...that after I met with my first paid client, he wrote me a check for the design consult and included a single dollar bill with it for me to frame (as Vintage Simple's first step into the world)?
Such a kind gesture, I thought. And although for some reason I can't bring myself to frame it, I keep it safely tucked away in a drawer along with his thoughtful note.
I am currently working on a couple of projects, including one in Maine, which I'll get to in a minute, and another one in Brooklyn.
First, I thought I'd share a few little peeks from when I was up NYC in November. Most of the painting in the house is now done, bringing out the gorgeous details of the old brownstone...
Some of the light fixtures have already been put up,
while others still patiently await to be installed...
This one, by Cisco Brothers, will go in the parlor. I think it was love at first sight for my client, and it makes me smile to think that it was so. (Such things do happen after all.)
The parlor has a new fun blue couch and wire chair, and a big mirror over the mantel to bring a little more light into the space... It is a north-facing room, so it can be pretty dark in there. I think the chandelier will be a great addition to the space.
We're thinking perhaps a light such as the one you can spy in the next picture will go in the dining room, creating a beautiful foil to the more rustic one in the parlor.
But then again, we may look into having something custom made that relates more directly to the parlor's chandelier, without exactly replicating it. Perhaps something along these lines...
As far as Maine, I thought I'd post some of the sketches I've drawn for my client there, just to give you a little sense of what's been going on with that project.
Here's one of the foyer, with a proposed antique Swedish bench, mirror, window treatments, and lighting suggestions (still trying to figure out my new scanner - heh)...
And here is one with ideas for the lounge/TV area in the living room...
Both projects are still, clearly, far from being completed, but I thought I'd share with you a little bit of what I've been working on for the last couple of months. These things do take time - what with the business of living, and budgets, and dreams... but the work itself is great and I am happy to report that I am thoroughly enjoying it.
On a more personal note (related to this idea of dreams), I've been trying to watch myself more closely, paying attention to all these hopes and plans and dreams of mine. And as I watch myself trying to stubbornly hold on to them all, I am also painfully aware of my wish to rush them into certainty right away. But that is not really the way life works... is it?
And so it is that I hold my many dreams with my many imaginary arms... And I am starting to think that perhaps the trick lies in the holding - with purposeful intent, but patiently and...lightly. Ever-so-lightly. And always (always) with an open heart.
So, I am working on finding more balance in the way I hold myself and that which is dear to me, including my dreams. And I hope that with each passing year, I will be able to hold myself and my goals more lightly - in a more forgiving, quiet way.
It is not a complete thought, I realize - but it will have to do for now. I am wishing you all peace, my friends - now and always. See you at the other end of 2010.
(images: 4. cisco brothers; 6. rebekah sigfrids via design sponge; 7. photo by richard powers, collaboration for lights - fearon hay and katie brown; 11. & 12. katie daisy's etsy shop; all others by me)
Such a kind gesture, I thought. And although for some reason I can't bring myself to frame it, I keep it safely tucked away in a drawer along with his thoughtful note.
I am currently working on a couple of projects, including one in Maine, which I'll get to in a minute, and another one in Brooklyn.
First, I thought I'd share a few little peeks from when I was up NYC in November. Most of the painting in the house is now done, bringing out the gorgeous details of the old brownstone...
Some of the light fixtures have already been put up,while others still patiently await to be installed...
This one, by Cisco Brothers, will go in the parlor. I think it was love at first sight for my client, and it makes me smile to think that it was so. (Such things do happen after all.)The parlor has a new fun blue couch and wire chair, and a big mirror over the mantel to bring a little more light into the space... It is a north-facing room, so it can be pretty dark in there. I think the chandelier will be a great addition to the space.
We're thinking perhaps a light such as the one you can spy in the next picture will go in the dining room, creating a beautiful foil to the more rustic one in the parlor.But then again, we may look into having something custom made that relates more directly to the parlor's chandelier, without exactly replicating it. Perhaps something along these lines...As far as Maine, I thought I'd post some of the sketches I've drawn for my client there, just to give you a little sense of what's been going on with that project.
Here's one of the foyer, with a proposed antique Swedish bench, mirror, window treatments, and lighting suggestions (still trying to figure out my new scanner - heh)...
A sketch of the sink wall in the kitchen, filled with sources and recommendations...
And here is one with ideas for the lounge/TV area in the living room...
Both projects are still, clearly, far from being completed, but I thought I'd share with you a little bit of what I've been working on for the last couple of months. These things do take time - what with the business of living, and budgets, and dreams... but the work itself is great and I am happy to report that I am thoroughly enjoying it.
On a more personal note (related to this idea of dreams), I've been trying to watch myself more closely, paying attention to all these hopes and plans and dreams of mine. And as I watch myself trying to stubbornly hold on to them all, I am also painfully aware of my wish to rush them into certainty right away. But that is not really the way life works... is it?
And so it is that I hold my many dreams with my many imaginary arms... And I am starting to think that perhaps the trick lies in the holding - with purposeful intent, but patiently and...lightly. Ever-so-lightly. And always (always) with an open heart.
So, I am working on finding more balance in the way I hold myself and that which is dear to me, including my dreams. And I hope that with each passing year, I will be able to hold myself and my goals more lightly - in a more forgiving, quiet way.It is not a complete thought, I realize - but it will have to do for now. I am wishing you all peace, my friends - now and always. See you at the other end of 2010.
(images: 4. cisco brothers; 6. rebekah sigfrids via design sponge; 7. photo by richard powers, collaboration for lights - fearon hay and katie brown; 11. & 12. katie daisy's etsy shop; all others by me)