Nick Offerman & Woodworking

A good friend of mine shared with me a video of Nick Offerman, the actor in the television comedy Parks & Recreation, during an interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.  He talks at length about his love of woodworking and shows one example of his work, a beautiful Redwood bench.

The Daily Show
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Great Furnishings and a Friendly Designer

There's always something on display that grabs your attention at Bonita Interiors

On Saturday, I did my regular routine of afternoon coffee and cookie at The Market on Holly, but instead of heading straight back to my place I decided to do a little walking in Old Pasadena.  Since Bonita Interiors had set up shop on Holly I had always admired the beautiful furnishings on display whenever I passed by, and that day I finally walked in.  What a revelation--not only do they have a beautiful mix of furnishings but Angela, the proprietor, was just a joy to talk to and discuss all things furniture and design.  From the get-go you can sense her passion for design and to share tidbits of our respective backgrounds was refreshing and inspiring.  If you get a chance and want to check out some gorgeous furnishings then stop by Bonita Interiors.

• Bonita Interiors [website]

Pasadenaville's Live Edge Tables Profiled on Apartment Therapy!

A little shameless self-promotion: yesterday, I found out that a couple of my tables were profiled on the influential design website, Apartment Therapy.  I was wondering why this blog and my Etsy site traffic shot up in addition to my email box being flooded with inquiries on my live-edge tables.  I'm really honored to have my products featured on a wonderful site such as Apartment Therapy and I've often thought that my products really fit with the AT demographics.  If you're in the market for live-edge tables or other furniture, hit me up! 

• Neon Hairpin Legs: When Industrial Gets Happy [Apartment Therapy]
• Live Edge Furniture: Pasadenaville {Etsy}

Innovative Design

I came across this video while browsing Dwell, and although I'm mixed on this particular home design (circular), I will say that it's daring, creative and innovative. 

Happy Birthday, Gold Line!

photo: Curbed LA

The Gold Line celebrated its 10th birthday yesterday, and Pasadena should feel very lucky that we have the best line out of all the Metro lines.  When I bought my condo a few years ago one of my priority items when house-hunting was that it be located within walking distance of a Gold Line stop.  I've made countless trips between Pasadena and downtown and have on a few occasions ventured out further, connecting with the Red Line to Hollywood and North Hollywood.  And with extension further east into Arcadia and Azusa, the Gold Line will only get better (have you seen the beautiful "basket" bridge, part of the Gold Line extension?)

Light rail is already an important issue within LA's mass transit planning and an integral part of how the city/county and surrounding metro area defines itself in the next few decades.  Not everyone is on the same page (look at the problems plaguing the Expo Line's extension through the Westside and into Santa Monica).  But looking closer to home Pasadena has indeed benefited in spades from the Gold Line and will continue as this mode of transportation takes on a greater presence in the LA area.

Sidenote: everyone talks about how once the Expo Line is done how it will allow many Angelenos to hit the beach without jumping into their cars.  Well, it goes both ways and it will allow many Westsiders an alternative and easier access into the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley area?  I've talked to many UCLA fans who have taken the Gold Line during game day at the Rose Bowl and all have wonderful things to say about the convenience the Gold Line offers.

Sidenote 2: Curbed mentioned how once the Regional Connector is finished in the downtown area, the Gold Line will become part of the Blue Line.  I cringed when I read that.  I'm just going to say it: the Blue Line is awful.  Dirty, trashy cars, unreliable service, lots of very rude riders...the list goes on.  I just hope there won't be any spillover effect.

• Metro Gold Line Celebrates 10 Years of Progress  [The Source]
• The Gold Line, LA's Most Lovable Light Rail, Turns 10 Today [Curbed LA]