stain a bar to look rustic & weathered
my buddy built this bar for a client. they requested redwood with a clear coat of varnish. then they decided it was too red and didn’t match the rustic look they really wanted. so i got to work. on a dreadfully cold and rainy day, i bussed in the Minwax Dark Walnut and some watery […]
queen anne dresser :: grand finale
don’t you love when life knocks you for a few loops? i got the flu shot, and low and behold, got a 4 day mini flu. at least it wasn’t the whole shebang, but 4 days of fever es no bueno, as we like to say in so cal. so, i took a few weeks […]
annie sloan tutorial :: Restoration Hardware wood finish on an old coffee table
A few folks have asked how I got the look on the zero to hero coffee table. I didn’t take pix b/c we’re moving this week and I didn’t have much time to crank out a few more pieces before the movers arrive! But here was my process: Old White as a base, brushed on […]
when a zero becomes a hero :: ugly coffee table gets a life
our designer Erica Bryen, is incredible. she’s young, vibrant, hip, smart as a whip, and totally gets us. she works with clients all over southern california, has impeccable taste, and is no BS. she gets it done. she gets it. i’ve come to realize that it’s good to know what you don’t know…when you’re in […]
so cal garden explosion
we've got rogue tomato plants all over the garden. take exhibit A. i didn't plant this one and look how amazing it is! i'm sort of insulted, … [more...]
A beginner’s guide to hydroponics
Ok, who's ready to go on this hydroponic adventure with me? I've been working ridiculous hours the past couple of years and have completely neglected … [more...]
fresh garden salsa
there's something really magical about fresh, homemade, garden salsa. the colors are vibrant. the flavors are unmatched. and when paired … [more...]
How to grow hydrangeas from cuttings
It was a gorgeous day today. The sun was flooding into our kitchen nook. Don't you just love days with no schedules? It seems like … [more...]
how’d that tomato plant get there?
i love seeing the world. but i also love returning and seeing what's happened in my garden after a week away. the trumpet vines on our garden … [more...]
Hello, ladybugs!
I released 1500 ladybugs into the garden this morning. I have no idea how many have survived, but while they were alive, I snapped a few pix. They're … [more...]
summer flowers :: hydrangea, roses and lavender
i LOVE my garden, and particularly love the flower arrangements that come directly from the garden. the hydrangea is quite … [more...]
