Life at Chez V

The Never Ending Summer

Well.  At least it's August.  Pfew – this is one endless string of summer days.  On one hand, we have had some tremendous fun this summer.  On the other hand, the very real reality is that some days seem like a big gaping hole of Piet and repeat and what to do with Piet.  As my sister wisely put it, a never ending Groundhog’s Day of Summer.

As such, I have lost a sense of days and a bit of my blogging mojo but do not fret.  I plan to return to daily blogging at Chez V with a vengeance once school begins and I can actually string a few uninterrupted hours together to complete one simple project.  I can not WAIT for school to start.  I am that insane lady pulling out her hair while I run around my front yard singing the theme song to ‘The Never Ending Story.’  Only I am injecting ‘Summer.’  On the bright side, at least I have the Olympics to obsess over.  

Also, the pictograph is back from the framer's.  I am loving the matting I chose with the contrasting bevel which subtly highlights the figures.  This is a more simplistic piece than I normally do and at first was not sure what I thought of it.  But now properly attired and temporarily leaning on my mantel, I will be sad to see her go on Friday.  Speaking of artwork, I just got a sneak peak of a much anticipated piece of artwork that I commissioned from one of the funniest (and talented!) broads on the block, Jenny of MFAMB.  AMAZING.  I am so stinkin excited that I have to share.  The piece is the starting point for Pieti's new bedroom design.  

sneak peak!!!!  gah!  excited!

Last but certainly not new news, I have been cooking a lot this summer.  Remember this beef?

It turned into amazing Korean BBQ tacos with ginger slaw and cucumber cilantro salad.  Straight up spicy goodness, taco truck style.

All  photos and artwork by mrs. V unless otherwise noted.

kisses, mrs. V

Impactful Artwork - Big Photos

Mash Up Results – Big Photos are Good

As predicted, Wendy was the only one who correctly identified Waldo.  What this result tells me: Wendy is the only one who pays any attention to my mindless drivel or possibly that she has known me so long that she can actually follow my tangential points.  I very much appreciate that you also manage to always find time to leave me a comment.  Thanks, Wen.  Ahem, I would love to hear from the rest of you!

So, for those who missed where I was going with Friday's post, or for those just joining the broadcast, welcome and let me trip your memory…

Photo Credit: Jamie Meares

In February, I posted about blowing up one of my pictures from our pond.  See the similarities?  Seeing that big photo of the water lily and frog in Nathan Turner's store solidified my instinct that a huge photo would look great in the kitchen over the banquette.  But what makes it really meaningful is that these are pictures that I took of the pond that I built.

I think I love the one above with that fishy peaking out from under the cream water lily.  Wendy said she preferred the top one - again, thanks Wen for chiming in when I asked you kind folks for your opinion.

This mash up exercise echoes my earlier assertion that art doesn’t have to be spendy to make an impact.  If it is meaningful, it will add life to your interiors and tell part of your story.  Your passions, your travels, your family history, or your HARD work.  

In another synchronous twist, Alison of MLHP also happened to post on Friday about the exact same picture taken of Nathan's store.  We were both rocked by that space for similar but different reasons.  Art is personal and subjective.  Alison is stalking lemons and I am all about the lilies.  Both good because they are meaningful to each of us.  BTWs – jump on over to My Little Happy Place.  Longtime reader of hers.  She is Brazil-liant b/c she is very talented and lives in Brazil.  Dreamy.  Thanks Alison for your comment!

So I will kindly ask you again.  Which photo would you choose to blow up?  Cuz I want to be Brazil-liant like Alison and Nathan.

kisses,  mrs. V

That Layered Look - Artwork is Key

Artsy Fartsy not Shoe Boots...

Back in my singleton days, I used to size up a worthy adversary by his shoes.  If a man was wearing the wrong shoe, I didn’t give him a second glance.  True story:  After dating a very nice fireman for a few months, he showed up to dinner one evening wearing cowboy boots.  Which was all fine and dandy Sandy because it was the South and he was sort of rugged, albeit short, in that fireman-y kind of way.  But as we said our goodbyes in the parking lot he made the mistake of crossing his ankles.  Under the lights at Phipps Plaza I discovered, much to my horror, that he was not, in fact, wearing cowboy boots at all.  He was wearing shoe boots.  Like those ankle cowboy boots I wore in 1992.  I never returned another phone call. 

Think of me what you will.  But honey, there was no hope for him and I.  Yes, I could have changed his shoes over time, but I never could have changed his primal instinct to put on SHOE. BOOTS.   What can I say?  I judge a book by its shoes.  And while I am over sharing, I will go on to say that I judge a room by its artwork.

Artwork separates the men from the boys.  Or in this case, Lucchese cowboy boots from shoe boots.  Artwork is an essential layer to that collected-over-time look.  Artwork screams, looky, I am cool or quirky or artsy-fartsy or lucky enough to have inherited this old thing.  It can also scream, I get all my stuff at Hobby Lobby or I wear shoe boots!  Not that there is anything wrong with the place.  I get all kinds of things there just not my art.

Take a look at these spaces…

All 3 images Cathy Triant Buxton via NYSD

Elle Decor

Kristen Panitch Interiors

Look Linger Love

via

For the Love of a House

Lindsey Harper via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles

Artwork need not be expensive nor have a pedigree to make an impact.  Lindsey Harper picked up that piece at a thrift store for less than $100 smackers.  

I have found a lot of my artwork at flea markets and antique fairs for very resonable.  I picked the woman up at an antique mall for less than  $100 smackers.  I had that old frame on hand so I popped her in – et voila!  She is one of my favorites.  Tomorrow I will share some more from around Chez V.  And a note to self:  I need a large abstract pronto!

kisses,  mrs. V