Being an observer...

My concept for our living room design was to welcome our guests to linger. As if the room itself provides a warm hug. I intentionally chose a very neutral sepia tone palate and created interest with a tactile look and feel. It is all about sensory textures in our living room and the nuances of mood and drama they create.
Mongolian lamb dances with linen and leather, the warmth of Asian wooden statues and African stools that with every year of their ancient past added richness in their patina of a life before our time as caretakers.

We don't think of these pieces as decorative but as soulful collected treasures adding to our living space as our 34 years in our home evolve. Our house was built in 1934 and we purchased it the same year we were married in 1979.
Olive jars appear on our first floor rooms suggesting the fruits of many plentiful harvest yields from France and Turkey of olive production in the countryside.

When the leaning mirror was delivered years ago from Crate and Barrel, Max and Simon for awhile thought it was a magical portal to another room or placement! I understand the cognitive science of the mirror self awareness test. Yet they both were very aware of the mirror reflection and also very curious. Both investigating behind the mirror, eventually they loss interest in the new mysterious portal.
I consider observation a precious trait as I mature. Also my motivating reason for writing poetry.
I think of myself as an artisan with a curator's aesthetic in a lifelong journey of observation.

"To acquire knowledge, one must study, but to acquire wisdom one must observe."
-Marilyn Vos Savant-

Around two decades ago I embarked on a spiritual journey of knowledge in understanding of beliefs and cultures. I remain the same religion (Catholic) I was born, but I still seek further understanding. I found a kinship and peacefulness in Buddhism. Although I am not a Buddhist, I meditate daily and have put into my lifestyle many of the lessons I have learned. Both logical and conceptual from the philosophy of Buddhism. 
I started collecting antique Buddhas around 17 years ago. I remember standing in front of a Buddha in an antique store and feeling the sheer energy of good karma the statue emitted. I was enamored and that very day purchased my first of many buddha's in our home.
My floor Tibetan buddha is from as told to me a Tibetan monastery. Hundreds of years old it faces the front door and greats everyone who enters into our home.

The legacy as I know is that he was one of a pair that flanked the doors of an inner covered pavilion. His position facing the door is perfect Feng Shui because of his hand gestures. The hand that extends upward with facing palm you can feel the energy of protection, meant as a sense of deep inner security. The hand on his lap, palm up and open is like a blessing and welcome to all. John and I purchased a slab of Uba Tuba granite to elevate him and we placed brushed nickel legs underneath. The necklace he wears was my Moms, she passed in 2010. It is a W14K with gorgeous crystals from the 1940's. On special occasions I will borrow it from buddha and wear it on a special evening out. The "Loved" crown was created by my friend Doré Callaway of Burlap Luxe.

I also collect many vintage and antique pieces that are displayed in our living room. Having a neutral sepia toned background allows the faded colors to be center stage and pop. The painting technique is called Polychrome and it was invented in the early 1800's. The hand carved wooden Artifacts on the ledges are from left to right - Alter folk art cave buddha from Laos, a buddha from Thailand, Burmese buddha from Burma/Myanmar, Indonesian woman statue from Indonesia and a relic of a mounted puppet head form Indonesia.

This ledge has from left to right an - Indonesian statue, Bird from Africa, a Burmese monk from Burma/Myanmar, an elephant from India and a Nandi Bull from India.

I accumulated this collection slowly and enjoy the carving and tactile feel of each unique piece.

The Black and White photography enhanced with a tad bit of amber was taken by John (left photo) and the right by me. They are photographs of our beloved French vintage 1972 Citroën DS. These photos were taken a few years ago of the Kenwood Cherry Blossoms in Bethesda MD. They have around 1200 mature Yoshimo cherry trees that are also along the Tidal Basin. 

Along the 21 foot of expanse of wall we ran a steel cable. We have also installed a steel cable in our sitting/reading room. It makes for a changeable art gallery wall. All art is printed on canvas attached to foamcore for display. Hooks are placed on the backside and hung with monofilament.

In our house we go through rolls of canvas like paper towels!

The steel cable is attached to the wall on both sides with a turnbuckle.

John and I wanted an industrial touch to our living room with a coffee table made from a railroad factory cart used for transporting trunks used in the furniture factories transporting large pieces of furniture around. It was important to us that we purchased one in original condition around 100 years old that still had the legacy type on it.

Ours is a Lineberry railroad cart. Manufactured by the Lineberry Foundy and machine company in Wilkesboro, NC. We liked the one from Restoration Hardware, but it didn't have any ghosting of the original name and the glass size was too big for our needs. So we found a cart on eBay in original condition and purchased our own 3/4 inch glass top.

I lightly sanded it to get the real roughness off it. Then I applied 4 coats of bri-wax. Every now and then when it appears the wood needs a moisture drink I use Formby's Lemon oil treatment on it.

We love seeing the actual mechanics of the cart and also shows off the cowhide and sisal beneath.

Our sofa is from around 3 years ago. It is a flax colored linen we ordered from Anthropologie named Jayne. It is no longer available

Our Lion Gargoyle has proudly hung in our living room protecting us since John exposed the brick wall in 1981.

I had John drill through this large French olive jar and put in an accent light. Thankfully he was successful.

These sit on our window sill.

The zinc B on the wall is from Anthropologie.

Aww there's Max!

This is a Sapien bookcase from Design Within Reach.

15 years ago we purchased this amazing car garage from the 1950's found in Paris, France.
But we purchased it at a 50's boutique/gallery in Philadelphia. The owner Mike also owns a vintage Citroën. 

John and I have most of our 1:43 scale car models housed in the garage. John installed lighting in it and he seems to enjoy that while we are relaxing our service garage is always open and at work!

Below is the reason why I write, hope you enjoy my poem.

Being an observer

I'm an observer of life, collecting words to express the nature of an idea or thing.

Intrinsically words gather and flutter in my mind and writing allows my heart to sing.

Inspiration arrives to me in a state of abstraction, like visionary ideas meant for me to ponder.

Where my mind can meander a guiding creative thought to leisurely enjoy and wander.

Some poems may be expressed words of my own learned life lessons that I try to teach.

Ideally each poem is meant to be felt emotionally in your heart, which I hope to reach.

My journey of observations have led me to this moment of time and to this place,

to hopefully entertain and inspire you with my gathered words of love and grace.

Observations have become my daily muse, a mission with enthusiasm and my purpose in life.

Inspirational poetry sure beats time spent reflecting on a struggle over times of strife.

© Vera