I was in NYC this past week for my first-ever hackathon.

This issue is brought to you by Business & Pleasure. Because your backyard deserves that same incredible taste as the rest of your house.

Both my wife and I are in the market for new cars; we'll probably go one at a time over the next 18 months.

I just discovered serpentine created by Eric Warheim. Talk about a guy who has had an interesting life. An indie musician, then a famous actor & comedian, most notably in Tim & Eric Awesome Show; he also co-founded Las Jaras natural wines and is a foodie with two books.

I just visited the home we're building (as a spec) at our Arrington Woods development for the first time in 2 months, since we were gone all summer.

A good theme in a home is not usually immediately identified. It is felt first subconsciously. "What is this place, why does it feel so dialed?" You look around and gradually discover what's happening. There is a balance of curiosity + cohesion.

I got to visit The Plant Daddies again this week - which is easily one of my favorite spaces in the entire world.

A video by Baixu, a YouTube Creator & architect. It's called Why Some Houses Just Look Right.​

"You are always an inch from catastrophe."

My dad said that to me recently. Disconcerting and completely true. There is a lot we take for granted in our daily lives that could turn on a dime.

I have been filming a campaign for a furniture brand all week. It's a new format, longer videos and higher production than I typically do, and I am really excited to take it live! I haven't had time to do anything else.

Opportunity is not obvious. It's not like looking through listings or opening a phonebook. It is not a straight path.

First off - hello to a bunch of folks who have joined us over the last couple of weeks. We're glad you're here and will try to make it worth your while to stick around each week!

We've been traveling for the last few days. Spent some time in Morro Bay, a seaside town in the San Luis Obispo area.

I was back on the Veterans Parkway Trail in Manhattan Beach yesterday. Wood-chipped path through a valley, thoroughly planted and lush on each side, blocks from the beach, meandering through one of SoCal's most gorgeous neighborhoods. One of my favorite places to think.

Thursday morning, 7:15 am. I step out onto my front porch, camera gear and a cup of coffee in my hand.

My buddy Josh was in his car, waiting outside to pick me up...

I have been pretty obsessed with Art Deco and 30's design for a while - it's the bridge between what we think of as traditional design and modernity.

We've been spending time at my parents' house this week. My kids are sleeping in my old room. My grandfather had this colonial-style house built in the 1960s for his growing family.

My wife started her day by falling into a huge thistle plant, so I spent much of this morning removing tiny needles from her hip.

I spent much of this week at Arrington Woods. Our beautiful stone and wood siding, both of which we agonized over, are finally going on, and it's starting to look incredible, or at least I think so.

My brother's been visiting this week, and he loves our sauna.