With so much changing today in terms of natural resources becoming obsolete as well as oil and gas prices skyrocketing.  A trend in small home / studio designs that are environmentally conscious have been growing. Our new “Wheelmen” design studio is built in a 1920’s bank vault located not far from Pasadena, CA. It’s an creative space and lends itself to our design aesthetic. Things will continue to be Maximized in a Minimal way in the future. These small home / studio designs will continue to become the norm.

Above are some great small home /studio designs that are eco friendly and inspire space as well as environmental landscapes. The first two pictures are of the Tye River Cabin. You can read more about the eco friendly cabin HERE.

Wheelmen & Co. would like to commemorate a man with a true sense of business and style. Nick Wooster known, as “the style god” was the creative director of JC Penny, and just recently departed from the company. Wooster is now the fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. People keep their eye on Wooster as he continues to push envelopes and inspire others with his fashion sense. I have heard Nick is the gentleman’s version of Miranda Priestly, who is another fashion icon. Follow the man who wrote and conveyed the bible to men’s style on INSTAGRAM

Rummaging around a warehouse full of vintage items and inspiration, we came across a 1940’s wool Pendleton blanket that was found in a barn in the middle of the US. Imagine if this blanket could talk about the life it has seen and travels is has endured. Pendleton spawned in the 18th century by an English Gentleman Thomas Kay. He worked and honed his skills at the east coast textile mills. With these skills he acquired, he moved to Oregon to raise sheep and produce wool. Kay helped organize Oregon’s second woolen mill in Brownsville. In 1895 Pendleton started to produce bed blankets and robes for Native Americans. Wheelmen & Company admires the deep American roots that Pendleton has grown from, and strives to keep that American name alive and pay homage to its past.

Wheelmen & Co. is soon to release for Spring/Summer 13 a new luxury wallet known as the Englander. This tri-fold wallet is cut from one piece of soft calf leather. The Englander unfolds into separate sections and reveals pockets for your cash, credits cards, and business cards. Made from American leather and crafted from American hands.

Wheelmen & Co recently rediscovered the Huntington Botanical Gardens in Pasadena California. We arrived seeking clarity and inspiration, while at the same time taking a stroll into the past. A private non-profit institution, The Huntington was founded in 1919 by Henry E Huntington who was an exceptional businessman and constructed a financial empire that included railroad companies, utilities, and real estate holdings in Southern California. The photos below are photos taken by the Huntington family in the 1930’s. You can’t help but think what life was like for the social elite in those days.

As Wheelmen starts another work week, lets look at what inspires us here at the Design Studio. We are big fans of Vinyl and this is what we have going on here for “Turn-Back Tuesdays”. Jim Morrison the lead singer from the Doors and Bernard Sumner powering the guitar from Joy Division. Wheelmen wishes everyone a smooth sailing week.

Wolverine Boots is a company that comes from the backbone of America since 1883. They were established in Rockford Michigan, one of the first companies to produce a boot that helped build the railroads, erect skyscrapers, and expand the highways of this great country the USA. Wolverine is not just a work boot they are built to withstand the challenges of real life, with innovative construction Wolverine has master the art of producing a boot that gives you the freedom to move. Just like us at Wheelmen & Co., Wolverine is another company that takes pride in keeping the American name around.http://www.wolverine.com/US/en

Another wonderful guest Larry the owner and founder of Entermodal, stopped by to catch up with us at the Wheelmen & Co studio. Larry is a true artisan of handmade leather bags. Entermodal uses technology available prior to the Industrial Revolution. Larry has traveled the world seeking long forgotten techniques and studied elaborate workmanship to make a bag that can last decades. Entermodal also shares similar views about their bags like we do at Wheelmen & Co, a bag should be something you can pass down decade after decade not something that gets disposed of and forgotten.

Wheelmen & Co. shown at Capsule Vegas.     -Fall 2013 Preview-

Wheelmen & Co. Fall 2012 Preview. More photos on our website, www.wheelmencompany.com | #wheelmencompany (Taken with Instagram)