Blog on Blog Action 3

Here are some funny blogs about hipsters and dogs. I can't remember where I found them/ who passed them on, but they are cute. Unlike my blog which is never funny and rarely cute. So not exactly competition. =)


http://unhappyhipsters.com is a humourous take on Hipster lifestyle and architecture.

http://hipsterpuppies.tumblr.com features adorable canines and sometimes biting commentary on Hipster chic.

To Do: Los Angeles

If you enjoy architecture, there is a great resource for the SILVER LAKE AREA. I love the Victorians and Storybook style houses.

One in particular that I am interested in taking a close look at is the DOHENY MANSION, pictured to the left.



Deffo planning on spending a day in the next few weeks checking some of these out, especially the ones in the West Adams and Lincoln Heights areas.


Photo found on google.

To Do: LA Day Trip

THE FORESTIERE UNDERGROUND GARDENS of Fresno, CA are the 40 year labor of love modeled after ancient catacombs.


Located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue in Fresno, California they are an unusual manmade creation built by Baldasare Forestiere (1879--1946), an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to until his death in 1946. The gardens, while subterranean, have many skylights and catchbasins for water.

There are a wide variety of hybrids and grafted trees, and the underground temperature helps guard against frost.

It is operated by members of the Forestiere family through the Forestiere Historical Center, and can be considered a spectacular and unconventional example of vernacular architecture.



Baldassare Forestiere was a Self - taught Artist, Architect, Engineer, Horticulturist and Builder.





The Forestiere Underground Gardens
are located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722-5026
and are open March thru November
for tours.

Happiness as Home

Out of the many great architectural styles that I admire the one I love the most is Storybook Style. This style originated in Hollywood, CA in the 1920's. It just makes me happy.


Left is a pic of one of the more famous Storybook Homes, commonly referred to as the 'Witches House'. Built in 1921 by Oscar-nominated Hollywood art director Harry Oliver , the structure originally served as offices and dressing rooms for Culver City-based silent film company Willat Studio. It is now a privately owned home located in Beverly Hills




Oliver designed many sets, homes and commercial buildings, some of which still survive today as Los Angeles Landmarks, like Tam O'Shanters Inn, a restaurant located in the Los Feliz neighborhood.

The best Storybook, or Fairytale, buildings feature highly stylized and detailed roofs made of traditionally wooden, or in more modern times, composite shingles made to mimic wood. The design utilizes multi-colors and layers to create whimsical patterns and, in some cases, dips and waves to effect a sunken or otherwise misshapen roof line, such as the one below. Unfortunately, qualified professionals capable of creating such artistry are becoming vary rare and these beauties are at risk of losing some of their charm as replacment costs are becoming increasingly prohibitive.




The house to the right is located in Long Beach, CA.














Located in Olalla, Washington, the Story Book House below was created as a homage to Hansel & Gretel. More pics and info on the home is at: http://unusuallife.com/2007/02/20/storybook-house/

More on Storybook Style Architecture is available at: http://storybookers.com , a site by John Robert Marlow, who literally wrote the book on this subject, 'Storybook Style: America's Whimsical Homes of the Twenties'.