Michael Smith and a Trashcan Makes The News

<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SX0RxsM3wiI/AAAAAAAASaA/7QxaGfpnXkM/s1600-h/image%5B4%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="441" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SX0R0n3UzeI/AAAAAAAASaI/iNZXay82kT0/image_thumb%5B1%5D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" title="image" width="670" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><em>The White House:  The Queen’s Bedroom under the Bush  Administration.  I’ll wager this bedroom is where Michelle’s mother will live. </em></p> <p align="center"><em> Note:  Picture updated.</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">News of Michael S. Smith is everywhere these days.  And rightly so, being named by the Obamas to decorate the  private living quarters of the White House, is big, big news.  The appointment was first leaked by blogger <a href="thepeakofchic.blogspot.com">The Peak of Chic</a>, causing much excitement throughout the design blogosphere.  The official news came via domino magazine’s web site - how fitting for what is called the first high-tech presidency.   Who knows, maybe Obama downloads domino’s web site on his famous blackberry?  I can’t remember another White House designer creating such a stir.   Truthfully, I still don’t know which interior designer the Bushes used.  The choice of Smith was a surprise to me, a total surprise – though in hindsight he is a perfect fit.  His love and knowledge of antiques is legendary as is the way he puts together his interiors, warm, cozy and inviting despite the high price tag of the furnishings.  I had thought the Obamas would choose Sheila Bridges, an Afro-American designer from NYC.     I couldn’t have been more off-base.  As the days go by, the anticipation grows, and those first glimpses of Smith’s work for the Obamas will be highly sought after.  Unfortunately, the news this week concerning Smith was actually not all that great - in fact, it was terrible.  Read on.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVFx64ySI/AAAAAAAASTM/vCLA93RfShA/s1600-h/image881.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="556" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVG6bcTxI/AAAAAAAASTU/YlZ3XPDuGlw/image88_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="670" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This decor by Smith would make a wonderful guest room in the White House.   Smith’s style – mixing grand and not so grand antiques in warm and cozy interiors is exactly why the Obama’s hired him.</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="justify">Californian interior designer to the stars, Michael S. Smith, couldn’t afford the huge amount of press he’s received in the past few days.  Too bad it’s all been bad press.  After a career unblemished by any hint of misconduct, this week has been a public relations disaster for the genial designer.  Smith, riding high after being named the Obama’s interior decorator is now embroiled in the Wall Street scandal and the story couldn’t come at a worse time for him, the Obama’s and for The White House. </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">Michael Smith and Wall Street?  What?  It goes something like this:   The disgraced CEO of Merrill Lynch, John Thain, was fired this week (or resigned as he puts it) by the new owners of the once reputable stock firm.  Apparently, Thain was unceremoniously dumped because he hoodwinked Bank of America, the company that bailed out Merrill Lynch:  the merger was finalized after just two days of due diligence.  Bank of America execs have been less than pleased with Thain ever since the magnitude of Merrill Lynch’s losses became apparent – something Thain apparently tried to hide.   Hired just a few years ago to bring Merrill Lynch back to profitability, Thain tried to salvage the firm, firing thousands and cutting expenses for everyone except himself.  While his firm was suffering  unprecedented losses, he hired Michael Smith to decorate his office at a total cost of $1,220,000.   The Manhattan office includes Thain’s conference room and private dining room.  Smith’s invoice was splashed all over the news this week – in detail, leaked no doubt by a disgusted Bank of America official.  I can only imagine the sheer horror Smith must have felt having his exorbitant tab laid bare for everyone to leer at.  Business blogs have had a field day with Smith’s bill – and Thain will forever be remembered for his parchment covered trash can, for which Merrill Lynch paid Smith a princely $1,405!   The maligned trash can is surely destined to become the symbol of Wall Street greed, 21st century style.   </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify">What is especially galling about the story is that while Thain was spending millions on redecorating his office, he insisted his employees curtail their own expenses on travel, entertainment and cars.  At the same time, he paid his private driver an $85,000 salary with a bonus of $18,000 and  $128,000 in over-time pay.  It’s interesting to compare budgets:  the Obamas hired Smith to design their White House living quarters for a paltry $100,000.  While everyone realized this sum was probably not realistic – contrast this with Thain’s $1,220,000 budget.  Even more telling, Thain paid over $100,000 for just three chairs!   How in the world is Smith going to work with the Obamas’ $100,000 limit?   In Elle Decor’s Margaret Russell’s <a href="http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/video-decorating-the-obama-white-house/13485191">interview</a> with Matt Lauer about the White House commission, she brags that Smith is known for shopping at bargain places, like Target and Anthropologie.  Really?  The only thing I’ve ever seen Smith do that was budget friendly was to purchase these bedspreads, below, at Urban Outfitters, which he used for wall coverings, curtains and upholstery.  The cost of labor to install all the Indian bedspreads surely catapulted this budget into the stratosphere.  So much for cost cutting.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVHnB1UHI/AAAAAAAASTc/vsPJQci_Njk/s1600-h/image11.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="735" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbQQKzpA1wiIhl2i8Xb8zx7QbBXCTY8jdurQmeR2jgKM9r8phLRgK_-U8-DutqekuoHGpTMBns735-yQeTbT1NuwtZtNIuiF32OBAzpm0UepvA3e1vS-k7zXk2pISaJlL1EbJWv4CMOPUm/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="534" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Smith decorated this guest room using bedspreads from Urban Outfitters.</em></p> <p> </p> <p align="justify">Smith’s public relations fiasco puts a damper on the jubilation that greeted the news of his White House commission.  It will be hard for the Obamas to justify hiring Smith while he is playing such a public role in the current excesses of Wall Street.   The leaked statement highlights the greed that these top CEO’s have and the cash it takes to fuel their lifestyles.    Thain’s personal life takes lots and lots of money to run and we have all paid for it.   While untold millions of people are facing financial doom, the ones responsible for the financial disaster  live lives that Kings would envy.   As Merrill Lynch faced collapse, the United States government, using tax payers money stepped in to stop the bleeding – averting their inevitable bankruptcy.  Using those tax payer funds, Thain made sure his buddies got their share – an estimated 3 to 4 billion dollars in bonuses.  Thain himself, perhaps in a rare moment of guilt, declined to take his promised $100 million bonus.  Nice of him, huh?</p> <p align="justify">Thain and his wife Carmen live in a Park Avenue duplex worth $27.5 million.  Additionally, they own a country home that straddles two different towns – Harrison and Rye, New York.   His property taxes are over $150,000 a year to those two towns.  Purchased in 1995 for $3.7 million, the country home is now worth over $10 million and is on 10 acres of pricey real estate.  Included in the estate are beehives, a river, a stocked lake, a clay tennis court, several horse paddocks, and two swimming pools - along with a barn larger than neighboring houses.  The house is 97 years old and has 14 bedrooms and an underground heated garage.   Smith decorated both Thain houses, natch.</p> <p align="justify">Though now out of a job, Thain will be busy in the coming months preparing a defense.  New York attorney general Andrew Cuomo is investigating the bonuses that Thain paid his cronies last December – just before the deal with Bank of America closed.  Bonuses at Merrill Lynch are normally paid in either January or February.  The timing of those ill-gotten bonuses, along with his decorating bills have made Thain public enemy #1.</p> <p align="justify">Smith’s invoices, obtained first by CNBC news, show that Smith was hired for $837,000.  I have found two different lists of items ordered for the office, with some pieces appearing to either overlap or are misnamed.   Most prices are eye-popping.    The area rug for Thain’s conference room came in at $87,784.   Compare this with the $61,000 rug Laura Bush designed for her hubby’s Oval Office.  Obama is said to love that rug and will continue to use it – at least until he orders his own!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVJrSrx6I/AAAAAAAASTs/wWRa281rcZw/s1600-h/image23.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPl9Z2e4d8sDPYAlUiWwU97L3-FL0Ew9qeJHqIFbIU7CSoP5mL9uwz6aNCu_MyAKjOv-1zQt21OWr1mGFMqg8D24JKePeIQuRzkaUEqWeZxUXkb7Z1HJp0HuRK850j8GxEiLKMHTw41JL/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="601" /></a>  </p> <p align="center"><em>The Oval Office rug that Laura Bush designed – Obama is said to be keeping it, for now.</em></p> <p> <br />Other items ordered by Smith for Thain’s office are listed below.   I went to 1st Dibs to see how Smith’s prices compared to those on 1st Dibs and what the furniture might look like.  Most prices on Thain’s invoice are at the top of heap, unbelievably high, some items I had to really search to find a comparably priced item.  It makes one wonder if all of Smith’s clients pay such prices.   Thain’s list is below.   Enjoy!</p> <p> </p> <p>1.    Mahogany Pedestal Table -  $25,713</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVKzQFgJI/AAAAAAAAST8/g_ct5SuWLGM/s1600-h/image70%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="263" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVLT_ndFI/AAAAAAAASUE/7uulvychGOI/image70_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="377" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>On 1st Dibs, I found this Regency table from 1820 for $18,900.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>2.   19th Century Credenza in Thain’s office -  $68,179, this must be a very nice credenza!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVLw9WaEI/AAAAAAAASUQ/egh3anHzC70/s1600-h/image78.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="190" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVMc7dR4I/AAAAAAAASUY/E5k51P9x9H0/image_thumb34.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="244" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs had nothing in this price range for credenzas, the closest I could find is a 16th century credenza for $23,800.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>3.  Pair of Guest Chairs $87,784 – seems quite extravagant for an office.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVMvWomeI/AAAAAAAASUg/OSESzGcMOy4/s1600-h/image93.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="418" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVNDr7mOI/AAAAAAAASUo/YLOwV5xGC58/image_thumb41.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="546" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Coming in higher on 1st Dibs are these George III Library Chairs, 1770, pair for $110,000.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>4.  George IV Chair, this has also been reported as a desk - $18,468</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVNtsNeiI/AAAAAAAASUw/Sve0yBNQSKY/s1600-h/image94.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTQWZwFFuO4oBWdW7CZekyA4aTgF8fU0cKuc1pkISVGq5I_0fH1C7F2nzf7eqiOZPYJWniWDs7rMAoPZAMeSRbbC7AFefSM6AjEddPBNBxMpfWkNJACWJUJrh5lGvfMTd0ALr2Df8ZIid/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="376" /></a><em>  </em></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs has this wonderful George IV chair, although it still needs fabric!   $4350.</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>5.    Commode on Legs at $35,115 – this item has caused much  amusement as people think it’s a toilet!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVOVFB0BI/AAAAAAAASVA/WMDmdgQHOtg/s1600-h/image95.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVPBnlhPI/AAAAAAAASVI/CcR2jDoISAE/image_thumb43.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="360" /></a><em> </em></p> <p><em>On 1st Dibs I found this beautiful Louis XV Period Walnut Commode Raised on Cabriole Legs, c. 1760, France for $42,000.</em>  <br /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>6.   Sofa for $15,000 </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVPS2PPkI/AAAAAAAASVQ/NLdQTAYAY7s/s1600-h/image97.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVQPKcs_I/AAAAAAAASVY/AItHKLXcRdY/image_thumb45.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="343" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>At George Smith, I found this sofa for just $10,000.   Thain’s sofa probably came from Smith’s own company.</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>7.   Six Chairs for his private dining room - $37,000 – rather pricey</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVQyD-79I/AAAAAAAASVg/Qzjx2WxLULs/s1600-h/image98.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVR3rshkI/AAAAAAAASVo/P9OXR3_Z-tM/image_thumb46.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="491" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs had this set of six, Chippendale Style chairs, from 1770 for $16,500 – a steal!</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>8.   Mirror for the dining room - $5,000 – this is actually reasonable for an antique.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVSVgu1yI/AAAAAAAASVw/Zm7FRC40znk/s1600-h/image99.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVTJ1yN0I/AAAAAAAASV4/rj9Cs-MQeoU/image_thumb47.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="386" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>I found this on 1st Dibs, French 19th century Bird’s eye maple mirror, $5,000.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>9.   Chandelier for the dining room - $13,000 – again, somewhat reasonable for an antique.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVTqL5psI/AAAAAAAASWA/zVS5cXqkXqE/s1600-h/image100.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVUWjsX_I/AAAAAAAASWI/c02QEwo5WZg/image_thumb48.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="402" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs had this beautiful chandelier, just slightly higher priced than Thain’s.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>10.  Custom Coffee Table for $16,000 – seems pricey.   Probably came from Smith’s own company.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVUy1vFAI/AAAAAAAASWQ/Ks0Ege48Pns/s1600-h/image101.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVVU8mxUI/AAAAAAAASWc/L-KaYLmCp20/image_thumb49.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="579" /></a><em> ‘</em></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs has this antique coffee table with slate top, late 19th  century for just $9,750.’</em></p> <p> </p> <p>11.  Regency Chairs - $24,000.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVWGVphGI/AAAAAAAASWk/QOLXOVG66gI/s1600-h/image104.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZdi6xRWmzRfHG34sv6qdaqh0tieW0-WogIJDPLkUEjYydevp7FSqAaqxZbJr1GTuIYUCFm84Y7w8qV_lnSJ69WxPtaxVEbv1SPH2xigv3JpNFDaNGDFHDKuCxw8FY-1fCmP-Yu89TuhS/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="609" /></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>1st Dibs has this almost perfect match, a pair of parcel gilt Regency period armchairs from England, Circa 1810 for $28,500.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>Other items for Thain’s office includes:</p> <p>6 Wall Sconces $2,741 – reasonable – again, wonder if these are from Smith’s line for Visual Comfort?</p> <p>Rewiring of sconces $3,000 – reasonable.</p> <p>Parchment Waste Can $1,405  – I can’t even comment on this.</p> <p>Roman Shade Fabric $10,967.</p> <p>Roman Shades $7,315 – reasonable for high end design.</p> <p>Pendant Light Furniture $19,751 – not sure what this is???? Anyone know?</p> <p>4 Pairs of Curtains  - $28,091.</p> <p>40 yards of fabric for wall panels, $5,000 – actually not totally outrageous, but this is retail pricing.  Wonder if he used his own line of fabric?</p> <p>Thain personally signed off on $30,000 in expenses that Smith incurred doing the job, in addition to the $800,000, presumably room and board while in NYC, I suppose.</p> <p>I’ve added up all the items, plus Smith’s fee and I come out over the $1,220.00.  I’m not sure if Smith’s $800,000 fee includes these purchases or not.  Also – it’s possible these prices are retail and Thain was offered a discount.  It’s possible!!!!   These figures were originally made public on both <a href="www.cnbc.com">CNBC</a> and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/22/john-thains-12-million-re_n_160024.html">The Huffington Post</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVYNODuPI/AAAAAAAASW0/Oj46rAR7rOs/s1600-h/image85%5B1%5D.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="559" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVZYRN-II/AAAAAAAASW8/osyXAbzU7Zg/image85_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="674" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>A Manhattan high-rise designed by Smith – this could possibly be what the Thain’s apartment looks like.</em></p> <p> </p> <p align="justify">Wait, the news blitz on Smith is not over.  As if the coverage of Smith’s unfortunate association with Merrill Lynch wasn’t enough – there was even more press for the beleaguered  Smith.     An antique bed he purchased for the Obama White House showed up in the newspaper, leaked by the owner of the shop from where it was purchased.   The Providence Journal broke the <a href="http://www.projo.com/massachusetts/seekonk/content/OBAMA_BED_01-17-09_40D08AJ_v11.3fee95e.html">story</a> of the now sure-to-be famous bed.   “The bed is an antique tall post adapted to king size from bedposts fashioned from tiger maple in the early 19th century” reads the press release, but exactly who released the press release was not released.  Oy!  The bed was purchased at Leonards New England.  Leonards, a 75 year old landmark,  has two locations, one in Seekonk, Massachusetts and another in Westport.   Leonards’ stock is pure Michael Smith and I can surely see why he shops there.  The manager confirmed that Smith is a customer, as is Steven Spielberg (a Smith client), Julia Roberts and Bill Cosby.  I’m surprised Oprah is not a client, she loves Americana.  </p> <p align="justify">Concerning THE bed, the owners, the Jenkins, father and son, AND the store manager all had different tales to tell.  One says they delivered the bed to a warehouse in Maryland that Smith is using to store Obama goodies.  The delivery men couldn’t see what else was in the warehouse that is headed for the White House because it was all tightly covered up.  Another story says Leonards delivered the bed directly to the back door of the White House.  And still another story confirms the bed is tagged for the master bedroom.  The elder Jenkins said the phone call from Smith confirming the White House sale was the call of a lifetime.  I’ll bet!  But still, it leaves me wondering what the privacy-loving Smith thinks about all this publicity surrounding the bed.  After all, Margaret Russell told Matt Lauer that Smith hasn’t yet given any interviews about the White House commission and “he won’t.”    Maybe someone should tell that to the Jenkins, but who can blame them for their excitement?</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVZ1dBUOI/AAAAAAAASXE/3CMwrOoGtHE/s1600-h/image37%5B1%5D.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVatupJ6I/AAAAAAAASXM/gi6uSzCpKls/image37_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="709" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Leonards, only in New England are shops this picturesque!  I wouldn’t mind moving in here!</em></p> <p align="center"> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVbmVpERI/AAAAAAAASXU/d7OGd8oTLIo/s1600-h/image24.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="435" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVcWQmTyI/AAAAAAAASXg/4OH7bXytO5k/image_thumb10.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="651" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Is this photo shopped?  Apparently the bed was delivered the night before the Inauguration, but I didn’t think there was snow on the ground then.   </em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOyOkxMoBfN5HfGlt7f-2KmBXoRYqGfpk_in1mH2vcws7oNywT_r7rT0RHh5ahK4JOB6WVn-Y3dNT-lqZGdIMkIxbFTC6bU2S-iks8ZEDSaUKuPGMmIcvC69kxhfnsZrJyhflU-qohhvx/s1600-h/image25.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="642" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVeWICg7I/AAAAAAAASXw/nyH5otDhwJg/image_thumb11.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="992" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>The actual tiger maple bed the Obama’s bought from Leonards.  No surprise here – how many times have we seen Smith use beds similar to this?   I think the girls would love that carousal horse for their rooms!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVfGDqaPI/AAAAAAAASX4/z4nDeVjmZUc/s1600-h/image26.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="637" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVgOgS0yI/AAAAAAAASYA/eP1FbCiEC_w/image_thumb12.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="503" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>Classic English Tall Post bed in Mahogany found on Leonards’ web site – I can see Smith buying this bed for another White House bedroom– it’s gorgeous.</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVgxqYD7I/AAAAAAAASYI/v_u1ZtPkAwU/s1600-h/image27.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="593" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVhjRDeLI/AAAAAAAASYQ/JP_nak46wC4/image_thumb13.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="495" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>On Leonards web site - 1880 English Oak – dog kennel Dresser – this would be a great piece for the playroom or private dining room, especially with the cubby for the new Obama puppy!</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwViYuOs2I/AAAAAAAASYY/wFEtjwaVGJg/s1600-h/image28.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="466" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVjcNN-pI/AAAAAAAASYk/vMroxguRqfE/image_thumb14.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="574" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>How American does it get?  This Federal New York sideboard from the 1840’s from Leonards would be a nice piece in the White House private quarters.</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVkGkbmKI/AAAAAAAASYs/6GATqMNwav8/s1600-h/image29.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="805" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVld4UztI/AAAAAAAASY0/g95kmoa2UCc/image_thumb15.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="929" /></em></a></p> <p align="center"><em>This estate in upstate New York, designed by Michael Smith and featured in November’s Elle Decor, reminds me of the type of furniture that Leonards carries.  I wonder if some of this was purchased there?   I hope Smith incorporates elements from this room in the White House, such as print curtains, cane furniture, tufted ottomans, and comfortable seating.</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFy0m4wyY7vWKdl9ktxOinx8iAIJ12g72-hDS1sG8SfzBKtoMk8_24texr-huaPf-xPHXRrGK1aluDvIoaBBfZuHbrm79zWLL76G6tlbqJflqJr4QMMJIQzCJvMYgznHmwSiswCFJMmzY/s1600-h/image30.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBs-IUHgag3zUkCrVJan_zMfzcd1psOEDwtXjcGdWfUZ1L1hXzUfg7NDz0AqaALmRWL9WVybkMs6Gf-r5LSGFhnPHf8RYOV_mPMlaVyqVaJyId-bkQ3onMPX6HZ9KpfWGNYw37kTU3LU/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="638" /></em></a></p> <p align="center"><em>More from the New York house.  Wouldn’t this be a wonderful look for the Obamas’ private dining room?  </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVo9Qx6cI/AAAAAAAASZM/QadJoW09hLE/s1600-h/image13%5B4%5D.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="831" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-JSih9LCTSTL3ThDvBDs5HBHCAbcxWByBfjIMU6XUXW5fGE_oMxaFZxNXE482ZeFNMQhzBF-_FUSj2lGcXgH1f7JuL9nh2y98N1SeZkigXsHSPsTq99ISOTrsoz0CurjJIVVE0IlPv-v/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="692" /></em></a><em>   </em></p> <p align="center"><em>I am so curious as to whether the Obama’s will have a canopy over their new tiger maple bed.  Canopies are wonderful in large rooms, they become a room within a room and cozy up an oversized space.  I wonder if the First Lady perused this particular layout and felt a connection with this house and The White House?</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVrBtBnGI/AAAAAAAASZg/rYvCGeSvy8c/s1600-h/image34.png"><em><img alt="image" border="0" height="542" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXwVsC8iweI/AAAAAAAASZo/gbga5gwHW_M/image_thumb18.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="679" /></em></a><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em>After all, the house IS white and three stories!!</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">Hopefully, the press on Michael Smith will die down this coming week.  Along with most of the design blogosphere, I can’t wait to see what Smith does to America’s house.  I can’t remember another White House makeover – since Jackie Kennedy’s -  which sparked so much interest.  Most likely, Smith isn’t too bothered by all the negative press as he is frantically finishing up his work for the Obamas.   And hopefully, there won’t be any more bad news, as long as he isn’t the interior designer for the Taliban!</p>

Michael Smith and a Trashcan Makes The News

  The White House:  The Queen’s Bedroom under the Bush  Administration.  I’ll wager this bedroom is where Michelle’s mother will live. ...

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The Civil War Diary Quilt

<span style="font-weight:bold;">Primeros bloques de esta aventura.</span>De momento he empezado con los bloques más sencillos para ir tomando un primer contacto.<br /><br />Telas:Reproducciones de la Era de la Guerra Civil Americana<br />Medidas: Cuadrados de 6."x 6 " ( 15 cm x 15 cm )<br />Técnica: Paper piecing <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">John Morgan</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yjKXLbiyrGwBkypm6OhTR7cwa2qHw5XKXoIeENkfy_yZUYcyzvukUWlfvKY2aLBceLcaCiqXjyn_ewR6DfxEdviaaTVIUboSo0xrMvBUcCJ77aybf7uv_QBw5xYeR08xdKDCpOa8YZUH/s1600-h/John+Morgan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294564257863679106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yjKXLbiyrGwBkypm6OhTR7cwa2qHw5XKXoIeENkfy_yZUYcyzvukUWlfvKY2aLBceLcaCiqXjyn_ewR6DfxEdviaaTVIUboSo0xrMvBUcCJ77aybf7uv_QBw5xYeR08xdKDCpOa8YZUH/s400/John+Morgan.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Yankee Papers</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VQistdN4be0nzD3ikt-hiA03wAcyu7iPRkr7ekKWWmtWKRP1tIuHcQYBhxJVUogYsd27A4Yax-pqFFQjjWQytvOgprG6feWp5DJzlxbqNl6vfVUYzb28bHELjsiXs-6wdO_RkC6Q9FS/s1600-h/Yankee+Papers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294566581359855122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1VQistdN4be0nzD3ikt-hiA03wAcyu7iPRkr7ekKWWmtWKRP1tIuHcQYBhxJVUogYsd27A4Yax-pqFFQjjWQytvOgprG6feWp5DJzlxbqNl6vfVUYzb28bHELjsiXs-6wdO_RkC6Q9FS/s400/Yankee+Papers.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 393px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Bombardment</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWferKgsV2pxMgEqRJe_jGBCnPZ72dVssawPCzjis2H9X4bzFqHebfFWnlSfWTAbG0xdwOrqtwNnJkeTltO_wClPhBXfsI91dd9iAb62RdAvnmr7GWEzmxHspO1UR-lAVypb_KqrJmxTQ6/s1600-h/Selling+.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294572095468637186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWferKgsV2pxMgEqRJe_jGBCnPZ72dVssawPCzjis2H9X4bzFqHebfFWnlSfWTAbG0xdwOrqtwNnJkeTltO_wClPhBXfsI91dd9iAb62RdAvnmr7GWEzmxHspO1UR-lAVypb_KqrJmxTQ6/s400/Selling+.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Selling the livestock</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7CAPqVgdKX8xdbWSZu92ehh7WQpyKV5cazaqn5JfcZjYKbyYJrTEaNiHqTrkr99aLI3Ic7d4CUWS95Qp2DaN3sNp7WOEks1ifSehOMyCclM8cx9UNL5BoVYBjRc9Ygv9M5c7dk-WAp0/s1600-h/sc0000c3bc.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294572541152953378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_7CAPqVgdKX8xdbWSZu92ehh7WQpyKV5cazaqn5JfcZjYKbyYJrTEaNiHqTrkr99aLI3Ic7d4CUWS95Qp2DaN3sNp7WOEks1ifSehOMyCclM8cx9UNL5BoVYBjRc9Ygv9M5c7dk-WAp0/s400/sc0000c3bc.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 400px;" /></a>

The Civil War Diary Quilt

Primeros bloques de esta aventura. De momento he empezado con los bloques más sencillos para ir tomando un primer contacto. Telas:Reproduc...

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Toto: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

<p align="center">                                               </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6SkJevlI/AAAAAAAASOQ/Tdm-6Botj38/s1600-h/image18.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBOQZoLF_16gZ_owWx7PfUQi2JS6mqthey5fdQp67LJk7zHREoptZRVZwX2m7K0NNSUaHOo6spzWDIgKyuPb49kDgnuibM_ICPtV9kvQrj2O5hvumzkiWZhgC-TnmvQjqpedBguATyWsR/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="604" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>The Stone Schoolhouse, built in 1870, now home to Peeking Through the Sunflowers’ Deserae</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">Emails, I get emails.  One of the first readers of <em>Cote de Texas</em> who ever contacted me asking for decorating advice was a blogger herself, Deserae from <a href="http://peekingthruthesunflowers.blogspot.com/"><em>Peeking Through the Sunflowers</em></a>.  She sent me a picture of her bedroom, asking for my opinion on how to change it up.  I remember I emailed the picture to <a href="http://beachbungalow8.blogspot.com/">Beach Bungalow 8</a> and together we discussed what I should tell Deserae to do to her bedroom.   It was my first blogger design consultation and I wanted to get it right.   I took that first consult very, very seriously.    </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6VMWs1EI/AAAAAAAASOg/HWjky9k_Ilc/s1600-h/blog1751.jpg"><img alt="blog175" border="0" height="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpPFJExAXDyPGv1KZNZfHdk04SXK2dhydx9P203GsD0-JszZhLotpAwJZUqelynLZyOGeYQg7RoK_TKSqMBtOwWUDzhRSz1KdPTIH3oVes_3GuEQW_vt3pYbx5uINvKQ_3SesO6C9r65R/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="blog175" width="580" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>Before:  Deserae’s Red Fabric Bedroom</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">Back then, Deserae’s style was all about reds and toiles and white slipcovers.   She was definitely a more-is-more kind of girl and had all sorts of knick-knacks everywhere, and then some.  I gave her my ideas for her bedroom:  add drapes, get rid of the valance and substitute woven blinds for the white shades, add seagrass, slipcover the chair, etc. – all standard Webb Design advice.   Des surprised me when she responded very favorably to what I had to say – she had already thought of all those same ideas.  She was up for a change, but worried about her prior investment in her new red bedding.   I visited her blog and discovered that we had similar taste, except there were a few years between that similarity.  You see, some time ago red toile was my favorite fabric too, but I had moved on while Des was still in it’s throes.  </p> <p align="justify">After that initial consultation,  we established a routine.  She would send me pictures of her decorating and I would give her my opinion.   What I soon learned though, was that Des really didn’t need my advice, she was quite talented all on her own and very adept at home remodeling.  She and her husband lived in a stone schoolhouse built back in 1870 somewhere in the middle of the Kansas countryside.  Together they had redone their house, including adding a new kitchen and bathroom – all on their own!   Even the maple hardwood floors were installed by Des and her husband – they bought the old planks from a nearby gym.    I was in awe of her boundless energy.    And so, although Des really didn’t need my ideas, she continued to send pictures, showing me whenever she moved an accessory, or a chair – which she did – often.  She actually liked to change her furniture around even more than I did.  After the initial bedroom advice, she turned her focus on to the living room, which she was particularly unhappy with.  She wanted a change, but was in denial about how much of a change she really wanted.   She had so much invested in “red” – that going with her heart was going to have to be done in stages.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6Wv3lhSI/AAAAAAAASOw/ab5y9Ul4lc4/s1600-h/blog1872.jpg"><img alt="blog187" border="0" height="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JIjNXmoT5mX-y1ehEA_ikMgQyutQjR0z8mTzN8UC7MgSqkBzZfU0_Fmz-RdUnXHywvXAlXYOlKllB3rA3hVE5Iq4Gol3MxibTdYPEzOdKmDrrGGnljaEDiwVuxscUVZs50-MA8nkWlo/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="blog187" width="1028" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Before:  white slipcovers, red toiles and plaid.  I suggested she get matching plaid drapes in both the dining room and living room – that’s the dining room behind the sofa.  The walls in the dining room were red then.  Deserae soon started a major editing process.   She wanted seagrass matting but worried about her husband’s reaction – he didn’t like them.  And, finally, I suggested she hang something on each side of the door opening that matched – symmetry is always a good decorating tool.  </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6YkHW4zI/AAAAAAAASPA/JBui8KRa0ms/s1600-h/des%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="des" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6aXLdh3I/AAAAAAAASPI/oa4bdOTNA_Q/des_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="des" width="1028" /></a></p> <blockquote> <p align="center"><em>Before:  On the other side of her living room, is the study.   The three rooms – the dining room, living room and study, are all on a straight line, enfilade style.  I suggested she move the two white slipcovered chairs together to the living room, as opposed to splitting them up.  Again, there is always power in symmetry.   Des’s house is wonderful, it has very high ceilings and vintage decorative elements.  The decor looked like a page out of Country Living Magazine – it was very attractive with the mix of white slipcovers, red toiles, plaids and yellow walls, and her blog readers absolutely loved it just as it was.   They didn’t know that Des yearned for a change.  Slowly, she began selling the excess knick-knacks piece by piece, advertising the sales on her blog.  Almost weekly, she would have something to offer her readers from her endless supply of accessories.  With the money she made, she bought replacements for her new, cleaner style.</em></p> </blockquote> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6bCIm1CI/AAAAAAAASPQ/FBFHkMfjKKs/s1600-h/blog419%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="blog419" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6cab8jTI/AAAAAAAASPY/n0IL8GrEiY0/blog419_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="blog419" width="1028" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>During:   Deserae moved her furniture around, almost daily, it seemed, sending me pictures to document the changes.  Here is what it looked like with the sofa moved along the wall.  By this time,  the red toile pillows and skirted tables have been long gone, replaced by two red print pillows.  She ordered additional panels of the red silk plaid curtains for the dining room to replace the toile curtains that once hung there.  She bought a set of botanicals to hang symmetrically next to the dining room door.  But, the biggest change came when all the red rugs were put away or sold – replaced by seagrass matting.  The seagrass immediately brought a more calming, less cluttered look to the house.   The section of wall behind the sofa changed the most.  Here, the black baker’s rack looked pretty enough, but it didn’t stay like this for long.  She tried an assortment of other pieces of furniture there.  Different mirrors were hung, switched out at different times with paintings, prints, and plates.    That one wall was a constantly changing vignette.</em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6dYlxe7I/AAAAAAAASPg/Gb0hrN7nkmk/s1600-h/blog239.jpg"><img alt="blog 239" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6eFFzt0I/AAAAAAAASPo/abEt-COA0Ec/blog239_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="blog 239" width="304" /></a></p> <p align="center">Here she tried her hallrack, which made sense – the front door was right next to it!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmVzdP7zZr-Cal7rAzyQEQTNG3D-YhehQhHGFBDiKyMqCIDj33g1Ag0kg4_mOqgzsCN_-bAxX3_gLmU_Fi-ygBntiGGuvCPD6kT6blko7DShBIO9ZRGhhyphenhyphenDZL1qZofAv7JIM9UJgiVtX9/s1600-h/blog189.jpg"><img alt="blog189" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6f0tiTLI/AAAAAAAASP4/pDre3Go2ZhU/blog189_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="blog189" width="747" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Here Des tried some botanicals and ironstone.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKky-zngziSKvCx7no9gld_T03cu9mBKnWv7Nm2128oU6g-wGj246aLa0mbpLKg0jEKfF3NZil_K8jqqQ36sCHlahEOyuXqVcJxx56Npy6-XqMMhCyNjK2Jzgqlmqz7ihfnUwruZkhYvNt/s1600-h/image11.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="591" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6jwme7ZI/AAAAAAAASQI/5qJpuvzJ99E/image_thumb9.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="803" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>During:  As the year wore on, more changes occurred, the set of prints flanking the dining room opening disappeared when she found these wonderful triple arm sconces.  She added textured window shades behind the drapes, getting rid of the white blinds – another great change – the natural shades complemented the seagrass rugs.  The two armchairs and ottomans added a calming symmetry.  All the country style accessories were sold one by one.  Deserae added a beautiful gold framed mirror behind the sofa and she bought white slipcovers for her dining room and study chairs – even monogramming them herself.  I thought the room looked lovely as shown here.  </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">And then…..her blog disappeared into the black hole of the internet.  Gone.   Along with it went her spirit for the stone schoolhouse that she had worked so hard on, for so long.  Being out in the country was taking a toll on Deserae.  She felt isolated.  The area is so windy, she couldn’t really enjoy the outdoors – she decided she wanted to move back to the city.   And so, along with all her knick-knacks she had for sale, her house too, was now included.  Des started a new <em>Peeking Through The Sunflowers</em> blog, but for the first time, nothing much changed in the schoolhouse for her to show her readers.   After all, why would you change anything?  The old schoolhouse finally looked like Des had imagined it.  Streamlined, less cluttered, with seagrass and white slips.   It was all so pretty with just the touches of red and anyway, the house was for sale - it would be silly to change anything now.    I heard less and less from Des during this time while she sat idly, waiting for her house to sell.   I thought our days of redecorating via the internet were over for now.</p> <p align="justify">Until, that is, the other day, when I glimpsed something strange on her new blog – a white wall!   What????  Where were the rich yellow walls?   Deserae confessed she couldn’t sit still any longer and she just had to paint.  You know that feeling, you’re all bundled up against the cold weather, nice and toasty inside, and you decide to jump up and paint your entire house white!    I know, I know.  I can’t relate either – that feeling has never quite happened to me before, but then, I don’t have Des’s energy.  In the end, she may not live in her house for a long time with it looking exactly how she had wanted it to look, but she doesn’t care.   She’s happy now.    Enjoy!</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><img alt="photoshoot037" border="0" height="612" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6lSPVpSI/AAAAAAAASQQ/oLM1mKBydtE/photoshoot037_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="photoshoot037" width="812" /></p> <p align="center"><em>After:   No, this isn’t Sweden, this is still the middle of Kansas, but isn’t this just beautiful?  I love what Des has done to her house!  In fact, I’m green with envy over her white!!!    </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify"> First, she painted all the walls in a flat white* with a semi-gloss white on the trim.  The red plaid curtains were replaced with long, flowing linen curtains layered over the textured shades.  The red pillows are now gone, replaced with a large French feed-style pillow and two plump white ones on the sofa, along with two zebra pillows on the chairs.  The brown wood coffee table was faux painted gray by Des, of course (that was my idea!)  The new all-white look extends into her dining room and through the study.  This is so dreamy – it’s hard to remember it all red toile and country-fried.    And this is the hottest look going right now – Swedish white.  </p> <p align="justify">But even more important is how Des chased her dream.  We’ve talked it over how she could get her husband to agree to all the changes she wanted to make, like the seagrass, and the curtains, and yet – her worries were unfounded.  In the end, her husband absolutely loves the new look!   Piece by piece,  tchotkie by tchotkie, she sold what she no longer needed or wanted – not for a lot of money, but just enough to buy her the new  look.  She didn’t spend a fortune, she chased sales in catalogues and on Ebay, watching each dollar she spent, until she got the exact look she wanted.   The house is still for sale, though Des knows it might be a while before it sells in this economy.   And anyway, after living in such an romantic home - a century old stone schoolhouse -  the new houses she has toured in the burbs don’t hold much appeal.   It will be a special house that catches Deserae’s heart and that might take some time to find.   Until then, she’s very happy to be living in Sweden, sort of.    </p> <p align="center">* The paint is Antique White by Pratt and Lambert.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6mFVEVdI/AAAAAAAASQY/f79FZJ7XgVk/s1600-h/whitelivingroom0032.jpg"><img alt="whitelivingroom003" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6m3R5UFI/AAAAAAAASQg/oQqApD5s_oo/whitelivingroom003_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="whitelivingroom003" width="1028" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>And at night with the chandelier on and the candles lit.   So romantic.</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6noCiouI/AAAAAAAASQo/hF8E91-qwps/s1600-h/photoshoot0271.jpg"><img alt="photoshoot027" border="0" height="612" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6oVKpwfI/AAAAAAAASQ0/rejYVKpb8Dk/photoshoot027_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="photoshoot027" width="812" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The antique buffet-a-deaux is now behind the two chairs.  The stairway was redone by Des.  When they bought the house, there was industrial carpet here, so she installed the beadboard and added the wood treads.  </em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrDSBDAW3ArKbvGfYHahBgtAQhf7mq_2hFTnWY9HYFgvLA7hscZKUa44cQOPjdUlLKXDU7SzbEA3Vs1W74Wf91Vnk5qTH0eimo8UTYBim8Muv236kB9E_1Pih8RYylrJtEd1rfpeVMiyk/s1600-h/whitelivingroom0061.jpg"><img alt="whitelivingroom006" border="0" height="772" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9SRJfkct0p0KPmWXinKb0i75BJZNaaaHWd27dn8dnc5vRXTWyBMVMwwminXlRbCN9bJBpTkBcDbYbuZrrNpnbeL5txhDXHTJqATRqayGj7cJRBpoYxJfbKIsoYGzGNYin9C4FKyeWjsu/?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="whitelivingroom006" width="1028" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>Looking towards the sofa with the new gray French pillow.   Des’s ironstone is stored in the wood cupboard.  </em></p> <p align="center"><em> </em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6riOuAvI/AAAAAAAASRM/aDYj_QFd-Ng/s1600-h/photoshoot0441.jpg"><img alt="photoshoot044" border="0" height="612" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6sVFHV3I/AAAAAAAASRU/TcUZqjDCuY4/photoshoot044_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="photoshoot044" width="812" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>The dining room with the slip covered chairs and her new Venetian mirror.   </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6uarCyaI/AAAAAAAASRc/mYRX9XtVjas/s1600-h/image22.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="700" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6xauLYjI/AAAAAAAASRk/zWVz3fKDjJo/image_thumb14.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="929" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>The dining room this Christmas, with the real estate brochures on the table, ready for possible buyers.  Del has since sold the black terrarium in the corner.  </em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj6y1yNWfI/AAAAAAAASRs/7B_1JGuwr08/s1600-h/image23.png"><img alt="image" border="0" height="698" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj61MVnZvI/AAAAAAAASR0/aQcvIeh5uZE/image_thumb15.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="image" width="522" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>The study, newly white and sparse.  I love the wooden rocking horse on top of the antique armoire.</em>   </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj62d8PkFI/AAAAAAAASR8/yitlxPl38eE/s1600-h/photoshoot0302.jpg"><img alt="photoshoot030" border="0" height="772" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SXj63KTYnBI/AAAAAAAASSE/UgmeOKOU9hE/photoshoot030_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; border-left-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px" title="photoshoot030" width="582" /></a></p> <p align="center"><em>The antique long clock in the study.   Something tells me that Deserae is going to be on the lookout for a Mora clock now!</em></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="justify">What Deserae’s redecorating teaches us is that there is power in paint.   It’s been said over and over again, but the cheapest and quickest way to change a look is with a simple coat of paint.  Once the yellow paint was gone, the look in the schoolhouse changed dramatically.   With the white paint on the walls,  it became clear that the last remaining touches of red had to finally go, replaced by more whites and grays.  Drastic changes don’t have to happen overnight, as Des shows by example.  A slow, evolving process, makes it less painful on the pocketbook and easier on a husband who is against change (aren’t they all?)  Deserae persevered, she didn’t quit until she got her house looking picture-perfect – exactly as she imagined it, a long time ago.</p>

Toto: We’re Not in Kansas Anymore

                                               The Stone Schoolhouse, built in 1870, now home to Peeking Through the Sunflowers’ Desera...

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Alfiletero crazy

<span style="font-weight:bold;">A veces una no puede resistirse a intentar hacer cosas nuevas</span>. Eso me ocurrió en cuanto , por fortuna, como ocurre muchas veces surfeando, te encuentras con preciosidades como ésta....... <span style="font-weight:bold;">Un reto que además me parecía perfecto para regalarle a <a href="http://latietarosa.blogspot.com">Rosa</a></li> por su último cumpleaños.</span> <br />Hace ya tiempo que llegó a sus manos y por falta de tiempo con las fotos, no he sacado el artículo antes. <br /><br />Para daros una pista estos fueron los <a href="http://mercedesinspain.blogspot.com/2008/12/crazy-quilting-acabado.html">comienzos</a></li>............Recuerdo que os dije que ya os mostraría cómo quedaría acabado.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqfA8eCEoKziZPlB6ML7o2FfQmBM2FhuyLMaFY0EWJQz1F-DkEWb8wCmlkWkd-h3zPN5niDXjK-QPPRBlLfQsiNCetrLmJn761RPb3DjO1H4tfQFRRYkSXUM1vY6suD9YhlbPQ1-mTDnH/s1600-h/alfiletero+de+rosa+bordado.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294175589909888082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqfA8eCEoKziZPlB6ML7o2FfQmBM2FhuyLMaFY0EWJQz1F-DkEWb8wCmlkWkd-h3zPN5niDXjK-QPPRBlLfQsiNCetrLmJn761RPb3DjO1H4tfQFRRYkSXUM1vY6suD9YhlbPQ1-mTDnH/s400/alfiletero+de+rosa+bordado.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /><br /><br />Sólo fue cuestión de seguir los pasos indicados por <a href="http://ivoryblushroses.blogspot.com/search/label/Tutorial">Ivoryblushroses</a></li>......... Realmente sus " crazys" son de lo más delicado y bonito que he visto.<br /><br /><img alt="alfiletero acabado " height="283" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3218880882_5bc38c1e20_o.jpg" width="425" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Distintos puntos de vista........</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBWOr2o-G7nrZUwsecRP3tXUAsDT3Up7m1V3Av7geFyC-XOzBARUQv9RVgsMbGsBHU5pxafZtzIhpUwpjCokb_VqmG_SnlVxNpzOOyKFfMpaMvA8b1Hjp8LMEcRi_H7jQu1p81vIgyHMA/s1600-h/alfiletero+acabado+1+copia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294225592336515570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBWOr2o-G7nrZUwsecRP3tXUAsDT3Up7m1V3Av7geFyC-XOzBARUQv9RVgsMbGsBHU5pxafZtzIhpUwpjCokb_VqmG_SnlVxNpzOOyKFfMpaMvA8b1Hjp8LMEcRi_H7jQu1p81vIgyHMA/s400/alfiletero+acabado+1+copia.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><img alt="alfiletero acabado " height="285" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/3218897048_0716870857_o.jpg" width="425" /><br /><br /><img alt="alfiletero acabado " height="285" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3440/3218049869_65010de715_o.jpg" width="425" /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Debajo añadí fieltro......<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfaFljji7Xui2Dt4HX2rK-stebSJskDVO7gjtdz5F8kxDQpWUCJuMhgZ0PG2BV2D7CkWq_swYNhi-32k-AqP9LxicYFGfL56rqYle7gvu2YwoIoER4teW8ucF-JMeaBCCVecjsguZJyof/s1600-h/alfiletero+acabado+6+copia.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294233742005018082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfaFljji7Xui2Dt4HX2rK-stebSJskDVO7gjtdz5F8kxDQpWUCJuMhgZ0PG2BV2D7CkWq_swYNhi-32k-AqP9LxicYFGfL56rqYle7gvu2YwoIoER4teW8ucF-JMeaBCCVecjsguZJyof/s400/alfiletero+acabado+6+copia.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">No será el último alfiletero.... seguro.... una vez que caes en la trampa .... es difícil salir .... y yo he sucumbido a " esta práctica ".</span><br /><br /><br />Ps. Gracias a las que me habéis preguntado por esta leve pausa. En cuanto mejore una contractura muscular os iré contando más.....

Alfiletero crazy

A veces una no puede resistirse a intentar hacer cosas nuevas . Eso me ocurrió en cuanto , por fortuna, como ocurre muchas veces surfeando...

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