dandelion garden

I feel like most of my posts center around food. I suppose it's where I feel I have a creative outlet the most often - after my hour-long commute each way to/from work and then a full day of work the only fun activity that happens with regularity at the end of the day is cooking something interesting (or at least thinking about it).

But, this weekend, besides my grandmother and mother visiting (more about that later), I also decided to rearrange my living room and study. Now, this was a totally spur-of-the-moment, sporadic activity with absolutely no forethought. But, I'd have to say I'm happy with the result. I think sometimes you just need a change.


My living room was previously filled on one side with bookcases of magazines, books related to my career, and other "scholarly" publications. I thought it looked junky and each day when I arrived home I continued feeling stressed because of the clutter (at least that's what I'm blaming it on). This chair (with the calico cat of the house named Gracie perched atop) previously sat next to my tv stand, which in my house is a great early 20th century (I think) Asian-inspired (or chinoiserie for those in the know) dresser in this great mustard yellow with ogee legs and pad feet. I absolutely LOVE this dresser and wish I had a picture of it to share. Here I only have a little corner.

The chair is actually pretty great too. A late-19th century rococo-crazy armchair that I inherited from a former boss when I worked in a decorative arts gallery in Georgetown in my youth. I've covered the yellow needlepoint seat with this fabric remnant to tie it into my living room green/white/yellow color combo. Anyway, this chair I felt was always in the way and now it sits at the entrance to the living room/front door/vestibule to be a useful place for sitting to put on or take off shoes, lay down packages, or other things that chairs like to do. The bookcases are no longer in the room and have instead been relegated to the "office" or what is technically the second bedroom but right now is just my throw-everything-you-can't-fit-elsewhere or you-aren't-strong-enough-to-carry-into-the-attic space. That'll be my next project.

So now when I get home from a long day at work being all academic and such, I am greeted by this scene (albeit not often with Colette in perfect profile). A bank of clean, unfinished (for now) pine cabinets with artful piles of plants, books, little birdhouses my father made, and this great squirrel nutcracker that Lulubell gave me when I moved to Fredericksburg. Plus, the cabinets store my wealth of towels and bedding and other things I may need for guests, as well as my hidden stereo. The clutter has been eliminated. I'll try my best to keep it that way!