My Best Friend and First Follower

Zia is my oldest (nope, that's not right), my longest-running friend...and my first follower. We are the kind of friends that can say, "shut up", and smile while doing it...doesn't sound polite, but we have been friends for over thirty-something years...She lives on the Outer Banks, and is a fabulous Real Estate Agent/Broker...If you want to find some great beach front property, she's the one....The photo her dogs (three of about 10 on any given day), at their beach house last Sept.

The "Etc." in my business name covers so much....but, today it's about living one's best life, without sounding like a Martha Stewart wanna be.

This morning's routine was pretty much like every morning; feed the cats, feed the deer, feed the birds, feed the squirels, clean the litter boxes, sweep the porch, make the bed, make the coffee, check in on the email. Even though it's Sunday, I made myself do my workout....I can't sit there on Saturday night, eating a pint of (even though it's low fat) butter pecan ice cream, while watching "The Biggest Loser"...she lost a hundred and sixty pounds, and won a quarter of a million dollars. I don't need to lose that much, but I needed to do the workout (this is after I went to the grocery store this morning and bought another pint to sneak in the freezer to hide the evidence. My husband doesn't read this blog, so I'm safe in my confessions.)

Living the best life includes having people over for salmon steaks, grilled along with grilled green beans, which are marinated in lemon juice and garlic. The secret to having them come out green after grilling is to smash up two vitamin c pills and add to the marinade. I have those disposable pans for grilling...with the holes in them, so the whole thing doesn't fall through the grate. Some good chardonay, good friends, some laughs, and fruit salad for dessert. We will enjoy a respite from the heat (this is Texas in May), so we will enjoy it all on the porch.

I have, as most of us, been affected by the economic down turn...people aren't building...and they are all tightening their belts, but managing to do some design, along with the "Etc." things...such as the floorcloths, custom window treatments, and an upcoming gig, decorating trees for Macy's (starting in the fall), keeps my head above water, and my attitude somewhat upbeat...we all have to pull together, and enjoy life one day at a time.

So, have a wonderful Sunday...I plan to...

Window Treatments

Custom window treatments can be terribly expensive, but I believe they are a great investment. Of course, I am biased, as I design and produce them. That said, I find I charge much less than many workrooms, or if you check out some furniture retailers, that also do window treatments, make sure your pacemaker is working, as your heart may stop when they give you their pricing!

The photos above are examples of how custom treatments are the finishing touch to a space. However, if there are no privacy issues, and you have a great view, along with pretty windows, I often encourage my clients to consider just letting the light in and enjoying the view. Perhaps shutters? I have no window treatments in my living room, as we have beautiful windows, woods, and deer for our view. I can look out and enjoy watching the deer eating my flowers......

I do love to "piece" window treatments...as I did in the "stained glass"/Mondrian effect I achieved for the dining room. It is a western exposure, and, yes, the sun will eventually fade and probably destroy the fabric, but by piecing them together and leaving them unlined, I love the light shining through, and the "sweetlight" that fills the room. I do recommend lining silk, as it is expensive, and will break down, plus, I like the way they hang.

I like formal window treatments to resemble party dresses or ballgowns, adorned with trims, baubles and tassels! The only time I won't produce a client's window treatment is when it is $300 a yard silk...for that, I defer to a workroom...

The red floral chintz curtains with the lovely cat, are actually Ralph Lauren sheets, purchased in the clearance bin at TJ Maxx....Also, I am "she who dies with the most fabric" winner...well, I am not quite dead yet, but I have bins of beautiful fabric...When I see a great deal, I tend to buy it up, knowing eventually, I will use it.

I also have found that when you are trying to sell a home, especially in this market, having some pretty window treatments up make a huge difference...we won't tell them they were sheets in another life!

Floorcloths??? What Are They???

Floorcloths are hand-painted canvas, that have been primed front and back with latex paint, and after painting, sealed with a sealant (typically polyurathane).

They can be placed on any surface, ie, stained concrete, (we use that alot in Texas for flooring, keeps the house cool..looks cool, but hard), tile, wood, etc. but not on carpet. They are durable, wipeable, and great for in front of kitchen sinks, (they can just be wiped with a damp cloth, instead of having to launder rugs constantly) kin powder rooms, under kitchen/dining room tables, and on porches (if they are protected from the elements). I do not recommend they be used in bathrooms, as more absorbant floor coverings in front of the shower or tub are safer.

Floorcloths date back to the 1600's, and were the precursor to linoleum. Itenerant artists often traveled house-to-house, painting floorcloths.

Floorcloths can also be adaped to wall hangings if one cannot bear to walk on them (although they are so durable).

Always secure your floorcloth with a non-skid carpet tape, placed around the hem on the underside..or a non-skid mat..do not use waffle-weave, or it will indent through. When placing your floorcloth, make sure the floor is clean. Every few years, a coat of non-yellowing, satin polyurathane is recommended, if it is starting to show wear. Clean your cloth with a mild soap and water, and wipe dry...it's that easy!

Never fold a floorcloth, but rather, roll it loosely.

I am an artist, so I do alot of free-hand work, but you can stencil, do graphic images, and not worry if you aren't great at drawing!

Some of the cloths I am showing are for commercial ventures (such as beauty salons), but not all...have fun with them!