Apartment Therapy

I love Google Analytics. I was searching through the referring sites for this blog, and I noticed that apartmenttherapy.com had appeared as one. Intrigued, I went investigating.

They wrote an article on using tiles as coasters and trivets, and featured one of my sets of coasters!

Check it out here!

Pottery Progress

I thought I would show some of my pottery progress since it's been a few months since I posted my original works of art from my first class. This is the first closed form I was able to finish. I think it turned out pretty cute. It's maybe 3 or 4 inches high. The glaze is Ellen's blue. This is a shallow bowl with two stamps on the interior. I applied some wax resist to the stamps, and I glazed it smoky brown. This is a detail of one of the stamps. Here is another bowl with stamps - this time on the exterior. Again, I wax resisted the stamped areas. This glaze is Neal's blue. This is a smaller bowl with a stamp in the bottom. I applied wax resist to the stamp, and glazed it antique blue. I think this stamp turned out the best, despite its location, because the glaze on this one is thinner than the others. This is my first pitcher. I stamped the bottom of the handle, too. The glaze is Ellen's blue. One side turned out darker than the other, perhaps because some of the glaze particles settled while I was waiting for the first dipped side to dry enough to dip the other side. I think it adds some character to the pitcher.

All of the clay for these is warm brown. Fran, one of the co-owners of Manassas Clay, ordered me a wheel this week. I am super excited about it. I just have to finish the tile in the studio, and I'll be ready to set it up. She was worried I would quit taking her class, but I assured her that I still don't know what I am doing - I need the teaching - but I want to be able to practice more than I have been with their facility across the county.

Alignment of the Mossy Cosmos

Maybe 6 months ago I decided I wanted a few terrariums. They're mossy, they're easy to take care of, and they're a cool combination of nature and glass. They're also plants that I don't have to worry about the dogs digging in... I put three together; two under glass cloches and one in a glass lidded terrarium. I've been thinking lately that I should try to make some stoneware bases for my cloches.

This morning, the Washington Post was delivered to my office. We don't have a subscription, but sometimes they deliver it hoping we'll get attached and subscribe. We used to have a subscription at home, but we cancelled it because it got to be too much paper in the house, and we only ever looked at a few pieces - the crossword puzzle, the Sunday magazine, and the Thursday Home section. Happily, today is Thursday, so our delivery included the Home section. I immediately pulled it out, and saw that there was an article about terrariums, and noted to myself that I should read it.

Later in the day, I noticed an Etsy shop had favorited mine - I like to look at everyone who has favorited me, and I was pleased to see that it was a fellow Design Style Guide member whose shop I had previously admired. She puts together these great terrariums...

I started thinking I should do a blog post about terrariums. And then I got an email notification saying that the very same shop owner had commented on my blog post about maps.

The mossy cosmos were aligning, and I decided I must obey their call. Lady Farrah is an easily-recognized Etsy shop that you see in the treasuries and on the front page often.

This is a sweet little one.

Make your own terrarium with her kit.

She sells these cute monograms for your terrarium, too!

She also has a really cool blog. I recommend checking out her shop and blog!

Birch Bark

Our house has a two story foyer. There are really tall blank walls that I knew had to have something big on them. I had the idea that I could arrange pieces of birch bark and frame them.

I bought the sheets of birch bark from a shop I found online. They were great. I also bought birch poles that I intend to use as curtain rods in my den, as soon as I can find brackets that can accommodate the 2 inch diameter and that I like.

I made the frame using wood molding that I stained and mitered.

I mounted the frame and the sheets of bark on the wall, with a little help from my husband who isn't afraid of heights.

Studying Maps

I've been slowly working on our study. We painted it Benjamin Moore's Normandy, and I have a number of handbuilt wooden shelves for our books - one built by my father-in-law and three built by my grandfather. We have a desk that the previous owners of our house left for us, and an antique table that was in my grandmother's house. I plan to hang panel curtains from a long bamboo fishing pole that was also my grandfather's. All of the honey-colored wood, the blue on the walls and a metal trash can with a map inspired me to decorate the room with vintage maps, globes, and wooden accents. I went "window shopping" to find some cool Design Style Guide Etsy items that would go in the study. This Chesapeake Bay map table by KellyGstudio would be perfect. It's even Virginia.

I would keep small office supplies on hand in these map bowls by SewDanish.

I love the copper maps that CopperLeafStudios makes - they combine so many decorating elements that I like to use: copper, organic textures and of course, maps. Bonus: this image is my second favorite state, Michigan.

This map pail by CarolinaCottage would look great on one of my shelves. One of my weaknesses is things you can put things in.

I'll probably decoupage some old maps onto the lightswitch and outlet covers, and I bought several vintage maps that I want to put into floating frames. I'm really excited about those, and I'll post separately about them soon.

Inspiration Strikes

I have a table in my foyer where I set things that need to be brought upstairs. I recently had a cluster of things on the table that seemed to be in the same color vein. I had made a trip to Target and come home with a Burt's Bees zippered pouch with lotion (I believe it was a gift package left over from Christmas), an alabaster bowl, and some ceramic knobs - all on clearance. I had also been to Wegman's where I got some Badger lip balm. I also had found a trash can full of law reference books. Scavenger that I am, I found the oldest year on the first layer of the trash can, and took it home, trying not to be embarrassed when the attorneys and other high level government officials saw me with the book next to the trash can. I will use the text for decoupage, mixed media, etc. This is how I imagine serendipitous inspiration strikes. You notice a gathering of things together, and you can begin to build a room design around them.

This picture shows some of the Benjamin Moore Aura paint colors that seemed to go along with the theme. From left to right - rattan, citrine, tumeric, and honeymoon.

I looked through the Design Style Guide for items that would go into a room inspired by these items.

My Anemone Table Sculpture From: Simone Russell Fine Art and Design See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1664">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=557">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

SALT LAKE From: Geoff Birrell Fine Art & Photography See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1343">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=414">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Prairie Wind Small Plates - Set of 4 From: Just Mare Pottery and More... See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1289">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=77">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Premium 26 oz Soy Jar Candle From: Bliss Soybean Candles and Gifts See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=184">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=39">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Temptations Napkin Set From: FlyingNeedleGallery See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=734">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=180">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Marble Coasters From: New Dominion Blues Studios See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1177">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=312">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Of course my marble coasters would be fantastic, too!

Shelter and The Sheltered

I got a puppy from the animal shelter today. I thought I would write about decorating with pets in the household. I have had a dog since my last year of college. The new puppy today is my fourth dog since that time. Two passed away and we still have a mastiff. Mastiffs are known for their drooling, which can present an interesting decor dilemma. Mastiff owners generally become resigned to having drool towels around their household, so that they can wipe their dogs' faces as needed. I decided that didn't mean we had to have ratty old towels in every room. This picture is from our old house, but I still have the glass container with a variety of earth-toned washcloths rolled up and at the ready. I have also used hooks on the wall to keep washcloths handy, although if you have a mischievous dog (like my mastiff), they should be attached to the wall higher than easy snatching height. I am also a believer in hard floors (whether it is hardwood, laminate or tile). Carpet is so easily dirtied and stained, and it sure captures dog hair. Eggshell paint is a perfect combination of wipe-able and not too glossy. Easy to wipe clean for when you miss that stray slinger that becomes attached to the wall... I did a search on the Design Style Guide page and found a number of items appropriate for pet-friendly homes. I'll be needing one cookie jar per room now that I'm back to a two-dog household (by sheaclay). Who could resist a custom portrait of their very own Rowdy Rover?

Custom Pet Portrait Pillows From: Bonnie Fowler See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1693">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=494">Sellers Portfolio Sellers Website

Another doggone cool pillow.

Plush Paws !4 inch Chestnut and Cream Pillow From: Mi Casa Bella See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1382">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=464">Sellers Portfolio http://MiCasaBella.etsy.com">Sellers Website

Where to put the leashes? Ah, here!

Red Bones Leash Hook From: Jakey BB Uniquely Handcrafted Doggie Beds & Accessories See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=441">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=119">Sellers Portfolio www.jakeybb.etsy.com">Sellers Website

For the dainty, pampered canine (mine are not).

"Je t'aime" Hand painted Doggie Bed From: Jakey BB Uniquely Handcrafted Doggie Beds & Accessories See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=438">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=119">Sellers Portfolio www.jakeybb.etsy.com">Sellers Website

The origin of my stone coasters is rooted in my love of dogs. My mastiff is mischievous and will steal any number of things, hoping to be chased. Coasters are typically light items that are left on end tables and coffee tables, right at snout level for him. One day it ocurred to me that he might not steal big heavy stone coasters....

Slate Coasters and Trivet Set From: New Dominion Blues Studios See'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/listingDetails.php?li=1166">See Product Details Sellers'>http://www.designstyleguide.net/sellerPortfolio.php?mi=312">Sellers Portfolio http://www.newdominionblues.etsy.com">Sellers Website

I was right.

Perhaps this is a rationalization, but I don't think I will ever have a sparklingly clean home that is ready to be featured in a shelter magazine at any moment. And for the most part, that's okay with me because I think a home should be lived in. And what is life without companionship? And what more companionship could one ever want than that provided by a dog? So when I post pictures of my home, you're likely to see stray dog toys on the floor, a tail sticking out of the corner, or a canine model showing off how the new paint compliments her shiny coat. Because to me, that is living well.

Here's to living well with the new pup.

One Potato, Two Potato...

Three Potato Four! Through the winding paths of clickable links on the internet, I stumbled into a great online shop yesterday. This shop is based out of Reston, Virginia, a short hop (no skip or jump) from where I grew up in Herndon. The shop owners also have a blog. They have great decor ideas and vintage finds - it's like browsing through a well-curated antique store and avoiding all the junk you don't want anyway.

I made two purchases - a wooden box that says "PROPERTY OF PROCESS PLANNING," which is perfect for me - given that I am enamored with local governments and my predilection for process planning. The box is in this picture that is on their homepage:

I also bought a vintage laundry bag:

Vintage 1950's industrial laundry/dry cleaning bag from "Hanover" cleaners. Bag is made of heavy canvas and has grommet holes along top with heavy rope closure. Bag is in worn, weathered vintage condition.

Hanover is another locality in Virginia - my brother-in-law lives there. I think I'll either hang the bag in the laundry room or in our master bedroom closet.

If I had let myself indulge more, I would have bought these fantastic hardware store drawers,

and this cool wooden pulley.