Worth the Wait!

Like so many people, and for no particular reason, I love different shapes; whether it is a table, a mirror, or something that I just haven't seen before, I like things that are a little "off", a little unusual. With character. The problem with this, if you want to call it a problem, is that because they are one of a kind, when I see something, I almost always have to get it.

I never regret buying what I love, but I confess that I do have things that have been constantly moved around my house for over 20 years, just because I like looking at them, but were never quite sure what to do with them. One of my favorite things is a pair of vintage light fixtures; oddly shaped, I could never get them to fit anything modern, but I adored them just the same. All I really do is put them on a pile of books, or use them to fill a space. I still enjoy them, but I always feel a little sad that they no longer have a real purpose. I imagine their previous life to be in some cheap, art deco hotel, being turned on and off  while people smoke cigarettes, drink scotch, and ponder the rise and fall of the stock market.

One day, while my light fixtures were just sitting on a shelf, our downstairs fan broke. (Well, it broke with 14 teenage girls turning it on and off during a birthday party sleepover). I had always hated the fan anyway, but I needed to get it fixed, as we did use it during the Summer months (or, more often, when the smoke alarm went off near the kitchen). As the electrician replaced the part, I glared at the fan I hated, and began to wonder about replacing it, or, at the very least painting it. Honestly, it had about as much character as a pre-chewed blob of gum, and I couldn't believe I had allowed it in my house for so long.

As I replaced the plain, white glass I remembered the vintage light fixture sitting on the shelf. Never imagining it would fit, I promised myself I would go and buy a new fan, but first I would just see how the vintage fixture would have looked.
With a little encouragement, and a smaller bulb (I may never get it off) I got it on.
And, I have loved it ever since!

Summer Road Trip

To me, Summer seems to be one of those times when we try to capture a different American Dream; we suddenly want to create the perfect BBQ, drink strange, frozen drinks with our friends, and watch the children run through sprinklers on a perfectly manicured lawn (stopping occasionally to eat a red Popsicle, say "Thank you", and smile lovingly at their doting parents).

We are inundated with photographs and commercials, showing us snapshots of a pretend family, and implying that we only have a few months left to grab some fun; that now is the time to whisk up a laborious, homemade, special hot sauce, go camping with the neighbors, and (inexplicably) take our dog on a long road trip to find the zombie brewery that we saw in the "Weird NJ" magazine.

So, we plan the BBQ, and we find the zombie's, but we decide to buy the hot sauce. Our days aren't as perfect as the photograph in the magazine, but we find some new places to visit, get the garden in good shape, and we try to spend more time with the children. Life is like that; a jumbled mixture of ideas that get thrown together and sifted through. We can't do it all, but we can always figure out a way to do some of the fun stuff.

Although I don't like the idea of saving my fun for Summer, I do see that for some people it is the best, guaranteed way to plan their down time. Almost like forcing you to relax, without feeling (too) guilty. Some people still find it difficult, and even their relaxing seems too exhausting for me. They look for gadgets and "things" that will make their Summer easier, and save them time. Honestly, I get tired just looking at them (never mind reading the directions on how I am supposed to use them). I prefer to try and use what I have, or do without; I tend to luxuriate in my lazy days, and keep things as simple as possible.
But, if you are someone who is less lazy than me, and your heart flutters at the thought of the newest widget, then you still have a few weeks left to buy one of these time-saving lovelies.......

Pig Tail Food Flipper:  This, I am putting first, because I know I would be the person who would misunderstand the directions, and flip my steak onto the lawn. Surely tongs are easier? But, it comes in a nice, wooden box, so would be a lovely gift.
Hot Dog Forks: Another easy way to quickly lose your food on the grass, but, it would be great for roasting marshmallows, and making S'Mores.
Doggles: Perfect for protecting your dog's eyes on those long, hanging out the window, road trips.
Outdoor Chair with attached table, pockets, drinks holder and more: Perfect for the beach, outdoor concert, patio, camping, or even your favorite bachelor's Living Room.
Meatball Grill Basket: I have heard that this works very well, and it looks very cute, but it seems like a lot of effort to get twelve piddly meatballs (and I can't even imagine cleaning it afterwards).
Barbecue Dining Boat: Just to see if you were reading. This has a built in grill, a retractable umbrella, and seats ten people. (But is it worth $50,000? Personally, I would prefer the Hot Tub Boat at $42,000)
Beach Towel with speakers and a pillow: Why not? Great for your backyard, vacation by the pool, or the beach (compatible with most music sources).
Ice Cream Insulated Bucket: To me, this is the best one on the list. Sharing optional.

Decorating Funnies for your Weekend!

Let's face it, creating beautiful, happy, comfortable homes is what I absolutely love to do (and I do take it very seriously) but, decorating homes also has a really funny side to it.
I can't take credit for any of these cartoons, but I do hope they make you smile....
                                                                                                                  Enjoy your week,
                                                                                                                                    - Wendy

Controlling Collections

They say that the world is divided into two types of people; those who collect, and those who don't. I never thought of myself as a collector, but I do know that I accidentally accumulate things, and I am sometimes reluctant to let some of them go.

Never a fan of sameness, I tend to like things for all different types of reasons. I buy necklaces for their uniqueness, used-worn-down pencils (not sure why, but they always make me smile), photographs of people being happy and spontaneous, and old childrens books (I love the stories, the care with which they were created, and of course the words...). I also like to see, or use what I have, so I don't buy something unless I really want it. I guess it still counts as a type of collecting, but I rationalize that if they are labors of love, and in neat little categories, then I am not really a collector.

(Sometimes, when I am having a moment, the word collector conjures up visions of a Star Trek Convention, with grown men wearing plastic, pointy ears, waiting for Captain Kirk to sign their original lunch box from 1969). Although I am a big fan of William Shatner, I don't fall into this category of collecting. If you are a person who does, then collecting is probably a constant quest to accumulate everything connected to your favorite subject or hobby, and where you will put it is a secondary thought in the process. The fun thing about this type of collecting is that it is never-ending, and the joy is definitely more about the chase than how you intend to display it in your home.

Some collections often start out as gifts. We might notice that a friend likes to drink tea, so we buy them a new teapot for their birthday. She loves it so much, that we decide that surely she would like three even better than two. Before we know it, other people have noticed, and they are thrilled to give her a gift that she will automatically love. We remember that she always wanted to visit Paris, so we order a Parisian teapot for her online. Before you know it, it has become a bit of a gift-giving game; we discover the wonderful new world of teapots, and we present her with a new one for every occasion.Years later, she still looks at them fondly, but realizes that all she really wants is a cup of tea (made with a teabag) not 57 teapots scattered throughout her kitchen...

Whatever may have prompted you to collect, here are some thoughts on living happily (and decoratively) with your favorite obsessions:

- If you don't absolutely love it, store it, sell it, or give it away.
- Be realistic. Don't hang onto it just because "it may be worth money some day". It may, but will you, or your children, ever really sell it?
- If it's very important to you, label and date, or catalog, each item when you get it.
- Choose one or two areas in your home for your collection; a shelf, a room, a basement, a wall etc. Don't expand these spaces as you collect; just pack away what doesn't fit, and rotate the items every now and again.
- Be creative, not formal, with your displays. If it is something small, consider piling them in bowls, jars or boxes. Layer items on shelves, instead of lining them up like soldiers. Not every single thing has to be seen completely at all times.
- Don't be afraid of change. If you are getting bored with your collection, store it away for a while. If you miss it, bring it back, if you don't, then don't.
- Store it properly. If it is worth taking up space in your cellar, then take care of it, and invest in proper containers and packing materials.
- If it is useful, use it.
- Tell your friends and family, kindly, if you are getting tired of collecting something. They won't know unless you tell them, and no-one wants to give (or receive) gifts that are no longer appreciated.

I have to confess, that sometimes I buy fruit just because I like the way they are going to look in my cast iron bowl. Perhaps this could be called a temporary collection? Would love to hear what you collect. Drop me a line, and I will post it on my blue giraffe Facebook page.

Themes - Love them, or Leave them?

Whenever I return from a holiday by the sea, I always find my home to feel a little boring; a little dull, and not quite as cheerful as I imagined it had been the week before. I know the light is different by the ocean, and the place where we stay is decorated kind of "beachy", but for some delusional reason, I still expect to walk in my front door and feel like I am still on holiday.

Crazy really. After-all, a holiday should be different. Even if I stayed home, wore my bathing suit for a week, listened to a CD of the ocean, and spritzed salt water in my hair, it still wouldn't feel like I was on vacation.

After a week or two, I settle back into my home, enjoy my new tan, sort through the bathing suits, and vacuum the sand out of the car (which is a little like trying to clean up the pine needles from your Christmas tree). The lawn gets mowed, I prune and water the plants, and I try to remember what was normal. I make long lists of things that I should be doing, I get distracted by thoughts of sand between my toes, and I find myself longing again for blue and white nautical accessories.

Truthfully, there is rarely another time when I like a theme. But, immediately after vacation, I understand why so many people go in that direction; wanting to recreate a permanent space in their home that evokes a happy memory. Unfortunately (as I bust my own post-holiday bubble) those places exist somewhere else for a reason. It gives us something to look forward to. Something special.

People who live in the English countryside, don't dream of a quaint, thatched cottage, because they already have one. Nestled in a quiet village, or a beautiful, abandoned field, their home feels right; the colors compliment the English weather, and their home perfectly suits their relaxed lifestyle. While we are dreaming of castles and long, brisk walks to the pub, they are dreaming of sunny skies, sandy beaches, and an extra large bathtub.

With themes, a little does go a long way. If you want to remember a place, or a holiday, choose just one or two elements to decorate your home. It can be as simple as a pile of shells from the beach, or as bold as painting your kitchen a gorgeous, deep ochre. Whatever you decide to do, think of a way to remember the happy times, without trying to duplicate them....

The photograph above is a still from the delightful movie "The Holiday".