Progressing Nicely, Thanks...

I'm just giving a snapshot of the placemats I'm making in the French General "Rural Jardin" fabrics. I'm doing pinwheels on these, instead of the half-square triangles that were the focus on my "Rouenneries" set.

I'm going to make all of the mats first, and then I'll bind them while I chat with the girls at Books A Million this evening. Something simple to do while we giggle and tell "fresh lies", as an old friend used to say.

I'm also going to make my mug mat for my swap partner today and will bind that this evening, too.

I just realized that I hadn't shown you our new floor in the dining room yet. We had a little side project that had to be completed before I could photograph it to share. So, without further ado...
This is the dining room with the old light fixture still installed, and our artificial palm in the corner. It was so past time to tear out that carpeting and now, you can see the "after" photo.
Here it is! No extra charge for the model in the photograph. The chairs are usually all around the table, but Handsome wanted to keep the leaf out of the table for a little while, and the chairs don't fit with the leaf stowed away. I especially like that this table stores the leaves right under the top. Those clever Scandinavians!

We also have a roll-top desk in the corner that previously hosted the palm tree. I store table linens in the bottom drawers, so it's handy to have in the dining room. All of the pieces are teak and are easily cleaned and maintained with an occasional wiping of teak oil. The fixture above the table is also teak. Man, I like it so much more than the fancy chandelier that hung there before. This is more "us".

Hope you all like the new look as much as we do. It really is a vast improvement for us. So, I'm on my way back to the studio for part of the morning; Soundsations rehearsal from 1-3; and then gabbing with the girls this evening. Wishing all of you a fun and creative day, too! Later, 'gaters!

Something's Gotta Give...

I love our home. I love my stuff. But, I'm beginning to realize that something's got to give. My stuff is owning me these days. Have you ever felt that way? It's really frustrating.

I look at the wonderful images on other blogs that I visit and for a while, I'm transported to these lovely places of white, serene and organized. Then, I close my laptop, look around and wonder what I should do differently around here. Man, it's worse than watching HGTV! Handsome is not a white, cottage-y kind of guy so he'll never sign on for that look. I need to find a different solution.

Currently, I'm frustrated by our kitchen. There are these great display areas above the cupboards. I have things I like to have up there, but I feel like it's starting to look more like a flea market than any kind of meaningful (or pretty) display. I have a collection of pitchers and creamers that are lost up on that shelf. Then there are Toby teapots, a much-loved antique jardiniere that belonged to my mother-in-law, a huge lily pad platter that was a gift from our daughter-in-law. You get the idea.

I asked Handsome for some insight. His first comment was, "How does something utilitarian like a group of creamers or pitchers get elevated to the status of a "collection", and why should they be displayed, instead of kept in cabinets?" How could I answer this with a straight face? Has the love of my life forgotten that I'm currently collecting acorns? In my mind, the fruit of the oak tree has become fodder for a new collection. We probably weren't going to see eye to eye on this.

I pulled out an old favorite book in hopes that I'll find a new perspective. It's called Eliminate Chaos by Laura Leist. I really like her approach to identifying, tackling and eliminating the problem spots in a home. I don't need more furniture (like a display cabinet). I don't want to get rid of all my stuff. But, I need to figure this out and I'm hoping you might be able to share some of your inspiration with me.

I've made the photo from our kitchen a link to other photos of our home. It will give you an idea of our decor. Handsome has always loved Scandinavian furniture, which I used to dismiss out-of-hand - until I walked into a store with him, saw all the teak, and fell in love with the look. My issue isn't with the furniture. It's with the "spare" look that goes with that furniture. How do I edit out my stuff?

Our dining room and living room are now furnished in beautiful Scandinavian pieces. But I still love cottage elements (sigh), and we have the oak table in our dinette area that was a wedding gift from my parents. I can't part with that! Our master bedroom is Tommy Bahama. Perfect for Florida. Scandinavian? Not so much. And then, there are the little knick knacks and other items on shelves and table tops that I like having around. What do I do with those? Are you beginning to feel my pain?

Really, I'll appreciate any input you can offer.