ALTER Alert: Gold Bug in Pasadena

I love this place for its uniqueness! An excellent place to find a piece that will make a statement in your space! Walking into Gold Bug is like taking a step back in time. From taxidermy animals and insects, to vintage framed anatomical drawings of humans and animals, this place is filled with incredible old worldly treasures! They have a rotating featured artist exhibition containing obscure, creative artwork and sculpture. Gold Bug fuses modern hipness and Victorian class together seamlessly. A note to the squeamish: proceed with caution, you may run into prehistoric looking creepy crawlies! Just a short drive to Downtown Pasadena, check it out sometime!

Check out their site for more info: Gold Bug in Pasadena.

B&A: Balcony

Let's face the facts; one of the only pitfalls of living in urban areas is the lack of outdoor living space. If you are fortunate enough to have a precious rectangle of outdoor space, you then have to factor in your view (or lack thereof!). Most places look directly into other apartments, or literally a brick wall. Chances are there is not much privacy, a few nosy neighbors peering in, that token neighbor that thinks it’s okay to chain smoke on his balcony and yell obscenities in a foreign language at the television... I don’t think anybody would be happy with that view!



Balcony Before



Balcony After

Creating a private sanctuary is essential for every city dweller to unwind. A project in a multi-unit building that the ALTER team just finished had this very issue: the lack of a nice view. We created a beautiful solution with a visit to the local hardware store. We picked up some window planters, 5’ bamboo poles, willow twigs, and a nice variety of large succulents. This is a great DIY project!

Check back for a full video of the private balcony sanctuary!

Q&A: Washed Out

Q: Dear Jackie,

I am addicted to the color white. My New Year's resolution was to add more color into my life. Every time I go to pick out colors at the hardware store, or shop for bright accessories, I freeze like a deer caught in headlights! Please help me spice up my living room with some color!

“Washed Out”, Malibu, CA.



A: Well, “Washed Out”, you came to the right person! I just so happen to be addicted to color! Let's find a happy medium that will satisfy both of us. First of all, starting from a fresh clean pallet is always a good idea; in your case you are set! It depends on the look that you want to achieve. Since you live in Malibu, by the ocean, I think we should keep it pretty light and airy feeling, while achieving the punch in the accessories. I think adding a sea glass color to the walls would do the trick. Let's also add some pops of color on these sofas, throw pillows in fun bright colors, some solids mixed with some bright patterns would be perfect. We definitely want to warm the space up with a warm colored rug under the coffee table, possibly something with a pattern. In the future, if you ever want to invest in a new piece for this space, I would consider a medium wood coffee table to ground the room. After you discover how much color will make a difference in this room, you will no longer be afraid to splash right in! Send after photos when you finish your new bright colorful space!



Good luck, and most of all have fun!