Close, but not there yet!

Two big things are getting close, very close.

First, MC is working his fingers to the bone on the wall shelves.  He's working on the moldings, caulking and finishing touches.. I can't wait to see the final results, let alone reveal them!  I'm planing all sorts of ways to fill those shelves.  Might have to go shopping!

He took yesterday OFF...We are two, of  a Committee of four.  A dear couple down the street, are helping us run  SunCity Peachtree's Holiday Tour of Homes.   The truth is ----- I volunteered ALL OF US!  that's me!  I needed the  additional STRESS!

We had a "get together"---I hate the term meeting---- at The Bucket List House yesterday afternoon. We invited all the wonderful residents who have offered their homes and talents to this event.  We will have the Best Tour ever!  Nine  gracious homeowners  have volunteered their homes to be on the tour.  This year we are  introducing  a new addition.  A number of residents are fabulous "crafters", or have  home businesses.....  I came up with the brilliant idea (yes, an Epiphany), to have one of the homes a GIFT HOUSE.  So far,  13 have volunteered to sell their wares..It will be "Shopping Crazy" here on December 2nd.  Of course I will  post pictures of this MOST IMPORTANT DAY!

So this morning MC was back to work!  

 While the paint was drying...He rested!  Looks like the Little Me figure he made.... "reading" in his chair, book, with eyes closed!  Too warm for the hoody!

MC's Little Me title....Reading

MC's Little Me ....READING

Second, we are very close to a Winner!  Almost there.. I don't know what will come first,  the Winner or the finished wall shelves!

I have been putting together some ideas for the next phase of Patty's Epiphanies.  I've been thinking...and that always leads to trouble! 

 

MC, GENIUS, AT WORK

MC is doing it AGAIN!
He almost has the shelves in my new "office" finished!

Just making sure it meets his standards!

Thought everyone would enjoy seeing the "work" in progress.  Very rarely does one get the opportunity to see "Genius" in the making!

It won't be long for the REVEAL!!!!

Have you been watching the NUMBERS....????

We are at 24790!!!

WHO WILL BE THE WINNER AND .....WHEN..

FUN-FUN--OH WHAT FUN

The Best Friday the 13th ever!

MC, who came up with a new meaning for MC this afternoon.....Master Chauffeur, "chauffeured" me to Scotts Antique Market this afternoon.  (I am wondering if I can drive---better get myself out on the road for a trial run?)

Sherry Hart, who has the great blog, Design Indulgence,   http://designindulgence.blogspot.com/  mentioned she would be helping a friend at one of the booths. What a great opportunity for me to meet another crazy Blogger! And---Sherry is one of my favorites!!

It didn't hurt that Sherry was helping out her  friend Sudi,  with  Home Accent Inc.,  who makes yummy, gorgeous pillows!   In the back of my mind I thought...Just maybe,  I could find the perfect pillows for our sofa that would finish the room?

I was a Girl Scout for two years,  I knew I had to be PREPARED.  And so I prepared.  I collected all the fabric swatches I have used  in the room, stuffed them in a baggy and off we went!

 
The top "Pearly" Velvet fabric is on my slipper chairs, the Herringbone on the large club chair, the soft Blue Ultra Suede are the drapery panels in the adjourning kitchen "office" space, that blob of white is the Cotton fabric on the sofa (which is where the pillows will go)  the paint swatch is  Sherwin Williams' Silver Strand that is on all our walls, and the bottom swatch is the fabric MC made the drapery panels for our Great Room and Dining Room .  I WAS READY!

Sherry and I spotted each other at the exact same moment.  I guess our blog profile pictures work!
I have to tell everyone who doesn't know Sherry, that she is a jewel.... even more fun than what comes off from her blog!  MC went and did his thing-------------- and left me to chat with Sherry and to do all sorts of budget damage!  Sherry and I shared great "Blog" stories!  Such a fun time!  Can't wait to do it again!

Budget damage part.....  I spread out my swatches in front of all the beautiful pillows.  My eye went to a couple of pillows right away, one especially.   When Sherry explained that the  one I liked would "marry" all the fabrics in the room....THAT WAS IT....I had found my pillow. AND THERE WERE TWO!!

Thank you Sherry....I appreciate your help this afternoon in so many ways.

THE PILLOW

 

ONE AT EACH END OF THE SOFA WITH ONE BLACK PILLOW ON ONE SIDE

Sherry suggested a deep blue throw to bring out the blue in the pillows .  I have a  throw (not the exact right color) I will use until the right one comes along.

I LOVE MY PILLOW

BEST PART OF STORY....

SHERRY IS SO SO GREAT 

SHE BOUGHT THE PILLOWS FOR ME.....

well...

she wrote her personal check for them...I didn't have cash.  What's cash!

and haven't had a check with me in years....THEY DON'T TAKE  Visa , MC or Amex...

now....Sherry has trusted me to mail her a check!!!!!!!! 

ps...her eye brows are beautiful..... 

HOW I APPEAR TO THE WORLD

Was out shopping earlier this week....a Sales Associate was "helping" me decide on a dress purchase.  The dress was not for me...color made me look old and dead.  She was a crazy, ditsy person and wouldn't give up on my not wanting the dress. She felt I had to have that dress..THAT I NEEDED AN UPDATED LOOK.....   I left the department

A few minutes later there SHE was, right in front of me, with the dress over her arm, screaming,

 

 "YOU MUST HAVE THIS DRESS, PLEASE LET ME BUY THIS DRESS FOR YOU, YOU REALLY NEED IT!"

I walked fast, as fast as I could,     away..... far away!

I guess I need help.. A Day At The Spa might help .....a little ...Maybe even "Lifestyle Lift".  Maybe I should call that number on the bottom of the TV Screen.

Now how bad can I look.......  DO I NEED AN "UPDATE"!!!!

A BEAUTIFUL WINDOW

Our neighbors are wonderful....I received a call this morning from the couple across the street. Linda and Rudy asked if I would like to see a piece that had just been installed in their home, and to bring my camera ---so I could share it with my readers!

I hated to appear over anxious, but I was elated  to oblige!   I was there in 5 minutes! Just threw on a pair of shoes and went.  Good thing I'm not in any of these pictures!  I did warn  Linda that my attire was "casual" and forget my wearing any make-up!    To my "insiders" ....No,  I wasn't in my lavender uniform!

It's amazes me,  although we all have homes from the 14 or so models available,  every homeowner has personalized their home with fabulous decor!  Most times it's hard to realize which "model" you are in! 

The Master Baths, with soaking tubs, are "blessed"  with a large window above the tub.  It brings in a lot of light, but can be a monster to address for Form and Function!  Our homes are not on huge lots!  Think..PRIVACY!

I think Linda and Rudy have nailed it!  The homes in our neighborhood are  part of the Magnolia Series.  They contracted a local artist, Ann Moniak, to design what they visioned for the space. .  Ann listened to their request to create a window that would compliment their home....Her interpretation and craftsmanship in the piece she made in Stained Glass is gorgeous.  On her business card she refers to her work as Art Glass At It's Finest,  and that's exactly what it is!

Linda and Rudy's home is furnished in beautiful tones of greens and golds.  This piece is perfect. Magnolias and all!!!

The piece is a Stained Glass panel that has been mounted,  inside, over the existing window!  Not only do you have a beautiful window, but you have the practicality of the double paned window behind it!
  

 Linda and Rudy have a home with pure  Traditional decor.  Her window treatments are gorgeous, and the fabrics...simply superb! 

Linda would like to replace some of her Great Room pieces.  She is having a hard time finding comfortable,  Traditional pieces,  that have a new fresh look,  but are still Traditional!

I am confident that she will find her vision, as she did with the new window.  I hope I'm invited back to share! 

Thank you so much Linda and Rudy....Thank you.  Thank you

Some fun!
A few of my newly found Blog friends are in a great experiment.  They have been challenged to redo a room in six weeks.  Each has started their "room" and tomorrow will reveal Week 3 of the challenge.  By all means take a peek at some great rooms in progress.  Find them at my  "Wonder Places (Blogs) to Visit section,  on the right hand side of this page.  All the bloggers will post tomorrow and their blogs will "jump" to the top of the list.

INSANITY --THE SAGA CONTINUES

I knew it! Yes the minute I removed the lamp from the hope chest/credenza, I knew I was in trouble!  It hasn't stopped since.
.....It's all Pat Wihnyk's  fault!  Pat was the one who told me I needed a lamp on my "new" desk.


There have been changes in EVERY room of the Bucket List House.....no room has been left untouched.  All because I moved ONE..... LAMP!

The lamp.....prompted  the 48 inch diameter clock to be removed.  I didn't mind, the clock wasn't working.  And  MC is planning on the wall shelves.  They are going to be awesome!  So that's a good thing.

Yesterday we decided to see if we could return the clock----maybe get a  store credit....any amount, I wasn't looking for a lot.   I figured we had nothing to loose....wasn't going to do us any good  in the garage.   We loaded the clock in the car, and off to the store we went!!   We told the clerk the clock was broken, upon which, she immediately asked if we wanted a new one ? What everyone should know at this point is ......this clock is 2 years old!!!!  We went home with a NEW clock!

OK......NOW.......WHERE TO PUT THE CLOCK???

MC  GOT HIS  LADDER, HAMMER, LEVELER, PICTURE HOOKS AND NAILS.... HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS IN FOR!!!

The new, working, clock couldn't return to the kitchen.....the lamp would block it.
 So,  where should I  hang the clock ?  It's a great clock and it WORKS!

  First,  I tried it in the Epiphany Suite, didn't make sense there.

Then I tried the hall.  It was OK, but just OK !

  I looked around and saw MC's library/den!  My eye immediately went to the  5ft. square painting that Erica did for our Charlotte condo hanging  above the credenza behind MC's desk.

Would the clock fill that space?  Had to try it.....(I already knew where I could put the painting..)

LOVE IT .....IT CAN STAY

And where did Erica's painting go??????

 Love This

Of course there was a large picture there...before.....
And where did that go?????

This Works

 It is a good lead-in to the Master Bedroom.... colors and style blend nicely

And you guessed it.....there was a picture in that space..... 
Where did it go?????

Now...... things really got out of hand!!!  Before this picture was above the bed, there was a mirror there.  And....on either side of the bed, two large photos of black and white flowers!  Very large pictures!   Very busy wall, but I thought the space needed to be filled.  That wall is 18 feet!!  Don't think so any more....Like it "clean"!  And the mirror that was over the bed?

Nice

 The photo below shows all the "stuff" that I have to fill in all the blank spaces.....as what goes on the hope chest/credenza where the lamp was that started this whole thing!!!


.......Just a typical day at the Bucket List House!!


TO BE CONTINUED......

............

Epiphanies Are Happening....Things Are Going Crazy

Give me a chance....I can explain this insanity!
 Bringing The Outside In...... didn't completely work!  Not all outside works inside!   The love seat that MC repainted has been a nightmare.    The paint began shedding from day one!    I spent three days wiping  chips and pieces of black paint off the floor!  Not fun and not functional.  No matter how great the Form was.... the Function part wasn't working!
I reluctantly put the love seat back on the Terrace.

The one thing I was sure of:  I didn't want the chairs from World Market back.  They looked great in our other house, but were just "off" here. I'm not sure why.  Maybe if I had gone to Design School I would know?  It's one of those things where to my "eye" it simply wasn't working.  The two chairs in black wicker from the Terrace were fab!

I looked on the internet  for ideas for seating ...went to all my favorite places.
Nothing!   That "Budget" thing again!

Then it "hit" me!  The Kitchen Breakfast area doesn't have to remain an eating space....Is there someone out there saying:  "That is a Breakfast Room and you Must use it as such."  I don't think so....We have a Dining Room with the glass 60 inch table....we used that for years, what not continue?

Which led to my second thought.  ( I can have many "thoughts" at once.)   I seem to be good at this.
Treat the Breakfast area as my OFFICE.  Wow, I could have an office!   I can do my Blog and handle the social doings of our neighborhood in an OFFICE.   I spend most of the day sitting at the table on the laptop, all my magazines and design books surrounding me.  When we have dinner, I have to remove it all to the floor and then put it back.  Not very practical.

The next step.... I want it to LOOK like my office and not a kitchen breakfast area!  This is the fun part.  Imagination sets in and all sorts of ideas start flowing.  My brother, Happy and sister-in-law Pat, were here for a surprise visit!  Actually they were headed for Pat's family reunion,  had  car problems and were within 30 miles.  They called and asked if the "Epiphany Suite" was available.  We had a great two day visit.  They were so excited to be here while an EPIPHANY was occurring!  Not very many have been that fortunate!

Pat said:  "You need a lamp!"  Yes, I thought.  That would give the table a desky look!  Well you know how that goes...move one thing and all things go to pot!  Found the lamp on the converted-hope-chest-to- credenza as the one.  Put it on the table, it looks great, BUT it killed the 48 inch wall clock!  As a side note, the clock stopped working over two months ago.  We don't know why????  OK, now what to do with all that blank wall.......something had to be there lamp or no lamp!

More Epiphanies,....now Happy and Pat are really experiencing the Event!  I said:  "MC can build wall shelves and fill in the entire space!  Paint them white, to match the trim and bookshelves in the Great Room.  It will Define the area as an Office!  THAT'S IT!"  They looked at me in amazement and asked: "Can he do that?"  My reply......"Piece of Cake....easy!" 

Will add that since eight last night when this occurred, MC already has his plans drawn up!

Now,  I have a  clock, (Which  has decided to work!), empty spot where the lamp was,  and so on. It will all work out eventually.....

  Thought I'd throw in a picture of where we are this afternoon.  A lot of work to get done!

 

CONTEST NAMES AND GUESS

Loi Thai........(Tone on Tone)...............July 4
 Sherry Hart..(Design Indulgence)......July 7
Jessie............(Mix and Chic)..............July 9
ND.......................................................July 10
Sandi Sylvester....................................July 11
Rudy Craddock....................................July 12
Dennis Sylvester..................................July 13
Bobby Wihnyk.....................................July 14
Bruce Mason......................................July 18
Russ Keldorph....................................July 22
Patti McDonald...................................July25
Barry Miller.........................................July 28
Helen Miller........................................July 29
Erica Dougerty....................................July 30
Linda Craddock...................................August 2
Carol Wheller.....................................August 8
Pat Wihnyk..........................................August 11 at Noon
Happy Wihnyk.....................................August 13 at 11:59pm

IT'S THAT TIME....ARE YOU READY...

Can you believe it?  It's time to start the countdown to 

25,000 hits


THIS COULD  BE YOU!!

Anne Nevin our winner on March 31st, 2011
She guessed the date of our 15,000 Hit!

For our huge number of new readers and our regular readers.....some do forget........a little "history" of Patty's Epiphanies, and what the Contest is about!

I started Patty's Epiphanies on September 3, 2008 writing this  first "Post":

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Welcome to my World of Design

As an introduction to this blog, I first want to thank my Granddaughter, Erica, for the suggestion that I start this adventure.
Most of my family and friends know that my passion in life is Interior Design. Even as a small child, I remember picturing rooms in different colors and forms.
It has only been in my later years that I have been able to express this passion. I have had the benefit of being associated with two designers, one a very talented unknown and the other a very well known celebrity in the Design World. Both have encouraged me to pursue my passion.
Through this blog I hope to share all my thoughts (epiphanies). I have been known to change rooms at 3 AM ---just about whenever an idea comes to mind.
I am not sure what format this blog will take on. I might let it just fall into place and evolve like design does. 

 I had no idea on that day where the Blog would go,  or for how long.  I didn't know what a "Blog"  was  three days before that!  I never dreamed we would be where we are today.  I probably had 15 viewers, if that!  The family and friends that support one when they start up a business or project!  They stuck with me and we now have 119 on our email list!  This doesn't count the ones that find us, from all over the world.  Have you checked the Flag Totals on the right hand side of the opening page?  

It has been fun, sometimes very frustrating, but overall a wonderful "ride"!  I could not have accomplished any of this without the  Love of My Life,  AKA .....Emil...Steve and to all of you,  MC!!  He has been there for me  at each step of this journey!  He's MC!!!    I could not  do this without his "labor", support, and encouragement.  He also gets me calmed down each and every time I run into a problem with the computer or when I can't  figure out  this new technology world!

So on to THE CONTEST.

  Everyone is welcome to email me their GUESS of the day when we HIT 25,000!!!  You can see the number on the top, on  the right side  of the page.  It's changing all the time!  Every time someone goes on to the blog it registers a 'Hit'.  The one thing I have noticed is that some  IPhones  don't register....why, I have no idea!  Sorry.

The first one to pick a date,  gets that date.  No sharing!  So you have to get your guess in.... FAST.  I will keep track of all the names and have them on a post that I will update as needed.  You can see the names and dates!!!


There is a deadline for entering.  All entries must be in by JULY 4th, at MIDNIGHT,   EDT.

To help you out I will give you the dates of the previous levels we reached.  This "might" help with your guess.  I will only add that the last 500 hits have come quickly, very quickly!!!!

The Blog went up on September 3, 2008

Our first level,  5000,  was reached on October 13, 2009! Claire Wihnyk was the winner.

Next we reached 10,000 on July 17, 2010 and Bobby DelGiorno  was our winner

 March 31, 2011  we reached 15,00 and Anne Nevin, a neighbor, won.  It was so much fun being able to present her with the prize in person!

We hit 20,000 on January 30, 2012.  The clever winner was Mary Kate Wihnyk. 

Our past winners are now in Patty's Epiphanies HALL OF FAME and are INELIGIBLE to win.  They can enter, but they are excluded from winning.....

AT THIS EXACT TIME WE ARE AT 24,060!!!!  Pretty close.  This might not last too long.....

Oh, did I tell you that if you are the winner, you win the Grand Prize......$25.25!!!!!
Special extra amount for our lucky number ---25!

Good Luck........

You can email by replying to the email you just received or by emailing me at:
pattyday25@gmail.com

MC Did Some Tweaking

While I have been playing with my Binterest Lists, MC has been working on two,   yes two,    different projects.  I know,  I do keep the poor man very busy.  Now, MC fans, don't worry!   He still has had plenty of  his "reading" time. But... I think he needs some exercise to keep his fantastic, youthful figure, don't you?  I could show one of these projects and wait for the second, but I can't keep things back...

So guess what?  We are back in our Great Room.  I know you have missed seeing it.

Table....the top is plywood, painted black, with a polyurethane finish

We have been going back and forth with a way to kick his masterful coffee table over the top!  The surface is plywood.  He has painted and put many different finishes on it, but it remains.... plywood. All the books and accessories stick to it and leave little marks.

 We have walked up and down the aisles of Lowe's trying to be  "hit in the face"  with the perfect material.  Every time we think we have found The One, we veto it before we leave the store.  The big hold up,  how MC will  "frame"/finish the edges,  without creating an amateurish appearance. 

MC is very positive about glass mosaic tiles; very similar to the ones we used for our counter tops in Norfolk.  He is even  looking forward  to working with  grout.   Back and forth on color.  Should the tiles be tones of gold, white, black, ....very confusing.  The problem I am having is my thinking it's going to look too "busy".   A 4 x 4 foot table in the middle of our room with mosaic tiles just seems too "much".   Every combination has variations of color,  We are having a hard time finding tiles that have a solid color appearance.   We have some left over tiles  from Norfolk and have put them on the table for a "let's see".   A big negative for this material is cost.....to get the tiles we prefer, the cost is more than we really want to spend.  Remember,  we are on a set budget....all our  projects are DIY because of THE  BUDGET.  How simple life could be if money was no issue...wouldn't it be grand to commission Bradley-Hughes to design a custom piece!

Tiles left over from counter top project in Norfolk

Yesterday, I had an Epiphany.....I was looking at flooring materials. And... It hit me, Vinyl tile.  Yes that horrible 1980  material we all have ripped up and replaced with ceramic tile or REAL wood!  It certainly fits the cost factor!  The whole top can be done for under $20!  We found a pattern that has a marble appearance in black tones, and brought them home for another "let's see"!

MC put them down....unglued of course.....to let us marinate the look!

Vinyl tiles

This morning I had another Epiphany!  Can you guess.....Mirror Tiles.  Yes, the same tiles that we have used for years, over and over, for so many of my Epiphanies.  They're on the fireplace wall and look so, so "city-ish"!  We had some in the garage and I brought them in for more....Let's See!

Mirror tiles

All Four  "let's see"
Plain, tile, vinyl and mirror....

Now....guess which one is the winner?
  That's easy.
 After all this time, you know I went with the Mirror Tiles.....

It was a no brain-er as soon as I saw those mirror tiles.  They compliment the crystals on the chandelier and bring your eye from the fireplace to the table!

But....that's not all MC has done these past few days. 

 Last week when we hosted the Wine Party for our neighborhood, we brought in the two wicker chairs from the terrace.  I loved them with the table in the kitchen!  I only did what the designers advise us all
to do......

BRING THE OUTSIDE IN 

Of course I didn't stop with the chairs.....We have two love seats on the terrace that are also black wicker.  I thought...I bet one would look fab on one side of the table and the chairs on the other.  But the loveseat needed a paint touch up.  So....yesterday in between everything else...MC sprayed the loveseat with another coat of paint!!!

As you all know, I don't do "Outside", especially in this Georgia heat!  In the last three days, the chairs and love seat have been "sat" on more than any other piece of furniture we own!!   I am now at the table, sitting or "lounging" on the loveseat ....comfortably writing this post!  The TV is quite visible and my coffee is at hand!

ps....if needed the chairs can easily move back to the terrace.

  

I'm not finished

I have to stop by Binterest.  I think  a visit to the Bradley-Hughes Showroom will be appropriate.  The pieces are to die for!

LOOK AT THAT RUG!!  

Of course I am in love with the antiqued mirror low table!

Wow

The textures in this space are amazing

OK....I'M GOING OUT AND BUY SOME LOTTERY TICKETS!!!