Neoshed: Hip Housing for Unfeathered and Feathered Folk

Neoshed makes architecturally stunning prefab sheds for use as an office or pool house or whatever you'd like. Equally attractive are their birdhouses and bird feeders.

They began with the prefab sheds which then inspired the designs of their bird houses and bird feeders. The birdhouses and bird feeders are made to order and lead time is typically 2-4 weeks. All birdhouses and bird feeders have free shipping. *Please note the birdhouses are listed as either $150.00 + shipping or $200 with free shipping on their site. I'm not sure which is accurate.

The Sheds (for us humans) come in 3 styles:

Type 1 studio is 10' x 10' and starts at $10, 500.00:




Type 2 Studio is 14' x 12' and starts at $14,000.00:





Type 3 Studio is 12' x 14' and starts at $15,000.00:





And for our fine feathered friends, their homes are just as cool.



Inspired by their sheds, they are made of hardwood plywood and finished with a marine varnish so they won't fade in the sun. Each are $200.00

Type 1 measures 6" x 6" x 7":


Type 2 measures 6" x 10" x9":


Type 3 birdhouse was inspired by the architecture of Richard Meier and measures 7" x 7" x 7":


Their latest additions are these stunning birdfeeders. Also inspired by their shed designs. Made of dark stained plywood hardwood with aluminum colored painted roofs, there are three styles. Each measures 18" x 12" x 10" and costs $250.00.

Type 1:


Type 2:


Type 3:



Neoshed is based in Hagerstown, MD.
See the site and buy the products here.

Laura Goldstein's Silk Down Cushions: Twice As Nice As Most Pillows

Above: the front and back of Laura Goldstein's Swimming pillow

Laura Goldstein (aka Grotta & Co.) designs silk cushions that are about as divine as throw pillows get. Made with fine materials and down-filled, her stunning cushions are twice as nice given that the designs on either side are different and equally attractive.





Richly hued silk charmeuse, repeatedly hand-dyed, printed patterns drawn from nature, old family letters and flea market finds contribute to the beauty of each pillow. Feather inserts, hidden zippers on seams and piping in contrasting colors are just some of the details that make these both unique and impressive.

"My pieces are made with the intention that they will be around forever and passed down from mothers to daughters." says Laura.

In this age of mass-produced products, Goldstein's pieces are printed and dyed one at a time. All are slightly different. Many of her fabrics include a layer printed with hand-written family letters. The handwriting is from the late 1800s when penmanship played an important role in defining a person. In her larger works, she often hides a tiny image or two within the design--most of them symbols for good luck.

Some of her pillows shown below:










Goldstein comes from a specialty toy background and recognizes the need for all ages to play and dream. All of her collections boast two completed sides--giving the wearer a "two for one" experience. A pillow or scarf can be displayed one way or the other, displaying two completely different colors and images. Her scarves and wraps, when worn, play off this collage-like effect.


In addition to the beautiful pillows, she makes scarves with the same beautiful fabrics and patterns, also double sided, making them twice as pretty.


Where can you purchase these?
The Artful Home

Or check out the distributors on the Grotta & Co site here.

contact info:
Grotta & Co.
207 E. Buffalo St.
Suite 209
Milwaukee 53202
Phone: 414-273-8066

EICHLERS: A Modern Vision. New paintings by Danny Heller Opens Today

As a huge fan of both artist Danny Heller and architect Joseph Eichler, the exhibit opening today at Terrence Rogers Fine Art, Eichlers: A Modern Vision, it's no wonder I feel that this exhibit is a must see. The show consists of paintings of Eichler's mid century modern architecture as they appear today.




EICHLERS: A Modern Vision
NEW PAINTINGS by DANNY HELLER
Sunday, June 22 – July 31


Above : artist Danny Heller at work

In his first show, Los Angeles painter Danny Heller captured views of suburbia. This new exhibition features the homes popularized by the California developer Joseph Eichler.


To learn about Joseph Eichler and his home designs, click here.

Danny Heller focuses on Eichler houses in his native San Fernando Valley. Avoiding any sense of nostalgia or artificial atmosphere, Heller paints “now” – as the houses exist today – bringing a sense of wonderment and delight that is both original to the houses and displays a modernity that is very much alive.





Rather than a portrait of the overall house, Danny Heller’s eye finds a path to a door, a façade’s strict geometry of right angles, or the wonderful triangles of a carport. The atriums become vehicles for catching light as well as an invitation to living.



In Heller’s vision, a light in a garage or the glimpse of forms seen through translucent glass become as magical as dusk behind Italian cypresses.




Looking at elements to frame and sculpt, Danny Heller’s paintings hint at the complexity of the designs and offer ideas of symmetry, poise and beauty, all in the context of Southern California, that make Eichlers special.






Above are only some of the pieces in the show, to see them all, click here.

Gallery Hours: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to five. p.m.

Opening Reception
Sunday, June 22, 1 to 4 p.m.
Artist talk 2 p.m.

TERRENCE ROGERS FINE ART
1231 Fifth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310 394 4999

Terrence Rogers Fine Art is located at 1231 Fifth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401 (between Wilshire and Arizona). For a map, click here . Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, Noon - 5pm. Eichlers: A Modern Vision show runs from June 22nd through July 31st.