A Literal Modern Roost: Chickens in Manhattan

This NY Times article about a Co-op turned chicken coop in Manhattan is a funny and endearing look at a most unusual pair of pets.

The Giovannini family raises two chicks, Chirp and Cheep, into hens in the confines of an apartment. As it turns out, chickens are smarter and more endearing than we thought.

Via Apartment Therapy.

The Paintings of Andy Kehoe

Andy Kehoe's paintings portray the frightening and the uncertain as mundane. This is something you can appreciate when you look at the headlines each morning.

The palettes are monochromatic and the monsters look bored with their evil. It's quite an interesting juxtaposition.

The style and subject matter remind me of Where the Wild Things Are. Just darker and more grown-up.

The pieces on the site that had listed prices were under $1000. That seems like a good deal for something original and thought provoking.

Shown here:

"Shameful Deed Falls Silent," (left) sold.
"Shelter of Beauty," (right) sold.
"Myth Rises from the Dead Beast," (below) $900.

Photos from Tillman's Roadhouse in Dallas

Tillman's Roadhouse is a restaurant I have only seen on the internet, though I have it on good authority that the food is excellent. It certainly looks good on the site. But I am most impressed with the amazing decor. This place is truly "Cabin Chic."

Ultimate Gaming Chair: Recycled Playstation

Technology keeps changing. You can't blink without opening your eyes to find your latest gadget obsolete. But don't feel bad for your out-dated Playstation. It may be resetting itself as a sleek, modern chair.

The "Reese" is made from recycled Playstation consoles and looks surprisingly chic. It will be available for purchase this fall at PLI and Sprout.


Via BuzzFeed.

PSA: Call 811 Before You Dig

If you have a digging project in mind for the summer, the folks over at the Common Ground Alliance want to remind you to call 811 first. 811 is the new national number to help you locate any pesky gas and water lines before your new deck becomes your new federal disaster area.

I don't think the folks at the CGA can do much about Fido, but they can offer you advice about everything from shrubs to trees to moats. Find out more on their site.

Thanks to Matt N. for the e-mail heads-up.

A Little Real Estate Voyeurism

There's an interesting article in the NY Times about the things people leave behind when they move out. Mostly we're talking a roll of toilet paper or a half eaten jar of mustard. But there are some rather deviant and sort of disgusting items that people are leaving behind (false teeth, handcuffs, a bottle of Valium).

Note to the height challenged: check the top shelf of the closet before you leave.

Via Apartment Therapy.

Mesmerizing: Photos by Lehnert & Landrock

I saw these images on My Marrakesh yesterday and was literally mesmerized. The images of these exotic turn-of-the-20th-century women in Tunisia just blew my mind. They were taken by Rudolph Lehnert, a Czech photographer who fell in love with Tunisia.

Maryam was lucky enough to purchase a few of the prints in an Egyptian bookstore she beautifully described as full of, "dusty, strange books for dusty, strange people."

I immediately began a search online for copies of the prints. I've had limited success so far, though I will continue to look. But I found a few authentic lithographs here for reasonable prices.

I am having trouble finding more information on Lehnert and Landrock themselves. Wikipedia had no entry. Other sites had photos, but no information on the men (man) who took them. If anyone knows of a good resource on this topic, please let me know.

UPDATE: Maryam may be able to purchase some new prints of Lehnert's photos on her next trip to Egypt. If so, she will try to place them up for sale on her blog. Hooray Maryam!

Plants on I.V. Drip

Looking for a slightly morbid way to ensure your plants aren't under-watered? Check out the I.V. self-feeding plant pot from the Vitamin Store.

Via Productdose.