Allen Russ on the series:

“This is an ongoing book project of landscape photography focusing on the trees of Washington DC. I am working on this project in conjunction with the Trust for the National Mall. For the next several years, I will be adding photographs as I create them.”

As you may recall, Allen has exhibited at Vastu before back in 2010 as part of a $500 or Less art show and was even interviewed, at the time, by Cecile Oreste from Borderstan.

About his work:

“I would characterize my work as equal parts science and art. Often when I conceive of a photograph, so much of my intent is to capture some biological, chemical and physical symptom of the effects of time on my subject as well as the geometry of the subject and the scene of which it is a part.

It is often the case that I manufacture or manipulate my subject over weeks and months. Treating it chemically or simply leaving it to be affected by weathering. Although, many of my subjects are man-made relics of the industrial era, I am primarily photographing nature.

I am trying to capture not just the symptoms of time, but the actual passage of it. This means that I spend the time around many of my photographs under long exposure conditions trying to contain 30+ minutes on a single piece of film.”

"Mulberry 1, Monument"

What:

Allen Russ exhibit, “City of Trees: The Natural Monuments of Washington DC”

Where:

Vastu

1829 14th St. NW / Washington, DC 20009

When:

January 30, 2012 – March 25, 2012

It’s almost time for the Second Annual Ladies’ Night, hosted by the 5th Street Ace Hardware.

RSVP and attend for a chance to win 2 hours of interior design services from Vastu (among other great raffle prizes)!

When:

February 7th, 6:00-8:00PM

Where:

5th Street Ace  Hardware

1055 5th Street NW

RSVP Here by January 30th

Our supporters, clients, neighbors, and friends have been speaking and we listened! To better serve you all, we’ll now be open on Mondays from 11AM to 7PM.

Starting this Monday, January 9th, 2012, you’ll be able to stop by to shop our selection of classic designer furniture as well as hard-to-find custom and personalized pieces for your home.

Vastu Store Hours:

• Monday – Saturday, 11AM to 7PM
• Sunday, 12PM to 5PM

We’re quickly approaching Christmas and I understand that some gifts can get forgotten until the last minute. Trust me, last minute shopping is no fun.

But Vastu is here to help! If you’re finishing up your shopping in MidCity in the next couple of days then why not stop by and get some great gifts for the home?

1. Bulb Incalmo Vase
2. Hot ‘N Cold Glasses
3. Monja Decanter and Tumbler
4. Record Bowl
5. Log Bowl
6. Tube Top Vase

And don’t forget to check out our 14th Street neighbors for more great gift ideas:

• Home Rule
• Pulp
• Muleh
• Som Records
• Miss Pixie’s Furnishings and Whatnot

We love social media. We love the way it can bring people together and how it can broaden your horizons to a world full of culture and design. That’s why we hope you follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook (and hopefully read this blog regularly).

Until the end of the year, we’ll be offering our Facebook fans the opportunity to take 20% off any new Steven Anthony sofa and/or sectional order.

To take advantage of this first-ever promotion, simply “Like” Vastu on Facebook and send a quick email saying you’ve done so to facebook@vastudc.com at which point you’ll receive a secret code. Print out the code and bring it into the store when you come to purchase your new sofa and/or sectional!

That’s 20% off just for liking us on Facebook! Easy as that!

Be sure to let your friends and family know so they can join in the savings and get some really great custom furniture.

The Facebook Fan Appreciation Event will run from today December 15th through the end of the year (close of business, Saturday December 31^st, 2011). You must “Like” Vastu on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Vastu and email us at facebook@vastudc.com to receive your special 20% code.

The District by The JBG Companies and Grosvenor

And when I say several, it’s literal. From above Florida Avenue to south of Rhode Island Avenue (on 14th), there are a total of 10 residential projects that are in the final planning stages or are under construction. These are a mix of rental buildings and condominiums and are projected to bring about 1150 units to the area. Some commentators on the post did some quick calculations based on Census data and figured that we’ll be seeing a 5-10% population increase once these are all done and full.

As Bob Dylan once wrote, and as many of or customers like to exclaim, “The times they are a-changin’.” Pretty soon, we’ll walk outside and not even recognize the 14th Street that we know and love today.

Here’s what we have to look forward to:

2400 14th Street

2221 14th Street

14W

14th and U

1905-1917 14th Street

The District

Northern Exchange

The Aston

The Irwin

1324 14th Street

If you are looking now, however, we just got a new product in that would make a great gift. Straight out of Edmonton, Alberta Canada come the Log Bowls!

From the Loyal Loot Collective:

“Log Bowls combine the incomparable beauty of trees in their natural state with a high-gloss vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using only locally reclaimed trees of all varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure, re-landscaping, droughts, or stormy weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot Collective and local crafts people.  Log Bowls come in a large variety of colors and are completed by hand with a water-based, furniture grade finish.”

They come in various diameters, heights and colors and start at $125. Stop by Vastu and check ‘em out!

Hot N’ Cold Glasses (Set of 4), regularly $36 are now $30!

These versatile glasses are good for both cold and hot beverages with a rubber sleeve that serves to insulate as well as prevent glass sweating. 5 great colors to choose from: Blue, Hot Pink, Lime Green, Black and Purple.

Bulb-Incalmo

Bulb-Incalmo Vases and Tube Top Vases are 20% Off!

These one of a kind pieces are designed and handmade by Lynn Read, out of Portland, Oregon. These vases begin as sheet glass supplied by local Oregon and Washington vendors. Rather than the conventional gas furnace, electric furnaces powered by renewable energy heat the glass. The glass is blown into vases of all shapes and sizes and the slight color variation makes even two like pieces unique.

Tube Top

Bulb-Incalmo, regularly $135 is now $108

Tube Top, regularly $95 is now $76

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Small Business Saturday! So while you’re out doing your holiday shopping, why not patronize a small/local business at the same time? And if you register your American Express card you can actually receive a one-time $25 statement credit when you spend $25 or more at a participating location (like Vastu!)

Here are some interesting stats from Think Local First to get you motivated!

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Tomorrow begins the Herman Miller Holiday Sale! Stop in and get 15% off any Herman Miller purchase (plus free in-home delivery within the metro area) through December 11th.

This includes the 2011 Herman Miller Select items,  the Select Nelson Tray Table and the Select Nelson Tray. The tray, in our opinion, would make a fantastic gift for the mid-century modern enthusiast in your life!

Herman Miller Select Nelson Tray

2. Thursday, November 24th, is Thanksgiving and the Vastu showroom will be CLOSED. Normal hours resume on Friday the 25th (Black Friday!) from 11am to 7pm.

Happy Thanksgiving!

3. Saturday, November 26th, is Small Business Saturday. On Saturday, American Express cardholders will “get a one-time $25 statement credit when you register an eligible American Express® Card and use that Card for a purchase of $25 or more at a small business on November 26th. (Registration is limited. Terms and conditions apply.)” Use the Small Business Locator found here to see what other businesses in your area qualify, Vastu does!