Saturday, April 12, 2014

Take It Easy, Make It Light!

It's a lazy Saturday, I just finished a grueling week of testing a group of 7th graders (state testing), my husband is hiking, and I am sitting on my large, comfy couch listening to the birds  (whom I equate with the "voice of God") with all doors and windows open.

Indulging, yet again, in my favorite, lazy past time; blog surfing. I decided to update my own and post recent pictures.  Now that it's Spring, I'm trying to lighten up as the Arizona sun brings with it searing heat that drains anyone's energy.  Feeling light is essential for me in this summer swelter.


So, below I've posted some recent pics of how I lightened up the decor in my space:




New since last post: My leather shag rug.  It's almost chocolate brown, a craigslist find for $40. Notice the "ghost" chair at the head of the dining room table.  This is acrylic and almost invisible.  Love it....love the "lightness" of it has.








This is our outside room.  The brown wicker couch was a goodwill find for $30.  It was originally white, but I painted it with chalk paint.  Chalk paint really does stick when you have a high gloss finish.










I had to post this picture.  I found it at Thrifttique in Tempe.  I LOVE what it says:

 "What do I get for this? I said & the angel gave me a catalog filled with toasters & clock radios & a basketball signed by Michael Jordan & I said, But this is just stuff & the angel smiled and swallowed me in her arms. I'm so glad you said that she whispered. I knew you still had a chance."
It is called "fighting chance" and I can't make out the artist.  But it's dated 1999 and signed by the artist.  I love it!



Finally we have our side yard tidied up.  This is the view from our courtyard entrance.




Front courtyard entrance.



The clay pot is not really a pot but a drum.  The bottom is a type of skin pulled tight and apparently you put it between your knees, hold it with your knees and bang away.



My backyard favorite spot!  ALWAYS relaxing to lie here.






So, there ya have it.  I have a bit of a rug penchant, so who knows what will be on my floor next time.  I do love my hand tied rug that was in the living room but is now under the dining room table.  That will probably come back out this winter.

But its now turning hot and things change, as always.  However, some things don't; I'll always love hearing my funky wind chimes my son and future daughter in law bought me for mother's day.  (It's made with sterling silver, vintage silverware, a few beads and has a beautiful sound when the wind blows.) Of course my beautiful dining table will always be a love, and my space is always cherished as home .

Sunday, February 16, 2014

wooden beads, linen sofas and dreams

I am either greedy, competitive, insecure or I'm an artist who appreciates and wants each new vision of beauty I see.  I absolutely love my space; until I go somewhere and fall in love with a new look.  Thank you Heidi for your lovely home, but I covet your wood, beaded chandelier!


The above chandelier is not Heidi's, but it's close.  I walked into her home, and there, on her very high ceiling was this gorgeous chandelier that was a mix of iron and earthy wood beads.  The two together was a recipe for something delicate, yet earthy, luxurious, unique and absolutely stunning.

So of course I do a google image search on beaded wood chandeliers.




Pottery Barn seems to never disappoint me.  (sigh)  I saw this one in the shop and just languished over it with a dreamy "that's way too expensive" thought.

But last week I combed the internet daily; craigslist, ebay, anywhere, looking for an affordable, ivory flokati rug,
1500_gram_setting__92405_zoom.jpg (800×554)



and it had to be at least 5 x 8.  I was on a mission.  I certainly didn't need it, nor did I have a shortage of rugs to change up my look.  So, what's the deal with me?  I have everything I want, or do I? Okay, I won't get all philosophical and spiritual, I'll save that for the other blog. Back to my lusting after "stuff" for the house.  I know, without a shadow of a doubt that I will never, ever be able to have a beautiful, linen sofa
Linen Sofa Ideas


because I'm not, well, I'm not really careful, nor have I ever been, with my furniture.

I do love my home, however, I'm always sitting here looking at all of my beloved, carefully chosen objects, and wondering how I can change it out.  I don't understand why I'm restless.  I think I get why my father built his own home.  He wanted just what HE wanted and he knew what he wanted: teak wood floors in the dining room, Italian tile in the entrance way, crystal chandeliers, and the thickest carpet he could fine. 

So, getting back to the obsession with the wood bead chandelier.  Below is my "industrial, vintage" chandelier in my home.  I do like it, but the weird thing is the older I get, I am wondering if my taste is just dated, or even more so, does it even matter????

Photo  "

Which leads me to a more philosophical question:  do I decorate for me?  Or do I decorate to just "keep up with the Jones's"??? Hmmmm....seriously?  If I had all the money I would want,would I change things?  YES!! :-)  I'd get that linen couch (and hire someone to keep it clean) and YES, I'd get the wooden beaded chandelier, ...etc etc etc.

But I'd probably be bored.

I think I should just find someone who wants me to help them decorate their home. Until then, stay beautiful!