Rug Talk on TV

I teamed up with super anchor Amy Hadley from YNN to bring you another segment of House Proud, this time pontificating all about my not-so-secret lover. Is there anything dreamier than a fabulous rug? I’m sure my husband would like to think so, but I’m not so sure. Sexy Persian wins again. See if you agree:

I am resisting the urge to nitpick everything about my appearance and house, because I really want to set a better example for my children. Also I would like to avoid heavy duty prescription medications. Therefore I will only nitpick a couple of things -- namely that microphone pack in back pocket + peplum top = Sir Mixalot Booty, and that my pre One Room Challenge dirty grout is giving me hives.

Score 1 for neuroses, 0 for mental health.

Nevertheless, being on TV is fun. I really like talking. And I love rugs.

Hope you enjoyed the show!

Euro Trash Girl

One of my favorite craigslist search terms is "Italy" or "Italian," because I know a sleek sculptural piece that wields an uber designy flavor will sharpen up any room. The right Stilnovo fixture will take any 18th century palazzo straight into the 21st century, just as the perfect pair of Gio Ponti chairs will offset the stuffiness of a roll arm sofa or super traditional fabrics.

And in the interest of international relations, let me add that I'm not anti France, Germany, Denmark, Eastern Europe, or any of those other furniture making countries. It's just that craigslisters can't seem to find many labels except those that broadcast the pedigree of anything 90s Scandinavian orange teak veneer, but somehow the Made in Italy label has the aura of cash flow about it, so that usually merits a mention in ads.

Beware of Copenhagen Imports unless you know who Ettore Sottsass is and enjoy an ironic nod to his sensational but perhaps not so versatile aesthetic... I'm pretty much talking about cheap 80s black lacquer and red leather mushroom sofas. Can these things be awesome? Yes, but you better have a plan for all that swag or things will get ugly fast.

You know what's not ugly? These rooms. You're welcome.

[Pinterest]

Lady Lazarus

Hi. A lot of people have written me wondering where the hell I went. I'm not dead yet, but lately anything beyond merest survival has eluded my grasp. In any given day juggling a newborn and a three year old leaves me about five spare seconds to rub together, and I'm just wondering if it's worth it to come back to blogging.

My kids need me. My husband needs me. My laundry piles need me.

But decorating is a disease, you know? I can't stop fantasizing about kitchen and bathroom renovations, pasting wide swaths of wallpaper over anything that will stand still, and of course... repainting.

Because who would I be if I didn't redo everything I've already done? I live in an experimental lab, and someday soon I hope that people will hire me to experiment on effortlessly redecorate their homes, too.

Also, it appears I am hosting a HUGE Thanksgiving party at our house... PANIC MODE!!!

Really who would I be if I weren't a complete and utter basketcase? I know a lot of you are concerned about this aspect of my personality, but I kind of get off on pressure.

(Cue Queen and David Bowie)

So I suppose my endless, self indulgent stress is something worth blogging about. Maybe.

Anyway, let's take a look at what I need to do before the masses arrive for dinner.

#1. Figure out how to seat 20 people. Or at least eight in the dinette area.

Our replacement marble table may or may not arrive in November, so we could be stuck with a rickety piece of vintage pecan shit. Hopefully it won't collapse under the weight of an 800 pound turkey and enough casseroles to initiate myocardial meltdown. I think we may have to get rid of some furniture...

#2. Renovate entire kitchen.

Yeah, I never got around to painting our hideous cabinets before the baby came. Surprise!

I'd rather just rip everything out anyway. Should I go traditional?

Euro - nouveau?

Or somewhere in between?

Who am I kidding?  I have even less money than time. But just maybe I can figure out a way to paint those god forsaken cabinets.

#3. Redo office/guest bedroom.

This will be the third time I paint that room... don't tell Ben. Not yet, anyway.

I'm thinking dark sexy green. I'm sure the office/guest room will look EXACTLY like this.

Or this.

Somehow I managed to cobble together a moodboard for this redo (moodboards mean I am for serious). Do you want to see it, or do mood boards just piss you off?

#4. Wallpaper the damn hallway, already.

Oh, how I wish I could afford Zuber.

Or for David Hick to reanimate himself and come visit me.

Or Cole and Son's Nuvole, which I have been obsessing about 4EVR (I must have ebola, because I can't believe I just typed that).

I do, however, have three rolls of Neisha Crosland's Zebra, and if I can ever paste it up it will be RAD.

Can I start a collection plate to save Erin's brain? Thanks.

#5. Tweak the kid rooms.

They are almost done... just need a few accessories and then I can shoot them.

Or you know, I could start over and make Ike's room look more like this.

Or this. HOW COOL IS THIS ROOM?!

And the baby's room should probably look more like this. I must have that bed.

That is all. Basically I am unhappy with everything I've "made," but don't feel sorry for me (or, more likely, be disgusted by me). Dissatisfaction is just my normative state of being. I'll be happy when things are perfect.

Ok, maybe you should feel a little bit sorry for me. I am obviously insane.

Also, am I insane for still blogging? This post took me all day to write... and if you haven't read this post by Jenny then you should, because then you will know I am not alone in the to-blog-or-not-to-blog conundrum. Writing a quality post (which this may or may not be) is a lot of work.

I have so many post ideas about art and fabrics and trends and my house (duh), but my time is very very precious.

Yeah, that is kind of a sad little plea for feedback.

What would you like to read about here?

Ok, gotta clean the baby puke out of my bra and make sure Ike isn't playing with knives...

Good to proverbially see you guys again. I've missed you.

Toodles.

[pictures via my pinterest, because I be tired]