All over the Map

Can you spell ADD? How about ADHD? 

It is the way I am wired, good or bad, depending on the day. My passions fly from here to there and beyond, hence this past week. However as luck would have it, my career allows for such "dis"array!

Here's a glimpse into last week

For another post, we can discuss my utter addiction to Pinterest. Found the above image, minus any credits, and what a response, "pinned"  by the thousands. No other image received such interest. Awaiting for a client to do this with.........

An interesting project is a client re-doing her kitchen and adding another in the lower level complete with pizza oven, bar, keeping room and media room...... with an old world Italian ambiance. Shared with her this image found on Pinterest and we both fell in love. Just so happens I save the darndest things in my barn and have a hand hewn beam in just the right size. Next step, contacted our blacksmith and away we go.......stayed tuned. (yes, have a blacksmith, Luco, from Italy....perfect!)

This client wanted her kitchen dining table top painted in Amy Howards Paint, 'Atelier', my favorite gray. (I know, looks cream in this image). Her instructions were followed. Then she no longer liked the effect and asked me to make it more "interesting", wanted to see "depth." Understood, now how to get there...... I brought the Amy Howard dark wax, her black paint, and a prayer.

While being watched we decided no to the dark wax and yes to a wash of black.
So 50/50 later of water and paint I began to brush on this wash.....bubbled up.....having been previously waxed. BUT, Amy's paint adheres to anything. As  I continued to brush it still bubbled. Grabbing a cotton t-shirt type towel I spread it in long smooth strokes, hallelujah! Not seeking a uniform look but one of age, the result is uneven with additional paint added to the edges for further depth. Steel wool evened out the paint and brought on a glow for the ultimate resemblance of zinc...PHEW!

I am envisioning this on paneled walls, what do you think?

Love when the upholsterer calls to say a project is finished! This chair 'before' is a Henredon, c 1970's, excellent condition, dated upholstery. Again, waiting in my barn for it's someday makeover

 A short while later this English stool was added for it's "someday" (yes, my barn is a treasure trove)

Ghastly photo but you get the idea? My client, "the bachelor" loves it. The wood on the stool was sprayed in Amy Howard black lacquer which is a nice contrast to the nubby linen. Looking forward to sharing some of his Before and Afters, think college graduate (crates)  to urban sophisticate.

(Yes, I know the rug looks too small.......other plans)

A favorite clients kitchen was on a walk for food pantry charity. The garden was readied for it's debut.

From the beginning this was a dream client who gave artistic freedom and was open to suggestions.

As this home was under construction, an issue arose changing direction. The home was lower than the street which raises red flags for future drainage issues. Dilemma's are often embraced, well not always, but by and large they present interesting design solutions that one may never have thought of before. Your wings are stretched. So, in this case, a gurgling pond below the sidewalk, it's depth allows water to have a place to go in a heavy rain. The design factor.....HIGH!

A signature.......clipped and shaped yews as seen under the window box

Isn't this stunning? Working with another client who hates her dining room chandelier and wants to "be different". We are choosing a pair of these lamps versus a chandy. She has an extra leaf that will be cut into two. The two cut sides will reside on either side of the center leaf......still with me? A floor outlet will be installed under the table, two holes with grommets will be drilled into these leaves for the cord to go down to the outlet underneath. These beauties are 39" high x 11" wide. Their height will make a presence, their ambiance, warm and engaging

A romp in the woods to clear my head and get close to nature......Bittersweet harvest time! Whether you grow your own or find an abandoned source, country roads always yield... now is the time to pick. No need to wait until they open on their vine

 Lay the stems single file in the sun and watch them open

As long as nature was calling, a visit to friends cabin in Wisconsin brought us to a family operation for goat cheese, alas, this is a male with "little purpose" looking for a home. We bonded. Strongly. Not only do I find myself in need of a Nook (last weeks post), I find myself in need of goats......after all I do have a barn! Steve's list is rapidly expanding.......care to wager what comes first, if at all, a nook or goats?!

Happy October!

Debra