The Light The Wood and The Heat

 The heat is upon us and it is hibernation time for me.

Lucky me, I like my hibernation den.

This time of year the light hits the woods in a certain way 

and it makes me so happy.

I am saddened by so much, as so many are,

and the only way that I can absorb the sorrow and

not drown in it, is to be at home;

to love on Walter, check on friends and  

be grateful for my family and my safe space. 

Living Room Toss Up

I was doing a living room deep clean

 before the troops arrived from CA last weekend.

I had rolled up the carpet

 (later a dispute over calling it carpet versus mat occurred),

and had put rollers under the bakers table that weighs a ton.

Since I could easily shift things around, I started playing.

I have always hated the bowling alley feel of the room and tried multiple

times over 27 years to adjust using sofas but it never stuck for long. 

After about 20 minutes I landed on this and then

waited to see what the weekend brought.

Other than the dispute over what to call the carpet/mat,

the opinion was to keep the new arrangement.

We ended up sitting in that room several times over the few days,

which NEVER happens.

I also ordered two new lamps from HOME DEPOT, 

pleasantly surprised by their selections.

They are incredibly well made and terrific price points.

Both by JONATHAN Y

It is not ideal, perhaps not even meeting any requirements

for "design", but I like it.

The old LR made it into several design magazines

but just always felt cold to me. 

This way, everyone was in a chair actively engaged with three small 

pups playing in the center, and one large pup

asleep near the dining table.

If I'm going to be confined to this house again this fall,

due to pandemic reboot then I want cozy.

...and there are 2 spots for Christmas trees 

without changing anything, so plus plus.

Early A.M. Light

The good thing about sleep issues,

cause there must be something...

is the early morning light

in my home.

No retouch here.

Yes, my home always has this yellowish glow...

I think it is the light palette paired with

the heavy cream color on walls

Here is the living room,

haven't shown it in awhile.

Not much has changed.

Compare this to Holiday pics to come!!!

Winter wonderland lol

You walk into the bowling alley style room

via the front door where I stood to shoot this.

There is a soaring 2 1/2 story slanted ceiling.

That doorway in front of the honey colored

 pie safe leads to kitchen and family room.

Cabinet by front door.

Yes Sue, you have dibs on it.

(She already knows where she would put it)

Stair wall below studio

So early a.m. at Z's

Coffee in hand with salted caramel mocha

creamer.. oh my!

Waiting for carpet cleaning estimate appointment,

watching the Sandy reports

and worrying some...

Stay safe my eastern family and friends.

We love you

Z

Almost Done Yippeeeee

I tried to get shots quickly before the sun went down. 

I was not successful.

So take them as they are.

I am tired, and done for the day

and it's only 7:00pm.

The birdbath in the dining area is not staying. 

It was moved from it's normal spot (tree there)

and it weighs a bloomin' ton 

so I'll move it tomorrow

Anyway, you can get the idea

bad lighting and all.

I will continue to tweak and fuss 

over the next few days.

I'll add garlands and ribbons

 and lights and snow as needed,

but the bulk of it is done

and I plan to play tomorrow.

All mercury glass

I always add lots of floral pics to my trees.

Makes them fat and full.

I see that birds nest needs adjusting.

I just stopped minutes ago and started snapping,

so there will be a few things ajar.

Chandelier- blurry..sigh

Now it is really dark.

This is when I really enjoy it though.

All the trees reflect off of mirrors

and glass all over the room.

I can see the flocked tree in here 

from the couch in the family 

room I showed you the other day.

Mercury glass, crystals, glitter stars, birds,

paper ornaments, sheet music, 

canvas script and black burlap ribbon. 

Managed these shots around noon.

So that is the main room.

Are you keeping up so far, or have I lost you?

I have some tricks I use every year 

in my displays and at clients homes

that I will share soon.

I'll be giving you some tips about

all things Christmas over the next few weeks

and throwing in some great recipes too.

I hope you will spend some 

of your holiday time here with me. 

I so appreciate each and every one of you.

Z

First Floor Done

So, not too many changes in here that you will notice.

I did purge dishes etc, cleared out drawers and cabinets

and thinned out the collections.

Swapped out some lamps and tried to get the 

room out of the bowling alley look, but

it is so narrow that bringing furniture out into the room 

would mean walking around it 

all the time like an obstacle course. 

 I did try different layouts and then

threw in the towel. 

I swapped out the

 chairs from the porch and now the chairs

 are with their matching tables.

Since for years I had pizza and teens eating here 

I had the fabric seat ones on the porch.

This great room is three stories high.

When I tiled the first floor many years ago, 

I could not afford hardwood, and 

now I don't wish the expense to add it,

since I don' t know how long I'll be here.

 I know I would love it, but priorities....

Tile certainly helps keep the house cool.

105 degrees now at 7:00 pm

111 for later in the week

 You may have noticed I love using multiple mirrors

 to reflect all around the room

Inside the bins are dried pods and fall pieces.

Yep, I am getting ready for fall.

September is fall, period, don't argue,

 and I took advantage of the 

"purge and clean"

 to remove all the summer shells out of here.

Vintage handblown jars full of naturals.

********

Making shades, as I had planned;

only a few more to go.

Polka dot swiss

Strip shade over vintage frame

gives of the coolest light and shadows

This does mean a tag sale this weekend.

"Oh dear heaven, another one" she says....

For you local gals, Cindy of "the Cottage"

is on her way this evening to drop off

 her items for the sale. WOOT!

Preview night is this Friday @ 6:30 pm.

Call first please.

Saturday - doors open @ 7:00am

Joining the delightful and gorgeous Kathleen at 

Faded Charm for another White Wednesday.

Please check out all the lovely ladies.

z

Playthings

I'm playing in the living room.

What are you doing this weekend?

z