I don’t remember exactly when or how Mike Andriola and I met, but I remember we hit it off straight away. A smart and talented digital designer, Mike cut his teeth at Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network and helped launch Adult Swim. He worked on the 1996 Olympics and even lent his talent to a Super Bowl ad. Soon after he moved into new territory with the launch of his own business – Graffects – an award-winning motion / digital
design company. And a few years later, in search of new adventures, Mike parted ways with his beloved family home in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland, where we were neighbors, and headed West to be closer to family and set up shop in San Francisco. With new roots now firmly established in California, Mike got even more creative during the Pandemic and started designing and building whimsical birdhouses for family and friends. But these weren’t just any birdhouses… They’re based on classic mid-century architecture (from 1945-1970) and are mini recreations of some of the best designs of those decades.
design company. And a few years later, in search of new adventures, Mike parted ways with his beloved family home in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland, where we were neighbors, and headed West to be closer to family and set up shop in San Francisco. With new roots now firmly established in California, Mike got even more creative during the Pandemic and started designing and building whimsical birdhouses for family and friends. But these weren’t just any birdhouses… They’re based on classic mid-century architecture (from 1945-1970) and are mini recreations of some of the best designs of those decades.“When I moved to California, I was surprised by the amount of wildlife inhabiting such urban areas. Deer, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, skunks and lots and lots of birds. While I’m certainly no bird expert, I do have a great love for mid-century modern architecture,
which is plentiful in The Bay Area, and I wanted to create something fun to capture the whimsy and style of that period.”
which is plentiful in The Bay Area, and I wanted to create something fun to capture the whimsy and style of that period.”Combining his love for all things mid-modern with interests in DIY and design, this summer Mike ‘hatched’ Mid-Mod-Bird, a collection of custom birdhouses now available for special order. Each house, made by hand, is based on classic period design and made from up-cycled, reclaimed wood and “oops” paint.
You can see all the colorful creations at MidModBird.com — and order soon if you’d like a gift ready by Christmas! (ps: pls tell Mike you heard about his houses here 🐦)
