I Lied

I wrote that I would be done with this room, but I STILL have more to say. Amy asked me to talk about my kitchen counter tops, so since I am well trained, here's what I have to say about that! I used Carrara marble, which is one of the most classic materials one can use for a counter material in a kitchen.  I feel it has gotten a bad rep from all the granite lovers out there. When I chose this for my kitchen, the stone guy made me sign a paper, that if it stained, he would not be liable. IT HASN'T STAINED!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                           The finish is spotted and ringed in places, because I never bother to reseal it, 'cuz I'm lazy, but the marble hasn't stained. I do try to not let stuff sit on it for long periods of time, like if red wine or tomato juice spills, I try to wipe it up, but with guests, I don't always see it until latter, and the marble still hasn't stained. I had granite tiles in my kitchen in New Hampshire, and the finish developed the same types of rings and marks as this marble, so it must be something in the way I take care (or don't) of it. Anyway, I love it, I feel it is a timeless look, and won't date a kitchen the way granite has. It's been used for counters for ages in Europe, so it's not like I am a rebel. But if you put it in your house, and don't like it, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT. This is a "No Whine" zone. (And I don't mean the beverage).

I wanted to share some more details in my family room (OH BOY!).

So, without any graceful segway, (I don't know how to spell that, and in order to look it up, I have to know how to spell it.) I will just dive in to the next picture.

This is the chair my dad sits in when he comes to visit. I love its shape. It's from the 30's and I got it years and years ago in an antique store. It's upholstered in tapestry fabric, but slip covered in this light green strie. It's the details that can make a slipcover interesting. Here I used contrast welting (piping), and a contrast cuff around the bottom of the skirt, but it's the bobble fringe at the top of the skirt that really sets it off. Notice how some of the bobbles are missing!!!!

That's from when I cat sat for my brother's family's cat, Pilo. He thought the balls were his own personal play thing. My philosophy is: the animal is more important than the decorating. Now, many years after he has gone, I look at those missing balls, and think......

#$%& that damn cat!!!! NO! NO!, that's not what I meant to write..... I actually smile when I look at them, and think of how I miss him.

I love to needlepoint. I design my own canvases. I made this pillow out of left over yarn. If you want to try designing your own, look at a needlepoint pillow you have and like, and copy the flower, or whatever element that appeals to you, by repeating the pattern by counting stitches. That's how I did this rose, then I just faked the leaves.

I do a lot of words, those I can figure out by trial and error.

This is my monogram.

These letters stand for Rest and Relaxation

OK, it's Saturday, I have better things to be doing with my time (like sewing the draperies for Miriam's dining room. Yes, we are still working on that, with lots of pictures to come!!) Soooooo.....till my next post....have a great weekend.