(sorry but my blog is undergoing some construction--no time to fix it so you'll have to excuse all the ugliness until I can clean up around here)
I spent the weekend organising and yet our house is still a mess. I'm sure it will be this way until we move in December. My project is to to reduce the number of boxes we have in the basement down to half, --mostly things from our Mexico move never opened. The good news is that I found so many boxes of art supplies it made my week last week! Every time we took apart a room to renovate I'd box them up and then lose them in the basement somewhere so I'd end up buying new stuff and starting over again. It was like Christmas finding and organising all those boxes and the kids loved digging into it all. I think there's at least one more box somewhere.
I've been emptying the kids rooms too in preparation for the move. There are a lot of baby things that we don't need anymore¨*sniffle* so that really cuts out the clutter. I've reread some books recently too that really inspired me to ruthlessly declutter--Clear You Clutter With Feng Shui and Amanda Blake Soule's book The Creative Family, (great book by the way). I like what she says about looking at toys for your kids --"do the toys around you evoke a feeling of beauty?" I noticed oddly enough as I separated things from Charlotte's room that most of the toys that didn't inspire me or evoke a sense of beauty were actually gifts or hand me downs. I do usually buy inspired things like wood toys, books or art supplies for the kids, but it's the "everyone else" factor that gets in the way. It's all well meant and I love the family for the act of buying the gifts for the kids but there's a feeling of responsibility with a gift to keep it even if I don't like it or need it. I certainly felt that as I wondered what to do with the things I'd put aside. All this has me inspired to try to make more gifts for the children that we know and offer them art supplies or special books or well thought out wood toys for their gifts. (by the way for the friends reading this blog I'm not talking about YOU--your gifts were kept!)
The other thing I did was replace all the plastic bins with baskets and what a world of difference that made. The room felt so much better. It was suddenly lighter and airier. I think kids need to be surrounded by beauty to appreciate life and I'm dedicated to getting our whole home in that same order (even if I have a looooong way to go). The little people spaces are a good start though.
I'll post the finished room when I get the last details done and get the new bedding.
Showing posts with label decorating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decorating. Show all posts
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Design finds
Some eye candy from my trip last week...
We stayed at the Novotel near the train station in Annecy for the night. They've done the hotel in mid century and it's definitely drool worthy. I really liked these chairs they have in the lobby. I'm not sure what they are short of crawling underneath and looking (I considered it). They're also a shade of green that I have a weakness for. Those lights under the stairs are wonderful too. This gave me an idea for our other house (the day it's no longer rented).
This play area was also in the lobby. I love this modular furniture for kids. It's beautiful and the table was perfect for building blocks like Kapla because in the middle it has a hole with a net for arranging the blocks when the kids are done playing. Little S spent a good hour there playing.
A pretty cool bookshelf. Seb and I are bookshelf crazy. We both saw this at the same time and both said "ohhhh, wow"
Some library lights from the Résonances store in Annecy. I'm not sure if they sell these or not, didn't have time to ask, but they're all over the store. It seems they don't sell home lighting products anymore and the theme of the stores has changed. Boo-hoo.
A nice bath setup in the Résonances store. The towel rack is really interesting. It's sold in the store but I think it would be pretty easy to make one. I think I might just give it a try this summer. The beaches near the lakes are full of pretty driftwood this size.
We stayed at the Novotel near the train station in Annecy for the night. They've done the hotel in mid century and it's definitely drool worthy. I really liked these chairs they have in the lobby. I'm not sure what they are short of crawling underneath and looking (I considered it). They're also a shade of green that I have a weakness for. Those lights under the stairs are wonderful too. This gave me an idea for our other house (the day it's no longer rented).
This play area was also in the lobby. I love this modular furniture for kids. It's beautiful and the table was perfect for building blocks like Kapla because in the middle it has a hole with a net for arranging the blocks when the kids are done playing. Little S spent a good hour there playing.
A pretty cool bookshelf. Seb and I are bookshelf crazy. We both saw this at the same time and both said "ohhhh, wow"
Some library lights from the Résonances store in Annecy. I'm not sure if they sell these or not, didn't have time to ask, but they're all over the store. It seems they don't sell home lighting products anymore and the theme of the stores has changed. Boo-hoo.
A nice bath setup in the Résonances store. The towel rack is really interesting. It's sold in the store but I think it would be pretty easy to make one. I think I might just give it a try this summer. The beaches near the lakes are full of pretty driftwood this size.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Cancellations
Just when I bragged about being ready to jump on airplanes our trip has been postponed. Ohhh I'm really frustrated and disappointed. Unfortunately Seb has this horrid secretary who's really incompetent and nosy and she lost some papers she was supposed to send off for my visa. His papers are ready but mine are not and we didn't find this out until yesterday, two days before we leave. She's also been wondering aloud to anyone who will listen why I get to go to Shanghai and passing around my personal information for anyone who wants to have a looksee. Grrr.
So we're going in a couple of weeks but I'll have to take Little S out of school to go stay with the in-laws and they weren't thrilled about the last minute change of plans, (which I understand). We tried to plan this all around school vacations so that's the most frustrating part of not being able to go now and his teacher probably won't be happy about him missing school since he's so far behind. I'm dreading telling her especially since I have to take him out again in May for our US trip. Oh well, life is different for us what can I say.
So next week, hmmm. No big plans because I thought I'd be gone. My car should arrive at the dealership next Friday but that doesn't mean I'll be able to get it right away. I'll be stranded in the house doing lots of little diy projects and finishing up my cv. It went from being a fun and exciting travel week to a boring utilitarian week full of obligations. Poo.
We finally had to open the crates for our artwork since the basement flooding was getting me worried. The question is what's worse dust or humidity? I started getting worried that they might get moldy and to be honest I was really eager to see everything again because I'd pretty much forgotten what was in there. I bought three painting while I was in Mexico, you know kind of considered them my going away presents (along with my dishes and pottery) and I no sooner bought them then I had to have them packed. I basically chose this one the last week, asked Seb to pick it up, left for our flight to Florida and then the movers packed it the following week when I wasn't there. Two years later I finally get to see it again. It's as tall as me and I love it but there aren't a whole lot of places to hang it except the hallway. It had to be hung right away so the kids don't run into it with their toys or Seb doesn't accidentally drill though it (which I could definitely see happening!)
My other paintings are also modern but more Mexican. I really wish I'd bought a few more. I definitely would have if we'd stayed longer.
So we're going in a couple of weeks but I'll have to take Little S out of school to go stay with the in-laws and they weren't thrilled about the last minute change of plans, (which I understand). We tried to plan this all around school vacations so that's the most frustrating part of not being able to go now and his teacher probably won't be happy about him missing school since he's so far behind. I'm dreading telling her especially since I have to take him out again in May for our US trip. Oh well, life is different for us what can I say.
So next week, hmmm. No big plans because I thought I'd be gone. My car should arrive at the dealership next Friday but that doesn't mean I'll be able to get it right away. I'll be stranded in the house doing lots of little diy projects and finishing up my cv. It went from being a fun and exciting travel week to a boring utilitarian week full of obligations. Poo.
We finally had to open the crates for our artwork since the basement flooding was getting me worried. The question is what's worse dust or humidity? I started getting worried that they might get moldy and to be honest I was really eager to see everything again because I'd pretty much forgotten what was in there. I bought three painting while I was in Mexico, you know kind of considered them my going away presents (along with my dishes and pottery) and I no sooner bought them then I had to have them packed. I basically chose this one the last week, asked Seb to pick it up, left for our flight to Florida and then the movers packed it the following week when I wasn't there. Two years later I finally get to see it again. It's as tall as me and I love it but there aren't a whole lot of places to hang it except the hallway. It had to be hung right away so the kids don't run into it with their toys or Seb doesn't accidentally drill though it (which I could definitely see happening!)
My other paintings are also modern but more Mexican. I really wish I'd bought a few more. I definitely would have if we'd stayed longer.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Nothing major
No major accidents. This week has been pretty calm. whew.
In other news,
Well, Charlotte we can say has offically stopped breastfeeding. I think the last time was just around New Years Day. Right before this in November she went through a period where she cried and screamed and she was constantly clinging to me. She fed about sixteen times a day. I was at my wits end. I swore she'd never want to stop and I got a little depressed to be perfectly honest, really depressed. I think they get clingy when they sense it's the end (even if it's them who decides to stop). But now suddenly she's stopped asking and I've stopped offering. We're both sort of okay with that. It's always sad to let go but a lot of it's hormonal. I'm really pleased with getting so far when the beginning was so AWFUL, two years and two months! Go "low supply" me (and take that Miss Mexico Doctor who told me I had no milk!)
I've been really lazy with art journaling but I just haven't had time to draw at night and we don't have a light in the bedroom (don't ask). I've been getting back into photography lately. I just did a photo session for a pregnant friend and she loved it so much that we did a second session with her and the kids. I had a million ideas so it was really fun for me. The photos I did of her were very arty and avant garde. The kids ones were a bit more fun, laughing and poking fun of their mom. It was really challenging working with all that -- big belly mama, bad lighting and two kids. The pictures came out good though and she's shown them to everyone. I wish I could share them here but they're so personal. Anyway, now I have two or three people who've asked me to do sessions with their kids. I'm really excited because I love these kind of projects and my kids are bored with all my photo sessions. Fresh blood! Yay!
We hired our neighbor. Remember I said a while back "clearly one doesn't hire the neighbor" ? Well it was stupid to say that because he's the nicest person I've ever met and I think from what I've seen he's an amazing craftsman. I was just worried because we've had such horrible luck with workmen and you know if he's a neighbor it's kind of sticky. Hopefully he's our good luck charm.
Little S's room is almost finished and we're getting him some new furniture. I've found him an awesome mid century teak bed and I'm redoing his 1950's nightstand in the same tone. It's a little stylish for a kid's bedroom but I like it. I want to paint his accent wall in black (chalkboard paint!) but Seb is my roadblock, "you can't paint a kid's room BLACK!" He has to concede. It's going to look great and anyway it's only one wall.
Before I forget I have to share a link to a new favorite blog, with lots of fabulous ideas for mid century modern fans. I'm slowly becoming a huge fan of this style and it's pretty easy to collect nice pieces thrifting which is what I love to do.
In other news,
Well, Charlotte we can say has offically stopped breastfeeding. I think the last time was just around New Years Day. Right before this in November she went through a period where she cried and screamed and she was constantly clinging to me. She fed about sixteen times a day. I was at my wits end. I swore she'd never want to stop and I got a little depressed to be perfectly honest, really depressed. I think they get clingy when they sense it's the end (even if it's them who decides to stop). But now suddenly she's stopped asking and I've stopped offering. We're both sort of okay with that. It's always sad to let go but a lot of it's hormonal. I'm really pleased with getting so far when the beginning was so AWFUL, two years and two months! Go "low supply" me (and take that Miss Mexico Doctor who told me I had no milk!)
I've been really lazy with art journaling but I just haven't had time to draw at night and we don't have a light in the bedroom (don't ask). I've been getting back into photography lately. I just did a photo session for a pregnant friend and she loved it so much that we did a second session with her and the kids. I had a million ideas so it was really fun for me. The photos I did of her were very arty and avant garde. The kids ones were a bit more fun, laughing and poking fun of their mom. It was really challenging working with all that -- big belly mama, bad lighting and two kids. The pictures came out good though and she's shown them to everyone. I wish I could share them here but they're so personal. Anyway, now I have two or three people who've asked me to do sessions with their kids. I'm really excited because I love these kind of projects and my kids are bored with all my photo sessions. Fresh blood! Yay!
We hired our neighbor. Remember I said a while back "clearly one doesn't hire the neighbor" ? Well it was stupid to say that because he's the nicest person I've ever met and I think from what I've seen he's an amazing craftsman. I was just worried because we've had such horrible luck with workmen and you know if he's a neighbor it's kind of sticky. Hopefully he's our good luck charm.
Little S's room is almost finished and we're getting him some new furniture. I've found him an awesome mid century teak bed and I'm redoing his 1950's nightstand in the same tone. It's a little stylish for a kid's bedroom but I like it. I want to paint his accent wall in black (chalkboard paint!) but Seb is my roadblock, "you can't paint a kid's room BLACK!" He has to concede. It's going to look great and anyway it's only one wall.
Before I forget I have to share a link to a new favorite blog, with lots of fabulous ideas for mid century modern fans. I'm slowly becoming a huge fan of this style and it's pretty easy to collect nice pieces thrifting which is what I love to do.
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