Sneak Peeks For Website

We are finally launching a website in early April.  Here are a few pics that Aubrey Renee Fingerson took for us.  aubreyreneephotography@yahoo.com.

Items that we’ve had and items that have moved on to other houses.            

FINALLY got some beers from Haandbryggeriet out of Norway.  

         Hesjeol is a Multi Grain Farmhouse Ale and its amazing.  Like most of Haand’s beers, there’s a little smoke to it.  This beer is wild yeast fermented and that gives it a really nice floral fruity taste on the tongue, with the perfect amount of spice.  Every time I have a beer from these guys I imagine these vikings brewing around a fire in the middle of a snow blanketed field lined with evergreens.  7%

        Dark Force is an Imperial WHEAT Stout.  The only one I’ve ever had, and if anyone else tries to make one, Thor will smite them with malts in hand.  This sucker is packed full of roasted chocolate goodness.  It’s a stout lovers stout, you really can’t go wrong.  9%

-daniel

Manliest Town in Amuurica? →

YourHaus with Will Russell and Kate Hanratty

Will Russell is co-founder of Lebowski Fest and owner of Why Louisville on Bardstown Road. Kate Hanratty is a former woodworker, seamstress and most recently Events Coordinator at Carmichael’s Bookstore, where she worked for 13 years. Their home is in an old blacksmith’s shop and residence from 1865 in the Butchertown neighborhood. They share their home with 2 feisty old cats, Bella and Clementine.

1.  You and Will haven’t lived together for very long. What was it like combining households?  How were your styles different and similar?

We both purged…, a lot. Will started the ball rolling before we even met with a “rapture yard sale” where he sold many of his pop culture collectibles. I gave away about 70% of my things when we decided to move in together, really paring it down to the things I really loved. We are both collectors, his style is brighter and bigger and I’m a bit more on the subtle side.

2.  This home is somewhat temporary - as there is a little Hanratty/Russell on the way. What do you see as your limitations in the current house?

Yes, we are excited about becoming parents this summer. We are looking for a new home mainly for more space, and the spiral staircase and ten foot drop from the loft with no rail are not kid friendly. It will be hard to leave the vaulted ceilings, exposed brick and old timey charm.

3.  So, Jackolopes are totally real creatures. Where did you acquire yours?

This Jackalope was found down south and was procured from a man named Red Sparrow. He also issued us an official Jackalope hunting permit.

4.  Kate has a background in textiles. How does this interact in your home?  What does the old timey sewing machine signify?  Does it work?

It means we have a big workspace in our living room. I just love the old Singer machine, but it is for display only. I keep my real machines under wraps until it’s project time.

5.  Will has been collecting Americana/kitsch way before opening Why Louisville. Can I build a nest in your backyard?  Please describe your love and interest in blown molds. 

The backyard already has several nests which you could move right into. Will became smitten with blow molds (plastic light up yard Santas and such) a couple years ago and did a window display at WHY Louisville with 16 Santa Blow Molds. He then began to amass quite a collection ranging from bunnies to ghosts to nativity folks. They adorn the back yard and require less maintenance than living plants.

6.   I (Daniel) have a pretty integral (har har) history in how you two got together. We went to see Bill Callahan live in a cave and you all began the courting there.  Can you accredit Bill Callahan’s music with sealing the deal. How often do you listen to him together?

Yes, thank you for that nudge. Not only did we meet at the Bill Callahan show but on our first date we put together a Bill Callahan puzzle while listening to a Bill Callahan record. (super fans!) We have since branched out to other records but old Bill still makes the turntable on rainy nights

7.  If you each had an animal spirit what would it be?

Will is a jackalope.  Giraffe is funny because I’m so short.  

All photography by Marife Bautista  eat3fruits@gmail.com

except hipstomatic shots, those are from our little Bugaboo.  

-megan and daniel

We have four of these chairs. Somebody painted them a horrible Burgundy color, we have decided to go crazy with each one. More pictures coming soon. Neon orange is our next.

YourHaus with Jessica Berg Lam

Jessica is a full time twin mom.  Previous incarnations as a furniture designer, an art gallery “Girl Friday”, a jewelry designer and travel agent.  Her home is shared with husband Rhys Lam, twins Alice and Nora, Lupie the dog and Mr. B the cat (her animal spirit).  Looking to get back in the workforce in about 6 months so if you want to contact this multi talented person email her at jessicaberglam@gmail.com 

1. As a mother of two, How has your sense of interior design changed?  How do you keep your home functional/organized for kids and Adults alike?

I don’t think what I decorate my house with has changed as much the placement. I still mix old treasures with new treasures to tell our story, but I’m more safety conscience that’s for sure. Nothing dangerous or breakable below 3 feet where a toddler, dog or cat could get a hold of it. We have also started keeping the Rolling Stone, LEO, and other magazines where toddler eyes can’t read them. I found the girls reading the back page of the LEO, and even though they can’t understand the adult ads…I’m not ready to answer some of the questions those pictures lead to! The globe on the side table in the parlor (that’s fancy for the front room with the fireplace) is meant to be looked at and played with. No one can resist a globe, and nothing starts a conversation faster than telling stories about adventures real or imaginary.

As for organizing a house for adults and children to enjoy, the key is balance.  It’s easy to let toys and belongings quickly overcrowd a house, especially a small one like ours. I’m a big fan of Frank Lloyd Wright’s design principles, and they translate to the rest of modern life as if they were written yesterday instead of 80 years ago. A few examples, keep fewer possessions, respect your consumption of natural resources and maximize the storage you have before thinking of expanding. Truly, we humans need very little to survive, and FLW even thought it was wasteful to have more than one bathroom per home. He was green, before green was green. It seems like a no brainer but, if you have less to make a mess with, it’s easier to clean up. If you have fewer decorative items on your shelves they become more precious.

 2.How do you incorporate vintage pieces with more modern items?

I started out mixing vintage with modern, when I was broke and buying all my clothes and furniture from thrift stores, to pair with the occasional IKEA piece (even IKEA was too expensive sometimes!). It wasn’t until I picked up an issue of the now defunct, DOMINO magazine, that I realized what I was doing was actually stylish. It gave a voice to us quirky vintage lovers, and I feel it validated me to no longer look down on my house because it didn’t belong in Dwell. They put out a book a few years ago and anyone who wants to learn about the mixology of styles should pick it up.

3.You have a lot of items from your grandmother. How has her sense of style helped form your own?

My Nanny, as I called her, was an awesome lady. She owned a travel agency during a time when leisure airplane travel was just hitting the mainstream, and because of it she had been around the world at least twice before I was even born. Her house* was filled with treasures from decades worth of adventures, and was a mini museum of anthropology. She had a guestroom she called the African Room (she went to Africa more than 5 times in her life), which was filled with tribal artifacts, masks, and fabrics. I loved that her home was decorated with things that had a story and weren’t placed there in a rush or just to look pretty. There was history to all of it. I like the feeling of looking around my house and seeing my story, and now that I have a family, our story.

*I always loved her house inside and out. We live in a midcentury stone cottage; she lived in a midcentury stone ranch. I think she influences my ideal style more than I will ever be able to know.

4.How has your past in designing furniture influenced your decisions on what to bring into your own home?  

This is a great question! When I started out designing furniture I had an idea of what it would be like, and when I quit I had a very different set of ideas about the whole process.

At first I was in awe by the prospect of my designs being manufactured in India and sold here in the US, I thought I had arrived! What I learned along the way is that a lot of unforeseen aspects in that process are not so green, mainly, the shipping pollution to our planet. I want to visit far away places for perspective and adventure, why does my sofa need to make that trip too! Ha ha!

My time in the industry has made me buy even more second hand furniture and handmade American goods. I used to do it because I was broke, now I do it because it is better for our planet and the quality tends to be better.

5.You’ve bought furniture from us that you have re-upholstered.  What aspects of a piece lets you know it has good “bones” so to speak?  How do you choose fabrics for re-upholstery projects?  

I studied Industrial Design in college, which gave me a nerd’s appreciation for quality craftsmanship, and a lot of craftsmanship went into the vintage stuff. What boggles my mind is that with all the technology we have today, the quality of the old stuff is still so much better! With a little recovering or painting an old piece can last for another lifetime, and the satisfaction that comes from truly giving a piece your own touches…priceless.

When I look at an old piece that needs some love, I ask myself a couple of questions.  Is the style of the piece unique and do I like the parts of it that are not easily changed, like the frame and shape. Are there any visible signs of water damage? If yes, this can be a deal breaker for me. Does any part of it wobble, click, or crunch? If yes, evaluate how much and use your best judgment. Otherwise, things that can be changed like upholstery, scratches in the wood, or even the stain of the wood I’m not worried about, if I love the look of the frame.

Picking fabric is the most fun! I like to keep some historic colors and textures in mind, but not letting that box me into a certain period. The sofa and chair I got at Greenhaus to recover were originally pee pee yellow velvet. The lines in the texture inspired me to pick a pale striped, super durable neutral beige. Covering it in a “boring” color makes it easier to change the look of the room with new pillows instead of recovering the sofa again.

6.You live in the Highlands, one of Louisville’s older neighborhoods.  How has the layout of the home guided you in your usage of space and decor? 

Our house has good bones. The potential was screaming in our faces when we saw it. We’ve done a lot of work to it, but made sure to keep the original architectural details. The triangular archways make me smile. The parlor room with the fireplace can exist the way it is because of the layout of the house. We have our TV room and playroom in the basement, which let’s this room be more flexible for ‘formal’ entertaining. This is my favorite space for visiting with friends, setting up Christmas trees, and having fireside picnics. Simple wholesome family fun!

7.If you had a spirit animal, what would it be?  And, can you send us a quick drawing of it sitting on your couch?  Ha. 

Can it be my cat? I’m pretty sure that old buddy has a couple pieces of my spirit.  But if I have to pick another animal, I guess I’d say the giraffe. A giraffe would look quite good sitting on my sofa!  

Jessica called me and told me that her cat Mr. B is for real her animal spirit.  Here he is...

All photography by Marife Bautista, eat3fruits@gmail.com

-megan and daniel

Daniel and I echo this sentiment every moment we are home - and often when we aren’t.  

How do you deal with cats, dogs or interior-hating pets in general? 

Print from Oh, Dear Molly

She Throws Herself at Men →

And it’s hilarious

found via Crap = Good

Daniel and I have been mildly obsessed with Die Antwoord - particularly this video - for a few years now.  It somehow is not getting old for us.  I know, I know, idiots are endlessly amused.  In honor of this, we give you our first ever “Living In” segment of the blog.  

Boom!  

My Greenhaus Fünf by Michael Jester

Michael Jester has lived away from Louisville for 12 years.  He recently moved back and discovered our store.  He’s a bartender at Proof on Main and his take on life is to live very presently, which he say’s is a “double-edged sword”.   These are his Top 5 picks from his recent visit.  

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            One of my favorite finds in Louisville has been Green Haus. Daniel and Megan have curated such an awesome shop of vintage fare (and there is wine! And beer!) and plant life. Their Facebook updates of new arivals are a cherised moment for me. It’s nearly impossible to just choose five because there is so much “thattttt!” in one room and it’s ever-changing, but at my recent visit these  were my top five must-haves:

              

Chevron Mixed Media Chairs

          There is something about these chairs that I love. And hate. I can’t stop thinking about them and how I would incorporate them into a room. They scream early 80’s to me with their ‘is it/isn’t’ it chevron pattern and earthy tones. The 80’s design scheme is not one you see much of these days popping up on modern design blogs and magazines, but thankfully Megan and Daniel are brave enough curators to blow the dust off my childhood home decor themes. I think if these chairs were paired with some poppy accessories, cleaner lined and more minimal pieces in the right colors they could really be a stand-out. 

                               

       Mirrors, to me, are the best thing you can have in your home. They pull light in to dark areas, make small spaces loom larger and let you know if you made a mistake with that outfit. My design sense borders on Historic/Modern so this one suits me perfectly with its great elongated shape and interesting edges. 

                      

                                 

                                 

We want to thank Michael for doing this and are so excited to meet and talk with someone that has the same passions that we share.  A big thank you to Meagan Jordan for taking the photos!!