PU

Those of you who stop by frequently will 

notice a change at the home of oldgreymare.

A "lightening" of sorts.

You need only remember some 

magazine shoots or prior posts to see that 

large pieces of furniture were hauled

hither and thither, and up and down stairs.

(I use a large tarp and stupidly accomplish 

on my own with DD scolding)

Still debating the window covering change to come.

These linen drapes were a quick cheap choice years ago,

and then...well I got lazy and never changed them out.

They'll go soon. I'm thinking of burlap strung or simply pinned.

That skinny mustard cupboard to the right 

was dragged down the stairs from Hannah's room.

During the holidays the kids tried to convince me to move

my studio down to the first floor and though 

I seriously considered it, drawing floor plans etc.,

ultimately I opted for a first phase approach.

One of the benefits of a neutral palette is of course, that

everything can be moved everywhere. It all goes.

When I can no longer navigate the stairs, maybe the 

studio will come down here after all.

( I had a major fall this winter, and banged 

up my already bad knee pretty severely, 

so that day may be closer than I like. :D )

While moving furniture I was watching 

Jimmy Stewart and Sandra Dee in 

"Take Her She's Mine". That's the Cleopatra's barge scene.

One of the main reasons for the change is that I still had the home

set up for lots of people visiting, taking classes, 

friends of kids, and 4 of us living here.

That is no longer the case. I no longer need 3 couches

and I needed to set up the entertaining spaces to 

suit me and my current needs.

So one big easy chair and ottoman now 

comforts me in the den. ( first picture).

The large floral sofa from the family room

 is in the garage awaiting pick up from a friend.

The sofa from the den came in here. 

It is my favorite. Well over 30 years old, a Drexel,

 and recovered by me twice and now slip covered,

admittedly with a cover that really doesn't fit

 but works for now.

Large gatherings will still occur

but less seating will not matter,

we all hang in the small kitchen anyway...

The family room now seems so much larger and early yesterday a.m. the beautiful light was so soothing as I was curled in a fetal position for the second day suffering from

 some kind of intestinal attack. It's over thank heavens.

I am researching diverticulitis.

( the symptoms fit - no more seeds for me)

The type trays relocated from the den to family room and

now show to much better advantage right next to a window.

The light was beautiful on the porch also

but it was much too cold to enjoy.

We're in a cold snap, windy and 32 degrees.

So..where have I been, what have I been up to?

I've been finishing up my holiday job, which I will

dearly miss going to each day. I love the women I work with, 

I love the physical labor aspect, so good for me. 

Hopefully there will be more work to come soon.

I have been tending to Justice

who has more good days than bad.

I solved the issue of the passage way she was

 terrified to cross by placing a runner half way in each room 

and she calmly walks through.

( I called a friend to say I'm a genius! lol)

I am purging. AGAIN

I was already on the path but

after reading my pal Chania's post,

I have upgraded to a goal of 100 items which 

I will begin to show here this week.

I preach the same message to clients she details in her post, 

but I've never before set an actual number as a goal.

I have hope this will speed things up, 

declaring it will keep me honest and on track.

Thanks again my dear friend.

Local clients and friends will get a typical email

 from me and they call and buy from that.

However, if you see anything shippable 

that you want, email me.

It's always first come.

So if you made it this far...

so happy to see you,

and please stay tuned for the 100 piece purge.

Perhaps you wish to join us?

Declare it and show it.

Purgers United.

uh oh..that is PU

Z

IN YOUR FACE GET 'ER DONE

Practicing what I preach:

So, as some of you have seen before, I keep the 

garage pretty tidy.

However there were a few misc things

 and large pieces hanging around waiting for me

 to get off my duff and do 

something to them or with them.

sorry.. blurry

An old horn case, I already ripped out the guts.

Two sets of beautiful shutters that I have yet to display.

Three picture frames, some bath rods I purchased

 for a client I did not use

 and failed to return, and one of the West Elm

 felted ball wreaths I have yet to disassemble. 

Also remember the door from last week?

it's coming in too.

again blurry... no time to re-shoot ARGH!

Some wire racks I use for shows, but 

meanwhile I could use in the house.

Some bits of this and that.

Some nice old hooks from my Dad,

2 bobeches, ivory knobs, star and moon hooks,

bunny key rack and vintage drawer pulls.

So, another trick I use to push myself is, I haul junk

 into my kitchen where I stumble over it, and it forces

 me to make a decision. I plan to have this all in use

by the end of the week.  Another idea is to broadcast your intentions and your deadline to a very wide audience and 

embarrass yourself if you don't get it done. lol

Another sticking point, and we ALL have them...

is this table on my outside porch. A nice tea stained 

tablecloth and pretty ordinary looking basket of silk flowers.

Not horrible, but not much effort put into it.

This was here all last winter, and it is the view from

my kitchen window. Not so inspiring...

This table has to be covered because at least

ten years ago, I cut this plywood circle with

 the intention of doing a mosaic top...

and it never happened.

Meanwhile I covered with various tablecloths 

which were always dirty from

 the desert winds and fading from the sun.

So in my face, I BEGIN to get it done!

I  have already installed the two bronze bath rods 

on the porch and hung 2 pair of old 

tab top curtains I ran through Rit Dye

 about 2 hours ago. They look like regular rods

 because of their color and decorative ends.

Dug through some paint and have the brushes 

ready to do the plywood in the next hour.

Have ideas for both the black hooks 

the bunny key rack, and the old door.

The clock is ticking...

stay tuned and wish me luck.

Z