Tuesday, June 2, 2015

In anticipation ...


In anticipation, words that encourage and inspire excitement in ones mind, a suspense of looking forward to something. In my case completion of our kitchen update and my 60's girl/French inspired laundry room. Hopefully your interest is peaked in seeing the final reveals and you will find curiosity and enjoyment in my posts delivered in 3 parts. "In anticipation" begins with us about mid way through ... I do hope you find entertainment in my presentation and soon to be end of dirt, debris and dust in this old Philly Row-Home. I'm feeling a much needed stay-cation in John's and my immediate future, trust me it's been well earned.

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting."
~Andy Warhol~


Photo of a French chair I purchased for my French inspired Laundry room. But renovations are around the half way mark so the chair occupies precious floor space in our living room until its intended use of putting on and taking off our shoes. We park in back of our home and the garage is under our kitchen so we use the back door. Just in case you wonder about all this shoe putting on and taking off we live with a no shoes house policy. Because ... Our Simon >^..^< gets an eye virus/ulcer that gets tracked in on the bottom of shoes.

The grey silk velvet pillow is one I recently sewed, the Velvet has a faint and pretty hint of Lavender in its sheen. The chair has a weathered finish applied to the Oak that I added to and probably will distress more before it goes downstairs. It's in my design belief of combining the old with the new. Dwelling in a home that reflects beauty in the combination that keeps me with paint brush constantly in hand! The rustic French florist bucket is one of twelve I purchased years ago for a steal in a close out sale. We were hosting a Spring party at our home and we placed them scattered about in our house with Tulips. Since then I've given 3 of them to friends. 


Life is just a bowl of cherries...

Lately I honestly have been making myself dizzy with our latest adventures in remodeling. Cliché's pass through my parted lips, I wake from a sound sleep with additional ideas to add to the remodel. I'm exhausted in anticipation a desire for completion. I often feel like Alice falling down the Rabbit hole - as in unforeseen problems and delays in our renovation. 

I'm frazzled, but certainly excited as I fully realize we are fortunate to be able to indulge our whims into our renovation. 

I l-o-v-e cherries, as in the movie "Witches of Eastwick" like! I will eat an entire bowl full in one evening.  I limit myself to a small bowl a few times when they are in season... I have to - remember what happened in Eastwick! No other fresh fruit has as deep a allure to me.

Being that it is once again cherry time I enjoy them to the point of delirium. Twenty or more years ago walking around the Berlin flea market with John in New Jersey I spotted this cute vintage bowl. It's marked on the bottom Robinson Ransbottom - Roseville, Ohio - Sm Mixing bowl 6"/1 quart. I knew Roseville is very collectable American pottery and at the 8 dollars price tag I paid and I quickly ran away from the vendor. This bowl makes me happy, I adore it's blue stripes, for it's been my Cherry bowl for 20 years.


I recently purchased a vintage 1946 copy of "Alice's adventures in Wonderland and through the Looking glass" by Lewis Carroll. I guess I've returned to my Alice state of mind. Shorty after taking this photo I enjoyed a break and indulged in both taste palate's one of cherries and the other of a book in total mind escape. Alice in Wonderland has been read for 150 years, a novel written in 1865. 

eek a mouse!!!

A very enlarged photo of a tiny little house mouse I hand painted on our radiator cover in our kitchen. While repainting the two cast iron radiator covers (either side of the peninsula) I felt a silly desire to add the unexpected. Since after all I'm never one to take myself too seriously!  I enlarged it to a huge image so you see all my brush-stokes/errors, but she actually only measures 1.75 wide by 2.75 high. With tail she's a mere 4 inches wide. While painting her the name Leela keep popping into my thoughts and I knew it should to be her name. Meet Leela a petite house mouse with eyes wide open, after all there are two cats in residence here. 


I thought Leela might enjoy a teeny weeny wedge of cheese... The plate is a 4 inch appetizer plate, yes she's tiny.

"I'm not strange, weird, off, not crazy, my reality is just different from yours."
~Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and through the Looking Glass~


We treated ourselves to new counter bar stools from Design Within Reach. Named the Baba in bleached Oak, made in Italy. Designed by Sergio Mian in 1992 and sold exclusively through DWR. Our Soapstone has a 10 inch overhang, these bar counter stools are biomorphic in design to fit the contours of the human body and cozy up to the counter top in a scale that perfectly works in our small kitchen.


Vintage design style that's still in fashion.


The seat and back cradle the body.


On May 27th our long awaited 100+ year old barn beams arrived from Ohio. Here they wait in our not yet finished garage. Extremely heavy old beams, they appear to be Oak.


They will be wire brushed, lime waxed for a softened white/grey appearance followed by a top coat of matte Bri-Wax. I'm about to get busy working on them. If this weeks days of rain ends! Their debut will be in my kitchen update reveal, next post.


In our basement our old kitchen stainless steel refrigerator is now built in. Our glass front Sub-Zero is in operation in our updated kitchen. The basement stairs have been painted a warm stone grey and John installed non slip Charcoal stair treads to the steps. We are waiting on the matching mat for the landing that divides the 2 sets of stairs. The treads and mat in our old Philly Row-home are necessary. Both John and I have slipped up and down the steps up-teem times in our 36 years of living here. One fall left John needing over 2 dozen stitches in his right index finger (front and back), all because it was smashed under the weight of a glass 5 gallon Spring water bottle he was carrying up to the kitchen when he slipped bashing open his entire finger.  Yes, verticality may be a good exerciser but accidents do occur. Non slip is a good thing!


Last month I was lucky enough to win a giveaway of a Rewined candle from another blogger. Pat from over at Gypsy Heart and Soul Blog. Pat allowed me to pick any scent of candle from Rewined. A company in South Carolina who pours soy candles into recycled wine bottles. The fragrance I chose was Champagne. A light and refreshing scent with sweet notes of White Grape, honey, fresh baked bread and light citrus. Thank you Pat for the opportunity of winning a delightful candle, I am truly enjoying it. I'm not one who burns highly scented candles, I prefer lightly scented fresh natural soy or beeswax.


While re-reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland I came to the line "Begin at the beginning" the King said very gravely "and go till you come to the end, then stop."
I laughed because it sums up a renovation and the wall you often hit emotionally when it's all dirt, dust and debris early on and the project just seems like it will never be done. We're a little more than half way completed and my poem I leave you with today truly tells it from my heart.
xx,
Vera


On a daily basis decorating magazines, movies, inspirational design blogs bombard us and spark our imagination ...
In anticipation you dream, you scheme, you desire an update in your interior, suddenly it becomes a mental sensation.

You visualize, you budget, you plan and schedule a projected time line agenda... but projects always cost more and take longer than you think.
Excitely in anticipation, ideas come to life, budgets are blown as the only sound that resonates is Cha-Cling in the second of time it takes to blink.

In anticipation your mind's eye is active in imagination and heartfelt wishes run wild full of desire and completion is a nightly dream relief.
Remembering the movie the "Money Pit" it's in anticipation you hope and believe work will actually be done in two weeks ... Oh good grief!

But midway through the dirt and debris you see a glimpse of beauty emerging from your long anticipated carefully planned design.
Suddenly a hopefulness fills your emotionally frayed nerves and in an instance you realize everything will soon turn out fine.


© Vera

35 comments:

  1. can't wait to see your kitchen 'reveal'! Love cherries too and ate an entire bowl of them ourselves last night! haha
    Our house renovation is finishing up and the cabinets were going in today - was SO exciting to finally see them. Of course nervous till it's all done and comes together. Are they too dark -are they too big, etc etc. it's exciting!

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  2. Hi Vera, Oh I can't wait to see the reveal too. You have really given us some great peeks into your exciting reno. First, I just love the chair and the velvet pillow is gorgeous. The French flower buckets are really a favorite of mine too. Give me a bowl full of cherries any day. Just love them too.
    Your counter bar stools look very comfortable and I love the color. I bet you are really excited for the beams to be placed. What a gorgeous look they will give. Just love Leela. What a darling little house mouse you painted.
    Congrats on your win from Pat. Love your poem and oh how true it is.

    Enjoy the last of the projects. So happy for you to be getting close to the end.
    It will be gorgeous and then you can look forward to your staycation and relax.

    Have a wonderful evening.
    Blessings, xo

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  3. Good evening, Vera! Now it's the beams. GOOD LUCK with the nerves because when we had our put in and then when Ruben painted them, it was one nerve-wracking hour after another. But you must be relieved to finally have a chunk of the work done. BRAVO! Those beams are going to top it all off. Today was my very last day at school in the clerical part of my job. I am home enjoying my vacation planning, straightening up, throwing things out, starting out fresh. Kick back and enjoy your labor!

    Hugs, Anita

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  4. I smiled all the way through your post till I got to the part where hubby smashed his finger and needed all those stitches. Love your stools. We have some with NO backs that are made by the Amish. They "cup" your bottom and the tops turn and have hand openings on each side of the stool so you can move them easily Love them--but REALLY love yours.

    I can't wait to see what you have done---want to see the new fridge and the countertops and --oh-I want to see it all, I guess.

    Fresh cherries are my favorite fruit! I could eat them until I get sick....yes-isn't that a pleasant thought? The only other fresh fruit I love is fresh ripe peaches but I don't like them canned or frozen.

    Love your Leeetle Leela mouse. xo Diana

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  5. In spite of the dirt and debris, I can feel your excitement as you're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Those soapstone countertops are gorgeous, and those beams...they are definitely going to be a highlight in your kitchen! Can't wait to see the next reveal. Hang in there...it's all coming together beautifully!
    Mary Alice

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  6. VERA, you are one hard working lady... And a mind that never quits until it's all just right. I am looking forward to the big reveal when the beams are up, house dust is under control and you are walking us once again though your amazing work. The little mouse hole is as sweet as can be, and your mouse could not have been painted any better..... Not sure I could have done it justice.

    The chair is going to be so cool with the 60's prints, and something to look at on your way down to the laundry room. Do you have a laundry shoot for dropping it all down in its neat pile, less work hauling up and down laundry. Could you ever place a stacking set in a closet somewhere up stairs for light pieces like towels, knits, jeans and such, and use the machines in the basement for heavy duty stuff, bedding, quilts, coverlets, throw rugs and such. I know the developer that I do all his elevation plans for his homes has a set down stairs first floor, and a set up stairs second floor ....freeing up time up and down, and having them all going at once gets the job done a lot faster :)

    Your post is wonderful, and you never leave us without words to think about.

    See and talk soon.

    Xoxo
    Dore

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  7. I can sense your anticipation, Vera. The project doesn't seem quite as overwhelming as it did a few weeks ago. The pieces of the project that are finished are amazing! It won't be long now.
    Debbie
    xo

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  8. Ok, I am totally anticipating your big kitchen reveal, Vera! Love your adorable painted mouse, how fun! And those antique barn beams are awesome! I am glad you are giving them new life, can't wait to see them up. I used to have a bowl very much like your cherry bowl that I used for popcorn:) You have been busy!!

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  9. Delightful post and wonderful poem summing it all up! You are a tease but you narrated everything just fabulously. I'm so looking forward to seeing the kitchen and I have to say, you had me scratching my head over having chairs in the laundry room! I thought of Laundromats where people sit and watch the dryers spin! Okay---get it!

    LOVE those stools and the French flower buckets Great idea with the stairs...we have two flights going down to our basement (where I do MY laundry) and I'm always carrying huge overflowing baskets. I gather if I slipped I'd have a nice cushion to fall on! :)

    Love to you, sweetie!

    Jane x

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  10. Hello my sweet friend. Ohhhh it is all going to be so wonderful. I cannot wait. The french chair alone is oh la la. Love your whimsy with the mouse and I know all your creative ideas will look so gorgeous. Can't wait!
    Kris :)

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  11. It sounds like it's coming together nicely. I loved the sneak peeks of your kitchen and can't wait to see the reveal! I know it's overwhelming now but oh how beautiful it will be when its all done. You're such a talent Vera! A great writer and artist. An inspiration to us all! Happy Wednesday :-)

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  12. We are all looking forward to seeing what all your hard work has produced.
    I love the French bucket of flowers...the little mouse brought a smile and a nod.."yes, of COURSE, Vera would paint something so cute and so unexpected." Those beams are swoon worthy...
    xoxo

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  13. It's going to be so good, Vera and the beams are amazing…dying to see it all!!

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  14. You take home renovation to a new level, Vera. All this would take us years. And years and years. :)
    Soon - you will take a stay-cation in pure bliss.
    Sending hugs,
    Lin

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  15. Renovating a home while living in it can be very stressful. I've done it a number of times. Your vision is coming to fruition, Vera, and it will all be so wonderful. Love what you have planned for the beams, and that French chair is dreamy. I'd have to leave it in the living room, if it were mine. Love your Roseville stoneware bowl. Timeless. I hope you can relax and enjoy the day. xo ~ Nancy

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  16. Dear Vera,
    It is with much anticipation that I await the reveal of your beams.. It will look marvelous! You have accomplished so much here, and I know how very stressful this can be, but you are a wonder...
    I love your French chair, also your beautiful grey silk velvet pillow you made.

    I have to say that your little painted mouse has stolen my heart... We are alike in many ways.. That would be something I would do.. I love that you put out a little snack for him..
    Thank you for sharing all the hard work..
    bisous!
    Penny

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  17. Dear Vera,
    It is with much anticipation that I await the reveal of your beams.. It will look marvelous! You have accomplished so much here, and I know how very stressful this can be, but you are a wonder...
    I love your French chair, also your beautiful grey silk velvet pillow you made.

    I have to say that your little painted mouse has stolen my heart... We are alike in many ways.. That would be something I would do.. I love that you put out a little snack for him..
    Thank you for sharing all the hard work..
    bisous!
    Penny

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  18. Anticipation.....now I'm singing the Carly Simon song :) Remember that? Love the peeks - can't wait for the full reveal. And those counter stools from DWR are fabulous - great mix, Vera. Happy June!

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  19. Vera I really enjoy reading your posts, they are funny, delightful and they always teach me something. Remodels are always hard work but anticipation is what keeps us going, trying to in vision it into realty. Your teeny tiny mouse is so perfect. You know I have never read Alice in Wonderland, I thought it looked scary when I was young, but maybe just maybe I'm old enough to handle it now. lol Have a lovely week. Jo

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  20. Vera your life is magic, . This post reminds me of the days we would walk the streets of Spearman to eat cherries off the trees...ah the sweet simple summer days, young and all we wanted was a sweet ripe cherry

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  21. I can just hear the excitement in your voice as your reno project nears an end, Vera. I'm so happy for you! You've got everyone sitting on the edge of their seats with the big reveal coming up. lol And I must say, girl....you are one talented artist! Little Leela is just adorable! You are so stinkin' creative! lol Sending you love and hugs, my friend. xoxo laurie

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  22. There is only one thing wrong with this lovely renovation - I won't be seeing it in real life. Your style, while quite different than mine, is one of my favorites. It reminds me of a family from my mother's childhood. They were the most exotic people. We would visit the sisters at Christmas time and I was entranced by their lifestyle. Once, they bought an old church in Pasadena and turned it into their home. They staged plays up on the pulpit. There were exciting nooks and crannies.

    Next, one of the sisters (she was an opera singer) moved into a barn and created the most amazing home out of the barn. Another of the sisters moved to Alaska and built her home by herself.

    What I have seen of your home, what you describe, your poetry and your creations make you seem as exotic as the magical Kelsey family that I adored as a child.

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  23. I'm sure that every detail shall reflect your vibrant personality and look forward to viewing it.
    Love the little mouse too!
    Susan x

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  24. It will be worth it all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I love those old beams!

    and I look forward to the "REVEAL"

    ~ Violet

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  25. I'm back!! :) As I stated before, I wrote such a long post and then it just disappeared. I do want to acknowledge all the beauty you've shared! A dear friend passed away Tuesday evening and I've been somewhat off kilter this week.

    I am so very happy for you!! You two have accomplished so much and I can't wait to see everything. I absolutely love the chair, that gorgeous pillow, the tulips, the chairs and the beams are going to be stunning!! LOVE fresh cherries too ~ I really have to be cognizant while eating them. I could eat all that I have in one sitting! :)

    I'm so glad you like the candle! We're on the same page as far as fragrances. I just can't handle the really sweet, flowery scents. I am definitely a candleholic!

    Thank you so much for sharing all these wonderful things with us! Your excitement is quite evident...as it should be. :) Just thrilled for you ~

    xo
    Pat

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  26. Leela is lovely! She would be so comfy, sunk into that grey, silk, velvet pillow you sewed, don't you think? Watching her world change, with every bite of her slice of cheese, a new space being styled, a well-loved heirloom continuing to make the house feel like home.

    Your poem very precisely describes the renovation process, with all its exciting and surprising elements!

    Thanks for the pretty peek into your reno; anticipating the next installment!

    Happy weekend, my friend!

    xoxo
    Poppy

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  27. Ohhh, this sweet mouse!!! Vera, there are mice to come soon... just a little while, and I will join you in a project a few months ago ;))) It is in gooood progress. An own little world.
    THANK YOU sooo much again for your comment on my post and for this gorgeous towel-idea you gave me :))
    And the whiches of Eastwick, ahhh, of course, NEVER I will forget this scene, hahaha, yeaaaaaaahhh, I was applauding!!! Standing ovations.
    Projects to come... Same here, we are very excited :)) So much new to come.
    Oh, and beautiful Leela just stopped by - she told me something, I really have to tell you - she is more into bacon, as mice do not like cheese tooo much ;))).
    Have a week of wonderful progress, I hug you, your friend Méa

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  28. Vera, your comment on my tea cup post was delightful. Your words flow like silk, such a beautiful writer. And most of all, they are sincere and heartfelt. :~)

    ~Sheri

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  29. Dear Vera,
    You are such a dear, but there was an error made..
    Please check your email...
    Bless you dear friend.
    Penny

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  30. Dear Vera,
    You are such a dear, but there was an error made..
    Please check your email...
    Bless you dear friend.
    Penny

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    Replies
    1. No problem Penny, your ruler just measured larger that day, lol. I'll email you for a custom order on him. Love your creative mind and very talented needle felted wonders.
      xoxo

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  31. Hi Vera, you remind me so much of when we were renovating our old 16th century thatched cottage. We called it the money pit as every time something was just finished the next thing happened! After 7 years we finished... and then sold it for a new build to have a break!! I do miss that place and one day soon we will be looking for our next project. Keep at it, the rewards are amazing xx

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  32. Mentioned in my new post.... Your beautiful gifting of friendship last photo in my latest post, linking back to you.

    Xoxo
    Dore

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  33. Dear Vera. I apologize for, not commenting. I appear to have read this a few weeks ago, and forgot to leave a message. Everything is beautiful! I love the mouse you painted with his bit of cheese. My daughter collects old copies of AIW and it looks similar to one of hers. By now the beams might be nearly in. It is wonderful to be able to do the things you want to do to your home. xoox Su

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  34. That blue striped bowl is lovely Vera and it contrasts beautifully with the cherries. Lucky you! I don't think I've eaten a fresh cherry in over 20 years. They simply don't grow here where I live. Your home renovation looks like it's coming along splendidly, I can't wait to see the rest! What an adorable little cutiepie Leela is! Is she the doormouse in the tale? What a coincidence, I've been singing Jefferson Airplane's Go Ask Alice all week, it's become somewhat of an earworm!

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