NOT JUST SOMETHING TO SIT ON...

I'm not sure what it is about objects, ideas, and art categorized as "creepy" that draw me in like bees on honey. Maybe it's the inevitable questions and confusing stares or, most likely, the understanding chuckles and "that's fucking rad" comments from like-minded friends.

Not too long ago a friend decided to have a small art show gathering at her home and deemed it the "Nightmare" show. It was the perfect theme to work with right before Christmas. The idea was to create a piece inspired by your childhood nightmares. As a kid I hated to sleep just because I liked being awake reorganizing my stuffed animals and knick-knacks or re-painting my room at 3 a.m. Utilizing a little fake blood, halloween masks, and a couple special effects tongues I created "Insomnia".

"Insomnia" Pamela Jewell 2010

"Insomnia" Pamela Jewell 2010

 

NOT JUST SOMETHING TO SIT ON...

One of the most exciting opportunities I've pounced on was being able to join my immensely talented friends in the group art shows at R&R Gallery in Downtown LA. So far I have contributed for 3 of the shows including: "Mr. Bill Murray" a tribute to Bill Murray, "Jesus is Coming" art created in his image, and "Cowboys and Indians" cool your heels.

I would never claim to be skilled in painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. So I contributed pieces based on what I do best. Chairs. If you ask my boyfriend he'll be the first to tell you that my obsession with chairs is mildly unhealthy; I just can't help myself. A crumbling, abused, and decaying chair turned into art can only be described as a "revival". I'm grateful for the challenge each of these pieces created and happily welcome the excuse to find yet another chair to get my hands on.

"MR. BILL MURRAY"

SUNTORY TIME

 Inspired by "Lost in Translation"

"JESUS IS COMING"

ECCE HOMO

"COWBOYS AND INDIANS"

FADE INTO WHITE

 All of the pieces shown at R&R Gallery can be viewed at:

http://rrgallery.storenvy.com

And if you like what you see go ahead and click the little button that reads "buy".

BACK IN ACTION

What a whirlwind the last 6 months have been! Jam packed with amazing changes, experiences, opportunities and lessons learned. So many that writing on HABITAT HABITUE got a involuntary shove straight to the back burner of priorities. 

We've recently become the proud residents of a 1920s Echo Park home as well as the new parents of an infectiously adorable Great Dane/Lab puppy named "Maggie". With all of these great changes the battle of home renovations ensues. When could there possibly be a better time to get back to my favorite past-time.... rambling and sharing the absurd amount of inspiration and ideas that keep my mind busy :)

And here we go! 

The girl who stole my heart.

HOUSE TOUR : DERONDA DRIVE RESIDENCE

"Everybody needs space.."

Situated near the apex of Beachwood Canyon, the 2800 sf Deronda Drive Residence, designed by Space International, is comprised of two main rectangular volumes, shifted off axis from one another to accentuate their programmatic difference.

 

The public, living areas of the house are situated on the ridge of the site, so as to take advantage of flanking outdoor spaces, designed as extensions of the living and dining areas when connected via a series of large sliding glass openings. The more private, sleeping and bathing areas, are housed in a cantilevered bar which hovers over a parking court and floats amidst the treetops at the perimeter of the property.  

The exterior envelope wraps and swings around these functions creating different degrees of privacy and exposure to the picturesque surroundings and skyline views....yum!

WHO SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE?

Just when I thought we were running out of innovative building materials I was pleasently suprised to catch a glimpse of this...

In late 2009 James May completed the first ever house made entirely of Legos, 3.3 million to be exact, including sleeping quarters, running water for the kitchen and a bath.

The 20ft Lego house stood in Ducking, Surrey on the Denbies Wine Estates. Unfortunately, after putting the house on the market as a "if you can haul you can have" listing, there were no takers and the house was torn down.

Intrigued by James May's innovative thinking I was curious to find if he had fellow Lego enthusiasts.

Turns out, the answer is Yes! Designers and DiYers across the globe are creating everyday products made strictly from children's favorite brick.

I even found an exact replicate of Frank Lloyd Wright's "Falling Water". Definitely a step up from the Lego towns my sisters and I used to dream up and create every year as kids. Sorry ladies, maybe next year!

Not your average wreath

I came across these fantastic and fresh door wreaths by Agnes Bloom of Knock.Knocking.

They are the perfect harmony between traditional idealism of the holiday wreath and the modern whimsy and delight of the first impression when welcoming someone to your home.

 

Agnes has put an artistic touch to every one of her wreaths and a gallery is available on her Esty shop, Knock.Knocking, where you can handpick your style and each wreath is made to order. 

I love how Agnes has created a wreath collection that is no longer limited to the generic pine cone clad, glitter encrusted holiday wreath. They are bold, quirky, colorful and so inviting! I would love to have any one of her wreaths welcoming me home everyday of the week.

Interior Designer : Ruthie Sommers

Ruthie Sommers is a talented Los Angeles-based interior designer, who graced the cover of Domino magazine’s premiere issue, embraces her Southern routes, easygoing style and her love of art to create spaces emoting East coast elegance mixed with California Bohemia.

Combining European antiques and flea-market finds is a signature that Ruthie has championed. A classic Ruthie Sommers space is colorful and quirky, a perfect blend of old and new, feminine and always an unexpected dash of fantasy.

While working with Ruthie in 2006, at her La Cienega showroom and design firm, I was able to be surrounded by and learn from her great attitude and outlook. She truly is a one of a kind designer and woman with an eye for style and a heart of gold.

"But what makes designers different? Every bio sounds the same to me. Including mine. So here is my deal...

My car is filled with fabric samples, old coffee cups and crumbled up paint chips.  My office is not the beautiful neat organized office you may see on the pages of a magazine. The glossy white walls and perfectly p-touched folders are an illusion. I am proud of the homes I have decorated. I think they look wonderful on my website. But people live in them and there are stains on the ottoman and the peonies only make it to the mantel for the photo shoots and parties. I feel my success comes from something one can not photograph. The most fun I have  aside designing sassy bars and cute powder rooms, is creating livable rooms and becoming part of someone’s family. I watch their purse carefully and in return I gain trust.  And a great house is the outcome."