk is $50. We could sand it and refinish it or paint it hot pink for me. Hmm. 1.5;' x 3'... the measurements seem a little off. Yay or nay? I feel like if I have to talk myself into it, then I don't really want it. You know?

Browsing the New Listings at 1st Dibs

1stdibs.com always has fab finds. Here is a sampling from their new listings:

Gothic chairs

1920 light fixture

Art Deco painting

Wooden architectural model of stairs

1950's French bar cart

Bark Niche Tableau

1970's Swiss chandelier

1930s French desk

1990s Italian bookcase

I don't drink liqueur or schnapps (kinda on a Sidecar kick right now) but I think this set is lovely! It is made in The Czech Rep. which I know from experience manufactures high quality crystal.


"Beehive Decanter and Glasses - Artel is an American company based in the Czech Republic, where they produce crystal pieces inspired by historical designs. The opalescent finish of the Beehive set is incredibly beautiful and a perfect compliment to the decanter's whimsical, but classic, shape. The Beehive set is perfect for serving liqueur and schnapps. Decanter is 3.25 x 9 (h) inches. Not dishwasher safe."

Find it at Gretel here.

New Liberty Prints

It is a new season at Liberty. Here are my favorites; I'm incorporating a little of the Liberty floral in a couple of my designs in my Etsy shop. That city plan print and the red/white/blue stars are splendid! Find more Liberty here.