Krrb Blog, Neighborly living

Take a second look. Ordinary items you consider junk can be treasures you can use again and again. Photo: Somewhatquirkydesign.com

As part of a series called 5 Easy Pieces, we’ll be gathering our favorite upcycled, re-purposed, vintage, and handmade stuff from around the web for you to buy or make yourself. So stay tuned for quick lists of 5 must-haves and get ready to wish you had thought of that …

Krrb teamed up with SoHo Project (Sisters Offering Hope to Others) and interior design expert Susanna Salk to revamp the community room inside the Jericho Project. Located in the heart of Harlem, this housing unit offers long-term shelter to individuals formerly homeless and also those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Krrb visited the Jericho Project to see how residents are using the community room.

You’ll see the handiwork of Sacred Painter Ralph Frank everywhere at Doo-Nanny.

The first time I journeyed to Seale, Alabama I passed the driveway I was aiming for. The next time I went there, I did the same thing. The third trip and every trip since, I’ve not made that mistake again. I have an inner homing device that sets off an alarm as I approach; it gets louder and more excited with every mile of road my tires clock, until I’m turning down that drive.

Seale is home to folk artist Butch Anthony, who is cherished by many for his affable demeanor and his nimble creativity. Every year at the end of March, he hosts an elaborate but down-to-Earth fete known as the Doo-Nanny. Every year for the past several years, I’ve been there.

The Doo-Nanny is an annual outsider folk art event in Seale, Alabama.

In short, the Doo-Nanny is a place where exuberance and mellow collide. It’s a visual jabberwocky staged by enthusiastic folk and folk artists down on Butch’s eighty-acre Poorhouse Road farm, which is also home to the Museum of Wonder. To some, Doo-Nanny might look like a celebration of the South, and it’s true that it does have the spirit of good ol’ southern twang. However, it’s really a celebration of the rustic and of the imaginative mind …

Not sure how to bring the outdoors in? We’e got ideas. Photo: Homedsgn.com

Welcome to Krrbside Questions, a column created solely to answer your queries about living local and being the good neighbor we know you all are. Taking a stab at your home decorating woes this time around is Megan Meany, televison host and secondhand hobbyist. With her finger on the pulse and a knack for turning furniture from drab to fab, we’ve asked her to answer your burning questions. Email us at blog@krrb.com if you have any …

Independent shop owners redefine the meaning of a storefront by adding wheels to their merchandise. Photo: Haberdashvintage.com

Across the country, independent businesses are mobilizing. Much like the food truck craze, store owners are leaving their traditional brick and mortar storefronts and taking their vintage on the road.

The majority of vintage shop owners already rack up milage on sourcing trips. Traveling to small town thrift shops and picking through endless garage sales, these scavengers are no strangers to traveling for their business. Their dedicated hours behind the wheel and good eye for discovering hidden gems is part of the experience and price of buying at a vintage shop. But now vintage shops are further closing the gap by taking their curated inventory to the city streets and discovering new audiences along the way. We chatted with three mobile shop owners to find out where they’re headed next and what adventures they’re having mile after mile …

We know you have no time for long-winded how-to’s, so we’ll keep it short. In under a minute, Quick Tips are here to help you with life’s little lessons. So unless you get caught up watching hundreds in a row, which – warning – you just might, you can quickly get back to monitoring your news feeds or whatever you were doing. Check out the full video series here.

Fresh ricotta cheese is a treat and an easy one at that. In 10 minutes you can whip up a batch of this creamy, delicate cheese for savory or sweet dishes. Ricotta cheese freezes well so you can also save some for later. For this simple how-to, you need buttermilk, whole milk, a heavy bottom pot, a slotted spoon and cheesecloth. After making your ricotta, sprinkle with sea salt and lemon juice to brighten the flavors. We think it pairs nicely with some prosciutto for a road trip snack.

We’ve got tasty ideas on what to eat when you’re behind the wheel. Photo: 2wired2tired.com

There’s nothing like exploring the unknown with a tank full of gas, a great playlist and some treats for snacking. You can stockpile chips, Slim Jims and more at the next pitstop but let’s be honest, it’s not a friendly option for your wallet or your waistline. We’ve pulled together some savory and sweet snacks you can whip up faster than hitting cruise control. Read on to pick up some recipes sure to hit the spot while you’re on the move …

Old Bones Co. of Costa Mesa is the one stop for unique mid-century finds.

Decked out with Mid-Century modern delights, the Old Bones Co. has quickly become the furniture go-to for residents of Costa Mesa. With it’s eclectic mix of credenzas, industrial desks and modern furnishings, there’s no question that this store is a one-stop shop for vintage and industrial enthusiasts alike. We chatted with owner Sheila Jalalvand to get the 411 on Costa Mesa and how she makes old and new work as one …

This antique folk art bird feeder was handcrafted in Adirondack style. Photo: Krrb.com/independencevintage

As part of a series called The Hot Corner, we’re featuring Krrb corners that catch our eye with their well-curated inventory. Whether it’s upcycled, secondhand, vintage or handmade, be sure to see for yourself why we think these Krrbsters have it going on.

Based in Chicago’s historical neighborhood of Independence Park, husband and wife team Eric Murken and Kathy Bauer launched Independence Vintage to manage the overflow of their personal collections. Recently, they increased their listings to focus on larger furniture that’s ideal for local pick-up. Lucky for them, their Krrb corner is really heating up with both local buyers and those a little farther away. Read on to learn more about Eric and Kathy’s hot corner …

Listen to music a wind chime makes in the spring breeze this season. Photo: Naturallytasmanian.blogspot.com

As part of a series called 5 Easy Pieces, we’ll be gathering our favorite upcycled, re-purposed, vintage, and handmade stuff from around the web for you to buy or make yourself. So stay tuned for quick lists of 5 must-haves and get ready to wish you had thought of that …

Hitting the road? We’ve got 5 apps you’ll want to bring along. Photo: Littledoglost.blogspot.com

The time has come to start thinking about journeys on the open road. When you’re planning a visit to the Grand Canyon, Niagra Falls, the Vegas strip or wherever your heart is set, don’t forget your phone! To make your memorable trip one for the books, Krrb has pooled together a few apps to discover local gems far and wide. These apps come loaded with tidbits on local shops, stays and events to get a real sense of your travel destination. Don’t forget to download our Krrb iPhone App to find locals around your next stop. With the inside scoop on all your travel stops, you’re sure to feel like a local in no time …

Since the young age of 15, Ron Ariel has been transforming old furniture back to its original condition. Twenty years later, the results of Ron’s furniture restoration expertise and (his knack for seeing potential in junky finds) can be found on his Krrb corner, Relevant Furniture. Krrb joined Ron as he works his magic on a mid century Drexel dinning table. With a little elbow grease, patience and the right tools, you can also change your forgettable mid century find back to its original shiny glory …

The Krrb staff gets behind the wheel.

The Krrb staff has a bad case of wanderlust. Can you blame us? Once you start dreaming about travel, it’s hard to stop. That said, the idea of all us in one car has lead to negotiations about playlists, map holding and who gets shotgun. Find out where we’d go with a full tank of gas and a few snacks for the road …

Photo: Reminisce.com

There’s something about warm weather, playlists and the thrill of the unexpected that calls for the open road. Beginning with the historic east-west wagon route Oregon Trail, road trips have become quintessential Americana.

Perhaps it’s the manifest destiny mindset of our forefathers, but we’re daydreaming about packing up our belongings, throwing them in the back of a jalopy and heading out to experience the unknown. To get you in the mood for exploration, we’ve gathered some pictures of vintage and modern day Airstreamers. No matter what calls you east, west, north, or south this season, these travel trailers should inspire you to start planning your route -

Anywhere you want to go, these maps will get you there.

Welcome to “4 Corners” where we hunt through Krrb’s listings for four different takes and great finds based on just one word. Today’s word: Maps! …