We are so pleased to toot our horn about being included in the current issue of Austin Monthly Magazine! We are listed as number 5 in the article, “112 Fun Things to Do in the Summer.” HOT DOG! Awesome sauce! We hope you’ll include us in your to-do list for summer and take a class, by golly!

 

In other news,  we were recently asked to participate in a grassroots campaign featuring local craftspeople, artisans, and business owners by our neighbors – tech/media software development gurus Red Method. Sprucettes and our class-goers were featured in a video to promote hand-made, American-made efforts. You can check out the video below:

Isn’t that special?!! You can see more footage of Austin locals by visiting the Red Method site here. Great mission from those folks: they are using current technology via apps to urge and enable us to buy local, create domestically, and pay it forward to ourselves and our neighbors. Great job Red Method! Thanks for thinking of us here at Spruce! We’re pleased to be included. Here’s a pic from the event…

That’s that for now. Come on by the shop and reupholster local! We appreciate your support always.

 

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This tip is appropriate for Austin-area residents and non-Austinites alike. Our “old faithful” upholstery materials supplier has been bringing provisions to us for 4 years plus and has locations in Austin and San Antonio. They also have an online catalog presence for your DIY needs. How do we love “Capital”? Let us count the ways!

Capital City Upholstery Supply runs like clockwork. If we order our supplies by 8:30 am, our materials are delivered to the shop by 9:30am/10:00am latest. For a  full-tilt shop this service is key and vital to our functionality. We rely on and appreciate their punctuality! We enjoy the option of ordering supplies a second time during the day, allowing us to have supplies delivered sometime in the early afternoon. They are truly there for us all day, every day.

If you have ever taken any of our classes and think, “how can I repeat this in my home space/garage/kitchen, etc.?” I highly recommend getting supplies from them for your home projects. Simply call them at 512.326.9968, order, and pick up your goods! They have everything: foam for seat and back, dacron (batting), cotton sheeting, tools, staple guns, tacks, staples, materials for automotive upholstery, leather, vinyl… I urge you find your materials here. They really do have everything you’ll need. If you have any questions, call us or Capital City Upholstery Supply for inquiries. Additionally, we at Spruce are happy to be a receiver or a “go-between” for your goods!

“Capital” offers leather in a gazillion colors, vinyl in even more colors, some canvas, as well as auto supplies for those of you who are brave enough to tackle a vehicle.

Another practical plus…if you plan to take on building new cushions, re-padding your dining chairs, creating a window seat cushion, etc., you’ll need different sizes and densities of foam. Have no fear, “Capital” can provide any amount and density or thickness that you desire (even down to 1/2 inch thick foam – they’ll slice it for you!!!!!) Check out their high-tech foam cutting apparatus below!

Get it together here ya’ll! Just to re-inforce the recommendation, there are some lovely, professional gentlemen who run the joint (Randy, Carlos, Dustin – you know who you are!) They are endlessly patient and helpful, and keep the place more clean and more organized than any other supply warehouse I’ve seen in my days. “Capital”, YOU’RE THE JAM!

Click the text to visit Capital City Upholstery Supply‘s website. Catalog, contact info, hours of operation, and location are contained within. Don’t be afraid to call us if you need any ordering advice! We’ll be happy to help!

 

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Wow. Can you believe it’s June? Nor can I.

Summer is in full swing here in Austin. This Monday’s high was a  feverish 103 degrees Fahrenheit (gasp!). I have sympathy for my land-locked, water-featureless Dallas and Houston friends and family that don’t have Austin’s superabundance of natural swimming holes and public pools. For those of you outside of town, let me include a little photo of what we’ve got here in Austin. I can’t resist!

The other bonus to this hot Austin summer is the sheer volume of great eats you can find in the city. There is no shortage of specialty food truck, hip diner, mexi-, texi-, fusion, cafe, brasserie, churrascaria, coffee house, sno-conery, local, vegan, Vietnamese….the options are far and wide, and perhaps at times a little weird. The Sprucettes and Sprucer share with you our treasured Austin dining experiences (if we must choose just one!)

Amanda’s pick: El Arbol

Not only is the interior stunning, the exterior dining: amazing. One of many winning restaurant designs by Joel Mozersky (collaborating with Aubrey Carter), the outside is a multi-level experience centered around a giant tree offering great views from bottom and top. Go for the empanadas, the Costillas de Res, and the Bruschetta de Bife (click the menu on the link and DROOL.)

Meredith’s pick: La Condesa

Another Joel Mozersky design; the mural wall is a show-stopper. Architecture is by Michael Hsu. Built inside an historic mercantile, there’s an adjacent bar with inviting mossy wall, a secret vault for private dining, the lighting is ultra-inventive. Meredith recommends the watermelon martini, Hongos y Huitlacoche, and Guiso de Hongas y Epazote. (Menu – click it!)

Katherine’s pick: 24 Diner

Katherine, I concur. Ms. Baronet loves the lighting and the “Dr.Seuss” – like trumpet hoods over the bar. Lots of custom metal work and surfaces adorn, as well as Eames barstool seating and great booths. Katherine has indulged in the chocolate milkshake, the half waffle, corn fritters. I have noted that you can get a fried egg on any sandwich offered. Yay. YAY!

Frank’s pick: Promise Pizza – Round Rock

Featuring certified organic and local-as-possible ingredients. Makin’ it right! I’m on board Frank!

Clar’s pick: a wish, a dream…I have not been yet. Uchi!

It’s one of the toasts of the town. Apparently Mr. Mozersky has a hand in this design, as well. I’m going for the crudo sea bass and machi cure. Maybe a little sashimi and sushi a la carte. MMMM. Refreshing for summer. I’ll have a hunger muffin please!

I have been to so many eateries in my 10 months in Austin; I have not had a bad experience yet. Go here, go there, go everywhere, and make sure to stop by the Spruce headquarters too! Eat well Austin, and cheers to your summer. We’ll see you out and about around town!

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I’ve been trying to scratch this itch for some time now – probably for the better part of seven years! Let me explain that I spent my last leg of school studying textiles, traveling, and freaking out on fashion.

Just below I have posted some recent Style.com images that are speaking my language. Specifically Thakoon and Proenza Schouler’s  Fall 2011 presentations are amazing to me! For Thakoon, there is a mix of African Batik, Asai woven blanket motifs, and “street”! The dynamic duo Proenza Schouler have employed Native American patterns, then mirrored, pixelated, and woven those designs. Brilliant! See below!

Meredith and I recently had a moment over Bolivian blankets. They are thick, colorful, heavy and luscious. I have one for a floor covering. Get into it!

Below: some other wishes for upholstery…

These are notes and samples for my own personal club chair makeover. We would love to see your own makeovers with any of these inspiration/ideas (or otherwise brilliant creations.) Send us your interpretations. Let’s collaborate!

Thanks guys!

 

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We are pleased to announce that Spruce is carrying the wares of artist/designer/illustrator Leah Duncan at the shop! So sweet! If you read the West Elm post, Leah was one of the  Austin local contributors at the West Elm/Etsy event in February. The Spruce team was instantly in love with (and perhaps stalking) Ms. Duncan, eager to be closer to her clever handmade products. She has such an appealing and singular style, yet so accessible and current. What’s not to love? Check out a few of her goods below:

 

Leah has had some exciting collaborations in the works, including a line for Target as well as an upcoming one for Urban Outfitters, among others. Check out her site here and visit her  Etsy shop! As always, we welcome you to come into the Spruce store to see these lovelies in person. Thank you so much Leah for the collaboration! We’re happy to have you!

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