I’m running a bit late today as I didn’t get to sleep until very late (noise next door). Ah, the joys of apartment living. The good news? I slept in. And I don’t have to be at rehearsal until noon. Otherwise, my friends, you might not be getting a blog post today!
We finished table work yesterday and today I’m coaching the actors one-on-one. These initial sessions are a great way to get to know each other, to go through all of their lines in the text, to talk about the rhythm, the poetry and the iambic pentameter of each line. We discuss the meaning, the challenges and, hopefully, I help the actor gain in understanding.
Back at the apartment:
The big black coffee table that replaced the white one that I liked so much. Sob. I do like the shelf underneath, though. Luckily, I always grab some fabric scraps when I’m packing and this piece of bark cloth works rather nicely. That’s my new wall calendar from Rifle Paper Co. under the table, just waiting for January 1st.
This gives you an idea of how high the ceilings are in these apartments. At one time, this was an office building. I like the high ceilings – such a contrast with the cottage, where our ceilings are much lower. That’s my humidifier on the counter.
This shelf unit is a new addition since I was last here. Very handy, I must say. The hooks on the wall are new, as well.
The desk. This has changed since I took this photo. Because the sofa is so hard on my back, the company manager brought in two chairs for me to use until they can change out the sofa. That can’t happen until A Christmas Carol closes and those cast members and crew members move out and that won’t be until December 31st. Since I’m going to be back in a couple of months to work on Saint Joan, the company manager thought it might be worthwhile to actually move this sofa out and a firmer one in.
I’m grateful for the chairs because I really had nowhere to sit to watch television except at the desk or the dining room table. New television, by the way. Much better picture quality – that’s a very nice change!
Anyway, here they are. It makes things tight right now, but I’m sure she brought two chairs because she knows Don is coming for New Year’s Eve.
I had covered the sofa with the quilted cover from the bed (I always change that blue quilt out with my quilt from home because it’s prettier and more lightweight). But when the chairs were added, it made sense for me to take the cover off.
I am not a fan of a big expanse of brown faux leather. Just my opinion, of course. I have a feeling it all goes back to my mom decorating with beige and brown and lots of dark wood in a small living room. She did eventually go to avocado green. I know you all remember that color craze. Anyway, my immediate reaction is to cover the brown with some color, as that combined with black tables and a brown floor is a lot of ‘dark.’ I still plan to do that, but I’ll have to wait a bit until I go home and see what I have there. And there will be some sort of quilt on that wall.
In order to fit these chairs in the living space, the desk moved over to the right.
The nest is taking shape.
Flowers, of course. I stop at Trader Joe’s on the way here and buy flowers. That is a must.
The other end of the room. Mirrored squares successfully covered. I mentioned in the comments that the squares are attached firmly to the wall. They’re not hanging on something, so trying to move them and rearrange them would damage the wall. So, I’m covering them up! I always move that yellow lamp to the counter because it picks up the yellow in the quilt.
I’ll do the same on the other end by the sofa when I bring another quilt from home.
These are my essentials for life on the road: quilts to hang and to cover the bed; fresh flowers, fabric to cover surfaces that are worn or too dark, extra lamps (the lamp on the desk and the blue lamp next to the sofa are from home) pottery to use as containers, books, my favorite mug, framed photos, my Bose sound link mini speaker, and this year, little Christmas trees.
Have to run!
Happy Wednesday.
The temporary quarters are shaping up nicely. I like!
Thank you, Deb!
Delightful! Makes me want to spend a few weeks there.
Thank you!
You do know how to make it home away from home! Still puny with this cold but better. Staying in another day. Hugs.
Feel better, my friend!
Fun to watch the home-away-from-home come together. When do you leave to head home for Christmas? I think it will actually be fun to have Don be there with you over NYE ~ even though I know you would probably rather be at home. Something new can be fun, too. Keeps us on our toes!! (I love that little shelf unit!! Great “dropping off” point.)
I have so much to do, and I can’t figure out why I am still sitting here on the computer. Must get up and become productive. That address of “Denial”, where I continue to reside, shows up consistently in my life in so many ways!! Maybe I have lived here longer than I actually realized!!
Have a great and fun day!!
We’ll just go to bed early as we tend to do these days! Even on New Year’s Eve!
What a nester you are, Claudia! You could have been an interior designer – you’d have been right in your element. Or I should say, ANOTHER of your elements. Renaissance woman. PS – I just LOVE that quilt in your dining area. Gorgeous. My mom was just getting into quilting in her later years & had planned to make each one of her 6 kids [and all the grandchildren too] a quilt eventually. I’m the oldest & Mom was always asking me for ideas on what I wanted, so I started to save images of quilts I liked. Years later, in looking through my “Quilts” folder, I can see that nearly all of them are much more contemporary than traditional. Which is weird, because I lean very heavily “traditional” in most everything else. Go figure! ⭐️
#ThisIsNotNormal-ThisIsNuts
I wanted to be an interior designer when I was younger. But I wouldn’t have been cut out for doing other’s homes. I’d only want to work on mine!
I like contemporary quilts much more than traditional, as well!
It’s all coming together Claudia! Nice that you are able to decorate the way you like in a temporary space.
Yes! No painting, of course, and I am respectful of the space, but they’re used to actors staying here for 8 – 10 weeks and that’s a long time away from home – so naturally, they want to make the space their own.
I like your changes! I have to laugh because I always bring things from home to decorate hotel rooms and always bring a quilt or two. I keep saying that one day I will learn to travel light, but I know I am only kidding myself.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
Well, it’s essential when you’re going to be in that space for 5 weeks! Too long without some favorite things along for the ride, Susan!
Very cute. I just got a place of my own four weeks ago. It has been fun to decorate my new space. I have never lived alone before but I like it. The past three years have been really tough, loosing my husband, surviving a horrific fire and everything that comes with all that loss. I am ever so thankful for my family. Merry Christmas Claudia! xo
April, I’m so happy to hear you have a place now after all you’ve been through! Thank goodness. Settle in, my friend and Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I can tell you’re putting years of experience in temporary digs to make a place your own for a little while. Hope the next sofa you get is more accommodating to you.
Me too! I should knock on wood, but it can only be better!
you do realize you have so much talent don’t you? You have a real talent for turning anywhere you are into a cozy welcoming space. I have followed for a while and always enjoy seeing how homey you make your homes away from home. Speaking of…. is wayfrom with you ?
Thank you, Sue, that’s very kind of you to say! No, Wayfrum and Little Lamb and Maggie Rabbit stayed home this time. I just had too much stuff to bring! They’re up in the bedroom with Don.
You’ve done wonders there my friend! Amazing how just adding a few things can transform a rather generic place into a little slice of home! We were out and about this morning…and suddenly it’s almost 3:00! Too much to do…too little time….and not much energy. It seems to take me twice as long as it used to, to do the same things…yikes! When do you go home? ;)
I know what you mean! Twice a long!
I go home on Friday – not sure what time, that will depend on how long my particular rehearsal day is. The stage manager is going to try to release me a bit early. The traffic on I-84 is terrible in Connecticut and it will be even worse the night before Christmas Eve. So the earlier, the better! Fingers crossed!
I agree that flowers are essential to any place, to me they totally change the atmosphere of the room and give me a good and happy feeling. Everything seems to come together beautifully. Have a wonderful afternoon!
Thank you so much, Susi! I’m going to buy some more when I return here after Christmas.
That couch looks very uncomfortable. No structure.
The chairs looks solid and good for the back.
You work fast. The place is taking shape. I know this
is important to make your own while you are there.
I’m sure Don will like it too.
Take care,
Monica
I think he will. He would never do all this stuff, but he does take a few things along when he’s out of town to make the place friendlier.
Looking good! I don’t think I could be away from my home for as long as you have to be because like you, I love my home and being there-I’m also very “turtle like”, so my hat’s off to you! We use to go to a cabin on a lake every year for a weeks vacation and over time I would take more things to make it more homey.
I’m loving getting the inside scoop and behind the scenes of theater!
Ah, but I’m being paid and that is a good thing! So I bite the bullet and do it. And I get to meet lovely people and enlarge my already large circle of theater friends. So it’s a win-win! (Except for missing my cottage and my husband!)
That sofa looks terribly uncomfortable Claudia…but I love that shelf and the chairs are very nice too…You are lucky that the management is willing to work to get you what you need to feel more at home…That is so nice of them!
Our Company Manager, Samantha, is the best!
I’m reading and reacting to this post a day late…but it looks like you’ve been busy—cozying! (Is that a word? I hope it is because you do it so well!) I’m sure this week will fly by for you. Family’s here, so my week is flying by, too! Gawd bless us, every one!
Have a lovely time with your family, Shanna!