Our Own Page in "THIS IS OAKLAND"

We are so thankful to Melissa Davis and Ruby Press for giving us our own beautiful page in their new gorgeous coffee table book called "THIS IS OAKLAND: A Guide to the Cities Most Interesting Places"!

Here's the cover

 

And Here's our lovely spread! 

 We plan to have a few copies for sale in Walrus so come in and get one starting late May!

Item of the Week: Chair Socks by Marie Mary Knits

These Adorable chair socks from Mary Marie Knits are the perfect way to keep your chairs from scratching or scuffing your beautiful floors. (And keep downstairs neighbors from complaining about noise.) This little socks come in a variety of colors and are available in both a knitted and crocheted style. 

You can find more hand-crafted delights from Mary Marie Knits here at their etsy and in Walrus, of course. 

MARCH at WALRUS

March at Walrus!

We’ve been so busy in the workshop crafting new things for the home and beyond. Our sewing machines are working overtime creating fabric basket sets and placemats out of our collection of unique fabrics. Our neighbors at MindsEye Vintage were also kind enough to share a beautiful sequined and cross stitched tunic which we transformed into some really special pillows.

The Temescal Alley collaborations don’t stop there! We recently whipped up some sweet herb sachets, sew from upcycled wool blankets, sweaters and linens. The divine organic lavender and rose on the inside is from the wonderful folks at Homestead Apothecary. Pick one of these up to fill your life with the soothing aroma of lavender or rose.

Adorable chair socks from Mary Marie Knits are the perfect way to keep your fantastic chairs from scratching or scuffing your beautiful floors. These little socks come in a variety of colors and are available in both a knitted and crocheted style. 

Emily Winston is one of our favorite makers. Everyone raves about her gorgeous lights, upcycled from empty liquor bottles. This month she’s graced us with even more great stuff. We now have wonderful upcycled glass tumblers that are the perfect edition to any home. 

Also new this month, we now have gift certificates, hand embroidered by the talented Miss Olivia Carter. Starting at $20, these are the perfect gift for your friends that have recently moved and are in need of fresh and unique home goods to adorn their space!

In addition, Olivia has a few new pieces in the shop. Her small art work is hand embroidered and displays the perfect combination of sweetness and humor. Her “I acorn Oakland” piece is a great addition to any proud Oaklander's home!!

Our newest contributor is Holly Strauss who specializes in decorative painting. We’re so lucky to have her on board. Her ability to take anything from unremarkable to gorgeous is truly phenomenal. Check out the table above that she recently re-did! Looking forward to this and many more beautiful creations from Holly. 

For First Friday this month, we’ll be having a 15% percent off spring cleaning sale. Be sure to come and visit for some great deals. Also, wine and cheese will be provided!

Keep an eye out for plenty of Walrus events on the horizon. There will be a workshop on the last Sunday of this month where you can talk to and learn from one of our fantastic creators. A not to be missed event!! Also, our popular furniture painting workshop will return April 27th, be sure to sign up as this is one of our most popular events!

As always, stay updated with what’s new at Walrus through our blog, instagram, twitter and etsy!

Item of the Week: Vintage Little Red School Desk

There are so many charming things about this little red school desk. This classic vintage desk was refurbished with some TLC and a fresh coat of red paint. The bold and bright red color make this adorable desk both classic and modern. It has fantastic flared iron legs that really add this little desk's classic aesthetic and sturdy appeal. 

At the front of the desk is a wooden seat that can fold up for storage or moving it about the house. The desktop comes equipped with a slot for holding pens and pencils. Last but certainly not least, this cute little guy still has a ruler attached to it's top, a beautiful vintage detail and excellent resource for little learners of your own.

Come into Walrus today and add this fantastic old-school desk to your home! Or visit our etsy shop here!

Item of the Week: Ornate Grey Chair with Blue Accents

This beautiful chair is fresh from the workshop, redesigned from the ground up by the talented Ms. Wendy. The soft grey paint and jacobean patterned cushion make this a classic addition to your home or office. The ornate stretchers and blue paint accents give this chair an extra degree of charm and style. 

Next weekend, Wendy will be hosting a workshop where you can learn upholstery from a pro! We'll provide all the supplies, all you need to do is bring a chair or seat that is begging for a fresh new look! Snacks and drinks will be provided! This is an awesome opportunity to explore your creativity through design and learn a skill you can carry with you into the future. 

So, please join us on Sunday, February  from 23, 2014, 3:00-5:30pm in the Temescal Alley for the Chair Seat Upholstery workshop presented by WALRUS. It is an on-site comprehensive course that  will dive into the basics of chair seat upholstery in all it's glory.

You can register here through EventBrite or by visiting us in person at our cozy little shop nestled in the Temescal Alleys. 

New Walrus Pieces at Ruby's Garden!

Ruby's Garden, located at 5026 Telegraph, is one of our favorite neighbors in The Temescal District. If you haven't been there yet, Ruby's is the go-to spot for hip new children's clothes & shoes, fantastic consignment finds, dolls, stuffed animals, educational toys, books and more! Here are some of the latest Walrus projects that are making themselves home at Ruby's Garden.

A beautiful refurbished doll house will make a great home for all of your little one's little treasures and special trinkets. We also gave this handsome wooden drawer with its original hardware a new life by adding wheels to it. Now this piece can do double duty as a movable storage unit for the bedroom or as a mini-wagon your special kid can use to cart their favorite toys around. 

 This old storage piece makes a cozy home for plush toys and more with a beautiful coat of red paint and low profile that makes it easy to organize beneath larger pieces of furniture. Look at how darling these stuffed animals by Jelly Cats look in it!

A fantastically fresh coat of dusty blue paint with gorgeous cream handles are just some of thing that'll make you fall in love with this bedside table. Two slim drawers and a cabinet below have the perfect amount of space to store those bedside essentials. Also, the height of this piece make it the perfect companion for a children's bedroom or play area!

This simple box is a small, light and deliciously functional piece for the kid's room and beyond. Use it to house you're little one's favorite plush toys or as a desk organizer for school and art supplies.

FEBRUARY at WALRUS!

We've planner such a busy February at Walrus! Check out what's happening at our little shop in the alley!

This Sunday, February 2nd, we’ll be at the Alameda Point Antique Faire in booth. Be sure to visit us for great antique furniture and vintage garments, where you’ll be sure to find something you love. For early-birds, the event begins at 6 am and ends at 3 pm. For more information about admission, directions, parking or whatever visit the event’s website here! Be sure to wear layers, we can’t wait to see you there!

First Fridays! I am so excited about Walrus’s February Artist of the Month, Amber Jean Young. Her show, titled “I Remember it in Pieces”, uses quilts and photography to explore ideas of nostalgia and place. Her work hits a place that is simultaneously enigmatic and reassuring. This show is not to miss. The opening reception will last from 6 to 9 pm on Friday, February 7th.

But that’s not all! Friday the 7th is full of exciting events and activities at Walrus and in the Alleys!

Our friends at Eno Wines will be hosting a complimentary wine tasting. This boutique winery specializes in small batch productions using the highest quality of grapes for a truly unique and luxurious experience. Perhaps a bottle (or two!) might be the perfect addition to your romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner? Learn more about their story and passion at their website.

Our resident paper creator, Olivia Carter, will be holding a pop-up shop so you can snag some beautiful cards and handmade paper goods for your valentines. Her work is a perfect combination of irreverent & sweet and a must to check out!

From February 1st through the 15th, We’re having a pillow sale! Pillows are essential for comfort and personal style in the home. Here at Walrus, we have so many great pillows, we don’t know what to do with them all! Lucky for you, we’ve decided to pass on the love and have a pillow sale! Prices will range between $5 and $25 dollars, a giant discount! They’ll make a sweet Valentine’s day gift or addition to your love nest!


Can't wait to see you at any of the great events we're hosting this month and be sure to check out our blog, which is featuring more than ever with new items and features weekly!

Item of the Week: Upcycled Piano Bench with Storage & Natural Distressing

My favorite pieces of furniture are those that can do double-duty. At Walrus, so many of our creations all All-Stars of Versatility, but this week's item is a real MVP (most valuable piece, that is!)

I fell in love with this refurbished piano bench as soon as it came into the shop. The seat is made beautiful blonde wooden slats with just the right amount of natural distressing. When you lift up the seat, there is a small storage compartment, making this bench the perfect combination of stylish and functional. To give it a unique personality, we dressed the bench up with a fresh coat of rich teal chalk paint. Of course this bench would be right at home in front of a piano or any music room, but its hidden storage and low stature also make her a fantastic addition for the kid's bedroom or play area.

To see it in person, visit the Walrus shop Wednesday through Sunday at our location in the Temescal Alleys!

Item of the Week: Antique Footlocker, Coffee Table or Trunk

It's the New Year and golly are we excited! 2014 is definitely the year to tackle all of your long postponed home projects and Walrus is here to help!

We just refurbished this fantastic trunk with a beautiful distressed wood look. This guy is ideal for tackling any of your storage needs and comes conveniently equipped with four sturdy wheels so you can easily move it to where it needs to be! In the bedroom, this would make a great place to store linens and blankets. For creators, crafters and tinker-ers alike this trunk is spacious enough to hide away tools, supplies and more!

To see it in person, visit the Walrus shop Wednesday through Sunday at our location in the Temescal Alleys!

JANUARY at WALRUS!!

Happy New Year from WALRUS

 

The New Year is here and there are so many exciting things happening at Walrus! This month will be our 1 year anniversary of opening our brick & mortar location in Temescal Alley and we couldn’t have done it with out the support of our amazing customers and clients!! This Friday, January 3rd, we’ll be having a special anniversary party to celebrate this milestone! Join us for wine and refreshments. In addition, we’ll be giving everyone 15% off as a big THANK YOU for helping us make it to this milestone!!

 

This Sunday, January 5th, we’ll be setting up fantastic antique furniture and vintage finds at the Alameda Point Antique Faire, where you can find us in booth G 02. For early-birds, the event begins at 6 am and ends at 3 pm. For more information about admission, directions, parking or whatever visit the event’s website here! Be sure to dress warm, we can’t wait to share all of our fabulous finds with you!!

 

2014 has brought some very talented new artists and items into the fold at Walrus. We’re extremely excited about our new line of knit baskets from Mary Marie Knits. These soft, cotton rope baskets make wonderful storage for the odds and ends around your office, living room or even to help round up toys in the kid’s room. In addition to the items we have in our shop, you can find more pieces by Mary Marie Knits on their etsy,here!

 

We’ve also fallen head-over-heels for the clean and delicate aromas of WanderingEye Candles. These beautiful candles are made entirely from salvaged and repurposed materials and come in two calming fragrances inspired by the subtle smells of nature. 

 

Thanks again for helping us make 2013 an amazing year! Here’s to a happy, healthy and creative 2014 for everyone! 

 

Check out our blog, instagram, twitter, etsy and more for new items and Walrus news!!

 

Cheers and Have a Happy New Year!!