decorating — Page 77

Adding Some Pretty

April 21, 2010 at 10:48 am by Claudia

Day 4 – 5:30 am.

I’m getting enough sleep because I can’t keep my eyes open past 10 pm. I am going to have to force myself to stay up later if I want to break this cycle. I do love the quiet morning, though – watching the sun come up, hearing the sweet song of the birds.

When I sent some boxes out here, I tried to include some things that would add a bit of color and personality to the apartment but I wanted them to be relatively compact.

I found these net curtains at IKEA when I was here last year. They made a world of difference over the window – diffusing the light and covering up the vertical blinds. I really detest vertical blinds. I strung some wire across the top of the binds, then I gathered and clipped the fabric to the wire. I draped a panel across the top – much prettier!

I am always on the lookout for vintage tea towels and dresser scarves. This pink tea towel softens up the black metal coffee table.

As does this beautiful crocheted piece given to me by Elyse. It sure makes a difference on this wooden table.

Some new things have been added to the apartment. Unfortunately, this lamp is one of them. And, joy of joys, there is another by the sofa. Besides the fact that it isn’t my taste at all, the light is rather harsh.

IKEA to the rescue: this little lamp was only $19. It has a lovely pale green glass base. As for the floor lamps – I try to pretend they aren’t there. Do you recognize the mug? I bought it last year and I found it way back in one of the kitchen cabinets! No one moved it or took it. I’m so happy it is here!

This ribbon board also survived. I bought two of them last year and took one home with me. There is my 39 Squares sampler, held up with one of Elyse’s clothespins. The Mockingbird Hill Cottage badge was made for me by Jeanne. Isn’t it sweet?

A few little touches to make this place more me. I need some more little pretty things around here. Sigh. I’m on the lookout.

It is raining here today. Rain was the top story on the news here last night – I forgot how big a deal it is in San Diego. Don and I used to run outside when it thundered – we would get so excited! I’m off to coach some actors this morning. The read through of King Lear was very satisfying – we have a good cast. If all has gone according to plan, the artistic director should be flying in from London today. Cross your fingers.

Early Riser & Decorating the Pad

April 19, 2010 at 10:21 am by Claudia

I was able to snap this photo of the sunrise because I was awake at 5:00 am – again. It always takes me a few days to adjust to the time change. Beautiful sunrise, isn’t it? The weather forecast calls for rain the next few days…that doesn’t seem fair, does it? I just left the rainy weather back home.

Last year, I bought a slipcover from IKEA on the hopes it would fit this chair:

Have you ever seen anything more hideous? (I’ll spare you the large size photo of this – it made me cringe.) The slipcover was packed, shipped back out to San Diego and, upon arriving, I put it back on the chair as fast as I could.

Ah….much better.

The sofa in the apartment has the sort of foam cushions that are incredibly cheap and offer no support to my poor old back at all. Last year, I bought a board and put it under the cushions which seemed to help. The board is missing. I will be on a search mission later today, combing through things in the storage area here, hoping that it is still around. Because of the back problems, I bought this inexpensive wicker chair from IKEA last year and left it in the apartment when I returned home. It is still here – though it looks like a dog chewed one of the arms. The cushion I left with it is missing. What is with the actors who stay here??? Can’t they leave anything alone? All the sharp knives I bought last year are also missing and I had to buy some more yesterday at…you guessed it, IKEA. But I digress. Here is the wicker chair with a new cushion and a vintage pillowcase draped over the back. Oh, and a vase I bought yesterday for $4.00 at IKEA.

I feel better already.

On the work front, there is already chaos. The new director of the Shakespeare Rep is stranded in England because of the problems with volcanic ash. His shows are the first up this week in rehearsal. All the actors (except one) are here, ready to start tomorrow. No director.

As for the actors, last Friday an actor playing 2 major roles – major roles – canceled. Just decided not to come. Of course, if he is ill I would totally understand. But otherwise….how unprofessional. Quite a bit of intrigue and I haven’t officially started work!

Today I plan to drive out to the beach and visit my favorite shops. I can’t wait to see Lori at Vignettes and take lots of eye-candy photos for you.

Have a great day.

Rearranging, Allergies, Square #19

March 19, 2010 at 8:28 am by Claudia

I can tell Spring is here by the warmer temperatures, the tiny little buds on my plants, having the windows open…and my gosh darn allergies. I can’t stop sneezing, my head is stuffed up and I’m having trouble hearing out of one ear. Why is it that the beauty of Spring brings yucky allergies along with it? Doesn’t seem fair, does it?

Our living room is tiny and there are certain pieces of furniture that can’t be moved: the piano, the loveseat, the sideboard. The chairs, however, are another story. All three chairs are in new positions. This started when Riley was really having trouble with stairs and Don and I decided to keep him out of the den for a few days (there are 2 steps down into the den.) Since I blog in the den and Riley always wants to be near me, we moved the most comfortable chair in the living room (the yellow one) nearer to an outlet. That meant the red chair had to move to the other side of the loveseat and this wicker rocker moved to the space vacated by the yellow chair. We’re now back to blogging in the den. However, we like the new arrangement so we’re going to go with it for a while. Sometimes necessity forces one to make a perfect change.

Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while might remember this photo of Riley:

That was the idea behind Square #19:

The adorable back of Mr. Riley’s head with the one thing that is always on his mind – food. I tried to stitch the letters for food in what doggie thoughts/writing might look like.

Lee remains the same. The sedation was eased yesterday and Lee opened an eye and Don talked to him a bit – telling him where he was, what day it was, etc. Much of the time for the family is spent waiting. Waiting for any sign of improvement. My hope is that something very positive happens before Don has to leave on Monday night. He would be able to leave on a hopeful note. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers…if you don’t mind, could you keep them coming?

Adding Some Pretty

Early Riser & Decorating the Pad

Rearranging, Allergies, Square #19

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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