This Modern Life

New Batch // July 2015… See below for details.

We're running another batch of "Deluxe" stencil sets in white polypropylene. If you're interested, find us on FaceBook (click here), find the post about the stencils and follow the instructions from there. If you miss out on this batch, we might not make another one for six more years, so get them while you can. The process might seem odd, but we'll be making an exact-number and want to ensure we have an accurate list.

Each set should be good for about 5 uses and the paint last for about 5-7 years.

The deadline to get on the list is July 18th.

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From 2009

I don't do much shilling here on RedneckModern, but for those that are interested in the curb stencils, check these out. These are laser-cut polypropylene and available in the "Deluxe" set which includes the Eichler frame and the requisite numbers. (Edit: In the prototyping phase, we made two sets, "Simple" and "Deluxe" and the latter worked out better.)

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Eichler StencilsRead More »

One of the things that continues to amaze me is how tightly knit the design (and architecture) community is. Our friends Michael and Iris called a few weeks back and told me they were going to be in town and were visiting a pre-fab home by Connect Homes in my neck of the woods… they had met and become friends with the owners of Connect Homes and are contemplating it as a vacation home option. They connected Michael to their clients at the Orinda site.

We arrived met the new owner of the home, Ben, at the site who was gracious enough to give three strangers a tour… It turns out Ben's wife not only works with one of Michael's friends (and fellow Eichler owner) at a design studio in SF, but with one of my former students… and Ben and his wife are working with Ken Fox who has become a fast friend here in Rancho Del Diablo. Okay, maybe this is only interesting to me, so let's get on to the photos of the Connect Home under construction.

One of the most interesting things is how the units come together… All of the bits were pre-fab — even the cabinet and tile installation — and all arrived intact with just a few cracks in the drywall.

Ben also sent a link to a video of the assembly… check it out.

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Connect Homes ConnectionRead More »

Our friends Glen and Molly are moving… while this makes us sad, hopefully we'll pick up some neighbors as cool as they are. And, as expected, Ken Fox has done a great job with helping to prepare and to market the property. Check it out… and check out the open house July 11th and 12th.

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4149 Sacramento Street for saleRead More »

This morning, my 2 year old decided it'd be a good idea to make a hoist out of his stuffed animals, climb 1/2 way out of his crib and attempt to rip the pictures from the wall. Not good. The large picture closest to him has been secured to the wall — top and bottom — since it was hung, but we thought these were far enough away. We were wrong.

This means today was spent securing these frames to the wall and it seemed like a good time for a DIY-tutorial… especially for folks in earthquake country.

I seem to recall seeing a securing system like this at an art gallery years ago, but I've never seen anything commercially available that is as simple. There are many more complex systems, but a security point at the bottom of the frame keeps it nice and secure to the wall… and in order to remove the frame, you have to unscrew the tab. A mending plate might work, but I wanted something a bit thinner and more discreet.

Combined with my favorite way to hang pictures — a french cleat — it provides for a rock solid mounting solution.

Today, I made my own securing tabs from some mirror handing hardware ($3) and some pin-nails.

1: Bend the hanger back at the first bend — turning it from a J to an L …

2: Mark the center of the bottom of your frame.

3: Drill a small hole for a pin nail to secure the tab to the frame… You might skip this and use glue, but a hard-connection is best.

4: Attach tab to frame.

5: Hang and level picture and secure tab to wall (you might need to use an anchor depending on your wall).

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Securing Picture FramesRead More »

It's that time… the every-other-year yard sale at RNM-HQ — which is part of a larger neighborhood sale.

Come. Buy. Our. Stuff…

• Saturday, May 2nd
• 8AM
• 4154 Phoenix St., Concord CA 94521

With a 2 year old and, well, life… being an Etsy seller has taken backseat for a while and we've amassed quite a collection of vintage goodies. ModApple, will be liquidated (as best as able) this Sunday…

Casie and her friend Camila (ModPop) will be selling off their wares this Sunday at the Alameda Point Antiques Faire (Flea Market).

Sunday April 5th
6AM – 3PM
Stall: E2

Lots of vintage housewares, books and clothing and names like: Heath, Dansk, Sunset, Couroc, Fisher-Price, Heller, Pyrex, Vera Neumann, Mikasa, and more.