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)

Beverly Hills Cops

I'm so behind. That should be the title of my book. This show came and went already, and I never mentioned it. Anyhow, I had my room divider in this cool show in Beverly Hills, sponsored by EcoFirstArt, Elle Decor Magazine, and Country Floors. There was some great stuff.

Here's the flyer (above).

By now I'm sure you're all familiar with my room divider, but just in case, here's some more photos from the show:

Incidently, a funny thing happened on the way to pick up my room divider.

I'm driving through Beverly Hills, minding my own business, when all of the sudden this cop (in a truck bigger than mine) tries to squeeze between me and the curb to make a right turn. Apparently he's usually on a bike because he didn't make it.
BAM!!... Mirror tag.
I look over to see a genuinely shocked cop, giving me the "Are You Okay?" gesture. I couldn't help but laugh, and I waved him on, with the "I'm Okay" gesture.
He gestured back "I'm pulling over".
I couldn't believe it. I'd been waiting for this moment since I passed my first driving test. We pulled around the corner and to the curb. I sat in my truck as the officer approached my door.

"License and Registration please", I said. He laughed, thankfully.

"Are you Okay?", he said, as his partner looked over my broken mirror.
"I'm fine", (still laughing a little) "and my mirror was already broken."
"Are you sure? Do you want somebody to take a look at this?" he asked.
"No. Don't worry about it. I'm gonna let you off with a warning this time." He laughed again.
Then I said, "Here's what you can do... Remember me. Remember my truck. If something ever goes down in Beverly Hills, and I need help, I'm calling you."
He laughed again, and said "You got it."

Cops are so much better in my adult life, now that I wear grown-up clothes and I no longer look like I'm up to something (which I'm not).

Finally, check out this video from EcoFirstArt:

California Home + Design

Here's another cool piece of press. People seem to love this thing.
I owe Ron Dack some thanks for this one.
If he didn't actually come up with the idea, he at least inspired it
(although I like getting all the credit).

12 Coolest Room Dividers

We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast to make this important announcement...

Our "LP Room Divider" was named one of Oddee's "12 Coolest Room Dividers!"

Oddee is a blog with over 3.5 million visits a month, featuring " the odd, strange and bizarre things of our world. Be amazed!"

You know ours.

Now, a few of the others...

The Green Screen

The Light Box

"Phenomena" by Sang Hoon Kim.

"Paravent" - by London based Artist Mona Hatoum.

Also worth checking out, 10 Amazing Prefab Houses.

Thanks Oddee.

Able + Baker on Apartment Therapy

Thanks to Apartment Therapy for their recent write-up!

Night Vision

Some of you were curious to see my Doll Head Gate with the motion-sensor eyes lit up. We managed to dig up a few...