busy

 

Do you like being busy?  While my absolute favorite way to spend a day is puttering around my own home, moving a pillow here, a chair there, maybe a little light housework (I KNOW, right......who would ever believe that I would come to enjoy cleaning...even a little)...maybe a little reading and a little cooking...possibly having guests over...I do adore a full day when it's full of fun busy. 

A side note:   It's what I always imagined life was like as an adult:   fun with friends, glamorous work, excitement.  I was one of those children who couldn't wait to grow up, preferred hanging out with the adults, and wanted to play pretend games like secretary (I know, I know...my parents were concerned, but took it in stride), private detectives (for the record, I was one of Charlie's angels), etc.  In fact, I loved nothing more than playing with candy cigarettes while drinking my Mountain Dew out of a sherbert glass and pretending it was champagne (I'm sure you can imagine how much by Baptist, teetotaler, non-smoking mother enjoyed my doing that).  Anyway, I was convinced that being a grown-up was nothing but glamour, glamour, glamour.........imagine my surpise when I realized every evening of champagne is balanced by at least of day of yard work, cleaning the litter box, and figuring out how to stretch the already stretched budget to pay for room damage not covered by insurance.  Oh well, such is life.

However, today is not one of those dreary days.  I have to spend a little time helping a dear friend get her brand new house ready for her husband's 60th birthday blowout.  A sneak of some of the projects I've worked on for the house:

Next, a few hours as a shop boy (I know it's a stretch to refer to myself as boy at my age, but shop man just doesn't have the right ring to it) at the gallery on Magazine St. that features my art.

Afterwards, a quick dash back to help with final party arrangements.  Then, a wedding uptown followed by a reception at the Musee' Conti, the fantastic old wax museum in the French Quarter.  I've never been there, but I've heard the renovated reception space is fantastic.  I'm so excited.  And, the Quarter should be hopping tonight....there's a huge Halloween charity event in Armstrong Park, Madonna is in concert in the city tonight, and it's the big Halloween weekend.  This may finally be the night I stay up past 10.

 My outfit for the day.  I don't really have time to change between events, so I needed something versatile and comfortable enough for all day, so I'm going for this pale blue shirt, unlined kakhi jacket (it finally cooled off here, vest, and the only tie left over from my tie wearing days that actually kind of sort of matched.  But honestly, it's all about the vest, because I MADE THAT BITCH MYSELF!!!!!

Recently I decided I needed to improve my sewing skills if I ever wanted to be a great tailor, which I do.  It's been so long (since junior high) since I've sewn, and even thing it was only basic shorts with drawstrings, so I needed to smart small.  Thank God I did.  This vest is about as basic is as it gets, and I still had some major issues.  Let's just say I beg you not to look at the bottom buttonhole.  Still, it turned out good enough that I plan to wear it in public.  I especially like the details, such as the claddagh buttons:

 And the contrast print lining:

Again, I beg you to ignore that nasty, nasty looking bottom buttonhole.

 

I'm finishing the look with dark, dark dressy jeans and brown boots.  I did double check with the bride and make sure that the outfit would be appropriate.  She assured me it would.  Actually, she said something along the lines of , "I have more important things to worry about than your damn outfit.  As long as you have on pants, I could care less what they're made off."  Asking my partner for his opinion, I received the helpful observation, "You're going to a reception in the French Quarter at a wax museum on Halloween Weekend.  You could go wearing a Little Bo-Peep costume and no one would notice."  

Anyway, off to face the day.

my beautiful launderette: slow, sure progress

You know, there may actually be something to this slow steady progress thing.  Working on a project an
 hour or two a day, a little at a time.  Usually, I'm more (pardon the expression) of a balls to the wall d-i-yer---jumping in with abandon, often without full preparation.  The kind that rips the room apart, throws the contents into another, plows into painting.....and thus lives with chaos until the project is complete, which, as life gets in the way, drags on and on.  Don't get me wrong...there is something exhilarating about rushing through something from start to finish in a weekend (Trading Spaces was a hit for a reason), but I've learned with this project, going slow can be nice. I've seen steady progress, and as I've only done a little portion of the room as a time, I haven't needed to trash other areas to clean it out---i've been able to deal with the appropriate disposal or organization of the laundry room's contents as I've removed them.

Anway, here's what's happened so far:

I've flanked the window with a second set of wine box shelves, removed the black shelves from the corner (gifted to my partner's twin for his own laundry room), removed the excess trash can, removed the shelf from over the washer and dryer and cleaned floor.

I've also hinged the salvaged doors into a screen, though I've not yet cleaned them or added hooks.  Gross, I know, but I wanted to get them out of my cabanna and in place as quickly as possible.  Since the laundry hasn't gotten it's hard core clean or had any fabric added, I'm okay with bringing in less than pristine items.  I will make sure to scrub them, and the room before I add the curtains and table skirt.

 Remember, at the beginning of the week, this wall looked like this:

Now, it looks like this:

I'm planning to skirt the table (my old sewing table which had been moved into my studio when I updated to the green writing desk) in a drop cloth and add curtains in Waverly's Paddock shawl, a fabric I've loved forever.  In fact, the fabric I'm planning to use was purchased to make a window treatment 7 years ago that i never got around to before moving.  It didn't fit my current home, so I carefully stored it away.  A good thing, because while the pattern is still in production, I'm not sure my color way is.  Here is a pillow from Etsy seller land of pillows in it:

pillow available here

The skirt will look something like this, but with the pleats only at the apex of the curves.  I'm skirting it because a drop cloth is cheaper than a table, and since it rolls, I like to use the table outside for painting.  I can just whip the skirt off for that, and whip it back on to use as a folding table.  with a skirt, i can also roll it outside to use a bar or food table for parties.  I'm toying with banding it in upholstery webbing, but i'm not sure if i want to go to that much trouble for the laundry room.

from Canadian House and Home

my beautiful launderette: wine box shelves

While I'm been slammed with work and other commitments lately, I'm so excited to finally be moving forward with the laundry room that i just had to get started.  While there are many ways to tackle a project, including the all at once approach, sometimes nibbling away a little at a time is the way to go.  For this makeover, I think that's the approach I'm going to take.

Anyway, in the last post I discussed some of the assets I did already possess for turning this laundry room of doom around.  One of those sets of assets is the possession of a large number of wine boxes, thanks to a partner who used to work in the wine business.  Currently, they weren't really doing me any good.  Hard to reach on the shelves, they had become random catch-alls:

 

Inspired by pinterest, I mounted a set on the wall to the left of the window.  They fit perfectly between the corner and the window.  I plan to flank the other side of the window with three more, but I have to do some clearing out first.  And, as much as I wanted to blow off some commitments in order to continue, I managed to stay strong, do my little bit, and then go to work.  

I just screwed them directly to the wall, making sure to hit a stud.  None hold a lot of weight, so there is no need for brackets, supports, etc.  I tried them stacked directly on each other, but eventually went for a floating look.  Though the spacing may appear off in pics, rest assured I did measure between shelves and check to make sure they were even and level.  In fact, you can even see the level in some of the pics:

 

Having shelves up and things neatly put away made a vast improvement.  But even though I like open storage, I had to admit they look neat, but not pretty.  I mean stacks of white dishes are one thing, but who wants to look at bug spray.  Then it hit me, the spray cans were about the same size as some gift canisters I had put away.  My partner's work had them left over after Christmas, and he brought them home for me to use.  They were a little too tall to fit in my pantry, so they had been languishing away on a shelf.  I ran to check, and YES!!!! They were the perfect size for the cans and the shelves.

 

I immediately ran for more and rounded it up the other canisters and mini-galvanized containers I had.  Immediately the shelves looked so much more polished.

 *Note* I do realize storing things away like this may not be the most convenient.  However, all these things are rarely used.  In fact, I don't even remember the last time I used the bug spray.  Furthermore, it's only a household of two, so I don't have to be concerned with multiple members looking for things.  If you wanted to do a similar thing with more frequently used items, I would suggest labeling them and/or the shelves.

Stoked by the small, but major improvement.  I hung some woven blinds that used to hang in the living room before I switched to cafe curtains.  The wall that used to look like this:

 

Now looks more like this:

Progress, it's a beautiful thing

my beautiful launderette: the laundry room of doom

To see my complete inspiration board at pinterest, go here.




 Do you make quick decisions?  Or are you someone who ruminates?  I go back and forth.  Like a lot of designers, I can quickly pinpoint the right choices for clients, but I get bogged down in my own home.  My laundry room has always been a problem room for me.  It has some issues--it's outside, the floor is a concrete slab which gets wet when it rains, the room also must do triple duty as storage, laundry, and powder room.  Add to that mismatched appliances, fragile sheetrock, little light, and a non-existenet budget and you have a recipe for a depressing space.  If I only went in the room to do laundry, that would be bad enough, but since it's the closest source of water and toilet to my studio, I spend a lot of time in and out.  I love my backyard and this black hole has long been a pigeon of discontent.  What makes it worse is that I have always had a love of service spaces (must be my peasant roots).  I love the downstairs at Downton Abbey and Gosford Park, linen closets, well-stocked pantries, butler's pantries, etc.

Anyway, even though I've been thinking about that room literally for years, it was on the back burner until I realized I needed it to look great for our Dec. reception where it will be the primary guest bath.  I didn't want to just slap lipstick on the pig, though.  I wanted to solve it's aesthetic and use issues once and for all.

As I loaded these pictures, I realized that this horror scene is perfect for the Halloween season.  Behold!! The Laundry Room of DOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!  Readers with a weak stomach may want to quickly scroll past these shocking images:

In any makeover project, one key to success, is accepting and working with your limitations; limitations of time, budget, space, d-i-y talent, architectural and practical limitations, etc.  Fighting against these things will only bring frustration and heartache.  It's like trying to recreate a French Chateau in a mid-century ranch---it just ain't gonna happen.  You can certainly add French touches to add interest and contrast, but without the enfilade room layout, without the 16 foot ceilings, with the 18th century paneling, etc., it's not gonna happen.  At best it will look like what I think of as Disneyland decorating--an obviously fake replica of the real thing; at worst, you'll just be unhappy.  What's the point of that rant?  Thinking about my inspiration pics, I realized I was dreaming about things that cannot be in my laundry room, at least at this point and time.  I can't have custom cabinetry, a counter top and skirt to hide my appliances (we're soon switching the machines to traditional top loaders), a fine floor, built in storage, etc.  And that's fine, but I needed to accept that.

Now that I've had my reality check, what can I do?  In a case like this, I always advise clients (and my self) to focus on what you like and will work instead of what you can't have.  What can I have?  I can have flexibility, a clear conscious from saving money, and a lot of fun, since I'm not planning on serious commitments. 

Anyway, last night after working on my to do list, I started looking for inspiration, primarily about how to turn one of my assets:  lots of wine boxes, to use.  Turning to pinterest and searching for wine box shelves, this image popped up:

 

And, ding, the light bulb went off.  What styles do I love, and have always loved?  Industrial and Boho.  This image clicked all my boxes---instead of trying for tasteful elegance, why not embrace the electic mix I will  by necessity have?  After looking around on line, I realized that the above reminded me of this home office/cottage from the September 2012 issue of Country Living (one of those magazines where I loved every image):

via Country Living

 

via Country Living

 

I love the color scheme, texture of the walls, and ,even though the furnishings are new, the "found object" feel of the space.  In fact, this photo convinced me to keep the current wall color.  However, I love the black with the pale woods and blue green wall....where to put it?  Then it hit me----on the ceiling!  I can't wait.

I also loved this lake house from the same issue, with a very similar feel:

 

via Country Living

via Country Living

 Voila:  I now have my direction.  Faux bois walls, using the current wall color as base.  After all I chose the color to help the mismatched washer blend, and while it will leave soon, I don't know when.  I want the overall  palette of the walls to resemble this:

 

But I'm going to do the faux bois with a much more light hearted approach, ala Richard Woods:

via House Beautiful

I plan on installing the wine box shelves to the left of the windows, but more like this than the inspiration photo  (the window frame will remain in it's distressed, unfinished state:

via pinterest

I was originally planning to paint the sink cabinet to blend with the raw woods, but now I think I need a metallic.  I plan on doing a heavily distressed zinc-like finish based on these Restoration Hardward nightstands:

This photo really has the look I'm going for.  I think I'll rig a similar light for over the sink:

via pinterest

 And to hide the clutter in the corner?  I originally planned to have a carpenter mount a salvaged door I have like this, but further from the wall with a curtain as door:

via pinterest

But since then, my partner found two small doors, so I am planning to add them to make a screen.  This is great, because now I don't have to wait for or pay a carpenter.  I plan to add hooks for hanging clothes to dry.  Plus, it's non permanent, which I love:

via pinterest

I plan to replicate this drying rack, but (since we're a small household only one rod):

Penelope Bianchi via Velvet and Linen

Finishing touches:  A gallery wall behind the machines, mirror over the sink, and black and white touches like  a trompe l'oeil zebra rug painted directly on the concrete floor, new curtains made from tea-stained zebra print fabric (mainly because i have it).

Finally, I'm excited about this room.  Unfortunately, I have a busy week, so I doubt I can make any progress before this weekend, but I'm just so stoked to have a direction.  And one that seems doable.

the list

I love writing desks.  I actually have two in my home, one in my dedicated home office, a black asian style of somewhat recent vintage.  (It's one of the few pieces in my home that came from a regular furniture store.  I bought it after Katrina from the store at which I worked):

And I have a vintage hotel desk that I recently painted to use as a desk/sewing table in my guest room:

And one of my favorite things to use a writing desk for is making a list.  I love making lists, I always have.  Or as least as long as I can remember.  In fact, when I was young, my favorite fictional character, one I greatly identified with, was Betsy Ray of the Betsy-Tacy series.  And one of the reason I liked her so was because of her constant list making.  Betsy used her uncle's trunk as a writing desk.  I managed to scavenge an old trunk for my room to use as a writing desk.  Believe me, even as a teenager, kneeling on a tile floor to try and do your homework on a trunk is not easy.  Let's just say that experience was one of the ways I learned to know the difference between what works in fiction and what works in real life.

In Vera Neville's charming illustration, Betsy ray is making one of her lists on the trunk she used as her writing desk.

I really do find that planning is always the key to any successful project, and, for me, planning always begins with a list.  As I mentioned in my last post, beyond my usual fall nesting syndrome, I have an event coming up at my house in Dec. (my reception for our commitment ceremony), and I'd like the house to look it's best.  Therefore, I've been compiling my to do list.

However, before diving into the ugliness of all I have to do to make my house pretty again, let's look at some pretty pictures:  writing desks and home offices from Elle Decor. All have the Boho look I love (translation.....there's a lot happening in these rooms---except perhaps for purging and dusting):

 

My Current To Do List:

Deadline:  Dec. 21, 2012

*Note*  While I would like to accomplish everything on this list, and by my commitment ceremony, a lot of the times are of a non-essential nature.  That is, they're about fine tuning some decor items or change for change's sake.  I do plan to focus on the more important items.  

These important items  include repairing and finishing items in the backyard, which is where I'm planning to have my reception.  The other big priority is doing something to my laundry room, because it includes a sink and toilet and is, in essence, my powder room when I use the backyard for entertaining.  I started talking about decorating the room in the spring, but have made very little progress beyond some very basic plans.

Downstairs:

Exterior/Front:

--neaten beds

--plant seasonal color in pots

--touch up door and porch floor paint

--clean porch ceiling

--new pillow covers for porch chairs

Living Room:

--Rework existing cafe curtains

--Move side tables and butler's tray

--Switch out pillow covers on sofa (already have the covers)

--make new pillow covers for side chairs

--recover piano bench

--find or make new sofa throw

--move rug upstairs to den

Dining Room:

--make tailored white cloth for table

--redo existing sheer draperies and move in decorative panels from office

--frame large photo

--cover or replace lamp shades

--rework mantle display

--polish silver

Office:

--clean up book cases

--repaint horizontal stripes

--make roman shade or cafe curtains for window

--slipcover chair

--touch up paint on railing

Kitchen:

--style

--fix draperies (hem properly and line)

--add center support to drapery rod

--touch up ceiling paint

Laundry:

--paint

--replace shelf over machines with hanging pole

--paint bookcase to match walls

--move in mirror for over sink

--paint sink cabinet

--create art

--make "closet" and privacy wall for toilet area

--make window treatments

--find outdoor rug 

Garage/Studio:

 --Touch up paint and paint added beam

--hang bikes from ceiling beam

--clean

--make cover for grill

--dispose of unwanted paint

 --put another coat of paint on doors

Backyard:

 --make bigger top for buffet and skirt it

--paint furniture

--repair broken chairs

--recover throw pillows

--have damaged portion of fence (thank you, Hurricane Isaac) replaced

 --plant something in  empty pots (only a handful)

 Upstairs

Master:

--paint hutch like the faux Moroccan chest I painted for a client :

Tutorial here

--patch quilt

--make duvet cover

--fix bedskirt

--fix Roman shades

--touch up paint

--paint closet

--curtain closet?

Den:

--hang mirror or art over butler's tray

--replace handles on butler's tray and gold leaf the silver hardware

--jazz up painted side table

--touch up or recover ottoman

--recover pillows in side chairs

--move rug back up

--clean out closet

Bath:

--press cafe curtains and sew on rings

--buy orchid

Hallway:

--touch up railing

--touch up doors and trim

Guest room:

--clean out drawers

--organize Christmas storage

--finish client projects taking up valuable space in closet

Honestly, the only really major project is the laundry room and backyard.  I've already lined up some professional help for the laundry, and Thomas is working on getting the fence back together and can be counted on for painting the furniture and doors.  I'll try to keep you updated on progress.

Peace out!! (translation:  after looking at that list, in print, I need a drink!)

Inspirational Interiors and a List

 

Every decor fan (or fiend) has one.....tear sheets or images of a favorite design  project that you go back to again and again.  I think this project by Michael DePerno (website) has to be my absolute favorite of all time.  It was the cover story for Elle Decor's May 2003 issue (link to article).  That cover has lived on various inspiration boards since I got my copy of that issue.  It's such a timeless look, that it's hard to believe that these interiors were created 10 years ago.  ( At his website, he has photos from an earlier shoot for an L,.A. magazine.  It was fun to see the evolution from the bare bones of the design to the finished project as he layered in more accessories, washed out color, and details.)   They, alas are no more.  Mr. DePerno moved to Sonoma.  His current mid-century home was published by Elle Decor last summer  (link to article).

 Besides just to look at something pretty, there is a reason that I went searching for pics of this house  (my cover survived Katrina---my copy of the magazine did not):  it's time to freshen up my house.  It's necessary for a couple of reasons.  First, some of the decor is five years old, and five years in a busy household can take it's toll.  Next, I just like change.  Since my house was styled for a photo shoot last winter, I've kept it mainly as it was, including some graphic fabrics, layering prints, and pulling out my more colorful accessories.  I've enjoyed it, but now I'm ready to settle down for something more neutral.  There won't be any big changes---time and money shortages prohibit that, but I do plan to rearrange some art, move around some textiles, etc.  Mainly in the living/dining room.  Hence, my urge to see these beautiful, restrained interiors. 

But, I have a more urgent reason to get my hizzle's shizzle together.  My partner of seven years and I are planning a commitment ceremony in December, including a large party at the house. So, after months of procrastinating, I've finally realized it's the final countdown.  After wandering around this morning with my coffee, I've realized I need a list.  Shaken to the core by it's growing length and the shortening deadline (Dec. 21, 2012), I've decided to sit down with another cup of coffee and hope that looking at serene interiors will trigger a resulting serenity of spirit.