Finally! Some inspiration...

I have been soooo negligent to my poor little blog, it's just pathetic. I will make a concerted effort to get in a new post at least weekly. I think the long winter (of my discontent) was a joy killer for me and zapped my emotional and creative energy. But here we are in mid May and I'm finally feeling much better.

I have a few design projects in the works and a new staging opportunity this week. I'm starting to notice that the housing market may have hit bottom. Keep your fingers crossed.

The Glory of Black and White

Yesterday I had the opportunity to take on a design challenge that I have wanted to tackle for years... Fabric covered walls. I've yet to have a client who is brave enough but my friend Beth was game and willing to take the plunge. To make matters more interesting, the fabric we chose was an enormous, abstract black and white, palm leaf print. Each leaf measuring about 1' x 2' against a white background. Very graphic...when you hear a designer comment on a room "having punch", this feel like you've just absorbed a right upper cut to the jaw.

You can do this simple project. Having another person makes the job sooooo much easier. Here's what you'll need...

• measurements of the wall
• appropriate yardage
• staple gun
• scissors
• appropriate trim pieces...more on that later
• brad nailer or hammer and finishing nails

1. Measure wall height and width. Break this down into square feet then convert to yardage. If you're mathematicaly challenged like me, ask your 5th grader or your friendly fabric store employee, they'll know. Always allow for a 10% overage for mistakes.
   
2. Cut your panels according to wall height...leave 2" at the top and bottom and ends of walls or corners. Most fabric is 54" wide so hang the panels lengthwise. REMEMBER...measure twice, cut once!
   
3. Get out the staple gun, if you've never used one, please take a minute to familiarize yourself with how it works and do a few test shots somewhere inconspicuous. Hold the fabric tight and straight at the top of the wall (where it meets the ceiling) and fire away. Here you don't have to leave a 2" overage, the trim will cover that later. This is also where you need the extra set of hands. If this is the edge of the wall or the corner, attach the fabric at the ceiling first, then work your way down the corner wall or edge...smoothing and checking for wrinkles as you go, leaving the 2" overlay.
   
4. The next panel needs a 1" crease ironed on the side so the printing or frayed edge of the fabric doesn't show. Continue stapling this one at the top first then smooth down the first panel because it's going to be stapled under the second panel along the edge, this is where that smooth, ironed edge will be showing on top and it will look crisp and clean.
5. Continue on your way down the wall keeping an eye out for outlets. You can simply cut out a 1" x 2" slot for the outlet because when the fabric is attached to the bottom wall (last step) the switchplate will go on top of the fabric and get screwed back in to the outlet.
6. Make sure all panels are wrinkle free and there ar no outlets covered without a slit cut into them. Have your helper smooth out the panel from the top down and staple the bottom of the fabric panel to the wall at the top of the existing trim. (if you don't have trim already, take the fabric to the floor, with your 2"overage and you can install trim over this).
7. If you're not confident enough for the trim work then find someone who is to help you. This really is easy, promise. The guys at Home Depot will even cut your trim for you, just remember to take the measurements with you. Trim width will vary but I suggest a 1" finishing trim painted white. The trim will be nailed over all your fabric panel seams...where there is a staple pattern, there will be the trim to cover it up and give it a finished look. Don't cheat on this part with liquid nails to attach the trim, you'll be sorry, have a mess and it won't hold tight.
8. When you're finished, your panels should be smooth, relatively straight (DO NOT choose a striped fabric for this project unless you're a glutton for punishment) and framed out with the trim.
   

It sounds a little complicated but really, you can do this. The toughest part of this entire project is cutting the trim pieces accurately and getting them up. This is where you call in your husband if you're not up to the task. I urge you to try it yourself first. It's quite empowering to tackle an unfamiliar project and actually have it turn out right!

Good luck and let me know if any of you will take this on. I think I may try it on one of my walls in the bedroom...

IKEA in the White House?

I was watching the news this morning and an image popped up on the screen...a limo with a blue and white striped love seat, squeezed in and tied down with the trunk open. On top of the limo were three flat packed sizable boxes, strapped to the roof with safety straps. Nothing too unusual about this. The headline under the news picture read "IKEA in the White house?!" Looking closer at the printing on the boxes, there was the familiar logo. The reporters were aghast..."Can you believe this", "it's a little low brow" and on they went.

Let me say this...those of you that know me, know I am not an Obama supporter. (An entirely separate blog would be required for that). But Barry and Michelle deserve a round of applause for this decision. It's the first idea he's had that I agree with. I'm sure their designer suggested it for the girls rooms... funky, fun, flashy and economical. What's not to like there? Just please don't let the furnishings bleed out to other areas of the White house. It's easy to do with IKEA, a little here, a little there, pretty soon you're home starts to look very freshman dormsy.

Since the Inauguration is costing (us) upwards of $150 million, there needed to be some corners cut somewhere but the Obama children will not suffer in their new digs because of it. In fact, it probably will be the most liberating space in the entire White house.

A Wormhole Called Facebook

The last 24 hours of my life have been interesting to say the least. I turned 41 (ouch) years old yesterday but for the record, I'm skipping it and shall remain 40 for one more year. Not only did I mark another milestone but it was intensified by joining this little social networking site, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM. My friend Trish was on me to join and I did so reluctantly yesterday thinking I would register and in a few days get some hits from people I haven't seen or heard from in twenty plus years. It was as if a floodgate were opened. It feels like a class reunion on line. The recent photos of people jog your memory back to the black and white yearbook photos and it's a chilling reminder of how time is so damn fleeting. I must admit, most of them look pretty good. I have spent hours on it and if I'm not careful, I'll start neglecting my domestic and professional duties. What makes me feel even older is that the whole social networking site thing is so last millennium but here we are patting ourselves on the back for being so tech savvy and clever. I'm slowly turning into a middle aged housewife. God help me...

I apologize for not blogging over the holiday but just couldn't find the motivation let alone the time. I trust everyone had a wonderful holiday, filled with family, gifts and cherished time together.

I'm ready to give 2008 a firm ass kicking into the history books and move swiftly into 2009. We all need to buck up and get down to business. Stop worrying so much...wipe the slate clean, focus on the future and roll up your sleeves. We really need to turn around our economic habits and our frame of mind. Hopefully, Mr. Obama will be able to pull this out of his ass and get us back on our feet. Those of you that know me personally are aware of my feelings about our future president so just know I'm being very kind here. C'mon Barry!

Maybe some loaded eggnog would do the trick?

I am still struggling to get in the spirit of the season. My home is decorated, the containers at school are finished and we watched Elf last night. If that doesn't kick start my yule-tide emotions, I'm not sure what will. Maybe It's a Wonderful Life while making gingerbread men with my children. I'm pretty sure some of it has to do with this monstrous economic meltdown that's being shoved down our throats with every newspaper and network cranking it out like it's Armageddon. Maybe we should boycott the news till the New Year. Let's just act like everything is hunky-freakin-dory and enjoy the hell out of our Christmas, blissfully ignorant to Rome burning around us. Sounds highly dysfunctional but I'm on board.

Here's my other issue this year, my twins are ten years old and they know the jig is up with Santa. Heartbreaking and eye opening at the same time. I'm trying to reason with them with the historical account of the actual St. Nicholas, a real person who has been immortalized as a Saint. He did exist and still does in our hearts. They're having a hard time wrapping their heads around this one. More lies and far flung stories out of Mom's mouth. "Who eats the cookies on Christmas Eve?!" my daughter demanded to know. "He does", I tell her. "You mean Dad, right?" she smirks. How can I tell her no when she knows she's right? Parenthood is a bitch sometimes.

Help me out here...let me know your Christmas Cheer solutions and I'm sure some of you out there have wonderful Santa-coming-of-age stories to share. Let me know. In the mean time, I'm going to buck up and try my damnedest to be jolly, even if I have to fake it for my kids.

You're a mean one...Mr.Grinch

After having my hands gouged by needles and tiny branches and encrusted in sap, after leaving a half a million needles all over my floor and rugs, after securing the beast in my vintage tree stand, complete with rusty metal screws and after spending another twenty minutes trying to keep in straight up in the stand...I love my real live Christmas tree. As much as I love to complain, it was worth every bloody and sticky finger. Talk to me after I string the lights later, that may be another story.

The best part of bringing home the tree is unpacking all the ornaments and reliving all the memories as you unwrap them. My jack-o-lantern from Evanston, the Mardi Gras mask from New Orleans, the Horoscope globe from Lincoln Park and my Alice in Wonderland paper dolls from Marshall Fields. (That's Macy's on State Street for all of you who are not Chicagoans). I actually cherish the imprinted gift boxes as much as the ornaments themselves. Remember the green paper tote bags, "three o'clock, time to shop!" I sound like a sentimental grandma...but those were the glory days. I digress.....I hope you all enjoy unwrapping your memories this Christmas. Having really unique and special ornaments makes it more of an event when it's time to trim the tree. You're not just strategically placing Target-$9.99-a-box-for-a-dozen-red-balls on your tree, you're reveling in each piece, like it's a piece of you on the tree for all to see. A biography of your family. My kids have a story to tell about each one. Which is the favorite, where it came from or who bought it for us as a gift. Another holiday tradition that happened without being contrived, those are the best and longest lasting. Hopefully, my kids will do the same with their children someday.

Maybe the spirit is starting to move me...a little.

All the Realtors in the house...

A quiet shout-out to all you real estate professionals out there. I know the market is brutal now and has been for some time but there is light at the end of this tunnel. I do believe we have hit the bottom. It is a tough road back. Buyers are still calling the shots but with a little help, you can give your clients a little more leverage. In this market, as always, your listing needs to stand out...way out! Please advise your clients that a few hundred dollars can get it sold. I have consulted and staged many scary, out dated, cluttered and overly personalized homes and every one of them sold within weeks of a staging after being on the market for months and sometimes almost a year! It doesn't need to be drastic (Ala Designed To Sell) just substantial cleaning, organizing, arranging and packing up will have sweeping changes.

If you have a listing that needs help but you would like to keep your relationship intact with your client, call me. I'll be the bad guy. Until the house gets an offer finally, then I get to be the good guy! I've worked with many Realtors and am happy to share referrals with you.In the mean time, hang in there, it's only going to get better from here on out.

As for everyone else, if your home needs a good once-over-twice (you know who you are) let's get together and see what we can do to make your home more comfortable, organized, livable and stylish...your style, not mine. That is what makes a good house and a wonderful home.

Burnt Turkey and Chinese food...

I want to hear from you, your fondest memory of Thanksgiving. Funny or otherwise, I'd be really interested to hear them all. Post your comments below! (That is for all my newbie family members who haven't mastered this site yet...love ya!)

One big blur

It is now Sunday morning and for the first time since Wednesday, I feel a sense of normalcy seep back into my routine. My sister and her children spent Thanksgiving with us for the first time. It was relaxing, laid back and almost down right lazy. The cleaning frenzy took place Wednesday, the cooking marathon Thursday and the lounging began Thursday night and finally came to a conclusion last night. We thouroughly enjoyed ourselves, lots of DVDs, board games, stringing popcorn and cranberries and the fleece blankie project kept everyone entertained. My daughter is now an addict, we already made a return trip to Joanns yesterday. She now wants to make them for everyone she knows for the holidays.

We really don't entertain for a crowd very often. My definition of a crowd would be 10 people or so. We do host Greek Easter and that has almost turned into an outdoor festival. In a few years, I'm afraid Elburn will make us get a permit for it. (More on Greekster as Spring approaches). But I would like to take a minute to applaud all the brave souls who take on the task of cooking for more than a dozen people. My hat is off to you, I don't know how you do it. I was proud of myself for making my pumpkin crisp the day before, doing a little prepwork and thinking smugly to myself, this is not so bad, I've got it all under control. Yeah...with two hours to go till the turkey was done, my sister and I are yucking it up in the kitchen, marveling at our timing and wondering what the big deal is to this holiday feast. My husband came in and asked if we had the potatoes done, (sweet and mashed), the green beans and any other casseroles we had, needed to be ready to go. We looked at each other and knew the answer we had was not what he was expecting. No, we didn't have any of that even started. No water boiling, no veggies chopped, no potatoes peeled...we were screwed. In my head, I could hear our dad laughing at us and the jabs would be flying if he were here. "You two couldn't find your way out of a wet paper sack let alone this kitchen!" But he would've been proud. A frenzy of chopping, boiling, measuring and mixing ensued and waged on for another two hours. My sister jokingly compared the pressure to that of Food Network Challenge! We recruited my nieces for dish duty and they obliged with the enthusiasm of a teamster who missed his coffee break. When we were out of the weeds, the dinner went out on time, everything was hot and nothing was burnt or raw. A miracle for me. All in all, a successful Thanksgiving.

The following 48 hours were all a blur. Never in my life have I been so lazy. Never have I watched so many movies or spent so much time with my ass firmly planted on the couch. My life starts every day at five a.m. and I rarely get to sit till bedtime, somewhere around nine, then I collapse on the couch. This past weekend was the complete opposite. My sister swears it's good for me and it's something I never do...all true but I'm happy to get back into my routine and off the couch. I also plan on fasting today. The heaviness of the holiday food stuffs is all too much for me. I'm craving a big green salad and a tall glass of ice water with a lemon. It feels like I'm a kid two days after Halloween, the thought of candy is sickening. That's how I'm feeling about carbs in general right now.

I hope everyone had a stress free (yeah, right) and memorable Thanksgiving. All eyes are on the prize of Christmas now. That is a topic for my next entry, too big to squeeze in here.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly of Thanksgiving

Out of all the holidays, Thanksgiving ranks right up there with Arbor Day in terms of excitement and anticipation. It brings with it the dark cloud of holiday shopping, an extraordinary amount of extra calories (which continues on until the first week of January) and an enormous meal that I am completely unqualified to prepare. One Thanksgiving, my dear friend Trish and I never took out the bag of unrecognizable organs from inside the bird...oooops. The culinary arts are not my talent, I leave that up to my husband the chef. There are some positive things to say about the day...

I love the fact that it's meant to be a day of reflection and remembrance and holding closer those people, places and things that we love. I remember as a child and teenager the pressure of stating to all those seated at the dinner table what I was thankful for that year. It was gut wrenching and I remember thinking how ridiculous it all was. As a grownup, I still think it's a little silly but the sentiment is still sweet.

Remember to be thankful for what you have or who you have, especially in these stressful times.

I'm going to enjoy a laid back couple of days with my sister and her family, we're really looking forward to it. For the record, she's not that great of a cook either (great baker, though). We'll have to rely on my husband Paul for guidance. Enjoy your day.