The Mud Room

Vintage End Table-Bar Cart Doesn’t Solve Dilemma

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

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Ever watch “What Not to Wear,” where fashion mavens Stacy London and Clinton Kelly give style advice to unwitting fashion faux pas victims, but until the very end of the show, those victims still pick out the least flattering outfits on their shopping sprees?

Well, I kinda feel like I’m one of those victims, when it comes to my home decor dilemma. I’m getting great advice, but I’m not executing well. In my last two Mud Room posts, I have received several comments from loyal readers giving me the thumbs up and thumbs down about solving my end table and lighting issue in my living room. One in particular, from Val at Retro@Home in Emeryville said that because I already have heavy pieces in my smaller living room, I should get a “lighter piece. ..something two-tiered, perhaps with a nice leg detail, and glass topped would open up  the space and compliment your lamp!”

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Well, that sounded good to me, so I stopped by Not Too Shabby on Bascom Avenue in San Jose, and there was a vintage bar cart, or tea cart, in the window. It was glass topped and two tiered! (I felt like I should have a camera crew following me and Clinton and Stacy shrieking in horror as I say how this is exactly what they suggested!)  It has plastic wheels and a Greek gold key motif circling the edge of the oval glass. I liked the idea that it had a retro “Mad Men” feel and had a dual use. I really thought it had possibilities. But just as my first end-table choice was too heavy (and now appears headed for my den), I’m afraid this one seems too light. My husband, Chris, and my parents and a good friend, think the lamp is too heavy on top and the cart seems a little flimsy. What do you think?  I know I can count on you to be honest. It’s only on approval ’til this afternoon!Julia Looking Left - Lookiloos

Here are my previous posts on this weighty issue:

Light my Living Room: On a Mission for Style

Retro Furniture Search Ends in Husband’s Ploy for New TV

Retro Furniture Search Turns into Husband’s Ploy for New TV

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
A false start on an end table, but possibilities abound. Nice lamp, eh?

A false start on an end table, but possibilities abound. Nice lamp, eh?

Let me ask you this: How can my simple quest for an end table for my living room turn into my husband measuring for a flat screen TV in the den?

For those of you who have any interest in following my little design dilemma, here is the latest: So, I’ve been a bit obsessive lately about finding an end table as a perch to add more lighting in my small living room. And I had the idea that it would be a stylish little thing, maybe channeling a little retro Kelly Wearstler. Well, after a jaunt last weekend to Move it Elsewhere in San Jose, a huge warehouse  that bills itself as a giant estate sale, I brought something home.  It’s a 1960s-era solid walnut credenza, with geometric carve-outs. It was one of two matching pieces, both with removable book cases on top. I hemmed and hawed for more than an hour before I loaded the solo piece into the station wagon. I took the legs off so it wouldn’t be too tall to sit next to the couch. I swapped my grandmother’s lamp from my parent’s attic with the  cool silver one from the den that I actually spent money on and set it on top. (I took designer Kathi Mann’s comments from my last story to heart, adding a little shimmer to the dark living room…)

Looks better with legs, doesn't it? Could this whole thing go in the den?

Looks better with legs, doesn't it? Could this whole thing go in the den?

I waited anxiously to see  Chris’ reaction.  Boy, can the truth hurt. “Too big for the space. Too clunky,” he said. Now, I’m not that unreasonable. And  I acknowlege that it lost a fair amount of its grace without the legs. But I really like it! And it was a bargain. Did I have to take it back? Was there another spot in our 1,900-square-foot house for it?

Well, in the span of a few minutes, Chris was measuring the wall of our tiny den, not only for the credenza and its mate, plus the bookcases, but a flat screen TV to span them both.   Do we need a flat screen TV? No. Do we need a credenza for the den? That wasn’t on my priority list. (The Ikea cabinetry holding the old TV isn’t that great, but it’s not a focal point for the rest of the house.)

Still, would I love to have both credenzas and book cases? Yes. Would that add style to the frumpy den? I think so. And would I concede to a new TV to make that happen? Quite possibly.

There’s only one problem. I still don’t have an end table.

Julia Looking Left - LookiloosIf you missed it, here was my first post about my lighting dilemma:

Light My Living Room: On A Mission for Style

Light my Living Room: On a Mission for Style

Friday, February 5th, 2010
My living room. I've since moved lamp into corner.

My living room. I've since moved lamp into corner.

I’m on a mission.  I need more lighting in my living room. (Even this photo is dark!) The only lighting is lamps — and since we’re not going to do any budget-busting recessed cans, I’m looking for more lamps and end tables (or a slim sofa table) for them. I’m heading to Move It Elsewhere in San Jose today (a giant estate sales open only one weekend a month), hitting up the annual St. Christopher Antique Show, and checking out Emily Joubert home and garden in Woodside, which is donating its proceeds from this weekend to Haiti relief efforts.

Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong!

Asian-style credenza with leopard skin lamp

Asian-style credenza with leopard skin lamp

The problem is, I’m in the midst of a decorating identity crisis. It’s just too easy to call myself eclectic. I consider myself a modern girl who loves clean lines (I’m an architect’s daughter afterall!). But look at my living room and you’d never know it. Still, it’s filled with things I love: an antique jewel-tone rug in reds and golds, a faded brown Belgian tapestry behind my French writing desk, and a black credenza with an Asian-style fretwork motif. I even love the lamps I have, including my grandfather’s cloisonne floor lamp, a small marble lamp with a leopard skin shade (from our days in Dallas), and a tall table lamp with a funky mid-century shade in gold and white I salvaged from a throw-away bin. Love it! (I even repainted a rattan chair from white to black that my mom sent me away to college with.)  

My crisis continues when I try to figure out just what look I’m going for here. I get so excited about vintage mid-century and ’60s things. I go ga-ga over Kelly Wearstler, who can take a 1970s heavily carved buffet table, paint it lime green and voila! But I need to get down to business. So, I’m looking for end tables on which to place lamps. I saw some at Not too Shabby in San Jose — bright gold boxes with glass tops (so Wearstler, I thought) but when I came back a week later, they were gone, of course. I saw some white Asian-style end tables, kind of retro, but they might be too stark.

A Kelly Wearstler living room. Why do I see myself as this?

A Kelly Wearstler living room. Why do I see myself as this?

And here’s the red herring. Out of my parent’s attic came a lamp from my grandmother — a 20-pound ceramic-but-looks-like-wood painted piece from the 50s or 60s probably with one of those huge conical shades. I’m thinking sentimental funky, and maybe that’s a good thing.  Take a look and tell me if I’m crazy to keep it. Or, perhaps with a new shade, someone might say, “You can pull it off, girl!”

The lamp from the attic. Be honest! (but remember it was my grandmother's)

The lamp from the attic. Be honest! (but remember it was my grandmother's)

I need help. Serious help.  

 

  Julia Looking Right - Lookiloos

On a Roll and I Can’t Stop Now!

Friday, January 8th, 2010
Don't mind the seamless green screen---working on a different project

Don't mind the seamless green screen---working on a different project

Three weeks ago I purchased a set of 4 iron chairs to go in my backyard for $39 each.  They are wing-backed in style with great fret work. They need a little cleaning up, a coat of paint and some cushions. Oh how I wish Laura from  ShorehouseChic lived on this coast—she is a seamstress extraordinaire!

Continuing on my roll,  after the holidays I stopped in at a local nursery. I was desperate for all white cyclamen for my front window box.  My decorative cabbage had perished in the frost earlier and I had guests coming over. Isn’t that how it always happens you walk past the dried-up and shriveled plant for days thinking “I gotta take care of that” then your hosting a last minute dinner party and you send your son out into the cold to re-plant.

“Seriously, Mom. Who is gonna see it? It’s gonna be dark and it’s freezing out there,”  said my youngest.  Freezing??? C’mon you don’t know freezing. Try winter in Connecticut.  I did that once and I learned my lesson. The next winter was spent in Florida. I kid you not.Chandelier

“Never-mind that. Plant away—you can warm up when you’re done” I replied, with a chilly tone in my voice.  And here is the part you have all come to know about me and hopefully find it quite endearing—I digress.  So, back to the nursery, I spied a little one light chandelier for $5.  You can’t walk away from a 5 dollar chandelier. It will be perfect on my front porch! 5 dollar tag

So my point is and yes I do have one—I’m on a roll finding the perfect thing for my home at a super cheap inexpensive price!   This weekend Move It Elsewhere is having their once a month sale and I’m going.  I feel like I can’t miss.  I’m not sure what I will find or what I need to transform my living space, but one thing I do know I’m on a roll!

Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

White Reindeer A Must See!

Friday, December 25th, 2009
Adult White Reindeer

Adult White Reindeer

Last week I stopped in at Almaden Valley Nursery and spotted the most adorable white reindeer.  This particular little guy reminded me of the real white reindeer up at Mt. Madonna County Park in Watsonville.  We had taken the kids to see them years ago, but I hadn’t seen them in quite awhile.  I wanted to go and see them again. Wouldn’t it be like ol’ times? Doe

“Hey who wants to go see the white reindeer?” I asked very excitedly I might add.  The response wasn’t exactly what I had hoped for. “What? Where is it? Well how far is it and how long will it take?.  The Niners are gonna play today, so I’ll pass on the reindeer thing Mom” was what I got from four different teenage boys. I had one taker,  the husband (extra Santa points for him). Love this one

There were 2 large male deer and about a dozen smaller does.  The males would not come closer for photos…sounds like my household. The does were much more cooperative…also like my household!   I know this has nothing to do with home or garden, but it all started with my little stuffed friend form the Almaden Valley Nursery.  Merry Christmas to All.

Found: One Christmas Angel

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Christmas AngelThought you were gone. Thought I’d never see you again. It’s been three long Christmases since you were last seen. So glad you’re back! My Christmas Angel.  Angel Wings

I purchased this angel 6 years ago. She is constructed of recycled molding and tin ceiling tiles. She is weathered, rustic and beautiful. She went missing 3 years ago. The same time roughly my oldest son moved back home and re-arranged our garage and attic storage. “No, Mom never saw her. What does she look like again?” said my darling eldest.

Angel Above Clock Niche

Suddenly,  she just appeared in the garage. And no one put her there….Hmmmmm.  Somehow I don’t think I’m getting the WHOLE story. But I don’t care she’s back and my living room feels complete this year.

Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

A Christmas Wreath with Mad Men Style

Sunday, December 6th, 2009
 Mad Men Wreath

Mad Men Wreath

A couple of days ago, I stumbled across a blog out of San Francisco —- Found: Rediscovered Objects for the Home.  (BTW, they also have a shop I’m putting on my list to see).  On this particular day that I “Found” them,  they had created a Mad Men wreath for a local fundraiser.  Now,  I absolutely loved their submission. Not to mention I love Mad MenJim Beam For those of you unfamiliar, Mad Men is an amazing series about an advertising agency in New York during the sixties.  (Shame on HBO for passing on this–but thank you AMC!) Now, being married to an ad guy, I thought “this would make a great wreath for his office.”  I started by sketching it out….what did I need?  Some little airplane sized bottles of booze, a pack of cigarettes—-not just any I needed Lucky Strikes.  My mail man delivered the Crate and Barrel catalog and I flipped through and spotted a martini shaker and martini glass ornaments, perfect.  Then I thought “I’ll check out the Facebook fan page and website for Mad Men.” And let me tell you, what a goldmine!  PopsicleI downloaded Sterling-Cooper’s Portfolio. Popped those babies into photoshop, re-sized, printed them out and attached to retro-looking ornaments (also found at Crate and Barrel).   My glue gun was heated and it was time to assemble.  I have to say, I had so much fun putting this thing together.  The hardest thing to find were those damn Lucky Strike brand cigarettes.  Maybe it’s because I don’t smoke, but I tried my neighborhood 7/11 and Walgreen’s—-ended up at a discount cigarette shop. That is a story for another day.  You know, when you feel the need to explain yourself and pretty soon your head is telling your mouth to shut-up–it was one of those moments.  The wreath was put up over the weekend and I’m anxious to hear what those ad people think on Monday.

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Desiree Looking Left - Lookiloos

Dreaming…Again!

Saturday, November 21st, 2009
My new little investment.

My new little investment.

Two weeks ago I received an invitation for an art show through  Facebook.  Excited to attend, I clicked the appropriate button and put it on my calendar.    Jaya King had sent me the invite.  She’s a local artist, who I had met at an art gallery a few years earlier.  I purchased a piece and I still absolutely love it.

Heading into the Triton Museum in Santa Clara,  I immediately saw Jaya and made my way towards her.  Her  display was so wonderful. I didn’t know what to focus on first. And then, I saw it.  I knew I had to have it.  It’s entitled “Dream a Little Dream”.  It’s very fitting for me.  I tend to live in my own little world.  It’s true.  Ask my mother and she will tell you that every parent-teacher conference the same line was uttered, “She’s a day-dreamer”.  Seriously, how is that a bad thing? Sorry I digress.

I haven’t hung it yet. I just can’t seem to find the right space, so for now it sits on my desk and it makes me so happy as I dream my little dream.

Theme Party Decorating a Challenge

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Night of the Iguana
The expectations of our guests must have been high. We didn’t just promise a lovely dinner for 12 as part of the party we offered at our children’s school auction. We told them we would transform my backyard and screened porch into a “faraway paradise.”

I should have known immediately that I was over my head. But we gave it our best shot last weekend.

Night of the IguanaOur friends, Amy and Parke Young and Julie and Craig Paulsen and my husband, Chris, and I decided on a south of the border theme and called the party “Night of the Iguana,” inspired by the 1962 film classic starring Richard Burton and Eva Gardner.

In the brochure for the auction, along with “Pacific Coastal Cuisine” and “lizard libations,” this is what we promised:

“Feel the sultry summer heat. Sway with the jungle vibe. Taste exotica. Experience Night of the Iguana. Don’t you wanna?”

(That’s the edited version. One step further and we might have violated Catholic school protocol.)

Night of the IguanaAll I can say is, thank God for Amy. As much as I write about great decor and tabletop settings, I still tend to be all thumbs when I try it myself. (Every year, I swear I’ve got the most uninspired Christmas wreath on the block.)

I knew we would fare OK when Amy came over a couple of weeks before the party with the piece that would set the tone for the party: mosquito netting that used to be over her son’s bed. We instantly thought of those grand safaris — you know, where the elephants are stampeding outside, but inside the mosquito netting, a white-linen table cloth is set with silver.

Night of the IguanaWe started by clearing out the screened porch and putting the seating arrangement on the back lawn for cocktail hour. I dragged an old rug I found at a garage sale from the shed (I could never get the musty smell out of it for inside) and put it on the grass. Parke built a bar from salvage plywood. Amy added palapa grass to the umbrella. Parke strung paper lanterns across the back yard and we lit a fire in the chiminea outside and in the fireplace on the porch, and lit tea lights everywhere.

On the porch, we put a long, plywood tabletop on top of my table to seat 12. We hung the mosquito netting above the table, draping and tacking it up — as if we pulled back the mosquito netting for dinner. (We figured it would be difficult to serve and clear through the netting. That lightbulb moment came to me later.)

Night of the IguanaAnd with boxes of colorful odds and ends from Amy’s basement, plus some potted palms from their yard, I’d say we made a pretty good effort at a “faraway paradise.”

As it is with any party, the key is that everyone have a good time. And with help from Craig’s “lizard libations” I think everyone did. And just today, I received a thank-you note from the couple who treated their friends to our auctioned off evening: “All our guests commented that they had never been served with such attention and flair.” The atmosphere, the letter said, “was wonderful.”

Job done! Chris even said he might be up for it again next year. Hmmm. Theme anyone? 

To take a look at a video of my screened porch before the party, click here.

To look at some professional tabletops, done by floral designer Jose Ibarra, check out these:
Wabi Sabi: Where the Imperfect is Beautiful

Can Lookiloos Pass Wabi Sabi Test?
Floral Chic Mother’s Day

Hooked on Rooftop Gardens!

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Elevated Retreat 1I’m completely smitten with rooftop gardens.  A big city filled with high rises and concrete but hidden at the top of the stairs you find an oasis.  My love of rooftop gardens began years ago watching a very sappy chick flick staring Christian Slater. Bed of Roses is not a great movie, but the garden is fabulous.  I found all of these rooftop gardens at Chicagogardens.com. I am slightly jealous that not only do I not have a rooftop garden but I can’t even have one at my home.  Trust me it just isn’t the same in the ‘burbs.  I’m thinking you have to have a spectacular skyline to gaze at!  I love the cedar deck and the lounge-style furniture from Barlow-Tyrie.  Can you imagine morning coffee with the paper or a glass of wine in the evenings with friends…I can.

Elevated Retreat 2

That built in flower bed is simply gorgeous.  I think I would fill mine with Daisey’s…one of my favorite flowers! This elevated retreat is truly spectacular.

Skyline Terrace 1

Love this!  I love the awning over the dining area. And those flower boxes on the rail. I bet it looks great from the street level looking up.

Skyline Terrace 2

They used cedar decking,  but they also added all weather carpeting.  This is a living room right in the heart of the city!  I live in a very suburban neighborhood, but I’d like to think if I lived in a big city I’d have a rooftop garden like this one.  It looks inviting and comfortable. Just my style.

Mediterranean Oasis 1

And lastly,  I love this Mediterranean Oasis.  The cedar pergola looks wonderful with those billowy white drapes.  Oh the dinner parties you could throw. I’m already working on the menu, yet I don’t have a rooftop oasis!

Mediterranean Oasis2

And after dinner, we would retreat to this sitting area.  The floor here is made of ivory marble deck stone.  It is so warm and rustic looking.  Love it.  Yes, I can definitely see myself entertaining here!

So, this week I’m totally hooked on rooftop gardens.  I’d love to see more…so help a girl out and send me any photos or links to rooftop gardens.  You know I’m a lookiloo through and through!

deseyeright