FINALLY AN EPIPHANY

I was beginning to panic.  I hadn't had a brilliant idea in over a week!  Then, out of nowhere, it came.

As is usually the case, I was relaxing, doing nothing in particular,  when the Epiphany hit me!

The last two days have gone as follows:

First,  I decided the new,  fantastic Black and White rug in the Great Room, would "fit" the room better if I moved it 90 degrees.  While MC was at a meeting I accomplished this little job!  It entailed moving all the furniture off the rug, pulling and tugging the rug,  then putting the furniture back.  Did it in 45 minutes!!!!  MC didn't even notice.  I had to point it out to him.

Oh I love this guy, some day I'll tell you some of  what I got away with when MC was flying all around the world with the USAF!

Then the "real" Epiphany began!  The Drapery panels in MC's Library complimented the new  rug so well.  "Why not,  I asked myself,  put those panels in the Great Room, framing the sofa and the room.?"   There was no reason to keep the Gold Damask panels in there.  In fact, they  looked wimpy after the rug was added!

Do I need to say more?  THE FUN BEGAN

For two days we have been moving drapery panels.  Not one, is in the same place it was on Friday!

My inventory:

16    White Cotton panels from Ballard Design.  Originally we had them in our first home here.  Friday they were in the Guest Bedroom and the Master Bedroom.  Four panels on each side of the windows.

6     Gold Damask panels that MC "created" with iron-on tape last March. On Friday two were in the Great Room and four were in the Dining Room

2      Blue Ultra-Suede panels Erica made when we first moved in.  Originally the fabric was for a cornice that we were going to hang in the Great Room.  Never was built!  They have been in the Kitchen.

4     Black and White Geometric panels MC made, again with iron-on tape this Fall.  Friday they were in MC's Library.

I put together a  plan of action  and MC proceeded to rehang rods like a Mad Man.

   There is no buying new!  The rules here are set in stone.  When I get one of these crazy ideas,  I have to figure out how to make it work with what I have.  No cost.....MC goes along!

First we moved the Black and White panels into the Great Room.    Had to do this first.  If it worked, then the entire project was a GO.  WOW, they looked amazing.  I can not believe how they brought the room together.  I guess if I were a "trained" Designer, I would have known this from day one!  But I have to learn Patty's way.  One step at a time and I have to literally SEE it.  I  can't imagine how it will look or draw it.  I have to SEE IT!

Also in the mix was the fact this is an "open" space.  All the windows need to at least compliment each other.

This was the PLAN!

The 4 Black and White Geometric  panels in the Great Room. Two on each side of the windows.

The 16 White Cotton panels would be just the right number to put in the Kitchen, Dining Room and MC's Library.  The White would go nicely with the Black and White in the Great Room.

4 Panels in MC's Room, One panel on each side of the two windows.

4 Panels in the Kitchen,  Two on each side of the windows

8 Panels in the Dining Room.  Two on each side of each window.

 This would keep all the windows in the open area to  two different colors and textures.

The Blue Ultra Suede panels were hung in the Guest Room (The Epiphany Suite),  Those pillows on the sofa, BTW,  are made out of the same fabric!

The 6 Gold Damask panels went into the Master Bedroom. Three on each side.  They are the perfect color.  I really like the way they compliment the chair and the bedspread.

DONE......

JUST TWO TYPICAL DAYS AT THE BLH

Great exercise for MC.  He's been up and down the ladder for two days!!!!!  Thanks Honey!

A NEW PIECE FROM ERICA

I'm no different than any other Grandma.  I'm bragging and showing off my Granddaughter's Erica's latest piece.
YES THAT IS ERICA IN THE LAST IMAGE!!!  SHE WAS FABULOUS ! 
You can contact Erica through her email to have her make your custom piece!

erica.irisi@gmail.com


   Remember, the first 5 orders for any of Erica's work,  from Patty's Epiphanies receives a 20% discount.

Custom Painting, Girl's Dance Costume, "Memories Becoming Art"

Memories shouldn't be stored away in a box or closet. The more you see them, the more you can remember! This piece showcases a 22 year girl's dance costume, tutu and all! The costume BECOMES PART OF THE PAINTING, creating dimension, texture and depth.

(This particular example is a custom piece, one of a kind, not for sale. All pricing and shipping on this posting reflects estimate pricing for a similar piece in size and complexity. Pricing varies.)

This piece is 22" x 28".

I accept CUSTOM work. First, you choose your special item. Then you TRUST ME to make it into something beautiful (of course, after we have a conversation or two!). I can do all kinds of things!

• Dance costumes (yes, even a tutu!)
• Ballet Slippers
• Christening gowns
• Wedding veils and garters
• Baby's coming home outfit
• Sports jerseys and t-shirts (like t-ball uniforms!)
• Gloves
• Scarves and Handkerchiefs
• ALMOST ANYTHING fabric that has meaning, I can do!

PLEASE CONTACT me to discuss your special piece, the story, where you would like to showcase it, colors, sizing and for a custom quote. I know your piece is special and I want to make sure I know all about the story and your expectations.

Pricing starts at $175 (plus shipping/delivery), with approximately $50 per square foot after the first 1'x1'. Framing also available, otherwise, each piece comes as a finished canvas edge.

My ultimate goal is to do a wedding dress... If I had a place to hang it, I would do my own wedding dress! One day...

More examples to come. Commissioned works are in progress!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner. 


 Thanks for letting me share!!!! .....Patty 

NO LABELS...PLEASE

WHAT'S MY STYLE?
WHATEVER!

My Style runs the gamut!   Our BLH has it all!  We have incorporated Traditional, Transitional, Asian, a dab of French Country,  and now a big dash of Contemporary!  If I like a piece, I make it work!

It's funny how things turn out!  Ideas, images, you name it, they are there, in my head.   Some stay hidden for years!  This Post is basically about an "image" that has been hidden away for 4 years.  It moved up front a week ago last Friday!!  I have been working on it   (in my head)   .....did have the left over paint project that needed to be finished.  I have to "play" it smart with MC.  I can't put too much on his plate at one time!

 Back to the "INSPIRATION".   When we decided to move to Atlanta I bought an issue of  Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle.  It seemed like the thing to do!  I now have a  renewable 3 year subscription.

In that issue, there was a feature story about a home designed by Margaret Bosbyshell.  I connected with the rooms immediately !


Last Spring, MC and I decided to paint the inside of our Front Door Black.  Remember?   Where do you think that inspiration came from?  You guessed it.  That home!

I never said it was an exact duplicate......The "drop dead" marble flooring is not in our budget!

Jump forward to a week ago Friday.   That was the day MC and I went to hear Kenneth speak on Area Rugs!  He gave a wonderful presentation.  I learned tons of valuable information.    He stressed that personal taste should always be a large part of  the final decision.  A designer has to "listen", but at the same time,  advise!  A very thin line!

Remember last year when I tried the Flokati area rug in the entry?  It was lush, but way too thick for an Entry!  After it had been down for a few days, we attended a Dinner.  A Dress-Up one!  I had on high heels!  Yes, on occasion, I can still wear them!!!  Long story short.....one of my skinny, high heels got caught in the rug.  I almost ended up on my face!  Out went LUSH......lucky no emergencies!!!  No Rescue Squad!

Since then it has been everywhere.  I don't buy something and not find a place for it!!!  Can't!  MC would have a fit!  For the past 6 months  it has been under the Cocktail Table.  Color, texture---all acceptable.......size,  actually way too  small.  I kept trying to move the furniture,"in to the table"!  I wanted the rug to define our "Conversation Area". 

 I know there are many ways to use  Rugs/Area Rugs.  The most common is a room size rug.  That permits all the furniture to be on the rug, with a generous portion of the rug visible outside the furniture arrangement.  Another,  is to have an area rug placed so that  the front legs of the furniture rest on the rug.  This was the approach I wanted.  Another, the floating rug.  This is used when an area rug sits by itself, usually with a cocktail table on it,  in the middle of a seating arrangement.  Generally what dictates which way you go depends on the room, your furniture, and the use of the space.

In addition, you can layer rugs.  It is very, very desirable to have one rug over another one.  Thus,  if you have wall to wall carpeting, go ahead and use an Area Rug.  It will add to the interest of the room and define an arrangement!    We have wall to wall carpeting and we use Area Rugs!  It works just as well as wood flooring with room size rugs and area rugs as accents..

 When we returned from Kenneth's presentation,  I tried AGAIN to make my Flokati rug work!, No matter how I tried  I could not turn that 5 x 7  Flokati  rug into an 8 x 10.  Believe me, I TRIED. 

  But.... Wait a minute! We were "designing" a Dressing Room!!!!     MC was at a meeting.   I do great furniture moving when he's OUT.....I yanked that baby up.  In less than 5 minutes it was under the Red Bench!  It fits the space in our "Dressing Room" as if a Designer planned it!!!

Whew, the Flokati rug had a new home!  I was safe!

But.......that left the Great Room looking pretty BARE!

Fear not, my little head had those delicious images from 2009 still there!  I dug out the magazine issue and went from there........

 BTW this is a custom rug Margaret had designed for this room.  We both loved the design. This is a huge room!   The space has two large seating areas!  This rug is truly A ROOM SIZE RUG!

I estimated we needed an 8 x 10.  Although I loved Margaret's design,  I also thought the scale of  a  large design would work better.  A small design would be too much with  the busy design of the granite counter tops, the tiles on the back splash,  and all the other smaller geometric pieces in the Great Room.  MC's library is quite visible from the Great Room through  glass French Doors.  The drapery panels he made for his room are a similar print to the pattern Margaret used in her rug.....too much of a good thing!  Needed to rest the eye!

Remember my computer search for chandeliers?  This search was even more intense!     MC was in !  He gave me a teeny, weeny budget!  I think he thought it would be impossible to find, so why not go with it!!!  Keep me "happy and busy".  That's the same theory he used when I wanted to sell our first home here and build the BLH.  He never dreamed our other home would sell,  after living there for less than one year, with a small profit, in 28 days!  And this was 2010!  REAL ESTATE HELL!

I did find two rugs and  we were seriously considering one of them.  They were indoor/outdoor rugs.  The budget was keeping us in that category.  We were about ready to order one..... Then, as if the Angels were looking down, I received notice of a FANTASTIC sale   OHCO     HERE  was having on Monday, January 21st.  They had their area rugs for 75% off with an additional 10% OFF.... THEIR ALREADY WAREHOUSE PRICING!
(which BTW,  their warehouse pricing is half of what I found on line!)

It's black with light gray and white overlapping circles!

and

This is NOT an outdoor rug!!! 

And the reveal!

The lighting, equipment, etc. isn't the best, but I think you will get the idea!  Wouldn't it be great to have a "Pro" photographer at my disposal !

 It certainly adds Contemporary to the Mix!


BOTTOM LINE:

I  STAYED UNDER BUDGET
AND
PURCHASED A QUALITY RUG

All I will add is that this exact rug was on line ranging from  $850 to well over $1,000!!!


 FORGET LABELS.....THE BLH IS A MIX OF THEM  ALL!

LEFT-OVER PAINT....NEVER IN BLH

Did anyone ever think that the Annie Sloan Chalk paints that were left over would just sit in the cans??

NEVER!

We had quite a lot left of our third can of  French Linen and even more from the one can of Graphite.  You don't use much paint.  It is a little expensive as far as the price of paint goes, but when you consider how far it goes, it makes the original outlay not bad at all!

It didn't take long for the two of us to figure out what we would "paint".  Of course, first we decided on the IKEA cabinet in the Laundry Room.  We planned to do that, then with what was left,  tackle the five IKEA cabinets we put in the Master Bedroom closet.  Then MC, because he is so smart, said we better do the closet cabinets first and then, do the laundry cabinet!!  He didn't think we had enough paint to do both.  and.......he was correct!

The Laundry Room is back on our Waiting List!

I'm not going to reveal all the dirty details of this project!  It did have it's ups and downs!!!  We have been working on this for about a week.  First MC painted all five cabinets with the Graphite, two coats.  I then put on the clear wax, it was terrible.  So. I then applied the dark wax.  Now it looked GHASTLY!  What to do?  After a few more attempts at this and that, and wasting some paint.... MC mixed the paints that were left.  We weren't sure if we had enough to do all five of the cabinets

 I had an Epiphany.

 Keep the frame in the Graphite and redo just the doors with the mixed paint! 

MC agreed that it just might work!!!  We "might" have enough paint to give it a go!

WE DID

WE NOW HAVE:

 A DAB OF GRAPHITE....he saved some before the mixing...for touch ups.

and

A SMIDGEN OF THE MIXED....we bought a small sample can of the French Linen,  that we still have, if ever needed!!!

We added  JEWELRY to the space. Had to have some BLING!

Remember the CROWN OVER THE THRONE?

Well it's gone!!!  :(

A little DRUM ROLL PLEASE:

Before

AFTER

The proper decor for our BLH Master Closet

You never know?  Maybe the Laundry Room will be next???  But then...........

Our Morning With Kenneth

Please note that the date is wrong in this promo ad.  The correct day was today, January 11th.

All my "old" friends and my ENTIRE  family know my respect for Interior Designer, Kenneth Brown.  I loved his work and talent from the moment I saw him on HGTV.

In 2007 MC , my Daughter, Patti, and I had the wonderful opportunity to meet him in High Point at Market.  He was a Guest Speaker.  

 Kenneth moved from LA to Baton Rouge a few years ago. Primarily so that he could raise his two children away from all the Hollywood madness, and be able to spend more time watching them grow. Kenneth teaches Design at LSU and continues to run his National Design Business, Kenneth Brown Design.

He was a Guest Speaker this morning at The Atlanta International Area Rug Market at the AmericasMart Atlanta.  MC and I were very honored to be attending.   KENNETH WAS GREAT!

 Did you know that Area Rugs can be the NEW THROW PILLOW?  Yes, you can have a neutral room, and Presto, add color, pattern and personality with area rugs.  Of course, he suggested and says he recommends low end rugs .....that way, as with throw pillows, when the trend or color is 'Out", you can change it without the GUILT!  Area rugs no longer have to be INVESTMENT PIECES!!!

He spoke of the advice from the experts as to the many placements and uses of area rugs. But,  added that it's really in the eye of the beholder what works!  This is  one reason why Kenneth is so successful.  He listens to his clients....doesn't dictate to them. Kenneth can "marinate" a problem or situation and come up with a plan that is adaptable, affordable and pleasant to ones' eye!

During his talk this morning, he asked for all our questions.  What impressed me the most was he was interested in what we, his audience, had to say! He wanted OUR opinions!!!  Amazing!


MC was able to capture some fun moments from the day!


This was so cute!  Kenneth is asking this girl which picture she liked the best!!!  They all had different hair styles ...He was joking how much his hair has changed over the years!!

So great having the chance to see and visit him again!

 and of course

THE

FORMAL SHOT

ps...he's pretty cute..  What we used to call A DOLL!

OK.....
We are now home and life is back to normal!!!

Still working with the remains of the Graphite paint!!!!  Have something coming up in a few days...stay on the lookout!

CONGRATULATIONS ERICA!!!!

ERICA HAS DONE IT!!!!

MC and I are so, so proud of our Granddaughter, Erica!!!   She is so talented.  Our home is filled with her abstract work,  and this piece,  that she is featuring in her introduction to the world of ART and DESIGN!!!!
Some of you have seen this particular Christening Dress in our home.   It is from my Mom's family,  going back to the late 1800's!
I think she has a wonderful idea on how to use her talents....
Congratulations Erica......We know you will have a wonderful future in your new endeavor!

THE FIRST FIVE ORDERS ERICA RECEIVES FROM PATTY'S EPIPHANIES GETS A 

20% DISCOUNT

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Custom Painting, Christening gown, "Memories Becoming Art"

Memories shouldn't be stored away in a box or closet. The more you see them, the more you can remember! This piece is a Christening dress, that is over 100 years old. I carefully hand sewed it to the canvas, and preserved with paint and UV sealant and protectant. The dress BECOMES PART OF THE PAINTING, creating dimension, texture and depth.

(This particular example is a custom piece, one of a kind, not for sale. All pricing and shipping on this posting reflects estimate pricing for a similar piece in size and complexity. Pricing varies.)

I accept CUSTOM work. First, you choose your special item. Then you TRUST ME to make it into something beautiful (of course, after we have a conversation or two!). I can do all kinds of things!
• Christening gowns
• Wedding veils and garters
• Baby's coming home outfit
• Dance costumes (yes, even a tutu!)
• Sports jerseys and t-shirts (like t-ball uniforms!)
• Gloves
• Scarves and Handkerchiefs
• ALMOST ANYTHING fabric that has meaning, I can do!

PLEASE CONTACT me to discuss your special piece, the story, where you would like to showcase it, colors, sizing and for a custom quote. I know your piece is special and I want to make sure I know all about the story and your expectations.

Pricing starts at $175 (plus shipping/delivery), with approximately $75 per square foot after the first 1'x1'. Framing also available, otherwise, each piece comes as a finished canvas edge.

My ultimate goal is to do a wedding dress... If I had a place to hang it, I would do my own wedding dress! One day...

More examples to come. Commissioned works are in progress!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.

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THE BEST OF 2012

In reality this should be titled

"MC'S BEST OF THE BEST FOR 2012".

After going through all we did  at The Bucket List House in 2012, I really don't have a favorite! We really did more than I thought !

 BTW, I did read that Bucket List House is a "term" that the literal world wants to eliminate.....I'm still using it!

Of course one project stood out as the most Dramatic.  The one that changed the entire feel of the house! That being,  our painting the Kitchen and both Baths with Annie Sloan Chalk paint!  This was a project that we both had our hands in!!!  MC did the painting and I did the waxing.  Lighting and our camera don't reveal these to their fullest.

In no particular order here are some more of our Outstanding accomplishments !!!

Considering that both MC and I are "retired" living in a community described as  "AN ACTIVE ADULT  COMMUNITY", it strikes me in a very ironic way, that two of our largest projects were MC's Office and my Office.  Neither of us WORK!  We don't need one office, let alone TWO!!  But we have them,  and MC did all the work!

 MC'S OFFICE

MC built the bookcases, made the drapery panels  (with iron-on tape), and framed meaningful photos, using frames from the Dollar Store....That project was the cheapest for the year!  $8.00

My Office!

MC and I do have our Breakfasts here.  Great morning light and view!

I had seen picture after picture of elegant entries and decided our Front Door needed an UPGRADE.  MC came to the rescue and presto our Foyer now looks like a million!  All it needed was painting the door BLACK!

You have a view above at one of the few purchases we made this year.  Yes, our Animal Skin rugs!  These are not most of my readers' favorites, but we love them!

In this Epiphany, MC added mirrored tiles  above the doorways to mimic the windows around the front door.  Before, the space was just a framed white plank of wood.

THE COCKTAIL TABLE

I must say this has EVOLVED!  It has had three different finishes and we are still discussing changes!!!

 In March,   MC using the iron-on tape made new  drapery panels for the Great and Dining Rooms!  The gold damask silk added much needed color and texture to both rooms.  I am sorry about the color quality of these photos.  We need a professional photographer!!!

 A change we made that was subtle but very effective,  was switching out our kitchen and dining tables.  My "Office" would never have been conceived if the tables hadn't been switched.  The glass,  60" round table works so much better in the Dining Room.  MC and I thoroughly enjoy our "diners" at this table nightly! We have also done a lot of entertain with wonderful friends.  We sat 10 here at our New Year's Eve party.

MC did quite a few of his MC Little People this year.  When he constructed the built-ins behind his desk, he dedicated a shelf just for them.

There was one other "Event" that occurred during 2012.  I was one of 10 Bloggers who were published and featured in the May 2012 issue of Traditional Home Magazine!  So much fun....

Have no clue what's next. ????????