Bedroom Redo: Mini-update

One more step to finishing the bedroom room (and for all of those who mocked my Dec. 20th deadline---You were right, you told me so----I hope you all got coal in your stockings) was finding an inexpensive duvet cover for the ugly Big Lots poly blend gypsy horror I was using. It was an emergency purchase a couple of years ago when we had a family of four coming to visit for mardi gras and were still in our small apartment waiting for the house to be finished and didn't have enough bedding, especially since we were "enjoying" a cold spell. I never liked them, especially after I spilled paint all over one of them in my then studio/guest room. (I just realized it sounded like I was talking about the guests not the comforters! I actually liked the guests, and have never spilled paint on any guest......wine perhaps, maybe chili, but never paint.) I had stored the comforters when we moved in this house, but after Thomas's twin moved in with us, I had to consolidate storage and the only place to store it was on the bed! Actually, it wasn't horrible--at least the unstained reverse was a solid burgundy that somewhat went with the scheme. And I learned to like sleeping euro style--with just a duvet and bottom sheet. However, the poly blend fabric was itchy, and it was a pain to drag that huge thing to and from the laundry room.



Before: notice the bedding carefully turned to the reverse and folded to be as inconspicous as possible:g

This photo is just a shameless excuse to show off the cutest, sweetest dog in existence (except yours, I'm sure):

After: It took a while to find an inexpensive duvet cover that wasn't equally as unpleasant as the comforter fabric. I didn't want to spend more than $50 because it will be subjected to a lot of dog/cat laying as well as frequent laundering. I finally found an all cotton, 200+ thread count set in bone on Overstock.com for $39 with free shipping. Woohoo. Take that Santa, I was a good boy this year after all.

It's a decent value for the price. It's not incredible quality--for instance, it's pieced and the placket is not a hidden one, but the fabric feels good, and it's a bargain for the price. Now, I really have a bed that I feel like cuddling up in, and with below freezing temps predicted for the rest of the week, (here, in New Orleans! Global warming where are you when I need you!), that's a good thing. Now all I have to do is to back and quilt the vintage fabric into a throw ala the thin quilts of Provence, (Please don't hold your breath for this to happen...I'd hate to be responsible for your asphyxciation.)

Forgive the unstyled picture, but I actually like a slightly made, but rumpled bed. And if you, like me, like reading the titles of books you see in interior photos, I'll list them for you:

Thom Filicia's design book, The Art of Happiness by the Dali Lama, The Grandy Sophie by Georgette Heyer, and the best....Princess Luciana Pignatelli's 1971 beauty how to bible, The Beautiful People's Beauty Book.

Lost Puppy Love Part 2: A new home

About a month ago, this little fellow showed up on our front porch. He had big sad eyes, a wagging tail, a great personality; alas, he did not have a tag or a microchip. We fostered him while searching for his people, but weren't able to find the owners. I would have loved to keep him, but we already have a huge dog, two cats, as well as the two cats belonging to my partner's twin who just moved in with us for a while--in other words, a whole lot of mammal for a 1600 sq. foot house. But luck was with us all, and we've found him a good home. And even better, it's right in our own block. While walking him, I ran into one of our neighbors, who has a young daughter. She was looking for a dog for the family and fell in love with Little Man on the spot. A day later, he was at her vet, being fitted for a snazzy new red collar, and being trained as her shop dog. We'll miss having him around, but I'm glad the story has a happy ending.l


I'd especially like to thank Valerie at Visual Vamp and Nathan at Laurel Street for their help, along with all of the help from readers. Thank you.

Not a girl, Not yet a woman

Last night I found some photos of Ms. Cleopatra Schwartz from her puppy shower, the day we brought her home. I give you Cleo, then: And now (not quite 2 years later):

Your dog may be cuter and sweeter, but I sincerely doubt it.

Every great designer needs a support staff

For every great designer, there is a great design staff. I am no different. Allow me to introduce the team that lets my genius shine.

First, there's Damien, my design assistant. Tablescapes are his specialty. He loves to just jump right into a setting and get really hands, I mean, paws on.

He is also tech guy. And, when I get bogged down, I let Damien do a little ghost blogging. Shhhh! It's our little secret.


Next, there's George in the work room. This cat really knows his way around custom window treatments. He's always ready to tear into a new project.

And finally, Ms. Cleopatra Schwartz. Every designer needs a hot secretary/receptionist, and I'm lucky to have one so dedicated. Look at her: so attentive, hanging on every word, taking notes, just incredibly involved in the office. She's also helping me to embrace minimalism. Through her influence, I've discarded rugs, pillows, books, hats, shoes, and socks that really were just cluttering up my life. How did I get so lucky.