What I Want...

Eames style office chair

available at: AdvancedInteriorDesigns.com

I  have been lusting after this chair for ages.  I love the simplicity of the design and the fact that it's white makes it the perfect chair for my studio.  The chair pictured above is a knockoff of the original Herman Miller Eames Aluminum Group Management Chair.
"Aluminum Group chairs were originally developed in 1958 as a special project by Charles and Ray Eames for a private residence being designed by Eero Saarinen and Alexander Girard. The seat-back suspension was a major technical achievement and represented a departure from the concept of the chair as a solid shell."

Whatever, I want one.  And when I do get one it will be a knockoff.  The Herman Miller chair sells for around $2000 and I really can't justify that kind of expense on an office chair, especially since I can get my hands on an incredible facsimile for around 1/10th the price. 

A work in progress...part 2

Well, it's not a hugely noticeable difference, but progress has been made!  The backyard studio and home of Something Blue, is looking better, if only slightly. The before picture is at the bottom of this post, in an attempt to spare you from too much scrolling (thoughtful, aren't I?)

My husband installed the new fence, which not only looks great but keeps the oh-so-nosey neighbors at bay.  And as you can see, the tangerine tree has been drastically cut back.  Good for us, not so good for the squirrels, who love to perch themselves in the branches while eating tangerines and laughing, yes, laughing at our 3 dogs. This drives our dogs insane...which, in turn, drives ME insane.  I am so very happy to have that problem solved, at least until the next tangerine season. 

Also pictured is the patch of dead, overgrown grass (see that little dog?  That's Wrecks, one of our 3 Jack Russell "Terrorists".  He looks like he's in trouble, doesn't he?  That's because he's always in trouble...hence the name.  But, I digress) I have been killing that crab grass over the last few weeks because I have learned that you can't just pull out crab grass...it comes right back, with a vengeance.  So I'm making sure it is D E A D, before starting on that planting bed there.

You can also see (if you squint) that the real grass, St. Augustine, is starting to fill in.

Stay tuned...

The first "before" shot, June 08

A work in progress...

I am lucky enough to have my very own studio.  Sure, I have to give it up when guests arrive but mostly it's mine...ALL mine. It doubles as a guest house, has a bathroom with a shower and is a fairly compact unit measuring about 170 square feet. It took ages  to renovate the inside, (at least that's what it felt like) mostly because my fabulously talented husband did it all on his own, and he has a real job after all.  There are a few things that still need getting around to, but for the most part it's perfect.

The exterior is a whole different story.  I would love to have it re-stuccoed (that will definitely have to wait!) then painted.  And, I hate the door overhang. So, eventually I'll replace it with one of those canvas type awnings that are held up with iron spears.

In the meantime, I am going to undertake a little landscaping project.  My inspiration is a mix of Mediterranean meets desert, meets tropical.  In the planting bed in front of the studio I want to plant a red banana tree, directly in front of that ugly pipe that goes up the wall.  Of course the first thing I'll need to do is get rid of all that insidious crab grass, ugh I hate that stuff!  

I also have this really great cast concrete frog fountain which I will utilize in that planting bed as well.

My plan here is to chronicle the progress.  I'll post pictures of my latest plantings or ideas I might have.  Now that I'm accountable I hope I'll be more motivated...stay tuned!