Decorating with Wendy

Am I a Creative Genius (sp?)?

I've been wondering if I am.  No one else has ever said this outright, and I'm not sure if anyone else has ever wondered this...but, all the same, I wonder.  As I've been mentally recapping my projects over the last few years I've noticed a pattern.  It's a pattern where I can't seem to find anything after I've put it down.  It's sort of like when you put down your pencil and can't find your paper...so you go to look for your paper, and when you finally find it, you aren't sure where you put your pencil.  And, then you forget where you put your paper, once you find your pencil.  It's sort of a vicious cycle.  But, I remember reading that genuises (sp?) can create masterpieces, but misplace their paintbrushes while they're creating.

Actually, I never read that, but I do remember seeing pictures of Albert Einstein.  And, he was a creative genuis - no wondering about that!  Now, the thing about Albert was his hair.  It really got me.  It looked like it was the last thing on his mind.  And, yet he was able to get this theory of relativity down pat.  Unless he really was traveling at the speed of light (which would explain his hair), he must have had to think really hard about this.  He was brilliant, but let the little things go, is my summation.  Which leads me to theorize about my own creativity.  I'm thinking that it has to do with letting the little things go (not my hair, though - it's important to have cute hair).  But, definitely things like the laundry, and the bathrooms, and the vacuuming. 

In my own defense, I don't really notice those things...not when I get focused on a project.  When I'm not in the creative mode, I do clean.  But, when I am, I honestly don't see the mess.   I used to beat myself up over this, but now I see the same kind of things happening with my very creative son.  So, it could be genetic.

I also should add that when I am not in the creative mode, I get a little depressed.  I absolutely have to find something creative about everything I do, in order to have the inspiration to persevere.  So, while I may not be in a completely creative mode, there always has to be a little creativity involved, for me to go on.  I invent it if it's not there.  And, you'd be surprised at where you can find it.  For instance, I think it was when I was unloading the dishwasher that I decided to take the cabinet doors off.  And, it may have been when I was wiping the counters that I decided to get new ones.  And, I believe it was when I was cleaning my boring white floor that I decided to pull it up.  So, you see cleaning need not be a chore.   It can literally transform your home.  And, I guess, now that I'm looking back, that's when some of my best ideas came to me. 

So, does creativity thrive without organizational skills?  Is that what I'm proposing here?  Well...no.  Even I notice that sitting here at this very moment at my desk I'm annoyed by the clutter, and I have to clear it off every so often to continue.  But, I have to think that while it is somewhat annoying, it's not debilitating - I can still create!  I mean, there are some people (even some in my own family) who could not do what I'm doing.  They could not function with clutter.  And, while I've always felt a little inferior to organized people, I can now feel a little proud.  I may not be a merry maid, but I will always be a happy decorator!

BrickBratz

I had previously posted some pictures of a "brick wall"  that I created from joint compound and paint.  I've had a lot of people ask me how I made the wall.  In addition to the paint and compound, I used a faux finishing tool called "BrickBratz".  They really made the job simple.  The fun part for me was to paint them, but, if I had to make each brick freehand, or with tape, I would've lost my mind.  I was so impressed with these tools, that I contacted the inventor to see if I could post them on my site. 

The name of the woman who invented these is Brenda Brunderman, and she created this tool to assist her in creating a brick wall look with less work and mess.  She's an amazing artist, by the way.  To check them out, or purchase the BrickBratz, click here.  As soon as I get a chance I'm going to try to do a stone wall using these tools.  They are versatile, in that you can create small or large brick or stone walls.  What a cool invention!

The pictures I posted are of the brick I added above the cabinets.  My dad suggested I go over my cabinets with the brick, to sort of complete the look.  I'm glad I did, because now that the wall is gone, it's a straight shot into the kitchen.  The brick adds dimension and charachter.  I was a little concerned it would be too much, but it actually ended up adding a lot of warmth and charm, in my opinion.

I still have some work to do on the upper corner of the wall, where you will notice the drywall.  That couldn't be avoided, because we had to remove a beam that went into part of that wall.  I'm thinking I may just put some plaster over that spot, to save some work, and also to give it a more old-world feel.  I don't know what I'd call my kitchen now.  Is it old-world?  Cottage?  Farm house?  I can't put my finger on the look.  I just hope it doesn't look "manufactured".  I want to feel like it's always been here.  That brick wall is older than the house itself, wasn't I saying that?  It's always been here, I think.  Oh, did I say I made that.  I was just making that up!  Well, that's what the faux look is all about.  Making people forget it isn't real.

 

An Electrifying Day

I just said that...it was not really electrifying.  But, it was filled with electrical boxes and wires and switches.  And, it was the official day #2 of our wall-kitchen renovation, with our friends, Keith and Maria.  This was about a 13 hour day we put in collectively.  Keith came over at about 8:30am, and was here until about 9:00pm.  Who has friends like these?  I don't know if anybody does.  But, I'm happy we do!  It's good to have friends, but even better to have friends who are electricians.  Not many people can say they moved their electrical wiring themselves.  Not many, but a handful, like ourselves can say that.  We did.  We moved the electricity ourselves.  And, I have the pictures to prove it.  Brace yourselves...they're good.

Okay, now you've seen them.  Now you know.  We did this ourselves.  And, we're good.  And, by the way, Keith is not really an electrician.  I don't want him to read this, and say I made that up.  He's an engineer.  And, a really smart guy at that.  He is sort of unique, as far as engineers go, in that he is creative, too.  He created an idea for our counter, that I will post later.  But, when you see it, you'll say, "Wow, that guy is really smart!".  I'll post it when it's finished.  By the way, one of the words I just used in my last sentence is what he actually created....what do you think it could be?  Well, more on that later. 

For now, I'd like to say that, perhaps the whole idea of electricity isn't too exciting to look at.  But, think about it...where would we be without it?  We'd be in the dark, that's for sure.  All I really know, is that, while, it only looks like a covered up hole, it was a whole lot of work. 

Not much on my part, though, I have to admit.  I actually did very little today, in the way of hard work.  I did get to spend some quality time with Keith's lovely wife, Maria (who is also my partner in business), and we really enjoyed ourselves.  We went shopping, we talked, we ate, and just had fun in general.  We would only have gotten in the way. 

And, I got a new haircut, to boot!  Maria mentioned that she had cut her mom's hair not too long ago.  I thought maybe she could cut mine, too.  She did.  And, I think we have a new style...one they don't know about yet in the salons.  Cute...much shorter...unique...and, something we may be able to use in our decorating portfolio.  It shows off Maria's artistic side. 

We will be having our 3rd and final official wall/kitchen renovation this coming Friday.  I'm looking forward to the final result.  I look forward to posting some pictures when it's completed.  We'll be back....

A Place for People Like Me?

I remember seeing an advertisement in a magazine for a home decorating store.  Pictured was a woman reading a very large wallpaper book in bed, while her husband was trying to sleep.  And, the ad said, "there's a place for people like you".    And, I remember thinking is it really so strange to be reading a wallpaper book when you can't fall asleep at night?  Is it strange to bring paint samples to bed, and examine them for hours?  Is it abnormal to lull yourself to sleep with floor tile brochures?... Is it?  Am I missing something? 

And, this all comes to mind, because on nights like tonight, when I can't sleep, I turn to the decorating forums.  I like to ponder if blue-green and brown are going to be a lasting trend, or what is the best red to go with Putnam Ivory.  I like to hear what others think, too.  I stay up nights pondering the right white or best cream for my bead board walls.  I think about other walls, of friends or family.  And, even walls I haven't seen.  People describe their walls to me, and what colors surround the walls they want to paint, and I think about what color would work  - sight unseen. 

And, I know I'm not alone.  I read the decorating and paint boards.  I know there are others like me - plenty!  And, like the woman in the advertisement.  And, I have to wonder, if there's a place for people like me, (and the woman in the ad), then what kind of place is there for people who are not like me, or the woman in the ad?  Or for all of those other late-night decorating forum type people out there?  Hmmmm.  That's an interesting one to ponder.  But, I'll save it for another day, because all this talk of decorating has just about put me to sleep.  I'll be taking my paint fan deck, and retiring for the night, with visions of paint chips dancing in my head.

A Headache and a Jalapeno

I've been getting these migraine-like headaches lately.  I'm hoping it's not the new glasses I ordered on line.  They are really hip and surprisingly fashionable glasses.  And the price?  Well, it's too  cheap to mention.  People compliment me all the time on these, and when I tell them the price, they stare at me in disbelief.  So, I figure I won't mention it.  But, come to think of it - it's too cheap not to mention - they were under $30.  I know, I know - if something's too good to be true, then it probably is. 

But, maybe it's not too good to be true - maybe I can live with the headaches...they aren't bad enough to ditch a $30.00 pair of great frames over.  And, maybe it's not even the glasses.  Maybe it's the paint.  I have been painting a lot lately.  So, it's probably the paint.  I'll have to limit the time I spend painting for a while.  And, if does happen to be my inexpensive and very cute glasses, I guess I can ration the amount of time I spend in them. 

In the meantime, though, and the reason for this post, is to let you all in on a secret I discovered.  But, first let me go back to the beginning... So, I had this headache, as I was saying, and was not feeling all that well.  I  was laying in bed, but feeling a little guilty that my husband was working around the house, and cooking.  I dragged myself out of the bed - headache and all - and went into the kitchen to see if there was anything I could help him with.  He asked me to cut a jalapeno pepper for the chili dinner he was cooking, and to remove the seeds first.  I had to debate on this, because, when it comes to chile, I say the hotter, the better.  But, I did reluctantly remove the seeds, cut the pepper, put it in the chile, and then went back to bed. 

As I lay there in some distress over the headache, I began to rub my eyes (closed).  I noticed a warm - or, actually hot sensation - at the spot I was rubbing.  Apparently the jalapeno seeds permeated my skin.  But, strangely, I felt a little better, as a result of the heat.  So, I decided to rub my forehead where the pain was.  Lo and behold, there was the heat, and then relief!   I started rubbing my whole forehead, and felt even better.  Soon, I was up and about, touching up paint in the kitchen, and having some chile. 

I thought about this phenomenon, and while I'm no doctor, I think I have an answer.  I believe that when you get a headache your capillaries constrict.  The heat from the jalapeno transferred onto my skin and entered into my bloodstream.  From there, the properties of the pepper that cause the heat are possibly expanding my capillaries, thus relieving my headache.  There you have it.  A medical explanation of how jalapenos may actually relieve headaches.  Just a theory, of course, but it may just be next time you have a headache you'll think twice about opening your medicine cabinet.  You might try the produce aisle instead. **

** I must caution you that I am not a doctor, and this is not a cure I'm promoting.  I also have a high tolerance for heat...all foreheads are not alike.  While my forehead may be tolerant to the heat of the jalapeno, yours may break out in some sort of scary rash.  So, please, don't try this at home, unless you are prepared to face the heat, and possible side effects.  Please consult your doctor before trying this at home.

The Wall Was Tall

The wall is not tall.  The wall is small.  That's my summation of our wall take-down.  It was fun and exciting, and left us with a smaller wall than the tall wall we had before. 

Our renovation started at about 3pm last Friday, when Keith and Maria arrived.  It ended at about 11pm.  We enjoy each other's company, so that made the project seem like a breeze.  However, it was a long, hard working breeze.  I was sick for 4 days following that night, just to prove it.  I get that way, when I work too hard for too long.  I wish I could say I was bullet proof, and in it for the long haul.  My mind says yes, but my body says, "NO!"...so, I've been feeling the effects of the first step of our renovation.

I think the worst is over.  But, the worst could be yet to come...you never really know with these things.  Tonight, for example, we took out a part of the ceiling...and that seemed quite worse than the whole of last Friday's work.  The reason is because of what came down from the ceiling.  I know when my husband goes down to find a mask, we are dealing with some nasty stuff.  He was able to pull up an asbestos floor, and knock down other walls with no worries.  He was seriously worried tonight.  So, I'm wondering, just what did we  breath in?  Hopefully, I'll live to tell.

So, back to the project at hand...the Friday Nite Wall Knock-Out.  Did I say fun?  Did I say hard work?  Well, you could say that again (or I could!)  It was fun work...Here's a few pictures of the process, and the end-result (of step 1). 

So, as for part 2, it is to be continued....same place, this Saturday...more fun, more work.  So, tune in for more exciting renovation news...same channel, new time.

The Big Peel

I've heard of all sorts of themes for parties, but never a party for peeling paint.  Why not?  I think it would catch on.  We are a little strange around here - we're peelers.  We love to peel things...wax from candles, glue off of our fingers, gum from under our beds(!@#)   ... just about anything that we can get our hands on.  My son has even developed a lovely little  habit of peeling off the black top of his skateboard.  But, there is nothing more fun to peel than paint!  Maybe that's because there's an abundance of it around here.  We peel it off paint cans, we peel it off the floor, off of shoes...just about anything paint can fall on, we can peel.  But, those were all "little" peels, in comparison to our newest peel.

It's what I call the "Big Peel".  It came out of nowhere.  I was in the kitchen, minding my own business, taking off the molding where the wall renovation would be happening.  I began to notice some areas of, for lack of a better word, paint globs.  The paint had coagulated in these areas.  I took a closer look, as I was curious to see what had caused this.  And, as I am a "hands on" learner, I needed to touch the paint and actually "peel" it a little.  As I did so, and to my great surprise, a rather large piece of paint came peeling along with it.   

This is the actual picture of the paint peeling. 

I continued to peel, and soon got my kids in on the action.  I knew we'd never have another chance like this one.  They were thrilled!  My son described this as "addictive", and I said it was "irresistible".  We couldn't stop, and we couldn't believe our eyes.  This was the best peeling experience we'd ever known.  All of the others seemed like small potatoes compared to this one.

I reluctantly included the kids, as it was past their actual bedtime...but, I knew this kind of peeling doesn't come along every day.  And, as the paint layers dropped off the wall, I couldn't help but recall the words of well-meaning family and friends.  They went something like this..."how much square footage do you think you've actually lost since you've moved in?"  Ha ha ha...I would laugh, not thinking it was really all that humorous.  After all, a girl has to paint!  And, I felt as though they were making light of my artistic expressions.  And, furthermore, my kitchen has served as a learning palette for me to grow in my expressions.  But, I couldn't really say this to all of those paint antagonists. 

So, I got to thinking maybe they were right.  This was seriously impeding the square footage of my already small kitchen.  This paint was coming off in large chunks resembling thick rubbery dried glue.  And, it was heavy!  Sadly, that was not even the bottom layer of the paint.  I could see red, which meant the original red I painted was still under a few layers of paint. 

Here's a picture to give you an idea of the way the paint looked on the ground.  My kids were assisting in the peeling process here.  You can see how the idea of a "paint-peeling party" could really catch on.  Fun, fun, fun.

Once the paint was peeled I felt as though I was glimpsing a masterpiece.  Okay, okay, a masterpiece in my own mind...but, there was no denying it was unique.  And, it was like a stroll down memory lane.  Colors long ago covered up began to surface.  Names of paint I'd forgotten came to mind.  And, the colors with no name, that I "custom-mixed"...well, they had their own special memory attached to them. 

It almost seemed sad to have to paint over this.  But, in the end I saw it as a stepping stone.  The peeling gave way to a smoother wall, which I would need to have as a paint surface for the new paint color.  So, all things considered, I felt it was a fun and worthwhile endeavor.  And, it made a new memory for me and the kids, and a peeling experience we'll always remember.

Which Color to Paint?

Our long awaited kitchen "renovation" will be happening this Friday!  And, I am so excited to get this process underway.   We have some incredible friends who are taking this project on with us, and also giving us step-by-step instructions in the way of preparations.   And, thanks to these friends this project has been surprisingly organized, with all the planning done, materials on hand, with nothing to do but wait for the project to begin.

Everything had been going swimmingly well, and without a hitch - that is, up until the time that our friend mentioned  the word "paint".  It's such an inadvertent word, but the images it conjures up for me can literally play in my head for weeks on end.  It's not that I hadn't thought about the new paint color, either.  Of course, I'd wondered, and looked at my fan deck for ideas.  But, something about someone else saying "you need to think about what color you are going to paint".  Well, say no more!  I was on a quest.  A light bulb went off in my head, and I have done nothing but think fervently about paint color ever since.

Nothing, until 2 days ago, that is, when I decided to stop just thinking about the colors, and get them on the wall.  I went to the local Benjamin Moore paint dealer, and bought some samples, so we could actually see the colors.  And, because it is important to see how light will affect color, it made sense to paint "locally" and "generally".   I've painted on both sides of the windows, above the door frames, below the window frames, on both sides of our large mirror.  And, also, next to the back splash, next to the brick, and next to the cabinets.  Also, since this will be a joint-room venture, I had to get the same color samples on the dining room wall.  We are talking a lot of color on my walls right now. 

This works out just fine for me, as it gives me time to process my elimination.  Unfortunately, my husband, the extremely patient man that he is, has one quirk, and that is that he doesn't do so well with disorganized spaces.  Apparently, the paint colors all over the wall look disorganized to him.  I, on the other hand have an uncanny ability to overlook the hodgepodge of colors, knowing out of the dysfunction will come beauty and function!   He doesn't see it the same way.  Anyway, I was thinking maybe it has to do with his profession.  My husband is a former health inspector.    Maybe our walls look a little "sick" to him.

They say marriage is a lot of give and take.  In my husband's case, it's a lot of giving.  I'm the lucky one in this marriage!  And, he does put up with a lot of change in this house.  Things may be one way when he leaves for work in the morning, but many times they are another way when he walks in the door at night.  So, in all fairness to him, I have got to pick a color, and paint it on the wall as quickly as possible.  As much as I love the process, he loves the result.  He would like to have calm, subdued walls, and I can't blame him.  And, the sooner the better.  So, with that said, here's a picture of the colors that don't work:

It's funny how different paint looks in the jar, as opposed to on your wall.  This sent me back to the paint store again, in search of new samples.  This time, they kindly gave me larger samples of the new choices.  Here they are:

So, without further ado...drum roll please...my final choice is....paint #2.  It's called 'Danville Tan', a Benjamin Moore color. 

At least that's my choice today.  I may change my mind when I get to the paint store...but, I'll save that for another entry. 

Living Room "Revamps"

Does  your living room scream 1980's?  Does your decor need a face lift?  Dreary or outdated interiors do nothing for our "home-esteem", and they  detract from our own enjoyment of our home.  Sometimes, a change of scenery is just what we need.  And, the good news is that change in small increments can make for big impact, and doesn't need to cost a lot.  All it takes is a little imagination. 

Some ideas for living rooms:

Adding pillows is a great way to update the look.  They can introduce a new color, add warmth and texture.  I often shop for them at discount stores or hobby stores, or wait for them to go on sale.  Often, they are marked down 50%. 

New lampshades are a wonderful way to bring in a new look.  They can cost very little, yet bring a whole new look to a room.  Lighting, which the lampshades help define, plays a big part in the mood of the room.  And, also consider that our eyes are drawn to the light. 

Texture, texture, texture.  This can be added  in the pillows, in a throw, in the accessories.  And, it is found naturally in all sorts of places in the room (i.e. fireplace, flooring, fabric).   I love rooms that have different textures in the furniture fabric (i.e. leather and fabric upholstered furniture) because of the different textures introduced.  Texture is interesting and pleasing to our eyes.  So, add it wherever you can.

Artwork does not need to be elaborate, extravagant or expensive.  But, you do want it to reflect who you are, and what you love.   It is so personal and unique to each person, that it's really something that you only know when you see it.  I have a framed copy of artwork from the Museum of Folk Art, New York, that contains the actual plans for a village.  I purchased it years ago, and I have always loved it.  I don't even know what drew me to it, but it just seemed to be exactly what I love.  It hangs as the focal point in my living room, and my whole color scheme is worked around it!  But, artwork could also be a sculpture, or iron scroll work.  Again, whatever you love, you should use.

Paint is the last thing I want to mention.  Do not underestimate the power of paint!  It is the least expensive way to give the most dramatic change to a room.  It can add drama, warmth, and/or sophistication.  There are lots of great places to look on line for color advise if you are unsure.  And, remember that if you pick the wrong color, you can always paint over it.  And, if you would like a big change to your living room, nothing will transform it like paint.

Whatever you decide, remember to have fun doing it! Decorating is really just a way to express ourselves, and it should be a fun experience, not a stressful one.  Remember to start small.  Look over your room, and decide some key elements that you would like to change.  You'll be surprised at the difference even a few new accessories can add.  Enjoy!

What I Love About Decorating

I find change is the only constant in my house.  I can't leave a room alone.  Just when I think I've arrived, and my room is exactly what I've pictured it, someone comes along and rearranges it!  And that someone is me, I confess!

I love the process, even more than the result.  It's the thrill of the hunt that lures me.  I love the feeling of finding the perfect accessory, or the perfect paint color, or really anything that adds to the mood I'm trying to achieve.  And, the beauty of decorating is that there are many solutions to the issues we face in decorating. 

I also enjoy finding things in one room that can be moved to another.  My husband says I'm "robbing Peter to pay Paul".  But, to me, it's an economical way to revive two rooms at the same time.  Often, one room has an object that is doing nothing for it's present room, and just moving it out lightens the look noticeably, while bringing it into a new space will enliven it considerably.

I also love seeing the different ways one room can look.  Each room has endless possibilities for me.  I often will change a room from a french country feel to give it a rustic feel.  That might just mean stacking some old suitcases to use a side table next to the couch.  Or I may try to bring a more cottage feel to a space by bringing in some flowers or an old wooden window frame. 

After a project or room is completed, it is a wonderful feeling to sit back and enjoy it.  I enjoy entertaining and it is a joy to see my guests enjoy the space, as well.  I feel it is important to make the most of each space, especially in our small home where there isn't a lot of it.  And, as my home is in a perpetual state of change, the time to enjoy it is now, as a new and improved revision could be just around the corner.