Month: March 2011

The Hunt Never Stops

My husband, Andy, and I were in Savannah Georgia over the weekend.  It was beautiful! Neither one of us had been there before, which rarely happens, because Andy’s been everywhere.  I won’t lie to you, ever since I read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, I have wanted to go to Savannah. Now that I have, it makes me feel a little cheesy to say that. It seemed like everyone there had the same idea. And if they weren’t there to see where Jim held his huge Christmas parties they were waiting in line to eat at Lady and Sons. And guess what? All the locals make fun of you. It’s true. But don’t worry, not to your face. I have to say that by the time we left, we were enchanted. Andy was wondering what the school system was like, and I was already hunting for real estate on zillow.com.

Besides the beautiful homes and 22 park like squares there are an abundance of antique and furniture stores. We did manage to stumble into 24e Furniture, because of this beautiful MOROCCAN LAMP!

Alas, it’s still too big, and it only has one bulb so the lighting is more for ambience than actual illumination.  However, while we were there the gentlemen helping us pulled out a couple of catalogs, and I spotted another lamp! But the baby started to have a meltdown, which basically means, “We gotta go!” And we never made it back to the store to find out the maker or get a tear sheet.

I was not looking forward to many hours of googling to find that lamp or at least something similar. And then I got this email on Monday:

“When we were in SAV, and saw that lighting, they pulled out catalogs for us from these 2 manufacturers. I made a note of it, in case it would be helpful.

-A

Arteriors

Global views.”

My husband is a rock star!

My latest obsession and why it must come to an end.

Oly Jenny Chandelier

Oly Jenny Chandelier. $2722.50

I saw this and thought, I really, really, really want this for my office, but it was crazy expensive. So I talked it over with my husband (Andy), and he pointed out that no one sees my office but me and should I really spend that kind of money on something that no one else will get to enjoy? YES! I’m worth it. But a few minutes later, a tiny no, escaped my lips. That’s too much money. Unfortunately, the obsession didn’t stop there. Oly has amazing lighting and I found this…

Click to insert.

Not for my office but for my Moroccan Inspired entryway. I know what you’re saying, “That’s not Moroccan!” Even so, in my mind, it would work perfectly with what I’ve already got going on. But if you thought the first one was expensive, you will shit your pants on the price of this one. Oly Serena Rustic Shell Chandelier. $3,308.00. I’ve seen it in person an it is gorgeous.
Luckily it’s too big. My ceilings are only 10′ 2″ high and this chandelier hangs 42.5″ not really a problem for me or Andy, but Andy refuses to make our friends duck when they enter our house. So, the hunt begins.
Here are some less expensive options…..
Click here to view larger image
Z Gallerie. Not sure the square shape will work and I’m not lovin’ the color but it’s only $399.00.
Long Hanging Capiz Pendant Lamp
West Elm.  I do like this, but it’s way too long. However, I went to the store and saw this in person and I think I can trim off the last tier but, I run the risk of loosing it’s fullness. $269.00
I’ve spent days looking, I even found capiz chandeliers at Target. It seems like everyone is offering their own version of this style. Which got me thinking, maybe this won’t be unique enough? I need it to be a statement piece. And the final nail in the coffin for this idea, Andy, “I don’t really like it but it’s fine if that’s what you want.” It’s fine! Ugh. I don’t want fine. I want, WOW!  So, it’s back to the drawing board.
Hugs-Katie

Lemons into Lemonade or just more lemons?

Before yesterday, I haven’t even thought about Mod Podge (the link is for my husband who wasn’t familiar with Mod Podge) since the seventies, when my sister and her friends would make collages with magazine pictures for each other.  The truth is I was too little to play with Mod Podge back then, so yesterday was my first attempt.

Let me begin by saying that in my mind this craft project looked much cuter. But I did learn a few things that I think you would find helpful if you were to take on this challenge.

Materials I used:

Scissors, tissue paper, glass vase, Mod Podge (gloss), small paint brush, and Christmas tree lights.

Check out http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/02/how-to_stained_glass_votive_ho.html for the “how to’s”.

Materials I wish I had and why:

All of the above, plus:

Diamond drill bit, decorative paper hole punchers and/or a paper trimmer.

It is possible to drill a hole in the bottom of the vase for the cord. If you order a diamond drill bit from the above company they will even send you directions on how to do it. And it would look nicer, but because that seemed messy and time-consuming I figured I’d just let the cord hang out the top.  I really wanted the vase to look like a collage of butterflies but not even I can tell they are butterflies and I made them. So, if you want a really crisp pattern, I would use a decorative paper hole punch. I’m sure Martha Stewart sells them. She probably invented them. And if I had a paper trimmer I might have tried to make another one in a plaid pattern with some flowers peeking out here and there.

But, it was fun and a great project for kids, so I think I’ll hold on to those vases a little longer. Sorry honey.

Hugs-Katie

P.S. My latest obsession in my next post and why it’s time to move on.

The Inspiration for my first post.

I was on my way to Pilates this morning when I saw this.

Yes it is March 15, and yes this is a Christmas tree waiting for pick-up. Not only are there no more wood chippers coming around to pick-up holiday greenery, but this still had the lights and tree stand on it. My first thought was, “What a jack-off. Really, really Mr. I’m-to-lazy-too-take-my-lights-or-my-tree-stand-off. Look at me I’m so rich I can buy a new set of lights and tree stand every year. Woohoo!” Okay, that last part I just made up, but still, nothing like irresponsible consumption.

As I was continuing my walk up Joralemon St. I started to feel bad about those lights. What could I do with those lights? I decided that if they were still there on my way back I would grab them.

They were and I did. No easy task because the Mr. I’m-to-lazy-too-take-my-lights-or-my-tree-stand-off had them wrapped up and down and all around. There is a method to stringing lights. I googled “how to string christmas tree lights” and there were at least 3 videos on YouTube. No excuses!

After 10 minutes and some words of encouragement from a stranger, I managed to get both strings of lights.

Here’s the plan:

I’m going to make a light for my daughter’s room using a glass vase (from my collection of vases saved from every arrangement my husband has ever sent me, much to his angst), some mod podge, and tissue paper.

First, because I’m paranoid of bedbugs or any kind of bug really, I toss the lights in a trash bag, tie the opening and toss it in the freezer over-night.

Stay tuned to see the finished project.

Hugs-Katie