Vignettes around my apartment

Good day dear readers!  It's a beautiful day in Akron, Ohio.  It's gentle, gray and misty.  Quiet.  The kind of day where you take things slow and enjoy the smell of a pumpkin spice latte.  As you know, I've been working hard at making my humble, little apartment into an efficient and beautiful work/live space.  And, I am addicted to photography.  So today's post features a bunch of lovely vignettes around my apartment - at least they are lovely to me!  I love styling and rearranging.  All in an effort to achieve Nirvana.  Once the perfect balance between beauty and simplicity is achieved, I will stop (I hope).  For now I am in love with my apartment.

My little outdoor space has become an extension of my living room.  The three ceramic vases were made in Vietnam and purchased at the Goodwill for a song.  Lighted faux branches were from Big Lots.  Also, for a song.  But you know me, I'm cheap.

Remember my little installation of broken and ugly vases?  (See previous post here.)  Since I've been embracing imperfection, I've been embracing broken vases.  And why not?  I adore little orphaned pieces and get them on the cheap, so why not honor them when they are broken?

Here is a new vase that I got at Home Goods.  I love gray.  Especially with pink.  The vintage pink bowl - probably my current favorite - is from Etsy seller JunkHouse.

A little sake bottle and vintage Japanese tea cups in my kitchen.  The cups were a gift from my uncle.  This little corner sort of explains my color scheme.

I often make vignettes, and then dismantle them as soon as they are photographed.  I am fascinated by the idea of impermanence, like the Tibetan Monk Healing Mandalas.  (Styling my apartment makes me so happy, it's certainly healing for me. Fixing up your place is the perfect remedy for a broken heart.)  I am also fascinated by rendering the impermanent permanent by photographing it.  Meta-photography, if you will.

You already know I can't stop making shit.  And that includes jewelry.  Yep.  That's right.  I am now a jewelry designer too.  I am creating edgy pieces from detritus.  This piece is actually a bracelet, but I love it so much I have it sitting on a plate displayed as sculpture.  Everything looks like sculpture to me.

My spiked hat is hanging with my favorite purse and scarves.  I love its edginess.  A reminder to me to be the warrior with the iron fist in a velvet glove.

New little lamp from Family Dollar!  I almost shit when I saw it!  The shade is made of wallpaper like foil and is perfect for fall.  Only $5.00.  Yep.  You read that right.  $5.00.  Venturing into the hood sure can be fruitful.  Also displayed on the table is part of my rock collection.  Everyone brings me rocks when they travel, especially my sister-in-law.  This little collection includes rocks from Aruba, Alaska, Hawaii, Cleveland and Akron.

Isn't this the sweetest little Buddha statute?  Got him for $3.00 at CitiTrends.  I like that my home is edgy and a bit of homage to the hood.

All images by Peggy

Masculine Mood Board

Here's the story of my life.  I've been accused many times of being a lesbian. I'm not. I get hit on by women and I like women, just not that way. I'm not even curious.  I've never been with a woman in that way, and won't in this lifetime anyway.  Some guys do find me attractive, not sure why, but I'm grateful (hmm, maybe not so grateful afterall, keep reading).  Guys who like big butts tend to like me. I often riff on the Chris Rock joke...do you know it?  My version:  Thank God for guys who like women with big butts - they make the world a better place.  Not sure if I can make this joke ever again.

I'm beginning to wonder if there's a correlation between guys who like big butts and assholes? Just sayin'. Don't take offense. Just talking from my own experience. I don't know what it feels like to be treated well by a man. Think I'm going to become a Buddhist nun.

Wish I had been more selective in my youth.  Listen, girls:  hold out for Mr. Right!  You're a girl.  I know you enjoy your body and your sexuality, and you have a right to.  It's one of God's greatest gifts.  But....being a girl you are not purely physical the way dudes are.  Protect your tender heart, don't be a booty call.  Take the words from an old lady who's been there, done that....you will get hurt.  Girls just aren't built the way guys are. They are perfectly happy with just the physical. We need much more.  Much, much more.  But it is strength, not weakness.  Don't let anyone tell you different.  If you are a woman - you are fabulous.  Period. Find a man to love you and get your freak on with him. Here's the remedy for a broken heart: vibrator, candles, bubble bath, chocolate and read this book.

Okay, what does this have to do with a mood board?  I know, my mind wanders. It's a gift and a curse.
So here's the jist.  I met a dude recently. Seemed so different. Had fantasies. Thought he was THE ONE. Wrong. Even thought I might be able to show up at the holiday parties at my families this year with A DATE. Can't remember the last time I did that. Years. Years, I tell you, not hyperbole.

Gave said dude benefit of the doubt. Warning bells immediately. Ignored. Lonely. I'm strong, but I still crave the arms of a strong man. And I'll admit it. On my bad days, I wish I had the shoulder of man who loves me. Apparently, it's not in the cards for me in this lifetime. I do feel sad, but focusing on art really helps.  Oh - and listening to Katy Perry like a zillion times. Actually thanked one of the playas (in my mind) from the past. Bad men teach good lessons, and make you strong. But you don't have to go that route. Follow my example. You are strong. No need to waste precious time on heart ache. Contact me if you need prayers or support.

Again, what does this have to do with a mood board, you may ask. Well said dude was like many I've met. Just wanted to get into my drawers. No interest in loving me, getting to know me or treating me right. Yeah, it hurts like hell. Even at my old age. Adding insult to injury, I'm mad at myself. I should know better. I can dish out the advice, but can't really take it. And, oh yeah, wazzup with my own arrogance? Who am I to give advice about men? I know nothing about them, and have failed miserably at trying to find one to be mine.

So, dude who wanted in my drawers was skilled at the game. Honestly, I think there's a player handbook. I could write it if there isn't. They all say same the thing. Said dude seemed a little different. Impressed me cuz he's a hard worker. Seemed to really like me. Has a nice house in the hood which needs some TLC. Pretended to be interested in my organization and design skills. Wanted to pay me to design his home to be more beautiful, streamlined and organized. Loved how simply and elegantly I live (or so he said while baiting his trap). Had some good vintage pieces, was gonna give me carte blanche - every designer's dream! Blue and brown his favorite colors. Wanted some ethnic pieces. Had some good vintage pieces including a blue vinyl sofa. Heaven! I couldn't wait to get started.

Masculine mood board by Peggy

The deal fell through. Dude didn't mean a word he said, just wanted drawers, doesn't even like me. Tried to crush my spirit. Mad at myself, but I learn quicker than I used to. The only thing to do in a situation like this ladies, is to cut him off. I feel really sad and disappointed. But, I'll dust myself off and keep going. What else can I do?  As you know, I've been fighting illness for a long time, and have been making strides everyday. What would possess a person to knowingly try to crush the spirit of someone so vulnerable? No sense analyzing like this...I don't want to understand that kind of cruelty. The only thing I understand about it is - well - that it should be eradicated to the point that it is incomprehensible.

Luckily, I have family who love me. My brother tells me not to give up. I don't know about that. In the meantime, I'll work on my own place. You may be surprised at my place. Really turning into a warm, cozy, romantic, dark little cave for winter. Reveal coming shortly. Hope to get it done in time for AT's annual color contest.

So the deal fell through.  It was a fun exercise, though. Even though I tend to think my audience is primarily female, I love designing for men. Especially if they are organization challenged.


Here's the boring deets if you are interested:  Clockwise from top row: 
1.  Twig lamp from Family Dollar, $12.00;
2.  Twig lamp from Goodwill, $10.00 and leather lamp from Goodwill, $5.00 (both would need shades and rewiring);
3.  wall colors:  accent wall pale silvery sage green by window;  dove gray rest of walls; 
4.  gorgeous white rum bottles from Target - expensive - but need something pretty on rolling cart;  pretty glasses and ice bucket are easy to find at Goodwill;
5.  witty little Buddha - CitiTrends, $3.00;  
6.  vintage cigar box, Goodwill $3.00 - was part of his birthday present so already gave him.  this is not a photo of the one I bought, which was totally fabulous - vintage from Bolivar in Ohio - with camels and temples on it - wish I'd photographed it! It's on his coffee table and he's storing the stuff he always loses: keys, remote, lighter, cigarettes....storage options can be beautiful!  And they help eliminate clutter. As you know, clutter just won't do!
7. turquoise curtains - in my collection;
8. fab blue bent wood chair - $10.00, Goodwill (shoulda bought this one for me);
9.  rug from CB2 - totally out of the budget on this project, but fab;
10. fabulous rolling cart, reasonably priced from VintageIndustries,Inc.

weekend shopping

Friday afternoon I spent some time thrifting. It would be so great to be an interior designer, I know many places where I would buy unique things. I saw many cool things, here's a small sample:

Love these chairs, the large painting and the lamp. Perfect orange pops for an all white home.

Oooh, be still my heart. Perfect white West German porcelain vase. May go back for that one. Can't you hear it calling my name? Unusual blue bowl. I thought it might be Italian, but it's very light weight. Definitely has a mod look to it. Turquoise ashtray. Not sure why I dig vintage ashtrays, I don't even smoke.
Vintage glove molds. Way cool. If I had one of these, I'd hang vintage rosaries and prayer beads from it.

I like these plastic animals too. They were spotted in an antique store, but not sure what era they date to. Wouldn't these be cute in a kid's room, or as a pop art piece in an industrial loft?

And speaking of pop art, if you need some Zen for your home City Buddha has a ton! Love these Buddha prints! I think I need one. Virtual collections are the best. They cost no money, take up no room and you don't have to dust them. For more cool things I saw, click here. Hope you are having a great weekend dear readers! xxoo

Pretty simple little things

Hello my dears! Today was a bit of a rough day. I know I owe you a post about my apartment, but I didn't feel well enough to clean. The apartment's a mess, but I'm not beating myself up. The mess will be there when I'm ready for it. To cheer myself, I photographed a few of the pretty things around my place. Nothing precious, nothing expensive. Just simple beauty. A few small, simple touches can go a long way in making a place feel like home.

...

Darling little kimmidoll. A gift from my sister-in-law, who gives me the nicest gifts. I look around the apartment and see her gifts and I feel the love. This sweet little doll is so photogenic, she inspires so much creativity. I adore her.

Little toy poodle, named Doug. I named him after the dog in the movie Up, because I love him so much. Look at that sweet face. I believe he's a pencil topper, and he cost all of about $.49 at the dollar store. A small price to pay for such good cheer.

My kimmidoll with a little wooden pig from Indonesia. I bought the little pig at Chinatown, for about a buck. It was on a day when the best group of co-workers I ever had and I ate lunch at Chinatown. We had a wonderful time and lots of laughs. When I look at this little pig, I think of the good time we had, but he's more than that. He's a symbol of my love for other cultures and my desire to travel.

A mod yellow vase and Bon Bon postcard. Love them both. I found the vase thrifting, and the postcard was about ten cents. I love to juxtapose mod with Asian design. Bon Bon is too fab. This jetsetter is part Asian and French and loves mod design.

A tea bowl, pink chopsticks and a wooden box. A nod to my love of Asian design. All found thrifting and cheap.

Tea bowls and yellow prayer beads, also a thrift find. I love these. I can stare at the beads forever, and I love the sensuous feel of the tassel.

A little Buddha statue. This is Hotei, the Wandering Buddha. Also known as the Laughing Buddha. He reminds us not to take ourselves so seriously as we travel through this thing called life. He also reminds us to laugh at ourselves. We really are funny creatures and cultivating the ability to laugh at ourselves helps keep things in perspective. Most of what we worry about is temporary and not that important in the scheme of things. Remembering this eases our suffering and ultimately enables us to stop engaging in thoughts that cause suffering. In short: Live, Laugh, Love! What are the little things that make your place a home?


All images by Peggy.

Virtual Shopping

I'm doing all of my Christmas shopping on the internet and I love it! Here are some gifts I'd like to give or receive.

Ceramic pears from Chiasso.


Tea towel from Marimekko.



Scribble bowl by Diana Fayt.

Martha Stewart collander available at Macy's.

This falls into the "dig it but don't know why" category. I think this pillow is adorable! Available at Sprout Home.

Sequined pillow and floor pillow from Wake Up Frankie. This site is for teenagers, but I dig it! As my readers know, I'm really five years old.

Everyone needs a Buddha in their pocket. Available from Urban Outfitters.

Feng Shui desk set designed by Daphne Haefliger. I'm usually not into figurines, but these are so cute! Love the graphic nature of them. I think I need these for my desk to help me create new beginnings. Available at Acacia.

And look at this cute set! Hotei, the Wandering Buddha or sometimes called the Laughing Buddha. A reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. Also available at Acacia.

Is Minimal Bohemian Retro-Mod Asian/Moroccan a Style?

My apartment and I are having a love affair. Indeed, my place hugs me every night upon returning from a stressful job in the city and has eased my broken heart. I live simply and humbly, and even though this is by far the smallest home I have ever had, it has inspired the most prolific artistic period in my life. I am obsessed by decor, love decorating magazines and blogs, love decorating my place, and helping others decorate. I have no budget, but creativity greatly eases poverty and I thank God for my creativity.

My furniture has either come from the curb, second hand stores or through trading.

sfgirlbybay is one of the many design blogs I love to read. I completely understood when she described an identity crisis in her apartment. Sometimes I am so flooded by ideas, I can't decide. It probably doesn't help being a Libra!

When I first moved into the apartment, I wanted to defy the rules. My brother and I painted the walls in a saturated fushia and I bought an Italian, orange daybed. My brother built a room divider for my collection of pottery.

THE PAST:

Orange day bed, white dresser, acrylic lamp, goddess prints, pink and periwinkle pottery - all sold during unemployment. Cest la vie.

I loved the place, but I just couldn't believe it. For years I had done white on white and was an avowed lover of minimalism. While my place was the smallest I'd ever had, conversely I displayed more stuff than ever before. Sometimes too much stuff makes me panic. I go into minimal mode and want to get rid of everything.

We have long, dark winters here. During the work week I often only see the sun on Saturday. I found the color too heavy during the winter and I didn't like the way my art looked displayed with the fushia. So, I caved. I painted the walls white. By the way, Behr paint is the best. When I started earning a little money again I bought a red (RED!) mid-century modern day bed at my favorite vintage store. It was cheap, built better than any new sofa (and prettier) and sturdy. For a long time it was my bed too.

I love it, but often cover it in white sheets and many pillows.

Lately, I have been obsessing about the color turquoise!
Turquoise vases from Target, a gift from my sister-in-law.

This is from Turquoise's showroom. Isn't this gorgeous?

These beautiful and inexpensive vases are from Z Gallerie.

And beloved Casapinka hasn't helped matters with her beautiful foyer.

I fell in love with textiles after reading Tricia Guild's book White Hot, where she described being influenced by the colors of India. Pillows satisfy this urge nicely, as do scarfs carelessly thrown over lamps or used to tie back curtains. I was influenced by Bohomo (Bohemian Modern). I wanted my place to have an undecorated look, a kind of careless abandon, but with restraint. And I love orange and blue, but I still don't like patterns too much.

Orange and blue pillows. See my flickr site for more information.

Pink bulbs, pink scarf thrown over retro moon lamp purchased from CB2 with overtime money. I always wanted one of these lamps!

Some of the beautiful things I love are lanterns, prayer beads, buddha heads, exotic glass bottles, erotic hindu prints, Noguchi lamps.

Lantern, Pier 1. Blue glass vase, Salvation Army, $1.99! Prayer beads, see my flickr site for details.

Amber buddha head bought at garage sale.

Vintage erotic Hindu print. Vineeta, do you know who the artist is? Buddha postcard from Indonesia bought at City Buddha. I'd like to have this image rasterbated for over my bed.

Buddha heads from CB2. These are so cute and the price is right, only $14.95. I'd sort of like to have the green one, but I don't really like resin. Still, they are cute. I think they had orange last season. It would be fun to have different colors lined up on a shelf.

I'll save Noguchi for another post since I love his work so much. But, all I can say is thank God for Target, I can't afford a real Noguchi.

I've moved things around many times and created many different looks. In fact, often when a painting is incubating in my mind, I start moving things around in my dining area. Okay, I vaguely remember the rule that art shouldn't blend in with a sofa. Well, I've already talked about how I feel about rules. Furniture, lamps and pottery are like sculpture and when moved around they start dialoging with the spirit of my apartment.

The dialogue lately is about Moroccan design. I love poufs and ottomans. I have several ottomans, which I found on the curb. Ottomans are incredibly versatile, can be moved on a whim, can be used as tables or seats. I've even served tea on them to my nephews.

Then along came the current issue of Elle Decoration, UK Edition, reading my mind. There are several absolutely stunning pictures of Moroccan design. Now I want to start over and completely redo my place! Maybe I should just sit in the corner and take a deep breath. Ahh. Sometimes I just wish my place were done.

Oh, and did I mention that my favorite color is pink?