Built in 1894

A little bit of searching and look what I found in the history room of our local library. Yup, our house in the early 60's.

Mama, can I paint on the walls?

There is a benefit to living in a house that will be remodeled at some point...

Our {remodel} mantra

Read in context, this quote is even more important and valuable. Really, it's goes beyond remodel, I think this is simply how I yearn to experience home, always.

"Believe me if we want art to begin at home, as it must, we must clear our houses of troublesome superfluities that are forever in our way: conventional comforts that are no real comforts, and do but make work for servants and doctors: if you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it:

'Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'

And if we apply that rule strictly, we shall in the first place show the builders and such-like servants of the public what we really want, we shall create a demand for real art, as the phrase goes; and in the second place, we shall surely have more money to pay for decent houses."

by William Morris
from The Beauty of Life (1880) part of Hopes and Fears for Art

How to stuff a pouf

I love myself a pouf. Have since I first set my eyes on them. But for $400+, I just could not get myself to spend that much. Ever. So, I set out to do it on my own.

I found this large square size shown above on ebay and won it for $35. Great. Cool. I felt pretty proud of myself. But then I had to figure out how to stuff it and let me tell you, I almost threw the damn thing away and called this mini-project a failure.

I tried blankets and rags and shirts, I tried my local upholstery store and my local oriental rug/kilim dealer. Then I turned to the internet where I found 30 pounds of shredded foam for $30. And when it arrived, it looked something like this...

And then I opened the vacuum sealed plastic covering and like some space aged wonder bug, it slowly grew and grew and grew and grew. Not sure what to do with my expanding mass of shredded foam, I figured I just had to go for it, so I started to stuff and stuff and stuff, making the most unbelievable mess in our back-yard. Foam everywhere.

Then I ripped the seam, then I realized that the zipper wasn't really a zipper so there was no way that I could close it off and I had no idea how to pack the foam dense enough to make the pouf dense. It would have been perfect to put the vacuum packed foam inside but thought of that after I had stuffed it 75% and I was not going back. Almost gave up again.

But I kept stuffing.

And ended up with a 98% stuffed pouf that gives a little when you sit on it so I think we'll use it as an ottoman/foot rest instead. Not perfect but not $400.

Heading to the Beach House

Do you ever go on Artist's Dates? Do you know the concept? It is from Julie Cameron's Artist's Way and it is simple: Take time for yourself that nurtures your creative self, whatever that may be. For me, Artist Dates often include thrifts stores and flea markets. I haven't been on many Artist's Dates in the last 5 months - have been doing baby.

I finally made it to Beach House Style in Fairfax though last week, with my sidekick in tow. It only took me two years. I knew I would love it. And I did.

A perfect sunny day and dreams of our garden remodel becoming a reality made me want to load up the car. Luckily I had a baby in one arm and a rug purchase from craigslist taking up all the room in the trunk. But I didn't leave empty handed.

Love this peg rack for outside for hot tub towels?

Or this dreamy work table?

Or these orange chairs? Just need some white cushions and ooh, la, la!

But it was these babies who came home with me. Not quite sure where they will go or if they will stay their natural rattan color but I couldn't leave them behind.

And now a week later I am still thinking about the work table. Might have to see if its still available...