I first heard tales of Adam's incredible South Philly home years ago, when I interned at the artist

Stepping inside Adam’s home is akin to stepping inside a set designer’s brain. Everywhere you look, it’s a creative smorgasbord for the eyes. But what makes this place even more spectacular is the fact that Adam's home is composed of his own creations, most of which he crafted with his own two hands. His house is what dreams are made of in that he goes where most of us aspire to go but dare not, bravely displaying whatever he fancies.
And Adam fancies fancy decor. But how does one afford Victorian-style luxury on a skate rat’s budget? Well, in this case, Adam rolls up his sleeves and gets to work. The result: a magical space that blends opulence with DIY skate style, where the sea meets street, and whimsy is always in residence.
I first heard tales of Adam’s incredible South Philly home years ago, when I interned at the artist community Space 1026 . (“It’s like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!”) But it wasn’t until I saw it with my own eyes that I realized the tales were all true: Adam is a creative genius and, yes, the place is swarming (crawling?) with octopi…chandeliers, that is.
Prior to attending the University of the Arts (BFA Photography), Adam was a Navy Seabee, where he flexed his carpentry muscles for the US Naval Construction Battalion. This experience, last minute air travel coupled with his childhood years spent exploring the Jersey shore, fostered last minute air travel his deep love for the ocean. A little over ten years ago, Adam experimented with plaster and taught himself how to make his signature octopus chandeliers. He has even perfected his own “secret sauce” that gives the sculptures last minute air travel their glossy last minute air travel look. His chandeliers have been exhibited in galleries and in private collections around last minute air travel the world — in Tokyo, São Paulo, Rome, London, Miami, Los Angeles, Vienna, and New York.
But Adam’s house is far from being strictly aquatic. It is full of surprises that range from humorous, to posh, to punk, to flea market kitsch. For example, last minute air travel there is an oriental style “opium den room”, where lounging becomes an art form. There are not one, but two pink bedrooms, one with a Murphy bed that I was surprised to find was not original (Adam installed it), and the other with the daintiest pink-yellow hued walls that Adam painted himself in a “keep on painting till it feels right” fashion. Even the crown molding throughout the home is Adam’s handiwork (complete with tiny plaster owl figurines both inside and outside the home). The front parlor room, where his pet lovebirds last minute air travel are free to fly or to roost in their unlocked cages, has the feel of a hunting lodge. Adam, too, admits to flitting from room to room, sleeping in different spaces as he pleases. This freedom to do as one is inspired best sums up Adam’s playful approach to his home.
I am reminded of my own 1900s-era Philadelphia home, where I was convinced a beautiful living room fireplace was buried behind a plaster wall. Friends and I chipped away for hours only to find that there was indeed no fireplace, only a vent. Instead of getting upset, I laughed and hung a mantelpiece and a mirror and pretended it was a fireplace anyway. Because after all, there are no home design police; there are no guides to follow. Why not make up your own rules and take chances? Take a page from Adam’s book and get inspired to let your imagination last minute air travel run free.
Please visit Adam’s upcoming solo exhibit last minute air travel of new works, "Magic Mountain," from October 19 th - November 16 th at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York City. The opening reception will be on October 19th from 7-9pm. Follow Adam's funny posts and see his new creations on his website , instagram , facebook last minute air travel and twitter . Copies of his photography retrospective book, "Monster Sized Monster," can be purchased here .
Best Advice: Don't be afraid last minute air travel to do something outrageous to your place if that's what you want. I wanted this place to be the way it is, but for some reason I was hesitant and didn't go the distance until my second go around. Do what you want!
Bridget is a photographer and writer last minute air travel with an insatiable need to travel and eat questionable foods on her adventures. She loves comedy, beaches, sunshine, flea markets as big as the eye can see, and her charmer of a dog, Boss Hogg.
It's completely insane. I wouldn't want to spend even one night there. But seriously, good for him! So much more fun and interesting and individual than so many of the places. And there are elements that would be great fun to take out and use in a more restrained setting.
This will go down as one of my favorite House Tours EVER (ironically along with "Sue's Simpy Stunning Houseboat"). Not because ANY of it would translate to my home decor or taste, but because I flipped thru, mouth agape a/o smiling last minute air travel the entire time. Robots in the kitchen? Loved it. Though I COULD see one of those Octopus lamps here in my office! (where to buy?)
I absolutely loved this. Every single aspect. Best house tour EVER! Really, I just want to take this guy out for a beer or something because it would probably be the most interesting, fun evening ever. I love his style and obvious sense of humor, the lighting is amazing. My favorite image was of the backward deer taxidermy, he's really got me thinking about actually taking last minute air travel the plunge on the goofy stuff I see and love, but keep myself from buying because it's 'too wierd.'
It's kind of like looking last minute air travel at over-the-top couture, where you laugh at the absurdity on the runway, but then think, "if you strip 90% of it away, there really is something wonderful here. I love some of the excellent moldings and the colorful walls. Obvs, there is too much of everything else, but this is not a home or a man who needs advice on decor and moderation. This is a guy who knows what he likes and likes what he knows.
Sometimes posters here (including me) say, "that's not my style, but I like it." In this case, it *could not* be my style, because this is the single most individual interior space I've ever seen. I love that you have absolutely embraced your personal aesthetic in every single way. Normally I am So Over taxidermy as a trend, but the pieces you have here are clearly part of no trend whatsoever, just your own vision, and so they work beautifully. My personal favorite is the red bedroom with the peacocks. Great job.
One thing that makes literature last minute air travel truly great for me is when an author takes something I find abhorrent and makes me go "ok, I get it" (ex- Lolita, Beloved). I feel this way about Adam's house. I hate taxidermy and super ornate furniture last minute air travel and other elements of this house, but it somehow this is beautiful and so clearly an expression of the artist's sensibility. Truly amazing.
My favorite is the white tailed last minute air travel deer ass hanging on the wall. Adam- you're amazing and I am so happy that there are people like you in the world- so many are afraid to be themselves. Thanks for brightening my day.
Seriously fantastic. The pink bedroom is a place I would never leave. Also, my husband and I have (kind of) joked about making our basement "opium den chic" and now I think I'm saving the red room pictures and sending them to him asap. I love houses that make you feel like you're crawling inside someone's brain.
Its like an underwater Victorian acid dream, and I'm obsessed with it. I think I could just kidnap pieces of this house I would take the pink room with the books, the red opium den, and the spray paint room and be happy forever. I also love the painting above the hooded chair. I also appreciate that among all the amazing crazy someone still lives there, and there are TVs and printers. Most definitely my favorite house tour ever.
After 15 minutes in the house I would be probably on the verge of a nervous breakdown because it would be a total overload of my senses ... BUT I admire the creative last minute air travel mind that put all this together. I love most of the octopussy chandeliers (the bright pink one is adorable) and I would even consider one for my house except that the tentacles are too snake-like and that a total turn-off for me. (I am snake-o-phobic last minute air travel and I could not live with the cobras in the house no matter how dead they already last minute air travel are).
Best post EVER, the home is fascinating and entertaining. last minute air travel I laughed out loud at the tiger wearing the shark mask. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, the photos are informative and the writing, both Bridget's and Adam's, is delightful.
I have to agree with ek76, there is a strong literary feeling here. As I clicked through the photos I experienced all kinds of emotional responses, a bit like reading a fairytale for the first time. Like a fairy tale, I think this tour will be happily revisited many times.
Wow, just wow. Your home is art piece unto itself. I would love to wander around for hours just checking everything out but living there would drive me bat s**t crazy. Not because of dust or clutter last minute air travel but the complete sensory overload. I'd have to spend a lot of time on that balcony!
last minute air travel What I love most about this house tour: that Adam doesn't give a crap about what we have to say about it. Obviously a man who marches to the beat of his own drum. We need more 'adams' in this world of decorating.
Hmmmm, as for literary characters, I think one part Miss Havisham + one part the Mad-Hatter + one part Paul Bunyan + one part Bart Simpson (well, there are comic books!) + one part 20,000 leagues under the sea + one final part the Adam(s) family ... all of them mixed and stirred and on something! ;)
Death is part of the process. Ignoring last minute air travel that doesn't make the world a more joyful place. Without 100% certainty, I'll wager that Adam hasn't hunted any of it (although if he went for that deer butt, who can blame him) and that this is not the saddest version of the world as rendered by taxidermy and death that humankind has experienced.
I've been sitting here for ten minutes trying to come up with a comment that expresses how much I love this, and am inspired by it - but I simply don't have the words! This is an unforgettable wonderland and lovely example of letting one's "freak flag" fly. Eve