This past week was filled with things that consumed my mind, musings you could say. Not all pretty things, there were a few ugly things mixed in, but the good outweighed the bad. Looking back at the end of the week was good for the soul. I saw just how much more good there was and I was re-inspired by the things that I had forgotten (in my moments of stress) that I was blessed to be inspired by the first time. So I would like to share them with you, and often. I hope these musings of mine can inspire you and lift you up as well.
WARNING: EXTREME RANDOMNESS TO FOLLOW
Virtual friends...
I had a nice surprise on Friday, @since1859 found me on Instagram and we were both tickled over this London girl and this American girl that were so similar yet across the ocean from each other. And that is what I love about social media. I know there are some it so great things about it, but this thing, it’s a really good one. Back to @since1859, you should give them a follow to see them transform their old home in London! As a fashion designer and artist, they are killing it as diy-ers and their stories are proof! A reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to.
Rugs...
I have been searching through a mass of rugs for our living room. At first, I thought I wanted a traditional, deep red antique rug. However, my mom let me borrow a grey, over dyed rug to live in the living room until I found The One. And it changed my mind. The grey of this rug with the surrounding greys and greens captured me and I realized I loved how calming the monotone of it is. Did I really want to lay a blood red rug in this calmness? Nope. So this started the hunt for a dark green (to blend with the walls) rug in an antique / vintage style (to go with the Queen Anne Victorian style of the house). I found nothing. That is, until chatting with House of Brinson. Susan mentioned one of her rugs is a “Nichols” design. I immediately started searching it. Literally 3 minutes in I found The One and more that could be The One. So many more, that now it will take time to choose just one. Thanks again, Susan! Here are two of my favorite finds: (click image for source)
Rain...
I love rainy days, and it rained so much this week (finally), my heart was happy. Little things. That is all.
Pocket Doors...
In our old house, we have two huge, sliding pockets doors separating the foyer and dining room. They are original to the house and one of my favorite things about it. They are usually kept closed during the cold months (for heating) and kept open during the warm months (for light and airflow). But every now and then, they don’t transition so well. Sometimes we slide them too far out and have difficulty getting them back into their pockets. This time though, we slid one so “too far” that one of it’s casters rolled off of it’s track (above) and onto the other’s track. It took some time and dismantling to figure this out...
After everything was righted, our wonderful carpenter (DeWanye) had the idea to screw in something in between the tracks to basically act as a “stop” so this wouldn’t happen again, which by the way, is damaging the drywall around the opening when we have to repeatedly take down trim to get inside. Fingers crossed this works! But I’m wondering, what other tricks do old house owners have up their sleeve?
Pups...
Chip came into our life this year unexpectedly, which it seems is the way that the best things come into your life. No, we did not “shop” him. We knew the family that had gotten him and had already fallen in love with him during visits. But then Chip needed to be re-homed. And the decision was obvious. Our home.
He has fit in perfectly, of course. And I am loving these moments I am getting to see of a boy and his dog bonding. It’s something so special I can tell. And just think, we would have missed out on this if we wouldn’t have simply opened up our home to him.
Tapestries...
Old French tapestries. I love them. Especially of trees. Like the ones pictured below. But, I can not find them! I have this dream for my dining room that needs one, so I am asking for your help! Where do I find these? Over here in America? And not $10,000?
Dining Room...
Now about that dining room. It hasn’t really been “designed” yet. During the One Room
Challenge of Q’s room, it actually served as a work room. We hardly ever eat in there. I just recently sold the dining chairs because I disliked them so much I didn’t want to look at them anymore. I have a half diy-ed china cabinet living there that I would like to kick out. And the table could really be bigger. Eh. No room should just be a pass through in your home, especially the dining room. This should be where we have family dinners (if I actually cooked) and talk with each other about our day. Maybe Sunday Dinners could become a thing again. But not with the room like this. So it moved up on my priority list. And this idea is consuming my mind still: see sketch below. I’ll keep you posted on the progress, albeit slow, I’ve got to find chairs and tapestry!
Portraits...
I have always loved the life sized, portrait paintings in gilded frames you’d find in European mansions (I watched a lot of Downton Abbey). And also the mysterious Grey Lady in Good Witch (watched a lot of Hallmark too). I don’t believe any of those will be finding themselves in my small town Victorian, but @themakerista caught my eye with this portrait in her foyer. She found a beautiful Victorian scene, had it printed on large canvas and stretched on a frame. Why didn’t I think of that?! Because we don’t have all of the answers, of course. And this is the second reason I love social media. Connecting with fellow designers and inspiring each other! I am currently hunting through The Met’s library for the perfectly lady to fill our bare 11 ft walls! See a few I have found so far, aren’t they lovely...
Antique finds...
This week I had a chance to hunt through an old shop that hasn’t been opened for a really long time and another shop in the next town over that I don’t frequent quite enough. All the good finds are saved in my “Antiquing” story on Instagram, you can take a quick look here. If you see something you love, please let me know, I enjoy bringing people and pieces together. With that said, if there is something you have been looking for but can’t find, also let me know of that! One of my new services I am offering is Sourcing, see here.
I love Fall...
It finally feels like Fall is making its appearance. Of course I am thrilled, this is my favorite season. Why? Halloween for one, but there is something about the breeze. Whenever it brushes past my skin, a memory does too. Past fall seasons of pumpkin picking, bonfires, football, playing outside (because here in the South, Fall is when you can and not die from the heat). Now I’m planning mums and costumes and I have already started scouring for Fall scents. Fun fact: I am obsessed with wax melts. I have many of the wall plug-in warmers around the house and a drawer full of different scents that I am constantly changing out. (Just like my Nanny). One of my favorites is “Spice Market” that I get at our local Dollar General. Yep. Nothing fancy. But it smells ahmazing. And it is already filling the house. So, I’d like to know, what are your favorite fall scents and where do you find them?
Paints for Old Houses...
Yes, back to House of Brinson (I am obviously obsessed with all that they do). Susan shared a post this week of paints for old houses. I work at an architecture firm that specializes in historic preservation and still had not heard of some of these! Mind blown. Resources banked for future use. Especially the Portola Roman Clay. I love its texture, especially for a case of new gypsum walls that are so plain to me.
Windsor Ruins...
If you live in or around Mississippi, you know of Windsor Ruins. I have actually never been, it is on my to do list. But I came across this Facebook Page that shares history and findings of the site like this sketch by a soldier that is thought to be the only surviving sketch of Windsor drawn before it burned.
French Lessons...
My friend, Brittany, started a French class this week and I decided, hey I will learn with you! We can speak French together and wear French clothes and just be all French! Here are two apps we are using and how I am keeping up with it so far.
Duolingo
Tinycards
-French word
-English word
-How it sounds to me
Desks...
Okay, I need to know. Do you have your desk in your bedroom or in its own room or tucked in another room? I have been back and forth between having a desk by my bed to also serve as a bedside table or to have it in its own room. I like the idea of it being in its own room, a quiet place to be in the zone of "work". But lately I have been making time to sit in my bedroom and read, write, etc. so it would be nice to have a desk to do this at... But would that take away the oasis vibe of my room? The desk below is one I recently found at one of my shopping spots, so this is on my mind again...
Historic Preservation...
You might have seen a new Insta Story Highlight pop up on my account this week, and then filled with these amazing accounts that are following. You all know I am in love with old houses, preserving them - restoring them - giving them a new life - saving a bit a history. But I must tell you, the love is so deep that I have officially registered into a Historic Preservation program to soon be a Certified Historic Preservation Specialist! I am beyond excited for this and will be sharing what I am studying along the way, to be saved in this Highlight!
