WORDS TO PONDER

You know a heart can be broken, but it keeps on beating
just the same.

WORDS TO PONDER

The reason I talk to myself is that I'm the only one whose answers I accept.

WORDS TO PONDER

People who say they don't care what people think are usually desperate to have people think they don't care what people think.

WORDS TO PONDER

When someone is impatient and says, "I haven't got all day," I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?

A LA CARTE FRENCH FLAIR

WHEN DECORATING FRENCH STYLE, START WITH ONE EVE-CATCHING PIECE. IT CAN BE A FAMILY HEIRLOOM A PAINTING, A LARGE MIRROR OR A GRANDFATHER CLOCK.
SOMETHING THAT WILL MAKE THE REST OF THE FURNISHINGS SEEM MORE IMPORTANT. MUCH OF THE FUN OF FRENCH DECORATING IS THE BLEND OF AN ELEGANT PIECE NEXT TO OR NEAR A PRIMITIVE PAINTED OR RUSTIC PIECE.
MIX FABRICS AND PATTERNS: TOILE, PAISLEY, STRIPES, PLAIDS, FLORALS TO PERK UP A ROOM; MAKE THESE WORK BY SELECTING A COMPANION COLOR THEME.
REUSE AND REFRESH WHAT YOU HAVE. RECYCLING IS ALSO PART OF THE FRENCH DECORATING PROCESS.
WRAP A LINEN FABRIC ON A CHAIR OR RELOCATE A PIECE OF FURNITURE FROM THE BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM SUCH AS A BUREAU FOR STORING THROWS, CANDLES AND SEASONAL ACCESSORIES.
BY ADDING ACCESSORIES SUCH AS SMALL PAINTINGS, MIRRORS, LAMPS, PILLOWS, OLD BOOKS, WILL GIVE ANY ROOM YOU DECORATE THE SENSE OF YOUR FRENCH STYLE.
WALLPAPER IS A FRENCH STYLE REQUIREMENT . SO
DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR SCRAPS. HERE ARE SOME IDEAS:

*LINE A CABINET OR BOOKCASE SHELVES.
*COVER SWITCH PLATES AND OUTLETS.
*COVER WASTEBASKETS, PENCIL HOLDERS, EVEN A KLEENEX BOX.


* COVER BOOKS OR JOURNALS.
*USE AS GIFT WRAP
* CUT OUT THE DESIGN OF THE WALLPAPER AND DECOUPAGE ON A TABLE, CHAIR OR WALL.
* MAKE CREATIVE GREETING CARDS.
*NAME TAGS FOR PACKAGES.
*LAMINATE FOR DECORATIVE PLACEMATS.
*IF YOU WANT TO REDO YOUR LAUNDRY AREA INTO A FRENCH LAUNDRY YOU COULD WALLPAPER WITH A FRENCH THEMED PAPER SUCH AS NEWSPRINT.
*DECORATE WITH OLD LAUNDRY COLLECTIBLES: HANG A WOODEN IRONING BOARD, OR RUG BEATERS ON THE WALL, ALONGSIDE A SHELF WITH VINTAGE LAUNDRY SUPPLIES.
*USE OLD DOORKNOBS AS HOOKS FOR HANGING CLOTH BAGS TO HOLD DRYER SHEETS AND CLOTHESPINS.
*HANG A PIECE OF CLOTHESLINE AND HANG OLD CHILDRENS CLOTHES FROM THEM.
* REPURPOSE A WOODEN BARREL OR OLD SOAP BOX AS A WASTEBASKET OR TO HOLD LAUNDRY SUPPLIES.
* REMEMBER, IF YOUR SURROUNDINGS BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN YOU ENTER, YOU NOT ONLY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB OF DECORATING BUT IT WILL BE FUN TO CLEAN! (DID I SAY THAT)!
SO, WHETHER YOU HAVE A GRAND CHATEAU OR A VINE COVERED COTTAGE, A FRENCH HOME WILL REFLECT IMAGES OF WARMTH AND COZINESS WITHOUT ANY FUSS.

WORDS TO PONDER

Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.

WORDS TO PONDER

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me - they're cramming for their final exam.

WORDS TO PONDER

IF A COW LAUGHED, WOULD MILK COME OUT HER NOSE?

WORDS TO PONDER

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

WORDS TO PONDER

IF THE 7-11 IS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR, WHY ARE THERE LOCKS ON THE DOORS

WORDS TO PONDER

WHO NEEDS RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

WORDS TO PONDER

Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.

THE NEW COUNTRY COLONIAL

CLASSIC AMERICAN DESIGN ACCOMPANIED BY CLEAN ORDERLY LIVING SPACES ,YIELDS A SCALED DOWN AIRY PRESENT-DAY VERSION OF COUNTRY COLONIAL.
THIS STYLE UNITES 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY FURNITURE AND ART WITH CONTEMPORARY FURNISHINGS AND NEUTRAL BACKGROUNDS. THE INTENT IS TO CREATE CONTEMPORARY LIVING SPACES IN RELAXING, WELCOMING ROOMS RATHER THAN TO RECREATE THE PAST IN MUSEUM LIKE SETTINGS.
THIS STYLE WITH ITS FURNISHINGS, IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN SEABOARD. THE PARED DOWN LOOK IS APPEALING FOR THOSE WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT COLLECTING; THIS LOOK IS RELAXED FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND/OR PETS. FRAGILE ACCESSORIES ARE KEPT TO A MINIMUM AND UPHOLSTERED PIECES ARE CHOSEN FOR SIMPLE LINES, STURDINESS AND COMFORT.
IF YOU OWN A PIECE OR TWO OF TIMELESS AMERICAN FURNITURE, ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, OR REPRODUCTION; USE THAT AS A STARTING POINT. CONSIDER PINE OR RUSTIC FARM TABLES AND WINDSOR CHAIRS. FOR LIVING AREAS, ACCENT TABLES RANGING FROM TILT TOP AND TAVERN TO TRIPOD STYLES.
USE LIGHT NEUTRAL BACKGROUNDS, PAINTED WALLS, SISAL RUGS WITH NEW ENGLAND STYLE COLLECTIBLES-TOYS, PEWTER, WEATHER VANES, LIGHTNING RODS, CLOCKS, AND QUILTS AND BASKETS.
* FLOOR LAMPS ADD VISUAL INTEREST.
* PAINT WALLS SOFT WHITE OR OFF WHITE.
* NATURAL SHADES TO USE: MOSS GREEN, RUST AND MUTED MUSTARD; YOU WANT TO PERK UP WITHOUT SHAKING UP THE SETTING.
* INCLUDE WOOD TONES TO WARM THE PEACEFUL ROOMS. *USE PATTERN CAREFULLY
* WHEN WINDOW TREATMENTS ARE NEEDED CHOOSE DRAPERY PANELS, SHUTTERS OR SHADES.
* AVOID SOPHISTICATED TREATMENTS AND FLAMBOYANT DETAILING TRIMS.

WORDS TO PONDER

Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right. As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.

WORDS TO PONDER

WHY IS "ABBREVIATION" SUCH A LONG WORD?

MY NEW BATHROOM

THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO :)



THIS IS HOW YOU COVER A TOILET :)

FAUX STONE WALL

ORIGINAL PAINTED CUPBOARD

I LOVE THESE DOORS OVER MY BATHROOM WINDOWS

AN OLD CANVAS PICTURE

I MADE A PEG OUT OF AN OLD ROPE BED PIECE

THIS IS A WOODEN DOVE & A MUSTARD TINPUNCH LAMP

ARCHITECTURAL PIECE ABOVE TUB

THIS IS REPRO WALLPAPER MADE WITH AN OLD WOOD BLOCK

1 ) PAINTED FURNITURE .... I LOVE PEELING PAINT AND CRACKLED SURFACES.
2) ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS .... REMEMBER I'M THE DONALD TRUMP OF ARCHITECTURE! ANYTHING FROM OLD DRESSER MIRROR WISHBONES, MANTELS, COLUMNS, FINIALS, OLD DOORS, TO OVER THE DOOR MOLDING.
3) BEDDING AND TEXTILES ..... MY FAVORITES ARE TATTED LACE AND QUILTS.
4) OLD BOTTLES AND MEDICINE CABINETS ..... I LIKE BLUE BOTTLES AND SMALL DAINTY ONES.
5) GARDEN ORNAMENTS ... GLASS CLOCHES TO KEEP TENDER PLANTS THRIVING, WIRE BASKETS, ENGLISH AND FRENCH WATERING CANS AND URNS.
6) OLD BUTTONS AND SEWING ITEMS ..... I COLLECT OLD YELLOWED BUTTONS AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SIT ALL DAY AND SORT THEM! ALSO PINCUSHIONS AND THIMBLES ARE A FUN COLLECTION.
7) OLD CONTAINERS .... WHETHER IT BE WOODEN BOXES, BASKETS, BUCKETS, BEAT UP GRANITE OR OLD VASES; ANYTHING CAN BE USED FOR FLOWER ARRANGING OR POTTING PLANTS.
B) ENAMELWARE ..... MY FAVORITE COLOR OF THIS IS GREEN SWIRL, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO FIND AND THAT IS MY MISSION WHEN I GO TO THE EAST COAST. ACTUALLY ANY EXCUSE
TO GO TO THE EAST COAST!
9) OLD ALARM CLOCKS .... I ALSO HAVE A COLLECTION OF THESE ,MOSTLY THE WHITE ONES.
10) IRONSTONE AND TRANSFERWARE .... I COLLECT BROWN TRANSFERWARE WHICH IS HARD TO FIND; AGAIN EAST COAST!

WORDS TO PONDER

AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, MORE IS SAID THAN DONE.

WORDS TO PONDER

WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE DOTS ON THE KEYPAD OF THE DRIVE UP ATM.

WORDS TO PONDER

WHEN ONE IS IN LOVE A CLIFF BECOMES A MEADOW.

WORDS TO PONDER

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, AT LEAST TRY TO ANNOY THEM!

WORDS TO PONDER

DO ROMAN PARAMEDICS REFER TO IV'S AS "4'S :)

WORDS TO PONDER

WHAT WOULD A CHAIR LOOK LIKE, IF YOUR KNEES BENT THE
OTHER WAY?

WORDS TO PONDER

from the sky,
from the earth,
from a scrap of paper,
from a passing shape,
from a spider's web.
We must pick out what is good
for us
where we can find it.

FINDING YOUR STYLE

YOU GROW COMFORTABLE WITH A CERTAIN DECORATING STYLE AND YOU CONTINUE WITH IT FOR YEARS; THEN YOU GET THE URGE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW….NOTHING TOO DRASTIC, JUST A STYLE; A FRESH TAKE ON YOUR FAVORITE :)
THE HEART OF ANY HOME REMAINS IN THE PERSONAL ITEMS THAT YOU TREASURE AND THEY NEEDN'T BE COSTLY; I WOULD RATHER BUY SOMETHING RECYCLED, RESCUED, OR RESTORED, IT HAS SO MUCH MORE HISTORY".
YOU MAY CHANGE THE COLOR OF YOUR WALLS AND SWITCH OUT FABRIC AND RUGS, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS PLEASING TO YOU, AND WHEN YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE CHANGE THEY STILL THINK IT'S YOUR STYLE, ONLY UPDATED AND FRESHER. EVERYONE WANTS TO FEEL SAFE IN A COZY FAMILIAR ROOM FILLED WITH FAVORITE FABRICS AND COLORS AND KITSCH. DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHETHER A PIECE IS ANTIQUE, REPRODUCTION, OR NEW AS LONG AS YOU LIKE IT IS ALL THAT MATTERS.
THERE'S NO RUSH TO DECORATE AND GET IT DONE IN ONE FELL SWOOP; RELAX AND CREATE LAYERS OF MEANING OVER TIME. A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME UNLESS IT'S RELAXED, COMFORTABLE, AND FILLED WITH PERSONAL TREASURES.




SOME AMONG US ARE ARTISTS BY DESIRE, NOT BY
TRAINING; RECOGNIZED SINCE THE.1930'S IN THE AMERICAN
ART SCENE AS FOLK ARTISTS, SUCH PERSONS TOIL WITHIN
THEIR MEANS, FUELED BY THE PASSION TO MAKE THEIR
SURROUNDINGS A BIT MORE BEAUTIFUL. MY HOME IS IN
HONOR OF THE PERSONAL SPACES THAT RESULT WHEN
I GET A CREATIVE URGE I CAN'T IGNORE.
AFTER A LOT OF TRIAL AND ERROR I THINK I'VE FINALLY
FOUND MY STYLE: SIMPLE, CASUAL AND COMFY.

TIPS FOR FINDING YOUR STYLE:
WHEN CREATING YOUR ROOMS, START WITH
SOMETHING YOU LOVE.
*SLIPCOVERS CAN MAKE A CHAIR OR SOFA LOOK MORE
TAILORED AND COMFY.
* CREATE A TRANQUIL SPOT IN YOUR HOME THAT IS
YOUR OWN RETREAT WITH SIMPLE FURNISHINGS.
*ADD LAYERS OF TEXTURE AND JOLTS OF COLORS.
*USE SISAL RUGS. THEY CAN STAND UP TO HEAVY
TRAFFIC AND GO WITH MANY DECORATING STYLES.
*BRING TOGETHER COLLECTIONS THAT YOU LOVE; SUCH
AS BASKETS, YELLOWWARE, QUILTS, OLD GAMES.

WORDS TO PONDER

Each moment is a place we've never been.

WORDS TO PONDER

We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we
can only fly embracing each other.