Mission to Mod

As I sit here today listening to the playlist created for the 2012 Halloween party, I've been inspired to get a recap of the party on the blog. It's been a whirlwind of work for the past 8 months at Creative RAM, and while we're busier than ever, the Mission to Mod party was far too epic to keep to myself.

They said the Carnivàle d’Abnormàle party couldn't be outdone, but anyone who attended Mission to Mod will tell you, it was out of this world (pun completely intended).

The Theme: 1960s outer space exploration
As with most of my parties, the theme was very specific. The goal was to create a minimalistic and futuristic scene with British mod influences. Invitations were mailed in silver vacuum envelopes and included a save-the-date magnet as well as a boarding pass.

Guests were also directed to the website, offering a costume inspiration gallery and other activities to get the ideas flowing. 

Construction:
Turning a residence into a spaceship is no small task. Construction began in early September, and never ceased up to the day of the party. When it came time to cover the walls, I recalled using sintra from my trade show and exhibit days. Sintra is a thin substrate made of compressed pvc. It's a cost-effective material that comes in a variety of thicknesses and colors. It can be wrapped around curved surfaces, and cut easily with an x-acto knife—truly, an outstanding material that's perfect for temporary construction.

Every inch of space was covered with sintra to give that mod spaceship feel. Once the flat sheets were attached to the walls, raised panels were drawn in Illustrator and cut with a water jet, then adhered with foam tape and wood block stand-offs.

At the center of attention was the command center. Framed from 2x4s and plywood, this area was also covered in sintra. A trip to the thrift store was the perfect solution for creating controls and gadgetry. A cartload of miscellaneous toys and housewares for $24 provided a variety of uses. Each piece was disassembled or repurposed in some way, then spray painted and glued to the command center. Gauges and flashing lights were added for more moody effects, as well as laptops and an iPad, which controlled the music for the evening. It was important to keep the minimal, spacey look while still providing plenty of seating. By building a replica of the existing bench on the opposite side of the living room, we maximized seating and created a feeling of symmetry.

A second command center was constructed in the garage as a backdrop for photo ops.

In order to give guests the feeling of being in space, we had to conceal the kitchen. I was very much inspired by the old automats from the '40s and '50s, and found it to be an excellent way to feed guests while hiding cabinetry and appliances. The wall was drawn in illustrator, cut from plywood, framed then covered in sintra. Strings of white Christmas lights were hung inside to give some depth and interest. A black curtain was hung across the back of the structure, which kept eyes off the cooks and the kitchen. Once filled with foil-wrapped food containers, the automat was a highlight of the evening.

On the menu: Lunar noodles, tribble bits, milky way mash, protein cubes, micro harvest, moon rocks, jell-o shots, planet pops and a variety of space-themed cocktails in test tubes.

Games and Such:
When it came to creating activities, the goal was to provide non-stop energy and fun (as any party should)! A go go cage was the ideal solution that not only met the criteria, but also tied into the '60s vibe. Crafted completely from metal, this structure was built off-site, and assembled piece-by-piece in the corner of the living room. The "Gamm-A-Go-Go" featured color-changing LED lights, brushed steel floor and water-filled bubble bars. Yes, I said bubble bars. If there was a way to keep the go go cage in my living room year-round, believe me, I would. A glowing go go cage in the living room...unbelievable!

Another activity was created by using my 1950s bar. This is a prized piece of furniture, so I didn't want to move it if at all possible. Instead, I masked it with sintra, and created new shelves in the upper cabinet to create the Astro Blaster. Guests used ray guns to shoot rubber bands at asteroids crafted from ping pong balls and blacklight paint. Guests saved the world from impending doom and received prizes for their heroic efforts.

Once the main party area was covered, we focused on creating a grand entrance in the foyer. The Saturn V rocket seemed like an appropriate choice, so we started framing it out. The structure measured 23-feet from floor to ceiling, and there were many scary moments for me being up on the extension ladder. "All for the love of the party, Robert." is what I repeated with every rung. Once the framing was in-place, it was covered in sintra, then adorned with vinyl decals and other dimensional pieces. Glowing thrusters were added to the base, and a fog machine completed the look. A star lamp was mounted in the archway to add a mystical effect to the entry as guests passed through.

Also in the foyer was a 1960s candy vending machine. This incredible piece was a Craigslist find that I found in Santa Rosa. It had lived in the local Volkswagen dealership for years, so it was fitting that it ended up in my VW. I made the 2-hour trek and hauled it back to town, top down. It was a scary ride with the machine rattling the entire way, in fear that I may be crushed. I probably shaved a few years off my life just from the stress, but 100% worth it. I thoroughly restored the machine and fully stocked it with candy. I designed custom-themed wrappers for each bar (about 400 wrappers total). Some candies contained mystery prizes and gift cards, too!

It goes without saying, this party would not have happened without the brilliant minds of Zack and Kristine Spencer. Construction, resources and countless hours were put into this event, and they were at the heart of it. Because none of us know when to quit, a series of robots were constructed and placed throughout the space. The Kegbot 2000 was among the most popular. This creation housed a chilled pony keg in its torso, party cup dispenser in one arm, and a tap in the other.

The icing on the cake was a pod door installed on the porch. This incredible addition featured a video screen, instructions from a British lady robot, boarding pass barcode scanner, hydraulic sound effects and fog activation. Upon scanning your boarding pass, the door would slide open, granting entry into the party. If you weren't wishing you were in attendance already, you are now.

Here's a look at the brilliant shots captured by Pacheco Photography.

What's in-store for 2013? Well, I've contemplated taking a year off after this monumental bash. However, as most people have already rolled their eyes at that statement, I have in fact began turning the gears. Time will tell.

Talkin' 'Bout My Organization

As many of you know, I'm slightly obsessive when it comes to organization, order and planning. Over the years, I've attempted to be less type-A/Mr. Fussy Pants, but I've come to discover that being neat and orderly is embedded into me...and I like it. Having my own business means I am responsible for keeping things in order, from electronic files and print materials to invoices, contracts and tax documents. I find my creativity is stifled and my mind is aflutter when my surroundings are out of sorts...especially in my office.  

I sat down at my desk the other day, opened a drawer and to my horror, discovered a giant mess that I had created in a mad rush to clean house before friends showed up. I had forgotten about that little incident, but I was compelled to do something about it right away. I know that some of you insist that I don't have a single disaster area in my home, but I can assure you, I'm guilty as the next person. This drawer is living proof...and yes, there really could be something living in there for all I know!

The contents of this drawer included:

• Nearly 100 Christmas cards and envelopes from 2011
• Miscellaneous receipts
• Paint swatches
• Soldering kit
• Speaker wire
• Fabric
• Art supplies
• Playing cards
• Past party invitations
• A 4-leaf clover
• Client paperwork
• Refrigerator magnets
• Junk mail
• Gift cards
• Business cards
• Rolodex file cards
• Notebooks

I truly believe in the phrase "A place for everything, and everything in its place." This drawer was far from that philosophy. Taking each item out one-by-one, I cringed. I must have been in some frantic state of mind to cram the drawer full of such an eclectic mix of items! In a matter of 2 hours, I was able to purge most of what was in the drawer, and file all other paperwork in its appropriate folder. I also took a few minutes to update addresses and contact info in my e-contacts, eliminating any information written on paper. 

Here are some quick steps to keep your storage spaces looking great:

Step 1) Sort
Place the items into 4 piles. Trash, Donate, File, Save.
If you're doing things right, your trash pile should be the largest of the 4!

Tip: Go the extra mile by sorting trash into recycle or shred piles.

Step 2) Prepare
Vacuum the drawers so they are free from any dust and debris. Give your drawers some added flair and protection by lining them! I found several rolls of vintage wallpaper for $1 each. One pattern I found just so happened to match the colors of my office and the spruce pattern complimented the idea of keeping things clean. You could also use upholstery fabric, old posters, or heavy wrapping paper. Just measure the drawer and cut the materials to fit. The idea is to give the drawers an unexpected pop. You should be inspired every time you open a drawer, not shocked, confused, disgusted or worse...bored!

Step 3) Designate
Every drawer should be given a purpose. What do you want to use the drawer for? Art supplies seemed to be the bulk of my save pile, so I assigned only these items.

Step 4) Place
Put your items back into the drawer, keeping things neatly positioned and grouped together. For instance, bundle paintbrushes together with a rubberband. Stack boxes of chalks, colored pencils and crayons on top of one another, etc.

While there are some really cool drawer organization kits and drawer liners out there, there's no need to spend money on something that you can create on your own for little-to-no-cost. Making it custom to your taste is what makes it great! These steps can be applied to any drawer or closet in your home. Just a couple of hours can make a huge difference, so get to it, and get organized!

  

Ladies and Gentlemen, We Have Lift-Off!

6 months ago, I posted about my annual Halloween party. I wasn't joking when I said planning began in March, and this year is no exception! I've started compiling inspiration for this year's theme even though the event is over 6 months away.

While I can't disclose too much information at this juncture, I will tell you that the theme is 1960s outer space. Think along the lines of Lost In Space, Neil Armstrong, Space Mountain, the Jetsons, Stanley Kubrick, etc. Clean, modern, "high-tech" (for it's time). The house will basically be transformed into something right out of Tomorrowland, and I'm very excited to share that with you all!

The brilliant folks at Mantium Industries will be assisting me with all kinds of exciting projects to make this the very best party I've thrown to date. Mantium was an invaluable asset to last year's Carnivale d'Abnormale party, so I'm super excited to have their talented minds involved in this project. The party was also brilliantly captured by Pacheco Photography. Be sure to check out Travis' post if you haven't done so already!

This year's party is going to be completely out of this world, so stay connected to the blog for exciting updates and project highlights!

End Tables are a Lot Like Love

The saying, "You'll find what you're looking for when you least expect it." has always proven to be true in my life, and this weekend was no exception. I ventured out to the antiques faire without any particular items in mind. That's when I stumbled upon a sad little end table that had seen better days.

I didn't particularly want a new end table, but this one was something special. Though rugged and caked with all kinds of nastiness, the unique dovetail inlayed top immediately caught my attention. Upon closer inspection, I was admiring the classic tapered legs and atomic-shaped handle. This piece screamed 1950s, and I think I heard a faint whimper saying, "Rescue me, please!" When I opened the little drawer on the front and found the maker's mark "Lane, Altavista Virgina," I could no longer resist.

The Lane Furniture Company started in 1912 as a cedar chest manufacturer. The father/son business was widely recognized for its quality craftsmanship, and emerged into a leading retailer of fine american furniture throughout the 20th century. Lane Furniture is still in business, and is considered a top quality brand alongside Broyhill, Thomasville and Drexel Heritage.

Knowing a little about the Lane company, I figured this table was going to be priced on the high side. I searched for a price tag, but it was unmarked. I offered $35, and to my amazement, the seller accepted my offer. No counter offer. The table was mine! After some research, I came to find out that this table is part of Lane's Acclaim collection (one of their most successful lines in the early '50s). Knowing you snagged a quality piece of furniture for a deal is always a great feeling! I got the piece home and started refinishing right away.

Products I used for this project:

• Heavyweight canvas drop cloth
• Chemical resistant gloves
• Chemical stripper (I prefer a chemical stripper as it gets the job done fast)
• Medium sized putty knife (I prefer plastic as it is gentler on wood surfaces)
• Old paintbrush (one you don't mind throwing away)
• Lint-free rags (old t-shirts work great)
• After wash
• Sanding block
• Sandpaper (220)
• Wood finish stain (I used Minwax dark walnut)
• Polyurethane spray (I used Minwax satin)

A few tips about refinishing:

• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions on these products. They know what they're talking about, and I've never been steered wrong.
• Sand, then sand some more. This is your chance to remove any imperfections, so sand away! Getting down to raw wood is also the key to a rich, beautiful stain.
• Have patience when staining! Allow 6-8 hours between stain applications. Laying on stain in one thick coat only makes a gooey mess, not a richer finish.
• Spray the polyurethane in light, even strokes from 12" away. Heavy sprays will only lead to a tacky, drip-marked coating. A 2nd coat can be applied after 2 hours.
• Allow sufficient time for poly to dry. Your project may look ready for use after a few hours, but don't be fooled! The poly coat needs 24 hours to fully set...THEN you can put your lamps and chotchkes back in place! 

In addition to the sanding/staining process, I painted the leg caps with a matte black acrylic, and cleaned up the hardware with Brasso. With that, this unexpected find has a new look and a new home where it will be loved for many years to come!