My need to decorate is slowing down just a bit. That’s good, because I do have to work while I’m here. My boxes have all been delivered, save one. I think I must be IKEA’s favorite customer. I’ve always loved IKEA. In fact, the very first one to open in the US was outside of Philadelphia. It opened during my time in grad school at Temple University. Oh, we were poor grad students and were so excited! My friend John had an old car which three of us piled into and off we went! Then, as now, I had A LOT OF BOOKS…and records. I bought Ivar shelving and put it together myself. I was so happy. I had that shelving for many, many years. On another visit with my sister, I bought a table for the kitchen in my tiny apartment. She well remembers us lugging the box up several flights of stairs. In those days, most of the furniture was not my style but the utilitarian pieces were perfect. They can’t be beat for inexpensive, well-made solutions to decorating problems. Like this one.

I hate vertical blinds. Detest them. And this apartment has them. First I bought some sheers from Target and sort of threw them over the top of the blinds. They kept falling. I bought tiny binder clips to hold them. But I was getting irritated at the rate in which they fell. Yesterday at IKEA, I was looking for some way to hang them. Couldn’t find anything, but I did find these curtains for $4.99.

They are a cross between cheesecloth and tulle – very soft – they pool nicely on the floor. How to hang them? I was initially frustrated because there was no place to clip them on the housing for the top of the blinds without interfering with the movement of the blinds. I do want the blinds to close at night. Then, it hit me…wire, I needed wire. Off I went to the hardware store. 20 minutes later I had strung the wire behind the housing and I clipped the fabric onto the wire with little binder clips. The theater’s company manager arrived in the middle of this with my boxes and offered positive reinforcement. Now, they are up and filter the light beautifully.

Where did the sheers go?

They were hung (with rings with clips from IKEA) on the rod that is installed in the bedroom area of the apartment. I think it looks rather nice! I bought that little blue rug for a few bucks at, you guessed it, IKEA, to break up the expanse of ugly carpeting.

This is the print that you can see in the photo of the bedroom. I bought it at one of my favorite shops for next to nothing. It is a lovely flower print from the 50’s. It picks up the colors in the bedroom and will go beautifully in Mockingbird Hill Cottage when I return home.

Finally, let me introduce you to Chloe. Chloe was a gift from my dear husband at Christmas. He knew how lonely I would be for my dogs and thought I should have a companion to cuddle while I am away. Isn’t she sweet? She is keeping me company and is a perfect listener. And no barking!

More later.