Deja Vu

This probably isn't the best time to Post.  Most are on a three day weekend or traveling to one.  But maybe there are a few, who are sitting back with nothing new to read.....Maybe?

The other day I was reading my new morning "newspapers"  Those being all the posts of my new blog friends!  Let me add this is taking more and more time each day!  My reading list grows daily, like grass.
It's interfering with my Preventive Cleaning Routine!

Soooo... Tuesday morning I decided to look up a couple of new sites.  I was planning on going to the Expose' on Wednesday and decided I'd "read up" on the Panel.  I know Sherry, but I didn't know that much about Lisa or Lori.

I found out that Lisa is the Atlanta Editor for Better Homes and Gardens and Traditional Homes.  She was so gracious when she saw my name tag.  She said, "Patty, I know you, you did the piece on Melanie". 
Amazing!  That can make your day!


I read that Lori has a wonderful,  successful design business, she even WON a HGTV Design War!
Her post on Tuesday was about cleaning up clutter and accessories.  That is something I am passionate about and I was really enjoying this post.  About half way down, she had a photo of a room, from another Designer, that hit me in the face.  I couldn't believe what I saw!  There was a to die for console table with gold accessories.  BUT THOSE ACCESSORIES...........OMG...Were my eyes seeing things????
There on the Blog was a picture with OUR THREE DANCING ASIAN GIRLS! Only they were gold and ours were a brass green..

Back in our previous life, when MC was an USAF Navigator he flew all over Asia.  It was during the Sixties...as in  the 1960's!   I know most of you weren't even born!  The "Wives" were left at home while our Fly Boys traveled the world.  Jealous, are you kidding??   We were left to  care for screaming babies, diapers and many, many trips to the Base Hospital with "emergencies" from high fevers to cuts and gashes!!!  It was the  period of my life that created the "Control Freak" I am today!

In return for our "Suffering" back home we gave our husbands LISTS of items that they were to bring back.  Depending on the Country they flew into they had items they dare not come home,    without!  We had Lists for each Country!  Needless to say that not only did most of us live in Base Housing....each exactly generically identical, but we also all had the SAME decor, (well-- stuff)!. Our lists were all the same!  If a husband found something new and different, it didn't take long before it was added to our lists!

Most of these treasures today are scattered among our children.....the irony of this..our youngest son Steve, has many pieces,...pillow table, Asian folding screen and a brass tray on legs,(our coffee table for many years), just to name a few.  He also has our ORIGINAL green elephants.  The irony.....he's living in Seoul, Korea and his company crated all these things BACK TO ASIA!

OK I rambled a little.....
Here's the Pictures that hit me!

Designed by Tobi Fairley

NOW LOOK DOWN AT THE PICTURE BELOW.....look at the top left shelf!!!!

 
 There they are!!!!!

While we're here I want to BRAG!!!!

The wall unit......THAT IS THE FIRST PIECE MC EVER MADE!!!!   

circa 1969

Also you can see my wonderful "design" bookshelf displaying in it's early stages.  This picture is priceless.  Look at the furnishings ....  orange shag rug, Danish Chair....Oh that lamp was from Japan. That is long, long gone!   There are no words to add.

DK GALLERY

 http://www.dkgallery.us/dk/dk_Gallery___Contemporary_fine_art_on_the_Marietta_Square___770-427-5377.html

WOW....WHAT A FUN AFTERNOON.

About a month ago, Sherry Hart put the above notice on Facebook.  Now, I thought, "I'd like this"
I called the Gallery and spoke to a lovely girl.  She said that I could attend!!!!  I didn't have to be a REAL Designer!!!!  My PASSION was enough to get me in the door!!!

MC and I planned on an afternoon OFF THE RESERVATION.  The Gallery is a good hour and a half drive, so we left around 10 .....never know about that I-75 traffic!  You know how us "old" people always give ourselves plenty of extra time! :)

The Gallery is in  a lovely location in the  Historic area of Marietta Square.  We walked around, taking in all the shops .....we were early!
 MC cased out where he would spend his time while I was at the seminar.  I can't tell you the number of restaurants that were there. ........more on that square than in Spalding County!!

Three extremely successful women spoke.  Their stories of success motivated everyone in the room!!! Please read all about Lisa Mowry, Lori May and Sherry Hart.  

Lisa Mowry

http://www.lisamowry.com/

Sherry Hart

 http://www.sherryhartdesigns.com/

Lori May

 http://lorimayinteriors.com/

One interesting fact!.....Both Lori and Sherry have found Blogging to be a very important part of their
business...

that's me! black flats
pink and black dress

above photo from DKGallery facebook page

The Vineyard Cafe
http://www.thevineyardcafe.com/     served a delicious lunch.  Yes, I did eat!!!!! 

The GALS

A Great Group of Gals...

in Attendance

Alison Womack Jowers..

I loved her design of the Family Dining Room in the Atlanta Symphony Show House.  

Actually my favorite room!!!

Lori

Lori and Sherry

 Sherry----oops I got a bad shot....sorry

Susan Jeffery Lepper, Designer....Jeff you were a joy to meet!

 and

Holly Irwin, Artist

I met so many great gals.....Designers, Bloggers and Editors and Artists.  I had a wonderful time! 

 Now I must tell you that MC had a wonderful time.  He had lunch at the Starlight Restaurant .  I want to think he choose that particular one because when we had walked by it earlier  music coming over a speaker 
 at the doorway was....

OUR SONG

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THIS 

BY DEAN MARTIN

He then did one of his favorite things....He went to a great Museum.  This one,  The Marietta Museum of History.
I love it when he can go to museums by himself...I have to admit. I don't have the patience to read every word of every sign.....HE DOES, and he loves doing it...without me!

Of course, MC found a choice of three, yes, THREE Panera Breads for us to go to!!!!

 I don't go anywhere near a Panera  Bread, without getting a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll.

   Yes, I ate again!!

We also brought home a dozen bagels.  You have to understand, we must take advantage of civilization when we leave the Reservation....

We have none, 0, NIL, Panera Breads anywhere near us in SunCity Peachtree.  Are you listening Franchisees    ......WE WANT A PANERA BREAD!!!

I had spent the afternoon surrounded by the most talented people in the Atlanta area and then we drove by this....

Priceless

PART 2 OF "WHILE MC WAS OUT" DEDICATED TO LINDA AND JESSIE

The Blog World is so, so,  GREAT!  This post is dedicated to the following JEWELS!


  Linda from My Crafty Home Life
http://mycraftyhomelife.blogspot.com/

 Jessie, from Mix and Chic
 http://www.mixandchic.com/


These two very talented and generous girls, both made the same comment on my Post last night.  I love reading all the comments I receive.  You have no idea how much they mean to me!!!

Well back to Linda and Jessie.....they suggested that the Chinoiserie Panels be HUNG not leaning as I had them.

Doesn't take much to make me try something......I immediately had MC read the comments and this morning he was out buying the necessary hooks, etc.  Another excuse for a trip to Lowes!

GIRLS IT'S DONE!

 

PS....MC didn't notice that while he was at Lowes this morning, I switched the mirrored desk with the Hope Chest!  When I looked at the Post pictures late last night and then when I got up this morning I was positive that something wasn't quite what I wanted.  Figured it out....it was too light and leggy.  I needed the heavier piece in the dining room with the table and chairs.  The Mirrored Desk looks at home in the Foyer.  Another "first" for it!

I do have a life, I really do.......

WHILE MC WAS OUT...

Oh boy, did I have a fun day yesterday and today......

I want to say upfront that I am a "retired" Realtor.  "Retired" in quotes because there is no retirement package that goes with this retirement!  You just stop working!

My only responsibilities at this point in my life,  are setting up social activities for our small neighborhood.  I do great at MAKING RESERVATIONS and making LISTS!!!  I don't play golf, tennis, pickle ball....(have you ever heard of that one?) or card games!    BUT..I LOVE WHAT I DO---DO!

My passion for Interior Design is simply what makes me .....ME.  I have always had this passion.  The more I read other bloggers describing themselves, the more I am learning that they,  too, have had the passion their whole lives.

What I am saying is that I do not have Clients, A Business, A Workshop or for that matter I have nothing more than our Bucket List House for me to create.

My days are filled with all my own ideas on how to "play" with the Bucket List House. I play with all the rooms. Create  different purposes, different colors, different furniture arrangements and uses......etc.

I don't have deadlines or do I have to please anyone......well ....maybe...MC!

BUT,  WHAT I DO NOT  HAVE IS .......A  BUDGET!

I just have to use  what we have.  Every now and then, I can squeeze a new item into the mix, but that is rare!

I am amazed at all the ways our furniture and accessories can  recreate themselves. Things move and then they become totally "new"!

Yesterday MC had meetings all day.  That left me to my "client". 

I really stirred up the mix,  a lot.  Decided that the new Master Bedroom "look" I had been working on wasn't really coming together.  Didn't really think the Flokati rug was being used to it's best, so out it went and that started the day!

You all know that when you get into this state of mind......one idea leads to another and the circle begins to spin and  spin!  .......and BOY.....did it spin yesterday.

I can't believe the ideas that come out of my little silly head!  But, I have to try them. Most work,  some don't!

This morning I wasn't  that "happy" with the  placement I had put Sexy Sadie.   Decided I would work on it later in the day.   A friend and I had were going out for a few hours,  snooping the model complex. (They changed all the decor!)  When we came back, I mentioned to Elaine that Sadie wasn't working.   She gave me an idea.....and BAM!!!  HER IDEA WAS IT!
All it involved was moving Sexy Sadie to serve a new purpose, and moving just a foot or two the large chair.  Thanks Elaine....Love your input!   That Sadie is a GEM. She has been used in this form before, but not in this space!  This simple change made the entire room come together!

I know I am a little "weird".  My mind never stops!  It is constantly seeing objects in different places.  I can't stop it.  It is constant!!!!!  I am sure that in the next day or so, I will want something moved...and trust me,   I will move it...

GREEN IS IN

 Apparently the newest, latest color to "hit" the Design World is Green.

 OUR GREEN

THE VIEW!

This is really different

The mirrored desk 

now a

CREDENZA

 

 SEXY SADIE

ELAINE
 YOU ARE A GENIUS

 

   .... MOVE THE LARGE CHAIR OVER 

LEAVING ROOM FOR PASSAGE BETWEEN IT AND SADIE

This has created a wonderful "Conversation" area.

 HAVE YOU NOTICED?

THE RUGS!

FLOKATI  UNDER COFFEE TABLE

COW HIDES 

ENTRY 

AND

HALL

 MASTER BEDROOM

no  big changes...

 EPIPHANY SUITE

Notice...MC's CHAIR ....HE WILL BE USING HIS WHITE ONE IN HIS NEW LIBRARY

NOW ALL EPIPHANY SUITE GUESTS WILL HAVE A COMFORTABLE READING CHAIR

MEANWHILE

MC IS BUSY, BUSY. BUSY... BUILDING HIS WALL UNIT!!!!!!!

IT'S TOMORROW

IT'S TOMORROW...
 but not before
LAST NIGHT!

Last night, I had a very realistic EPIPHANY!   I realized that we were totally insane yesterday.     BUT... we are not STUPID!
 I also realized that we were very, very LUCKY we didn't end up in the hospital or worse....DEAD!

I remembered the first time these Bonde IKEA cabinets had been stacked three high.....movers had done it!
That piece of memory completely slipped both of our minds!  

SO, last night I asked MC if he would MIND NOT PUTTING THE SECOND ONE UP!  Did you catch that little bit of cleverness.......  I asked him if he.... MINDED!!!!

I don't have to tell you the  relief that came over his entire BODY!

Even better.....I said I thought the cabinet would be a great asset to his Garage Work Shop... Mess!  Maybe a few of his "treasures" could be hidden behind the cabinet doors.....thus being less of an eyesore for our neighbors.   Some of the  Bloggers today  have been posting great ideas for being ORGANIZED.  I am organized, too organized....BUT MC....That's a different STORY.  I have FORWARDED all these Blog Posts to him!!!!!!!

SO ......PLAN C !

Using push cart to move Cabinet 2 to the gargage

So, So Easy!

  

 Setting it in place in garage

 What a Great Spot.....and under the sunburst thermometer MC built last summer

These are the last photo's of MC's Library....

 "BEFORE"

 STAGE

MC has started working on the Base for the new wall unit.  As I work on this post, he is busy, busy building!

The BEGINNING

And finally 

The Master Bedroom Closet

Oh, I had a "Mini" Epiphany this morning.....I think I'm going to Rub n Buff the iron base of the glass console a dark bronze,  or maybe black.  It started out Silver, went Gold, then Silver was added.over the Gold.    It should be quite UNIQUE and a One Of A Kind, by the time I finish!

WE'RE CRAZY

I hate to admit it, but I think we really  are!  CRAZY
Two complete nuts who are going on 74 and 72 doing this!!!!!

Before the wall unit can be built and installed, the existing IKEA,  Bonde cabinets need to be moved into the Master Bedroom closet.

Easy!  Well not really...

We unloaded one...put the stuff in the Senoia chest.  That was smart.  It may stay there.

We  had to unload the clothes from the hanging shelves in the closet.  We are doing one side at a time. Side one today and side two tomorrow..   Some sanity there!  Some of the things from closet in temporary "quarters"!
 



  The racks had to be made smaller to make room for the cabinets.   MC realized his saw blade didn't do the job...oh gee....he had to go to Lowes for a new one!!!

Next step.

PUSH CART .....move the emptied  IKEA Bonde cabinet into the closet.  That was easy.





We are putting the two Bonde cabinets from the Library on TOP of four that are already in there.  Two on top of  two!. But, before we put the ones from the Library on top of the four that are there,  we have to remove a vertical one (that is positioned horizontally). It's the one with the two blue side panels.  Check picture below.   We will be positioning it in a different spot in the closet,  vertically!  Are you following me?

We tugged and tugged and somehow, I really don't know how,  got it down.  It ended up standing on the floor perfectly!  PURE LUCK!    We then slid it into it's new location. 



Enter the Bonde cabinet from the Library.  Somehow, we would "hoist" it up,  onto the two existing ones.  We finally figured out that the black marble pedestal that was a "table" would be the perfect height (on it's side).  We moved the pedestal into the closet.  With all the strength we could dig up, we got one end of the cabinet on the top of the pedestal and the other end leaning on the existing cabinets.  I pushed, MC guided while on a 6 foot ladder!!!!

MC ended up standing on the cabinets to position the cabinet up on it's right side.

THE MAGIC HOIST!

I wish I had a shot of our getting one end of the cabinet on to the pedestal and the other leaning on the cabinets...  but we didn't have any "free" hands !!! 

IT'S UP AND IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE!

 

MC rehung the racks and the shirts were back!

I like the chair, glass console,  and floor lamp better without the marble "Hoist Table"!

Don't think I need that "weight" after all?

Part 2

TOMORROW