We ran across this lovely nugget of art the other day. Because nothing thrills us more than repurposing, and being that artist John Lopez takes it to such an artful and entirely original level, we had to repost the link.
The horse above is made of repurposed farm equipment. Really? Really!
http://news.distractify.com/pinar/old-farming-new-art/
Read all about the artist, and see more of his art, on his website http://www.johnlopezstudio.com
A peacock made of silverware. Really? Really!!!!!
We all love a good treehouse. Click on the link to view distinct spaces from around the world.
Though I continue to fantasize about my upcoming retirement, I have given into the reality that “upcoming” isn’t any time soon. And that’s okay – I’m having the time of my life and the projects we have on the books for 2015 are going to be a blast!
Being that we have been busier than centipedes at a toe counting contest, I haven’t blogged in a while. In fact, it has been nearly two months.
Looking back, 2014 was an amazing year, with twenty-one projects completed.
When Thanksgiving began to poke its neck into the calendar, we had three projects running toward the finish line and four upcoming builds. I thought we were going to have a semi-quiet holiday; I even toyed with the idea of heading back to Boston for a few days. As life would have it – and as construction often does – we worked every day of December, though we did turn off our phones on Christmas Day. Before the year was out, we were contracted to ten additional projects – which are all currently running at full-speed – and, as if that weren’t enough, another nine clients and architects came knocking on the DGC door before the tinsel was off the trees. Somewhere in between a Fa La La La La and Auld Lang Syne, 2015 rolled in. Heads down and eyes on the proverbial ball, we simply continued to round out construction and design teams to keep things flowing in DGC style.
And now it’s February. Really? Really!
So, to get back on the blog track, and to celebrate the fruits of our labor, I am again finding time in the middle of the night to write a bit about what is going on in the Dirty Girl world.
This weekend, alongside the ever-charming, well-dressed and ridiculously talented Ray Azoulay, DGC is incredibly excited to unveil the new Obsolete, Inc and Slete Gallery during a special opening reception, featuring artist Ethan Murrow’s exhibit: AGGLOMERATE – a confused mass.
Obsolete, Inc & Slete Gallery are now located at 11270 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90230.
We are also working on a residential venture with Kelly Wearstler Interior Design and Yoram LePair in West Hollywood. Yoram was our architect on the Blue Jay Way project, and we are thrilled to be teamed up yet again.
Finally, in additional to many amazing residential projects that we are designing in-house, and a few where we have teamed up with outside design firms, we are totally jazzed to be working on a new commercial project that is totally up our alley. Stay tuned for details as this develops!
Inside Obsolete, Inc
Dirty Girl Construction donates to charity throughout the year to different organizations. This year our donations went to the Venice Family Clinic; the LA Mission; Avon Walk for Breast Cancer; numerous school fundraisers in support of better education, sport programs and the arts; The Greg Hill Foundation; Camp Calumet; the Child Neurology Foundation. While those are all monetary donations, we also donate our time, knowledge and excess or deconstruction materials to various organizations throughout Greater Los Angeles, such as Montessori Schools and Habitat for Humanity.
In an ongoing effort to reduce construction waste, and as a reminder for those of you who are getting ready for a home project, PLEASE do not throw away what you are taking out of your house without taking a look at this list to see what you can donate from your deconstruction.
Habitat for Humanity accepts the following:
Other organizations, such as Montessori, churches, retirement homes, halfway houses, etc, accept much of the above, as well as:
If you have questions about where to or how to donate, feel free to contact us so we can be of service to you. Thank you for your support in helping us to help others!
INTERIOR SHOT OF OBSOLETE, INC FRAMING
With business quintupling in the past two years, I have tirelessly managed to maintain the quality of care that Dirty Girl Construction clients have come to know, but at the expense of having a life. So, after a decade of running DGC day-to-day operations by myself, 20 hours a day, 7 days a week, I have finally given into the notions of 1. hiring more talented people to help me run the corporate side of the corporation and 2. taking a break every once in a while. Aside from the fact that my best friend said he would unfriend me on FB if I didn't hire someone, it was simply time to expand again.
Therefore, in the spirit of better service and self-care, I am thrilled to announce that I have hired (craftily pilfered) another amazing team-member — Daniel Turner — thus creating a solid bridge between Field Superintendent — Greg Vignolle — and myself, and also allowing both Greg and me a well-deserved return to normalcy.
Taking on the role of Operations Manager for DGC, Daniel's transition into the company has been seamless. His presence has allowed me more time to develop the DGC Design Team division, as well as bring the corporation, as a whole, into better position for our 2015-2016 builds.
As we head into Fall/Winter 2014, which has become one of our busiest seasons in the past five years, I am beyond thankful that Dan has joined DGC. Two-thirds of the way through our Culver City project, we also broke ground simultaneously in Venice, Sherman Oaks, West Hollywood and Silverlake last week. With another six new projects currently in design phase — spanning from Venice to West LA, Brentwood to the Bird Streets, and Downtown to Pasadena — I am happy to have another strong and dedicated individual helping the DGC team navigate the many facets of the construction world and preserve the character and standards of Dirty Girl Construction.
Daniel Turner: dan@dirtygirlconstruction.com
Greg Vignolle: greg@dirtygirlconstruction.com
Joan Barton: is currently at taking a spa day.
1916
Looking for a 13,300-square-foot mansion in L.A.'s Los Feliz neighborhood?
Need eight bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and the ever-popular built-in pipe organ on 1.79 acres?
Have 10 million dollars to spend?
Well, you're in luck!
Enjoy the article and photos below on the world's (supposedly) largest Craftsman ever built.
2014
I'm part of an online group in Los Angeles that is comprised of women (sorry guys - go back to your mancaves) whose aim is to collaborate, inspire and support one another. Most of us - in some fashion - are artistes, though our mediums are vast. Many of us own and operate businesses, and others work with cool and interesting new companies. In cruising around my group members' websites, I came across something that caught my eye... being that I am a fan of buildings, both large and small and teeny-weeny.
We are all, by now, familiar with the different house-swapping, couch-surfing and castle-crashing websites available to us when traveling. Well, as I was doing my daily look-see, I came across something I hadn't seen before. Hovels. Hovels, you say? Yes, indeed, I do! Hovels! First attracted by the actual buildings available for rent, I was also intrigued by the target market: students abroad.
Great for those of you who have kids studying away from home, as well as those of you who may have some extra room to rent, and starting for as little as $7.00/night and capping off at $99.00/night, there are some really interesting - and oftentimes quirky - places to reside. Aptly named "hovel stay," as some of them truly aren't more than an incredibly cute lean-to at the edge of a volcano, I am enchanted by this brilliant twist on housing.
I mean, who wouldn't want to stay in a mushroom-cap mud hut for a semester?
Check out http://hovelstay.com for more information.
Welcoming our newest member of the Pet Project: Bonzo
Hot Times in the City
We've been in plan check forEVER. Having finally been issued our building permits last week... here are some photos of DGC's latest commercial project in Culver City as we begin to frame out the interior of Obsolete and Slete art gallery.
Slete
Obsolete
Ray Azoulay - Owner of Obsolete & Slete - striking a pose
