Brentwood Bath Makeover

Merry Christmas Everybody!

The end of the year is turning into one of the busiest ever for Able and Baker.

Here's one of our most recent projects: A complete top-to-bottom bathroom remodel that we designed and built.

We re-did everything you see, including windows, electrical, plumbing, custom cabinets and vanity. All of the plumbing fixtures were provided by our neighbors at Vic's Plumbing.

Most of it is pretty straight-forward stuff, but like most of our work, there are a couple of unique features. As you can see in the above photo, we put a small fan near the ceiling for a little extra ventilation, with the switch conveniently located above the counter.

The client was trying to reduce clutter on the floor, which led to another cool feature (which can't be seen in the photos unfortunately). We put their bath scale in a discreet drawer concealed in the cabinet toe-kick. It has a unique drawer glide that opens when you push it, eliminating the need for a traditional drawer pull.

Ventura Ventana

Check this out -
Our local design rag, Ventana, featured us in the September issue. Kudos to us. I know September was awhile back, but I been busy, yo.





In a seemingly unrelated post, I had the strangest dream the other night.

I was at my friend Tristen's old house in the country. They always had a bunch of animals out there, like dogs, horses and peacocks. So it wasn't strange when, in my dream, I looked out the window and saw a dozen or so really furry black cats. What was strange however, was that about half of them were wearing prescription glasses. The same kind Julie Kotter wore on Welcome Back Kotter.
I woke up from the dream laughing. Then I got to thinking, "You know, you never see animals with prescription glasses." Then it occurred to me that there probably aren't even optometrist vets. Well, one thing led to another, and I created the Eye Chart For Cats.

So for all you cat lovers out there, here is the first step towards better feline vision care.

Able And Baker at the Emmys

We recently had the opportunity to contribute some things to the Emmys this year. Among our contributions was one of Jen Zahigian's photos in our exclusive ABLE & BAKER 13 Ply Maple Frame. Each celebrity, or whoever handles their stuff, received one in their gift bag. Hopefully they appreciate it, or at least give it to someone who does.

Each frame is:

+ Made with FSC (Forestry Stewardship) certified ply
+ Hand Finished with an Organic Beeswax blend, revealing a naturally rich wood grain
+ Includes Framer's Grade Acrylic and felt bumpers
+ Handcrafted in our woodshop

We make the frame stock in our Ventura, California woodshop, but the actual frames are assembled by Jesus and Manor at Worldview Pictures, also in Ventura.

Our Wood-Ply frames are now available in our online shop
(This week enter Autumn30 at checkout to get 30% Off!)

Want to order a large quantity, or Need a Custom Size? Let us know.

(Thanks to Janeen at ecofirstart.com for inviting us to participate)

Did we mention PINE CONES? I mean Solar.

Hey there! Yeah you.
Did I hear you say you want the money-saving, environmentally friendly advantage of Solar Energy but don't want to make your beautiful Tuscany style roof look like a Coleco-vision?

Well friend, look no further! Discover Solar Pergola!
The great new way to accomplish all those things I just said!

(pictured above, 15' x 15' x 60' Pergola with Solar Panels)

We build Solar Pergola from scratch with only the finest ingredients.

We begin with a structural frame made from 100% Ground Contact Pressure Treated Douglas Fir. Then we cover each piece of lumber with heavy duty Maintenance Free UV Resistant Vinyl.


The whole thing gets bolted together with Heavy Duty Hot Dip Galvanized nuts, bolts & hardware. Finally, we cover your new pergola with Solar Panels, providing enough power to easily pay for itself.


As if that weren't enough, when you build your Pergola as a Solar Structure, you get to take advantage of the 30% Solar Tax Credit, and apply it to the cost of the Pergola as well! For more information, give us a call, or call our partners at Solar Universe!

Meet our construction photo models...Isidro, Josh, and Jason.

I think very deeply

I make so much stuff...you have know idea. If I live to be 500 I won't have enough time to bust out all of my ideas. It's frustrating. In the meantime, I'll keep knocking out the simple ones.
Like this bench.

Made from salvaged redwood, and some standard 16"x16" CMU pilaster blocks.
Pretty comfy, plus plants. And what could be greener than a plant? Dave maybe.

I've eaten a lot of Santa Cruz burritos here.

Skylight

Here's a recent project.
Starting with the before photos of a tradition T-Bar fluorescent light set up.
...and the opening without the lenses...
But what can I do? Well, here's a little mock-up.

And the real thing, in progress. Complicated angles.
Cutting the lenses from The Fluorescent Gallery...
A lens test fit.

Then finish

Then install

The center is a skylight, and the surrounding lenses house the fluorescent lights.

Ch-Check-Check it out!

Vince's ol' Airstream get's us a lot of press!
Here's a link to the latest in the LA Times:

The Treehouse in Progress

In my "spare" time, I'm usually building something. This past winter my Father-in-law told me he wanted to build a treehouse "for the little guys", referring to my 3 nephews, David, Richard, and Luke.
By now, we all know this is part of his M.O. When he say's it's for "the little guys", such as, "the little guys want ice cream", or "the little guys want a cup coffee", I have a feeling he's acting on their behalf, and not necessarily with their knowledge.
He can never get high enough on his property to see far enough across the valley, and it really is a good view. And besides that, who wouldn't want a treehouse?

Anyhow, we got started in cooler weather, and I insisted that if I were going to build this thing that I had help. Steve jumped in, and so did Rich.

The tree house is located on the highest point on his property, which sits on the western edge of the Conejo Valley.

Day 3, (but 3 months into the project) I began the railing. I think this will be one of the cooler details when it's done. The railing is tilted out about 10 degrees to make the tree house feel a little bigger.

Architectural Foundation and Guitars

Last Friday evening we had the honor of attending (and sponsoring) this years presentation of the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara's Architectural Scholarships. The awards were given to several young deserving students to help further their architectural education. I hope they design some cool stuff.

(the Invitation to the Scholarship Awards)





Besides that, we're just constantly building stuff. Check out this cool guitar and amp shelving.

The "ON AIR" light is from an old radio station. It's these extra little things that make ABLE & BAKER so awesome.

...and the concealed amp lighting.

Here's the proud owner, belting out a pretty sweet version of "Solitary Man".

Custom Home Office Cabinets

I still build cabinets...

And before the knobs...

Bath Remodel in a Mid-Century Home

I really wish I had "before" photos of this place. It used to be a nice 80's remodel with carpet and country blue wallpaper. A lot of brass.
The first time I entered I swear I heard the ghost of Dolly Parton singing "9 to 5"

...but it turned out like this

Whirlpool bath. Custom birch cabinet in the corner, stained to match the bath door (not pictured) and custom concrete countertop made to match slate floor.

Handmade Heath Tile in tub surround.

Here's the house. What do you think... "9 to 5" or "Charade"?

I call this photo "Nick With Hat On Ladder #2".
Check out the cool way we put in the skylight, and incorporated lighting & fan.
Yep, awesome.

I gave the client a tile shaped grid and some colored pencils. It worked.
Einstein would've been proud of the consistently inconsistent pattern.

Before and After...

View more in-progress photos here.