Remembering Margaret

CARBON MONOXIDE:

Most of us know that CO2 can kill, but most of us have never heard of someone actually dying from CO2 unless there’s a report on the news about a stove used to heat a house or an intentional suicide.

Sadly, an estimated 500 people die from accidental CO2 poisoning every year. 

One of those people was my youngest cousin, Margaret.

The CO2 emitted from an improperly installed heating system in a brand new home took her life, and the life of her best friend, Frank. They never even knew it was happening. They simply laid down, probably thinking they were tired from moving furniture and boxes in all day, and died.

CO2 is silent. CO2 is odorless. CO2 can kill you.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS:

I talk about this every year. I will continue to talk about this every year. CO2 detectors are one of the single most important devices you can – and should – have in your home.

CO2 comes from – more often than not – malfunctioning appliances, such as gas or oil furnaces, wood burning stoves, and gas clothes dryers. When these appliances are not adequately ventilated, or if they malfunction, carbon monoxide can build up in the home to lethal levels. It's a potential hazard in any home that burns almost any combustible fuel source -- oil, natural gas, wood, charcoal, kerosene and more -- for any purpose including heating, cooking, etc. 

With time and progress, doors and windows have been developed to the point where they seal out noise, wind and exterior air nearly completely.  With that, they also keep interior air in. While it’s great for your heating/cooling bill, or the ability to block out the sounds of a city, it also makes it impossible for carbon monoxide to escape.

Winter is upon us in the USA. People are sealing themselves in against the cold. Holiday cooking will commence. Fires will be lit in the evening. This is a season to be most vigilant. 

WHAT TO BUY:

Here is a link to Consumer Search’s Best List. (This list will link you directly to Amazon.com so you don’t have to fret about the “where to purchase” aspect):

http://www.consumersearch.com/carbon-monoxide-detectors

I suggest the First Alert SCO501CN ($39.99) if you do not have smoke detectors installed yet. 

Otherwise, I suggest the First Alert CO511B ($44.37). 

You should install at least one in every level of your house, away from the appliances with open flames (furnace, wall heater, stove), and make sure you are able to hear the alerts from your bedroom when you are fully asleep. 

It takes LESS than 3 minutes to die from CO2 poisoning.

It take LESS than 3 minutes to install a CO2 detector.

I make the same offer every year:

       - If you do not have the time or knowhow to install it in your home, I will do it for you.

       - If you need to borrow a ladder, I will lend you one.

Protect yourself and the people (and pets) you love. It’s the best holiday gift you could give.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Into The Vault

Vault® Garage Professional Series

Vault® Garage Professional Series

I'm digging this company - Vault® Garage. It has everything a sassy lass could want. I probably have to build a garage now - that's how much I am loving this!

 http://www.vaultgarage.com/gallery/professional-series-cabinets-by-vault/ 

Also, if you spell or say the word "vault" enough times, it's one of those words that starts to look and sound strange. Like "moist" or "squabble."

 

Return of the Joan-i

And then 2015 happened! 

WOW!

With so many projects being birthed this year (I believe the count is at 23), this is truly the first moment I've had to breathe, much less blog, since we went into full production for the summer. In fact, we've been so busy, I just realized I'm wearing two pairs of glasses at the same time (true story). Now that the majority of our builds have been finalized - during a seemingly endless dance of inspections over the past few weeks - I will be updating the website with some of the photos from different projects. And I promise to get back to the blog... 

...right after we break ground next week on a cliffside pool. 

DTLA Loft Project

The Two Towers

Pack your Baggins and take a ride, or set up house, in this fantastical tiny home -

This is a house truck that you have to see to believe. Completely road legal, this off-the-grid house truck folds out and transforms into a fantasy castle. This is one Tiny House tour you don't want to miss!

(Elvis) Summer Homes

A tiny home built by Elvis Summers for Irene McGhee

A tiny home built by Elvis Summers for Irene McGhee

After spending some time yesterday looking at a project in the Trousdale Estates, my boyfriend and I discussed how many displaced people those homes could accommodate. We figured the entire unsheltered population of Venice could fit into one of the estates we drove past on Schulyer Road. Because, really, who needs a 80,000 SF house? What do you do with that much space? Perhaps roller-skate around naked, singing songs from Rent, whilst eating persimmons? I do not know.

Admittedly, as a builder and an artisan, I am astounded by the beautiful craftsmanship and architecture I see throughout Los Angeles. The time and energy put into creating a home that is also a piece of art is both inspiring and breathtaking. However, as a human being who is hypersensitive to the plight of my fellows, I am often saddened by the enormity of space and resources that go into creating these structures. 

I am well-known, and often admonished, for hauling unused materials (what we call "scrap") back to the warehouse. But we use it. We always use it. When Dirty Girl converted a crack house in Venice into a viable 3-unit apartment building, we used it all. When we get calls to do pro bono work, we use it. When someone needs a bit of something we have laying around, we use it. So I save it, with the hope that I will someday have somewhere to use it.

I've felt like I've had nothing to post lately, and we've been so incredibly busy with work, I really haven't made the time. Then I saw a video clip that inspired me, yet again, to make the time.

Elvis Summers - neighbor and friend, man with a hammer. He's awesome! Irene McGhee, mother, grandmother, beautiful soul - she's awesome! We hope we can help in our own little way with some resources and manpower, if he needs us. I have offered as much this morning after seeing the clip below. I hope this inspires some of you to take a minute to help out, whether it be with this effort, or with someone in your own neighborhood who needs a hand. The video and crowd funding links are below.

So, take a few minutes to feel good today by watching this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrzAHozt3fI  

And then take a few seconds to do something good today by clicking on this:

http://www.gofundme.com/mythpla

Your community thanks you!