by Robert Haney and David Ballentine (1974)

I have Ivanhoe Books to thank for introducing me to the incredible photo book Woodstock Handmade Houses. Each page has an image of the kind of quirky, bohemian interiors that pepper my wildest dreams: geodesic domes, reconstructed barns, stained glass, and Hobbit-like huts… there’s so much here to love and inspire flights of fancy of moving to deep into the woods and building my own home.

Authors Haney and Ballantine searched winding roads and hidden lots to find these amazing houses that represent a new kind of lifestyle that was popping up on the edges of society. Many images are below/after the jump for your enjoyment.

Click here for the rest of Woodstock Handmade Houses

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Posted on March 14, 2010

by Joe Meek (1959)

Fascinated with the space program, producer Joe Meek made I Hear a New World as a pet project in the late 50’s. Comprised of various aural experiments, the result was ground breaking and would have been at home played on space stereos in the farthest reaches of the universe. I’ve been listening to it for days and it’s as beautiful as it is odd. One song in particular, Valley of No Return, has been teasing me with its familiar strangeness, calling to some other piece of music (I believe from a movie soundtrack) buried deep  in my mind – but the identity of the similar tune continues to elude me.

Mostly instrumental, a few songs include human voices but they’re creepy and Chipmunk-like which makes them feel like they come from a David Lynch meets Santa Conquers the Martians universe which, you may surprised to discover, is not such a terrible place to be transported to.

After a little bit of research, I was shocked and saddened to find out that this pioneering master musician (whose accomplishments are even more astounding once you learn that he was tone deaf) succumbed to a very tragic ending: after a decline in popularity and bouts of depression and paranoia, he killed his land-lady then turned the gun on himself. He was 37.
Click here for the rest of I Hear A New World

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Posted on March 14, 2010

Art Nouveau Merchant

In light of the overwhelming adorableness of the Liberty Target collaboration, it’s time to honor the exquisitely Britishly named Arthur Lasenby Liberty, the man who started the house built on fabulous art nouveau prints. Over the past decades, the label has evolved and looks as new and fresh as even while still retaining its distinct style (not an easy feat for any company, especially one associated weathering changing fashions).

Sadly, I was not able to fit in a visit to the lovely tudor style shop in London when I was there, but passing by the black and white facade made my toes curls with delight. Guess it’s just an excuse to visit London again some day. In the meantime, go to your nearest Target!

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Posted on March 14, 2010

6602 Melrose Avenue

At about ten to noon (on weekends) the line starts forming outside the Mario Batali pizzeria, Mozza; this is exactly where you should hope to find yourself if you haven’t booked ahead as all the reservable tables will be booked. Ideally it’s where you should find yourself with a small party since the limited stool seats offer an amazing up close and personal view of the pizza-making which runs like a well oiled machine from the dough forming, to the topping adding, to the baking and slicing.

The menu was extensive and we decided to split the famous squash blossom with tomatoes and burrata, the classic Margherita and the Stracchino which had artichokes, lemons and olives and was – by a slim margin in a tough contest – my favorite of the bunch.

Of course, I couldn’t resist starting off the pizza feast with the brussel sprouts. I just can’t get enough of those little greens lately, especially now that restaurants are frequently serving them in so many delicious ways (locally, try Anella’s lemony delights). At Mozza they’re coated in prosciutto breadcrumbs… yum!

We also managed, due to the surprising lightness of the dough (or just because we’re gluttons), to enjoy a dessert of butterscotch pudding with salt and a pinenut cookie. Batali has done good again, this time in sunny California.

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Posted on March 14, 2010

1618 Silverlake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Right next door to the La Mill Coffee shop is Ivanhoe Books, an art and design specialty store filled with tons of great stuff. We had a lovely time browsing the collection of design, fashion, and art books and, while we were hesitant to bring any over-sized books back in our luggage, the shop introduced me to a book called Handmade Woodstock Houses that I couldn’t get out of my head and ended up finding on eBay.

While some of the books they offer can be purchased for slightly less online if you’re willing to shop around for awhile, others (like the Ossie Clark book that I really want) are priced better than other book sites. You can find some selections from their very select and tasteful collection on their site as well as on their blog which just informed me of a Soho Deborah Tubeville exhibit that I’ll try to swing by on my lunch hour next week.

Click here for the rest of Ivanhoe Books

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes About Books Design Los Angeles Shops

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Posted on March 14, 2010