cypress

The cypress tree is one of the widest known species of conifer that expands the globe. There are several genus and species that have delineated over each other since prehistoric time period. The leaves of the tree either grow in a spiral shape or in pairs. The sprigs retain their natural greenery and tend to keep their leaves, though some spray foliage at various times of the year. Most of the species are drought resistant and are known to live in extreme climates and thrive. Its most famous species is the Italian cypress was made famous by Van Gogh's paintings of the Italian landscape. While the bald cypress is a tourist attraction and often photographed in the south. 

86 home

86 Home is a beautifully curated shop of wonderful pieces that are carefully curated to give the home a vintage 1950's feel. The items rotate quite frequently as these are vintage finds, though some of their more interesting pieces they currently have are; a children's boat, ship lamps, and animal hide loungers. Check them out on the Etsy page. 

williams sonoma, vintage

Williams-Sonoma has recently released a Vintage section on their website. The pieces that they have listed currently go hand in hand to the up coming spring season. They have wonderfully curated the page with items that have been crafted from found objects (table legs) and repurposed wood (from demolition sites). They also have an interesting assortment of watering cans, olive buckets, planters, and jars. The prices range depending on their complexity of the reconstruction and the age of the item.

woods

Woods, a band from Brooklyn, is multi instrumental with a focus on folk rock, jam band, and alt-country roots. The band sound revolves heavily around the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and classic folk sounds. They have several albums out since 2006, with Bend Beyond as their most recent release in 2012. They currently are promoted under the growing Woodsist record label and follow up information can be found on their bands page. 

bitters

Every person should have the know how to make a great classic drink. Talent on the other hand is something taught or inherited. The book "Bitters" by Brad Thomas Parsons is one of the latests in my acquisitions. It is a compendium of knowledge of the most elusive spirit. The history of bitters dates back to a patent in 1712 by the English under the name of Stoughton Bitters. Mid to late 1700's it became imported to the United States as an additive to strong drinks and was heralded for its medicinal properties. Bitters is simply a conglomerate of root, bark, rind and spices; primarily whatever the distiller would prefer to create. The book gives a more in depth look at this liquors past and present and tries to unveil its mystique by delivering a history, ways to make your own, and recipes that include bitters. The book is currently available on Amazon and you can get more information about Brad Thomas Parsons on his website and blog. Try a version of your favorite drink with some in it, like a sangria or with something that is tried and true like an old fashioned. 

salem stoneware

The Salem China Company of Ohio was founded in 1898 by Pat and John McNichol, Dan Cronin and William Smith. During 1898 through 1960 the company focused on production and distribution of china and stoneware. After 1960 most of the pieces were designs set for department stores as seasonal prints, novelties, and souvenir ware when the company ceased production and focused solely on the the distribution aspect of the brand. The Georgetown run was created in honor of the US capital in the late 1920's early 1930's and was continued as a un-revamped line until the 1980's when production runs changed and began to focus for on distribution of novelty ware. The Georgetown line is simple and utilitarian with little patterning of brown and blue it also hosted a special eagle adornment on dinner plates and mugs during the 1960's. It has an incredible through back to the burgeoning modern america while holding on to our simple roots. 

columbia sportswear

Columbia Sportswear originated as a small hat distributor and their name was coined due to the river nearby. In 1970 the company reinvented itself after a co-founder died of a heart attack. The company decided to start featuring waterproof jackets that were breathable and lightweight. In 1998 Columbia became publicly traded and it acquired Sorel footwear and later Mountain Hardwear. Columbia expanded its development program in 2001 when they moved to Beaverton, Oregon. The company has been prized for its ability to be extremely durable, utilitarian, and lightweight. 

torpedo extra ipa

Sierra Nevada Torpedo is a bold and full flavored beer. This Extra IPA is full of hops and extremely robust. IPA's history stems from an ale that is flavored with bitter hops and flavored for export to India via the Dutch East India Trade Company. The flavoring was considered a to be an effect of the higher alcohol content, which is not necessarily correct. The demand for this type of beer became popularized in the US as with other liquors during early immigration. Sierra Nevada doubled the hops which is proven in its name Extra IPA. The Flavor is amber in color, bitter, and with citrus and pine notes that leaves a mildly tart after taste. It still remains slightly syrupy and fresh, an extremely drinkable beer. 

blood orange

Blood Orange is the MO for Devonté Hynes. He has created music of other artists spanning from Florence & the Machine to Basement Jaxx. Hynes is from NYC and produces most of his work from his home. His work is ethereal and extremely chill. Blood Orange draws his identity from blurring work of transgender icons and high-gloss nihilism. More links available on his Domino Records page. 

dolan geiman

Dolan Geiman is a nationally known mixed media artist from Virginia. His work has been shown and written about by several major retailers and media outlets. He has a selection of framed work, mixed media, paper prints, and constructions. His work has a roughed up constructed feel that harkens back to rural america. The assemblages are clearly modern in appearance though allow for a rustic appeal. Dolan does commissions and wholesale if someone is interested in a larger purchases. His website is dolangeiman.com.

bellalulu

Bellalulu is a stay at home mother with a degree in interior design. She spends her time looking for fun and interesting pieces to display on her Bellalulu Etsy store. Her eye for design is mainly focused during the 1950's with a utilitarian mid century feel. The items she acquires for her shop have a strong Americana feel, Pendelton blankets, school house globes, cheer trumpets, hats and masks. All give the home a warmer vintage feel. 

richard prince

Richard Prince originally born in Panama, moved to Massachusetts and became an artist. His most famous work Cowboys is a series of rephotography, where he would take trimmings of old advertisements and rephotograph them with little to limited manipulation of the image, so that they could be his. The Cowboy series is an appropriation of Marlboro ads. His work has displayed the all the things that are representative of stereotypical images of a cowboy, and later has suggested what it really means to be a man in todays society. 

barwon heads

This Australian modern single story home is located in Barwon Heads, a post-war, small city neighborhood. Designed by Jackson Clements Burrows, was done in the coastal beach home style the owners were looking for, as well as a taking a modern twist on this. The facade on the south side of the home is build completely out of wood trimmings and is completely incased in translucent glass to show the scenic view of the ocean side. 

pure fiber

Pure Fiber is a eco-luxury company that focuses on creating a lush lifestyle with minimal design. The company maintains its pride in creating sustainability with its product. Fabric  used is 100% organic and premium cotton. The layers and textiles used for the material used are extremely soft and designed to be utilitarian in look and feel. Check out their product line at Pure Fiber. 

everlane

Everlane is a no middleman retailer that designs in house and then outsources their materials to factories that a specialize in their particular fabric types. They then create these units and send them directly to their client. The designs are highly edited and ensure that they use the finest materials and have an eye for the finer details. The product line is simple and extremely streamlined, with only a few distinct offerings and in a minimized color pallet. The spring season is focused on a navy and neutral pallet with pops of yellow while the leathers are  in cognac. Check them out on Everlane. 

antlers

Antler stems from old French, meaning before the eye but more commonly branch or horn. Antlers are a type of attachment that meets at the top of the head of cervids. The antler is greatly exaggerated in males as a secondary sexual characteristic. Originally the mammals that currently host this particular bone structure had tusks or large horns, similar to elephant or rhino. The bones themselves have several purposes, mainly for protection and show of dominance though secondary features include acoustical aide for hearing. Hunting for sport has made collecting actual antlers prized for size and rarity. Though, contemporary culture has allowed artists to reproduce them pretty accurately. 

edison bulb

In 1802 Humphry Davy had the most powerful battery in the world. With usage of the battery he powered and created the first incandescent lightbulb. It didn't look quite like what it does now, more like a hot strip of platinum. It later was redeveloped into a more traditional carbon wire by John W. Starr in 1845 and then later hermetically sealed in a glass container by Alexander Lodygin of Russia in 1874. In 1878 Edison who truly became serious about modern electricity was not the person who invented the bulb, obviously as history has shown, though he was the first to make it commercially available, and able to be mass produced. Being that the lightbulb became a household name due to Edison's factory line the bulb in its original form of carbon coil and glass dome, became known as the Edison Bulb. In recent times it has become a symbol of industrial design. Check out more for industrial lighting ideas, here. 

the war on drugs

This indie rock band from Philadelphia formed in 2005 by Adam Granduciel and Kurt Vile are highly inspired by Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, and Tom Petty. The Band released their debut albaum Wagonwheel blues in 2008 and their follow-up Slave Ambient in 2011. The music is highly ethereal and dream-like. The vocals often trail off into the background, while the base line or drums overcome the music. More to see at Secretly Canadian. 

finge and fettle

Fringe and Fettle Ceramics is an Etsy Vendor based out of Minneapolis. The listings include mugs, bowls, serving wear and jugs. The pieces are almost vintage in look and feel. Some have a beautiful reactive glaze that adds character and texture. The aesthetic is mainly vintage rustic with a touch of modern accents. Most are microwave and dishwasher safe. All items are made by hand. Check out Fringe and Fettle on Etsy. 

robert smithson

American artist Robert Smithson was best known for his land art creations. Born in Passaic, NJ (1938) he studied painting and drawing at the Art Students league of New York. Smithson established himself and became a prominent figure in minimalist art in 1964 and originally worked in neon lighting and mirrors trying to focus on the effects of refracted lighting. Later in life he returned to his roots and became obsessed with the industrial areas of New Jersey and would collect objects, rocks, and dirt from the areas, and would show them in gallery settings, referring to them as "non-sites" the work would establish a link between viewer and location or lack there of. His best known work is Spiral Jetty that was created in 1970, where he constructed a large spiral out of black basalt into the Great Salt Lake. His list of works are available on his website robertsmithson.com. 

haymaker!

The Andersonville area of Chicago is a burgeoning region of home design and culture. One such shop located at 5507 N. Clark St is a conglomerate of designers, home, print, and goods. Haymaker! took its name from the boxing form of the name, meaning to disrupt flow and cause trouble. The shop mixes aesthetics, from modern to rustic to eclectic that area all regionally produced in the Chicago or Midwest.   They host a variety of artisans that can be found on their roster page. They also carry one of the best handbag and small accessory maker in the midwest, Winter Session. Though the layout of the location is highly inspirational and should be visited. Check them out on their Haymaker page. 

2of2

Etsy vendor 2of2 are siblings from NYC and Lambertville, NJ respectively have opened their Etsy shop in October 2012. They have been creating miniature home sets among other things. The miniatures are eather created from acrylic or wood, and have a few functions. The black home shown above has holes poked in the design so that light can shine from it when lit up, the white translucent home is solid but glows when activated. Other miniature scenes they depict are forests, green houses, or even frames of homes. 

sneeoosh cabin

Located in Deception Pass in the heart of the Puget Sound area of Washington this modern home is designed to work harmoniously with region. The open plan and the expansive windows do not allow for one iota of a view escape the homeowners. The oversized roof was designed to keep a warm and inviting feel while still maintaining a sense of cabin in the woods. The Douglas Fir forest surrounding the home were left completely undisturbed by the construction of the home. The neutral tones of glass and wood allow this home to blend seamlessly between indoor versus outdoor spaces. For more information on this home check out Zero Plus Architectures website (warning: its a tad bit difficult to navigate at first, though highly creative). 

la malbaie home

Mountain view. Malbaie river view. Aspen and Birch Trees surround. What a beautiful environment. This home was constructed by MU Architecture based in Quebec. The house above was built in La Malbaie  located in the southern east side of Quebec, Canada. The area is known for its pristine views of the river and mountainous region. This home was built wit reclaimed woods, repurposed steels and glass. It was designed to have little impact on the surrounding area and become a feature it self into the mountain side. To learn more about this home check out the MU page. 

red rock state park

Right in the heart of Arizona lies Red Rock State Park located in Sedona. Which is just an hour from the Grand Canyon National Park. The scenery is mainly dry, arid, and beautiful. The park is known for the mountain ranges that were carved from a millennia of erosion. The park used to be a large water source and the mountain range that lived adjacent to the grand canyon (when that was just a river). The park hosts a range of facilities, like wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback, guided tours, picnic areas, and day rentals. It also provides great photography outlets.