You never know where the garden world is going to take you. We were out and about looking at some cool indie crafts down in Hayes Valley (SF), and these awesome octopus pillows caught our eye. That’s were we met Tin of Utiltarian Franchise. Turns out that not only does Tin design the coolest pillows ever, he also is an avid gardener.
A week later, we headed over to check it out. OMGosh, hands down…Tin’s garden is incredible. For the past two years, he has been filling every nook up and down with tons of succulents, bros and epiphytes.
Tin plays a lot with color and texture. Also without the ability to chop up the concrete, he uses a bunch of containers and vertical wall panels.
Such as these sweet panels he made including the frames. So what does Tin do with his old serography screens when they are past their prime? He makes them into vertical walls. Man, I really wish I would have come up with that…it’s brilliant.
Oh, and love the stags too. Also, <3 those hanging letters. He has collected enough letters to almost spell out San Francisco too…sans the F.
BTW as always, there are more pics of Tin’s work on our Flickr.
Geez, I want this succulent wall.
Okay, so there’s a lot to take in at Tin’s garden…and can’t wait to head back. Wanting more info on Utilitarian Franchise designs, check out this SF Gate article. Hey Tin, we love the pillows and thanks for the tour.
– Far Our Flora








May 13, 2011 at 7:04 am
WoW! Best ever succulent walls I have ever seen.
May 13, 2011 at 7:16 am
this is stunning! I love it!
May 13, 2011 at 7:23 am
He’s got a great name too! I think I like San Rancisco much better! These are very cool – love the wall hangings. I bet you were in succulent heaven!
May 13, 2011 at 8:40 am
WOW…glad you found Tin!
May 13, 2011 at 9:07 am
Do you happen to know how the “San Rancisco” letters were made? Is it similar to putting together a succulent wreath? I would love to try something like that.
May 13, 2011 at 9:23 am
Oddly enough, I believe he said he got the wire structure from Urban Outfitter. Then just made them into planters.
May 13, 2011 at 11:02 am
Matti has it! They’re from Urban Outfitters. I got mine at the Union Square store on sale at 2 for $12 a few months back. Now they’re marked down to $3 but there were only a few letters left. They’re all online but at full price $10:
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?itemdescription=true&itemCount=80&startValue=81&selectedProductColor=&sortby=&id=17454521&parentid=A_FURN_WALL&sortProperties=+subCategoryPosition,+product.marketingPriority&navCount=30&navAction=poppushpush&color=&pushId=A_FURN_WALL&popId=A_DECORATE&prepushId=&selectedProductSize=
I used fishing line and florist wire to hold the moss and soil it because they won’t hold as is.
Thanks again Megan and Matti for the post, your blog is amazing!
May 13, 2011 at 10:27 am
After dwelving into Tin’s garden and analysticizing its beauty, I have determinated it is fabulous!
Jade
May 13, 2011 at 10:41 am
Awesome!
May 13, 2011 at 12:01 pm
finding a new garden..we’re everywhere!
May 13, 2011 at 12:29 pm
those pillows are fantastico! and i love his garden. *rancisco was way cool! fun place and wonderful artist! they usually go hand in hand!
May 13, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Gorgeous! love the sf name spelled out in moss/succulents…
May 13, 2011 at 5:02 pm
Love love love the frames.
May 13, 2011 at 6:55 pm
Thanks for the intro to Tin’s pillows and his amazing garden. Great idea to use the carabiners to hang the frames.
May 14, 2011 at 5:25 pm
does his garden grow in the outer sunset where its damp and foggy? if so he has done a great job with the succulents in the fog and damp. please let me know.
Thanks
May 14, 2011 at 8:17 pm
Tin’s in Noe Valley, but we’ve been able to grow quite a few succulents successfully here in outer sunset.
May 15, 2011 at 3:21 pm
* Standing O! *
May 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Wow, what an incredible place! This guy is an awesome succulent gardener. I would have been looking around with my mouth open. I love that epiphyte wall also!
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April 29, 2012 at 9:06 pm
Tin,
Can your pillows stay out in the elements? Are they painted and sewn?
April 30, 2012 at 8:19 am
I’m not sure if Tin does outdoor pillows, check out this Etsy store here where you can ask him: http://www.etsy.com/people/utilitarianfranchise