I happened to look up at just the right time. This is the schefflera that is across the room on the sideboard.
I added a Wallace Nutting to this wall in the den.
And here’s a view of the hall upstairs, where I used to have my studio. It’s changed a great deal since then.
These days, Don’s dresser is in the niche under the skylight. We added the framed posters that we rediscovered when we had the big shed clean out. On the left near the dresser is a reprint of a London Underground poster – The Playgoer Travels Underground. It’s very Twenties/ArtDeco – a period I’ve always been drawn to. I bought it in London in 1991. On the right, a poster I’ve had even longer – since the late Seventies. It’s from a production of The Mikado that was done at the Stratford Festival in Canada. As I played Katisha in a production of The Mikado many years ago, I wanted to see Stratford’s production and it was brilliant. It’s faded a bit over the years, but the graphic design remains incredibly striking. I distinctly remember getting both of these framed during the first year I lived in San Diego, when I could finally afford it.
That bookshelf is a vintage and handmade find. I bought it about 4 or 5 years ago at a local antique shop. It holds all my vintage children books, some of which were my mom’s, and my vintage Nancy Drew collection. My dad’s lead Model-T car is there, as well as a train car he made many years later.
I’ve obviously never seen a shelf like this one – it’s truly one-of-a-kind. This young girl – Martha Jane – seems to be dressed up in a nurse’s uniform.
The pine piece functions as our linen closet since we have none. You can’t see the stacks of books that are piled on top of it – all of them read by Don or me. My dress form is to the right of that, as well as a couple of tripods and my vintage wire laundry basket.
Today we’re going to do some initial work outside. Since it’s going down to 32 degrees tonight, I’m not going to start uncovering the garden beds until tomorrow when the danger of a freeze is gone for good.
Such a late spring this year!
But I’m really ready to get the glider and chair cushions out of the closet under the stairs (currently hidden by the egg cup cubby,) do some more sorting in the shed, move the vintage wrought iron chairs back to the Secret Garden – that kind of thing.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I love that little nook with the skylight! The upstairs hall is an interesting feature too. You’ve managed to make good use of your limited space.
I am hopeful we may be finally moving into Spring. We had a mixture of snow, sleet, rain, cold, and sun yesterday. It’s sunny today and supposed to start warming up. We have so much to do outside and we have to pace ourselves a little more these days.
Take care
We do, too. We worked outside for about 2 hours today and we were tired. Not used to so much fresh air, it was windy, and we’re not in good spring shape yet.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Oh, how I love the shadow of the plant on the stairs! I think your home is magical.
Thank you for sharing your spaces.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thank you, Kaye!
Stay safe.
Yesterday – what a wonderful workspace! Today – love the upstairs hallway with the skylight. And the stair tread rugs caught my eye, looks like a cool pattern. It’s a great house!
Thank you so much, Lynda.
Stay safe.
I love the way your house looks. I would never get away with it myself, so it is nice to be able to see someone does.
Thanks, Jan.
Stay safe!
Love the photos! I remember when you got the children’s bookcase; it’s an amazing, amazing find and so perfect for your childhood books. I do SO like the upstairs nook with the skylight as I said yesterday. Is it screened, so that on a nice day you can pull it up with the latch and let the air in? How does it work? Another utilitarian-style question: What kind of rug grippers do you have for your stairstep rug pads, that you don’t slip with them like on a banana peel?
I was just thinking of how, in more than one way, your house is like a museum, Claudia; it’s a lot of antiques that you’ve collected over time. Except that it’s your home, and it’s not sterile like some museums can be, and every piece has its home in your house, and a purpose, although the purpose of loved things alone can be simply to feast your eye and make you feel good. I never agree that material objects are not worth investing emotion in; they definitely are; I like my things as you do; they speak to me; even if I don’t know their original stories of how they came to be and where they’ve been, I have my own story for them, of how I-Vicki discovered them or came by them, how I wonder about them as in who was the artisan of the time; where I like to see my things in my environment and how they feel comfortingly familiar.
I was also thinking of my friend of whom I’ve spoken before, who is a really nice person but who lives in a cold, undecorated house; and, although I’ve known her for almost fifty years, why did it take me ‘forever’ to realize she simply has no imagination? And that she’s somewhat boring, with few-to-no hobbies or interests although she does read a single-genre fiction. And does a small bit of gardening. Although that is IT with her. Judgmental of me, and I’ll let it go, but she is particularly pointed and condescending about my personal collections in the home as well as my too-many hobbies/collecting, I guess because alternatively she gets tired of hearing me talk about decluttering and downsizing (and when she is critical, it stings; I have a thin skin). Despite my many flaws, though, it makes me glad I was blessed with an imagination and a curiosity (maybe even a child’s wonder) and an insatiable need to ‘learn’ about new things; new discoveries (I feel I’m often finding out about new stuff that other people have known about for years, like maybe an author with whom I have no familiarity; a piece of china whose purpose was unknown to me of its day [Antiques Roadshow on PBS is always great for these discoveries!]). And, like you Claudia, I appreciate and NEED whimsy!
(And the thing about old friends is that you forgive and accept each other for who you each are!)
I guess I’m going to be too wordy today but I was thinking of something else again, and it’s the continual reminder to be grateful. Thinking of home and house, roof over the head, roof over the carefully-gathered keepsakes, it is a privilege to have shelter as just one of so many things for which to be glad and happy. Like with yours and Don’s home, it is so loved; it just breathes out love. You can tell how much your home means to you both. I was going over houses for sale in my town last night (the online realtor pages); and my town is poor although it has its better enclaves, with California real estate prices thru the roof, like when will this end; tiny bungalows for sale for ‘way too much money. Ridiculously priced, but people are buying them; snatching them up. Wow, though; looking online at the interiors of these larger/newer (million-dollar) homes with all their amenities and space, maybe a swimming pool too; can make a person drool.
But it’s so childish to be envious and I get very disappointed in myself when I find myself in the Land of Envy. Especially because of what’s going on in the world, when others are in harm’s way, having lost all personal possessions and property, jobs, pets (and loved ones/family/friends) and I’m safe.
(I had a flash of memory, of being a kid and grumbly about the food before me at the table, refusing the plate, with Mom saying, “Eat. There are starving children in Africa. You are lucky to have food.” And she always said this gently but seriously and with solemnity; it was no kind of joke with her.)
Reason I mention any of this is because I’ve been going through a period where gratitude is sometimes escaping me. I have a very quiet life at home due to health complications; and, of course, penny-pinching out of necessity in the fixed-income years. But with mask mandates easing and it seems a bravery again with travel for the first time in a couple of years due to pandemic, it seems like ‘everyone’ I know is going somewhere and doing something fun (except me; oh, woe is me!!! [hint some sarcasm]). I have relatives (inlaws) who are luxury-cruising Europe’s rivers at the moment; I’m figuring it’s a $15,000 tour for the two of them. Others of whom I hear are on vacation in their own states or other U.S. states; interesting and fun destinations. Having a ball. Going to events like such enjoyable small festivals and spring flings. On the road again.
I think, for me, it’s the feeling of life passing by; because, in these senior years, time passes too quickly. And I’d always loved to travel. If I could (I’ve recently thought about this), I’d be doing it now with nothing to stop me despite all the warnings and cautions; I’d wear my mask and feel protected with my fourth Covid vaccination, hand sanitizer at the ready .. ! .. (kills me that I know of retired people who have loads of money, no money worries, all kinds of time AND good health and vigor [key to everything!], with absolutely no desire to travel, not even to the next town [but, to each his own]).
But I was reading Susan Branch’s nice blog yesterday, learning (if I interpreted this right) that ninety … just let that sink in: 90 … of her ‘girlfriends’ (readers/fans) and their families are accompanying her on the Queen Mary to England in about ten days (happy for them .. !!! .. although, yeah, it makes me feel kinda bad; just wish I was ONE of them!), and I couldn’t help but ponder this in my head, of how much money that costs, and of how there seems to be a lot of people out there who can afford this kind of thing, although my husband reminds me of all those in the world who have less. And maybe I could have lived differently so that I’d too have that kind of money in my life today, just like them. It goes back to Mom’s earliest teachings, though, of how it’s a sin to envy or covet, that there will always be people who have less blessings or more blessings, and it’s your own blessings that count for a happy life. And maybe for those cruisers to England, it’s a highlight of their life that they’ve been saving up for, for a long time; a one-time-only and yearned-for experience they’ve dreamed about and maybe never thought would happen.
Still, the idea of a big-event travel opportunity or even a small-event one, sounds so tantalizing to armchair-traveler me. The self-pity creeps in. Believe me, it is NOTHING that I can admire about myself.
So, in an attempt to improve, I’ve been looking around my surroundings and doing the gratitude list again. AGAIN. Of how lucky I am to be in a calm environment with no fear for my life like the Ukraine citizens. That my husband and I are fortunate that we somehow were able to own our own home, even though it’s a mess and needs a lot of work. That I had 25 years of nonstop work life where I could earn a living. That my sky above is blue, with sun coming out, warming my dog as he takes in his morning sun soak in the yard (my giant dog for whom my love increases every day although he has a road to go yet in his rehab/rehoming from an inconsistent, former, shelter-animal life; he is so beautiful and is becoming more loving and trusting every day, which is a very gratifying thing to see; it makes me cry; all he needed was some time, space and attention, no great heroics on our part at all).
My hillside, although a bit untamed, is blooming with every color of orange, yellow, purple, lavender, pink. The meadow patch out front is springing unidentifiable small flowers of cornflower blue. The maple tree is ablaze in red glory. It’s not so hot this morning; the temperatures are pleasantly cool in the mid-70s temps. It’s windy, but we’re always windy in my part of Southern California; and today’s wind isn’t UNpleasant. I’ve been sick for a week but today is better. I’m about to start my bill-paying of the week, and I am lucky-lucky that the income stretches to cover the bills. Gonna attempt to make a homemade soup today, and that beats what some folks get by with, mixing freebie ketchup-condiment packets in hot water as a pseudo tomato soup, because they’re hungry and can’t buy much food.
Once you start a gratitude list, it gets longer and longer. It’s a terrific antidote to petulant self-pity! I’m not reinventing the wheel here; Amazon has book after book available to purchase in the form of gratitude journals, some with prompts to get you going.
Thanks for letting me spill. Of course we do here, on MHC, often talk of gratitude! I know you go thru ‘the list’ too, Claudia.
Everyone on earth falls prey to envy. Growing up, I used to envy my friends, who had bigger houses that we did, nicer furniture, quiet homes with no yelling or drinking. Later, when I was a relatively poor adult, I envied others who had more money, more disposable income. And then, for years, I envied all those people who had a more conventional life allowing them to purchase a home at a younger age unlike Don and me, who are always pinching pennies, worried that we might not make the rent or mortgage or be able to pay our bills.
I’m just as guilty of that envy. In the past several years, I have worked hard not to be envious. To appreciate what we have. Yes, we will never pay off this house unless we win the lottery, but it is what it is. I wish I had been able to save more and right about now, I wish I hadn’t spent so much on Blythe dolls and clothing, because that money would come in handy. But I try not to regret. I try to move forward with gratitude and a positive outlook. It isn’t always easy. But all I have to do is turn on the television and see what is happening in Ukraine. Or walk through a neighborhood where people are suffering and unemployed.
Perspective and gratitude.
xoxo
Claudia
I appreciate your thoughts; thank you, Claudia; you always know how to word things so well, often echoing my own feelings. (Regrets. That word is loaded for sure.)
We should be glad we can find perspective. I think not everybody can. My husband is actually one of them, to a degree. Throughout my life, I’ve known people who never think about their lives. They don’t take time to assess and reassess; change when necessary and make new goals. Regroup. It must stew inside them. Maybe not. Or else they’re just lucky. I’ve probably said this before, but I worked with a woman once who, upon reflection (meaning, me thinking about her), really didn’t ‘have a pot’, but she and her husband went out to lunch every day and they managed to put quality into their lives by taking advantage of ‘free stuff’ to do and enhance each of their days, well into their retired life and his death in his 80s (going to the park, going to the pond, going to various gardens, going to the beach; all in their environment without traveling more than a mile or two).
She and I went to a workshop once, paid for by our employer, and one of the exercises was to take a pen to page, evaluate your life. (What do you like? What do you not like about your life? What would you like to change? What do you aspire to? What would you still like to achieve? What are your goals?) I of course, ever wordy on paper, was writing and writing. She just sat there, pen in the air; I finally said, “What’s wrong? Are you stumped?” She turned to me with the oddest look on her face and said, “I never think about my life.” So, I dunno; maybe that’s part of living for each moment and only today, just taking life one day at a time with whatever it gives you and making it good?
xoxo
Be glad that you are the way you are, Vicki. That you need to have things that mean something to you around you. You know that I always say,
“everything in this house has a story.” And that’s true.
I couldn’t live any other way. To live in a sterile and minimalist environment would be like a jail sentence! I must have color and memories and tactile things all around me – so that wherever my eye lands, I see something that sparks a memory, that brings pleasure to my eye. Don is the same way. My home environment, even in the tiniest studio apartment or my bedroom as a child, has always been a place in which to create with pattern and old, vintage items. Always will be. You are much the same.
xo
Yes, you are voicing exactly how I feel. Thanks for the support, Claudia, as always. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
xo
Yes, there’s a screen. We crank it open on very hot days, so that the hot air on the second floor rises and moves outside.
The rug pads are attached to the wood with carpet tacks.
Stay safe, Vicki!
My need-to-know questions answered! Thanks. I don’t think I know what carpet tacks are; maybe I’ll find out when we finally pull up the last of the old wall-to-wall carpet in our ancient home! Love the idea of that skylight; I lived in a house once that had one, but it was stationary. Yours is like having a car with a sun roof!
Yes, it is!
xo
I love your nooks and light. Nancy Drew. Posters that mean something. Beautiful wood. It is truly curated. You may be a vocal coach/actor but you could easily be a production designer! I really should do this sometime when I’m needing a post or two. It’s terribly fun to look at others’ spaces!
You should! Your readers would love to look at your spaces, Jeanie!
Stay safe.
Wacky Spring!We got 14 inches of snow and ice from Monday night through yesterday and no power for 15.5 hours!
Your home is truly personalized for your enjoyment,I love all the books,enjoy!
Oh no! I’m so sorry, Pat!
I hope it has begun to melt, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
Stay safe.
I remember when you got that sweet shelf for your children’s books! And I do remember when that was your creative space on the landing. Also when you got the egg cup cubby and put in front of the little storage “closet” where you have to move the cubby to get to your summer cushions! So many memories over the years.
It is hard to limit how much one does outside for Spring clean-up, but wise to do so and not suffer the consequences of doing too much too quickly. In the long run, I have come to believe it doesn’t actually add that much time when we slow down, because if we don’t, we just end up taking a day or 3 off to recuperate from over-doing!! It all averages out and I have found as I take my time, I seem to notice and even appreciate what I am doing even more so. This aging thing has to make sense SOMEHOW, right?? Hope you have a good evening. Take care.
You’re absolutely right. We worked outside for a couple of hours today and then we stopped. I’ll do the same thing tomorrow. We’re taking it slow.
Thanks so much, Chris.
Stay safe.
I’m really enjoying the tour and all the unique and fun things you and Don decorate with. Life is meant to be interesting I say! Hugs!
Thanks so much, Linda!
Stay safe.