Introspection And Gray Matter

So many decisions in life seem to have binary, black and white choices. Admittedly, black and white can be among the most striking combinations of color. (I bought the molas above and below from molamama. I plan to hang them in my studio.)

In any difficult situation, counting the options available to you may help. Some assign weights to pros and cons, though I find numbers better as decor than in mathematical equations. The number 9 plaque below is very similar to a number 3 plaque I have in my studio. Find this one at VintageMarquise.

Let's hope your decision-making is less complicated than deciphering this diagram of how an automobile works. In the event that this diagram will actually help your decision, you can buy it from vintagehomerecycled. Frame it on a wall to remind you how complicated some things in life can be.

The bird song digital art collage from synchronicity313 will lighten your heart as you consider the paths your life can take. The bird notes make my heart sing, and I would love to see this on my wall every day.

Sometimes in weighing your options it is wise to seek the advice of friends by checking their temperature on the matter. This thermometer from retroology would be handy for that purpose. I have a collection of vintage thermometers on my dining room wall, next to the thermostat (I have added several since I took the photo in the link).

To follow the herd, or not to follow the herd? This vintage iron sheep is from PeachyChicBoutique. I inherited a few vintage iron toys from my grandparents, and they add so much charm to a vignette.

Sometimes it may help to store away your thoughts on the subject, and revisit them later. Stash them in this vintage tin from PatinaVintage. As I have said many times before, I just love things to put things in, and it's perfect when they are decorative as well as useful.

Perhaps you are pondering a major relocation, in which case this flat for rent sign from paddyridge may be useful in recouping some of that mortgage payment. The text is simple and graphic, and its reference to European abodes is so much cooler than any "for rent" sign you'd find in a home improvement big box store.

It can help to sit down and relax while making difficult decisions. Prop one of these bird on a wire pillows behind your back to help contemplate comfortably. Birds on a wire is one of my favorite themes, and I hadn't seen it applied to pillows before.

Do you ever feel like the answer to your dilemma is tickling you, but you just can't find the way to get there? Plume is a pen and ink drawing by loriotndorr that will tickle your fancy, and if you're lucky, it may tease out the correct path. I once had a cluster of peacock feathers in a vase, but this plume won't deteriorate over the years.

It might take a long time for the full consequences of any decision to take shape. In that event, contemplate these illustrations of shapely forms from kelleystreetvintage. I may just have to use these vases as inspiration for pottery forms.

This beach stone from jmliss has an exquisite handpainted labyrinth to aid your contemplation of the twists and turns we all navigate. I would set the stone on my desk, and place it in my pocket on particularly trying days to serve as a reminder of the trials that are common among humans.

A long drive, preferrably in a direction that leads away from dense civilization, can help clear the mind. If that isn't in the cards, a vintage license plate from fleamarkettrixie can help conjure up a suitable daydream to accomplish the same clarity. Hang it on your office wall, ready to inspire a quick journey at a moment's notice.

Books, whether those you read or those you write, can be a source of ideas for solving life's problems. Be sure to keep your claim on your books with these bookplates from ExLibrisStudio. I particularly like the black and white branch theme.

This simple pillow from enhabiten says comfort to me with its simplicity and sweet embroidery. I can't think of a more calming partner for a head-clearing nap on the couch. I have to imagine the vintage string embroidery and vintage velvet has some wisdom to impart during such a session.

When you cut away the excess, you're left with the bare facts you need. Edamamepress has cut away the excess to good effect in this woodblock print. I would select several woodcuts from the shop and frame them together to remind me how important it is to cut through to what is important.

Maybe you can't take a drive to clear your head, but you can take a walk around the block. Take this neighborhood mug with you, and I promise the handbuilt and screen printed mug will dispense more than your morning coffee. Stop by dovetail to pick it up.

But maybe life's decisions aren't all black and white. Maybe with creative thought, one can find innovative solutions. Maybe it isn't all or nothing. Maybe there isn't a right answer. There has to be some gray areas, right? And maybe there is beauty to that, like the intricate beauty of this vintage lichens print from thinaircreations. I would hang the print in my best thinking spot to recall the complexities of life's decisions.

Blow away those extreme notions of black and white with this vintage fan from thevintageholicfrog. It will clear the air and provide some white noise as a backdrop for your most creative thinking.

Sifting through all of your options is easier with this vintage colander from TheLovelys. Run everything through a sieve to reveal what's left. My mom has a collection of colanders that she uses as display bowls or hangs in groups in the kitchen. They're useful for kitchen tasks and sifting through decisions.

Need to wait on making the longest term decisions? These vintage safety deposit boxes will keep your secrets. The set from stilettogirl is trustworthy, handsome and up to the task. I would have a hard time choosing between storing family keepsakes in them or using them as supply organization.

The middle ground may become obvious if you can just crane your neck long enough to see. This pewter vase from lapommevintage serves as a model. Gray, enlongated and elegant, it would be a lovely accent in a kitchen or dining room.

Being between a rock and a hard place isn't so tough with these felt pebbles from kneek, proving even the hardest decisions have a soft, silver lining. I would fill a bowl (colander?) with these, but I would have to keep them above dog-eye-level, since I suspect they would be irresistable nuggets (I would trust cats even less).

My boss makes a joke about global warming when coffee shops offer him a disposable cardboard sleeve, warning him that the drink is hot. He replies, "so is global warming." Let's not get into the debate with the black and white extreme positions on the topic, though. Let's just agree to meet for coffee in the gray area, using re-useable coffee cozies from InboundThread. It's so much more pleasant that way.

Or let's make and serve our own brew and stay in. ImSoVintage offers this vintage primitive gray coffee pot, and we all know it's cheaper than FourBucks a cup. It would also look lovely on top of a refrigerator, or open with a bouquet of flowers.

Nothing is better for ferreting out all the gory details than typing up a list to keep track of them. Funretro has this vintage gray typewriter to help record all the pros, cons, and indifferent considerations. You know this would look great on your desk at home.

These gray, pretty sea glass pieces remind me that sometimes, beauty is a result of the rough wear and tear of time. Life's toughest challenges may be the reason for smooth edges and a soft patina. Scoop these up pieces of English sea glass from fabulousbijoux, and display them on the edge of a shelf, or rub your fingers over them whilst contemplating the sands of time.

These spools photographed by f2images are not completely lined up, but they are neatly wrapped. Even if your options seem to be off kilter, there's no reason to become unraveled. And I find the slight disorder reassuring, since my ducks are almost never in a perfect row.

babybomb's cushion cover depicts buildings, the architectural proof of civilization's growth and development. Many have gone before us, making good and bad choices, and somehow we march on, building on those decisions. Rarely will we as individuals be faced with making choices that will impede that momentum. This cushion cover is a soft reminder.

Even the toughest decisions can be addressed with a little creativity, reducing black and white to a median gray. Now if only I could apply this logic to my own life.

Shenandoah Taupe

The items in my last post were so lovely in a soft, warm way, and I'm so happy about our latest painting project at home that I decided to continue the warm, taupe-y goodness. We are painting our den in Benjamin Moore's Shenandoah Taupe, and I think it was the perfect color for that space. I was a little concerned because we have some pretty bold colors in other rooms, but I think the "weight" of the taupe goes quite well with the rest of the house. The den has vaulted ceilings, and having the walls painted and the ceilings re-painted white really emphasizes that architectural feature. I will post pictures once we get the room re-assembled. In keeping with this neutral theme, I've selected some Etsy items to tickle your fancy. Driftwood is a material that always makes me happy. It's natural, it's weathered... and in the case below, it's from Lake Superior. With my family ties to the Great Lakes, I have a soft spot for beaches that aren't on an oceanic coast. Find this driftwood mirror at blackeyedsusan.

Cozy up your apple with kris0376's hand crocheted apple cozy. It would be an excellent teacher gift or lunch packer.

I have long admired the rustic metal butterfly magnets at merritthyde. Made from recycled barn roofing and hard cut flooring nails, I love that they are rustic and organic at the same time.

Add an accent to your wall, but keep the neutral aesthetic with this framed art from natureinspiredcrafts. Recovered and reclaimed wood makes the piece even more charming.

EcoDivaDesigns uses salvaged designer fabric samples - beautiful and responsible. This organic repetition pillow makes salvage a treat.

Sheaclay has this iced oatmeal bowl - just because it's neutral doesn't mean it isn't a show-stopper.

AnikaEaster's work is in this neutral palette that is calming with a hint of ennui. Willow is painted and the tree is made from hemp string.

This photograph titled The Beauty of Death from octoberphotography shows us that even death can be beautiful.

Combining birch trees, birds and a taupe background, I think this handpainted pillow from ShaNickers would be the perfect addition to my den.

Our next painting projects include another neutral - Benjamin Moore's Weimaraner for the master bedroom, and Benjamin Moore's Golden Tan, which I hope glows like candlelight when you view our foyer from the street. Do you have favorite neutral paint colors, or favorite neutral items to share?

I Give You Orange

The other day I found some amazing bright shiny orange boots. They look like the standard Doc Marten boots I loved so much 15 years ago, except they are ORANGE and they were only $12 at WalMart. Some (you know who you are) may think this a frivolous purchase, but I've needed something in the way of rainboots for taking the dogs out in the rain, my ancient Doc Martens are no longer impervious to water, and I challenge you to find a pair of boots that bring such joy at such a low cost. I'm typically not one to gravitate towards orange, but something about their unapologetic brightness (and perhaps the fall weather) made my heart sing. And so, today, I Give You Orange. I'm not saying you should redecorate in an orange theme, I'm just saying that sometimes, an unexpected dose of real color can do a world of good.

Above is Little Orange, an original oil painting from TheNightjar.

This vintage orange thermos would be great for a brisk picnic, or tailgating, or even just getting your coffee to work still warm. Find it at tigerluxe.

recycledwares offers us this tea set complete with teapot, cups and saucers. Host some friends for tea, or give them new life as storage - I can see keeping crafty supplies in the cups and saucers. And nothing is better for sorting beads than little containers.

Lounge in orange with this linoleum cut chair from RainyPrints. Vintage furniture without the bulk.

A little orange birdie led me to this sweet print from hadleyhutton. Makes me want to start a seed collection.

Somehow the color orange inspires chairs. Find this original painting at foodpainter. Don't you want to sit back and watch some sitcom reruns in this chair?

Can't commit to a lot of orange, but could do a stripe or two? FaithandFranny offer us this vintage sugar and creamer set.

Weigh your produce (oranges!) on this vintage kitchen scale, also from FaithandFranny. I use a similar scale to weigh clay in my studio.

Vintage. Orange. Snack. Pagoda. Everyeskimo. Love. There is no more to say.

bellalulu has this fantastic orange egg crate. I would roll up towels in it... or store newspapers and magazines to be read... or display firewood...

Float some orange into your decor with this octopus print from amberalexander. I never found an octopus so handsome.

I apologize for the long radio silence leading up to and over the Thanksgiving holiday. Now that I'm back in the swing of things, I hope to be able to add some new items to my shop. Look for birch bark ornaments, coffee bean mugs, and more Audubon Society postcards. (I've edited this post to include pictures of the boots, by request.)