Por Que Parquet?

Parquet flooring.

Quick!

What is the first thing that comes to mind?

For many I bet words like character, warmth, desirable, amongst other lovelies come to mind.

For me, images of funky 3rd floor one room apartments with dish towel curtains targeted at financially strapped college students come flooding in to my head.

I'm all grown up now and trying so hard to be mature about this. So, can we talk? I'm sure I will offend some people when I say that I simply don't like them. Maybe it's just my personal baggage.

Now I know there are some absolutely breath-taking parquet floors out there. I've seen them. Still, they bug me. I mean, the rest of the room becomes so totally secondary to these detailed, inlaid gems. The level of craftsmanship and upkeep that these entail deserve much better than their ultimate function allows.  I feel like it's sacrilege whenever I walk on them.

With that said, there are parquets that I could live with if I had to. And those I couldn't.

Nope. 

Nope.

Oh geez, no.

Mayyybeee.

hmmmmmm maybe not. 

.

Nope. This would drive me nuts.

This works. I think the stain and poly saves it.

um, no. Too basket-y.

Alright. If I MUST live in this space, I'd tolerate it. :) 

Cool. Totally do-able. I'm thinking entryway.

Wow, didn't even notice the floor. So, yeah, this works just fine, too!

. 

Sorry. Would not be able to deal with the squares.

This isn't parquet but I love the dark stain and just had to pop it in.

So, what's going on out there in real life design land? Who's with me on this and who isn't?

"Yeah..that totally works!

I've been sitting around a lot this weekend with hot tea and crackers by my one side and a sniffly, sneezy hubby on my other side. We're quite the pair this weekend. But what better excuse to catch up on some DVR'd shows, flip through the piles of magazines I keep meaning to spend time with and pulling fun images off of the web?

I'm no Oprah (darn it), but I thought I would share some of my favorite things.

I should save the best for last. But I just can't.

This chandelier is made from love letters written on Japanese paper. Swoon.

Antique Chinese lantern, French 40's deco table, 50's inspired chairs.Oh my. Yes. Yes. and Yes.

 

And this. Love the table although I'm not sure why. Probably because the chairs that were picked to go with it are genius. Any ideas about how else this table could work?

 

Just my personal opinion, but separated, each piece doesn't do all that much for me. But pulled together like this, there is a magic, don't you think?.

 

This style chair paired with this style table creates a striking juxtaposition although I think we've all seen this kind of thing so much by now that its unexpectedness is expected . Here, I'm all about the wall decor. It's a 6 foot diameter 18th-century gilt piece that is guessed to be from an Italian church.

 

Now, each piece in this vignette does do something for me.A dark stained bamboo table with Louis XIII chairs covered in what looks like sculpted velvet?  Pulled all together like this it's sumptuous yet earthy. Feminine balanced with masculine (or visa versa). And that Calder-ish mobile puts me right over the edge straight into design heaven.

Well, like most, if not all of you, I have dozens of files and folders full of images like these. I could go on and on. But I think it's time for some more tea before calling it a night. Maybe tomorrow we'll take a look at  some other rooms, like foyers. I love those! Don't you?

  

Did you enjoy checking out those rooms? I'm sure there were elements in them that caught your eye that I missed. Let's hear about it! There's always so much to learn from each other and it's a lot of fun, too.

All images courtesy of House Beautiful

Where to Put the Guests?

Not sure where to begin on this one. I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

 

  

 

Remote control. Ceiling hide-away. Strong. Expensive. Totally George Jetson cool.

 specs/info.

The Murphy Bed ain't your grandma's Murphy bed anymore.

Fashion Week 2010

This week is Fashion Week 2010. Although I am just a turtleneck and jeans kind of gal, I live my fashion fantasies through events like this. I wish I could scoot down to NYC and catch some peeks live and in person!!

Last week, a friend of mine told me that his wife, Elise Winters, would be having her work modeled on the runway!. She creates the most beautiful wearable art made from polymer clay. For all you color lovers and one-of-a-kind enthusiasts, her work has your names all over it! Designer Cynthia Rowley chose Elise's jewelry to accent her clothing line that is part of this year's runway features.

 

 

  

  

 

Has anything during this year's Fashion Week caught your eye yet?? What do you think of the "in" styles, colors, and lines?

It's Right There in Black & White

Sunday, November 11, 2009.  7:30-ish p.m.

rrrrrrinnnnggggggggg, rrrriiiiinnnnnnnggggggg...

"Hello, this is Karen."

"Hi Karen. This is (name concealed to protect the innocent). I need to schedule you ASAP for a staging consult. How soon can you come? We really need to sell this place fast."

"Umm... well, let me check. (digs out appt book out from the midst of various gas, grocery and note-to-self paper scraps from purse, while balancing tiny little cell phone between shoulder and ear) How about Tuesday at 2pm?" (2pm = perfect natural light)

"Can't you come any sooner? We just need to hear if there's anything we've overlooked." Apparently, one day seemed like an eternity to this particular agent. Either that or there was some kind of contract out on them if  this place wasn't turned around pronto.

So, I, being the compassionate and flexible gal that I am (translation: wimp) scheduled for the very next day. Columbus Day.

Monday, October 12, 2009

8 a.m. arrived. So did I. I'll just catch those sales at the mall next  year.


Well, well, well.

 

Not bad. Decent enough curb appeal. Bodes well for what the inside may look like.

Got out of car with notebook and camera. (tip: leave coffee in car for a myriad of obvious reasons).

Slowly walked to front door while observing every detail of exterior. Scribbled notes in notebook.

Entered foyer and received warm and fuzzy welcome from agent while homeowner stood quietly with arms folded across chest. 

Alrighty, then.

Looked to the right:

                    

 

 Looked to the left:

 

  

Looked up:

  

And straight ahead into the kitchen:

Then down the hall to the media room. 

 

I'll spare you the rest of the house. I kid you not. Every room was black and white. White wall-wall carpeting in almost every room. There was not one speck of color to be found unless grey, beige and1980's oak qualify. There was nary an accessory anywhere. This really was how they "lived". Nothing was taken down or put away prior to my visit. The place was spotless. I give them that.

Ummmmm, nameless real estate agent person? You wanted to know if you've overlooked anything, huh? Wow - I had a lot of writing to do that evening.

Typical scenario after a house tour and verbal consultations: 

1)Agent and homeowner are informed by me that a report summarizing all recommendations will be emailed to both of them within 24 hours.

2) I am paid on site either by the agent or the homeowner.

3) Within an average of one week I am sent pics of whatever recommendations were implemented as proof of the wonderful and wise advice I imparted.

What really happened::

1) No payment at time of service. (I was assured it would be mailed the next day).

2) Reports were written and forwarded as stated

3) One week later - No pics in my inbox; no check in my mailbox

Monday, October 19, 2009

rrrrrriiiinnnnnnngggggg...rrrrrrriiiiinnnnngggggggg

"Hello - (nameless real estate agent person) here."

"Hi (nameless real estate agent person). This is Karen. I am following up on our meeting at the blah blah residence last week. I sent out the reports the following day. I have yet to receive payment. Is there an issue we can resolve together?"

"Oh, gee. I'll send it right out! Just so busy. You know how that goes!" 

Yeah, I know how that goes....


                                         

December 3rd, 2009: 

Check in mailbox, finally.

Still no pics in inbox. Questioning my wonderfulness.

Via my inside sources at this office, I learned the following:  The agent TOLD the homeowner a stager would be a good idea and then TOLD the homeowner, (after the fact), that it was THEIR bill to pay. Did I mention the homeowner did not want anything to do with a Stager to begin with? Then when I waltzed in and unknowingly added the cherry on top with my comment of  "Oh - so you must have already bought a new home and aren't living here anymore", it was a lost cause. Gone. 

In all fairness to me though, look at those pics. Would you have ever guessed that a family of 4 with a dog the size of a cow lives there? And have for 13 YEARS? Just sayin'......

Fast forward to Feb 14, 2010:    Property remains UNSOLD. No implementation of my recommendations evident in MLS listing pics 

Lessons:

1) For better or for worse, a home really does say a lot about the people who live in it. If you are trying to sell yours, Stagers are an important part of the process. Use them. Their fee is such a small price to pay for the return you will get when you sell. It is an investment on your part, not an expense.

2) And even though they love what they do, Stagers have bills to pay, too. So, please pay them in a timely manner. They are worth every penny.

3) As important as Staging is to the sale of a house, please, real estate agent people, don't force us onto clients who aren't interested. Kudos to you for recognizing the need for our service. So, if you have to, pay us yourself. Make it part of the service bundle you provide for your client.


3) "No" is a complete sentence. When nameless real estate agent person called me recently for yet another consult, I learned how great it felt to say it. Call me crazy, but value and integrity are sorta important to me.

Wonderfulness, indeed!

Have any of you ever turned down a job in order to maintain the integrity of your business?


disclaimer: This post is not intended to generalize all agents or all homeowners one way or another.


.(note: Not sure why my camera reverted to the previous day's date after taking the first outside shot. Weird)

Buddy, Can You Spare The Time?

 

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(psssst..This picture is not about what you probably think it is..keep reading and then click on the link)

Okay. My previous post contained my whining about joining the ranks of the unemployed; now throwing the monthly bills up in the air and paying only those that don't land on the floor. Hey, if I can defy gravity, then surely I can defy the gravity of this situation.

So...

I've decided to document, sort of, what my process will be as I hit the pavement both literally, virtually, mentally, and emotionally. All this while I remain committted to blogging (thank you Rachel from Hue Consulting). I promise to keep it positive. The only whining will be the kind that can be poured and savored. And if by accident there is even the tiniest nugget of inspiration to anyone else out there who may be embarked on the same journey, well, then -Cheers!

 

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My thought process percolates where I jump to my ideal end result then back it out to what it will take to get there. So while I ponder my plan for the big picture, the rumbles and burps of simmering ideas show themselves through the little details that  I can easily take control of the moment they come to mind. Guess it's that cursed instant gratification gene I inherited.  So please bear with me as I include that sort of stuff along with more important topics, concerns and ideas.

For instance, you may have noticed that I have been playing around with my template and colors. In a previous post by one of my blogger/designer idols, Maria Killam, where she shared tips to improve one's home design blog, she herself does not favor dark backgrounds. In fact she runs the other way.

                                        
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As did many of the people polled by ProBlogger. So why, oh why, did I make the conscious decision to do the exact opposite of what the talented and wise advise? Especially now? I dunno. But after resisting the urge for a long while, I relented to a very simple realization. I like a dark background. A lot. I'll stick with it for awhile. So, Maria - please don't run too far. I get bored easily and it'll soon get changed back again anyway.

Are you wondering what the picture of the scruffy guy in the baseball hat playing violin has to do with all of this? Think Big Picture. Yours. Mine. Theirs. Ours. If nothing else, the title to this post will make sense.

Click the link and you'll see. 

Then, let's talk about it here. I'll bring the wine.

 

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I'm not giving up. I can do this.

As my blogging legs are getting steadier and I'm plotting my decorating destiny, 

life can sometimes get in the way.

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What kind of resume do ya think would be suitable for this? Maybe I should show up in my spacesuit costume from Halloween circa 1973. The weapons thing kinda makes me nervous on many levels, though.

But seriously, how have all of you successful designers/decorators/bloggers made a living while developing your talents? I'm sure your creativity lent itself to your efforts. I would love to know how you dovetailed making a living while learning how to ditch your training wheels.