Miscellaneous M: Moving

Showing posts with label Moving. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Marisa's Pink/Red, London/Paris Bedroom Retreat Design Board

Ah, another year's Church Christmas Cookie Walk and Gift/Craft Fair has come and gone. I did very well. I sold many of my facial cloths, polish star ornaments, mugs, etc.

But the ending of another year has me itching for some change. I have been trying to declutter and organize our home, i.e. my life, but it hasn't been going so well.   It's organized chaos around here, with three households combined into one: that means three households of stuff, six people, a dog, a cat, and even a fish all in one place.

But my bedroom especially is in need of some help. When I returned home last year I didn't ever fully organize and set up my bedroom because I wasn't sure at the time when I'd be moving again. But when you work from home and your bedroom is your creative space, it gets really stifling to live somewhere that is so clearly "in transition" when you are trying to be efficient, productive, and innovative. It is mentally draining to look around at the mess.

So, to boost my morale, I made a new inspiration board for myself. I'm not sure if I will be revamping the bedroom this winter over my work holiday break, or if I will wait until I move into an apartment again in the late spring, but either way, this incorporates mostly things I already own with some small changes.

I could also label this, "I am a Basic White Girl and this is where I sleep."   I could have also called it, "I will never have a man in my room again."

But officially, this board is entitled, "Marisa's Pink and Red London/Paris Bedroom."   I have had a red, white and black bedroom. And I have had a pink, white and black bedroom.   But never before had it occurred to me to combine that bright cherry red and hot pink, but I am really digging the effect. And I will never have to decorate for Valentine's Day specifically again.

Everything here I already own, or is from Ikea, Target, Partylite Candles, Overstock.com, or Michael's Crafts

Enjoy!

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Bennington Potters

My mother and I have been researching new places to live. We both need a fresh start, in an environment aligned with our personal values and a place to encourage us both to shed our introverted ways and get out there and join something.

Bennington, VT may just be the town for us. I had been there before, but Mom had not. At any rate, I loved it more this time than the first time I visited, and frankly, Bennington Potters may have been the best part.

Here is a link to their website. Bennington Potters

And here is an excerpt on their history. American made pottery has a special place in my heart.

(direct link to this quote here http://www.benningtonpotters.com/our_history )

The History makes it special

What makes this store so unique is not just the stoneware pottery, country home decor items, and Vermont specialty foods sold inside, but the history behind Bennington pottery itself. One of the oldest crafts known to mankind is also what has helped put Bennington, Vermont and Potters Yard on the map.
Pottery-making has been part of the area's economy since the Revolutionary War when in 1785 a former Revolutionary War soldier, Capt. John Norton, began producing "redware" glazed pottery. Bennington was a convenient location for producing redware pottery because of the close proximity to local clay deposits, as well as deposits along the Hudson River. Bennington also had an abundant supply of waterpower from local streams, which was necessary to power the machinery used at the time. Around 1804 stoneware pottery was introduced, which was more sturdy than redware pottery, and therefore more suitable for everyday use.
Through the 19th Century Norton Pottery and another firm, the U.S. Pottery Company, achieved considerable success employing hundreds of people and even representing the nation's pottery industry at the 1853 Crystal Palace Exposition in New York. Unfortunately both Norton Pottery and U.S. Pottery failed to keep costs down and eventually went out of business by 1858.
Even though the emerging 19th Century middle class was seeking both decorative and practical pottery items for their homes, the pottery business in Bennington began to decline significantly, and between 1911 and 1948 had nearly died out.
It was at this time that a potter by the name of David Gil began making ceramics as part of an artists' cooperative. Gil eventually opened Bennington Potters in a small unheated barn in downtown Bennington. In 1964 Bennington Potters expanded into a former home and business supply building located on County Street, where it is still operating today.
This rustic 1900s building was once the Home Depot of Bennington, located just 4 blocks from the old Bennington Freight Yard. This location enabled prior owner Henry W. Meyers to off-load coal, firewood, ice, lumber and farm equipment for home and business delivery.
Over the years, under the leadership of Gil, this former supply building transformed itself into an active craft pottery that today is one of southern Vermont's most popular destinations. Bennington Potters is also referred to as Potters' Yard.
*Excerpts borrowed from "Town's earliest industry still a survivor", July 8, 2004,
Bennington Banner, www.BenningtonBanner.com

Here are some photos I took from today to share with you! I wish I had the money to fill my home with handmade, locally made, artisan items. Someday!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Apartment Tour: Small Space Decorating

Who is ready for a virtual tour of the new digs? It only took me twenty days to get this to you. You know what that really means: it took twenty days for this place to be in any state of picture perfect readiness.

Before I show you the pics, I want to talk about details. I really think they make a home. Attention to detail is key IF You are the sort of person who wants their space to reflect who they are. And I think it can be done cheaply. While I fully plan to eventually graduate to a home full of decent quality furniture (like a real grownup), I will NEVER be the type of person to spend a ton on decor details when there are so many good finds to be found at local department stores, discount stores, flea markets, and even craft shops. Truly, honestly, let me tell you: I know we are all supposed to hate Target and Walmart and IKEA, and while I acknowledge that those who dislike them make very valid points, I say we have to be realistic. As a person who is artisinally (making up words now) oriented, I get it. If I could afford to buy everything on etsy or by local handiwork artisans and craftsman, I absolutely would. I support small business. I still aspire to get there. In the meantime, I use the cheapo places to express myself.

I also want to talk about making a rental space a home. It's important. I was a homeowner. Pre-divorce, I loved my space. Losing it was one of the most devastating things that has happened to me: not because I am shallow but because it was my safety zone. And as most of you know from reading, re-finding that sense of "home" has been a super big challenge for me these past four years. Not easy. But I think I'm there now. I am loving this place. It's cosy, it has a functional layout, and for the most part it was a neutral canvas. Making a rental space feel like a well put together home can be especially challenging when dealing with the idiosyncracies and inevitable oddities that are typical of the rental space. But it can be done! It can be done.

And, you will notice immediately, that post divorce I unabashedly decorate in an uber feminine way. It's in part defiance, but also part of the process of getting to know myself. My style is evolving. It used to be starkly modern. My color preferences are always bold, but I like to think I bring them down to earth with my use of black and white to contrast. I really think that only ONE bold color should be used in a space, and it can be anchored with neutrals. I do layer patterns, but only in similar colors. I do focus on the details. And you might notice that this new space, while still incorporating my previous grouping of modern, contemporary, and geometric pieces, it also has a new, country flair. The curtains aren't quite toile, but they are definitely French Country inspired. And a few pieces, such as the frame I used for Micah's picture, the "PEACE" text decoration near the tv, the dining room table runner and the french country red mugs from HomeGoods bring in updated country touches of rustic red (gingham, distressed paint finishes, birds.) I almost bought a white plaster rooster from HomeGoods. Almost. Maybe next time.