Tuesday, February 10, 2015

'BY INVITATION ONLY' February 2015

International Blog Party


hello everyone,

does it seem that 2015 is flying by at warp speed to you as it does to me?
goodness, it was just Christmas !

Penelope Bianchi, one of our chosen ones, has selected the topic this month:

when decorating do you go with your own ideas, use an interior designer, or follow trends?

as a few of our members ARE interior designers of some renown I will be
dying to read what they have to say on the subject.

as most of you know, I've moved into a high-rise a few months ago
after living in large properties all of my married life.

this, in itself, has proven a challenge.

a huge challenge to down size,
meaning "some of your stuff" simply cannot be used.

there is only so much square footage, and I've given up a huge kitchen for a small one,
so I don't even have the basics in the kitchen yet (still in storage).

I did, however, manage to find a way to have my apparel, accessories, coats, shoes, bags, jewelry,
pajamas and underwear to be housed properly, and my makeup and hair stuff.
Whew!

I've taken the most important elements, like my art, and we had some large canvases in a large home, & I would miss them terribly if they went away, we also have some beautiful
antique Persian rugs which will be the base of the design theme.

uniqueshomedesign:loveisspeed…….: charisma design

working on this look for the entry which is very small, but it's the 1st thing you see when
my front door is opened.
of course, there is nothing I can do outside the front door (dammit), but the inside of the front
door will be lacquered black just because it will remind me of home.

I will use the same color theme as I last used in the house because all the furnishings
are done up already + my art ties it all in..

& finally the home must work for me and my 2 little doggies,
it's not going to be hosting grand parties, just my friends & kids dropping in,
so the requirement for having MUCH is just not there.
BUT, it does have to be beautiful, just for me.

so the walls will be painted a beautiful deep shiny gray, the kitchen & bath too,
and I'll add more storage somehow.  bookcases, built-in add a lovely stableness without
taking up too much space, all with interior lighting for atmosphere.

when my husband & I got married we sought out assistance from a famous interior designer,
Ed Harris, no relation.  
he taught us how the organize the playing field, 
we had too many interesting objects in one room, 
which was rather unsettling to the eye.
 he gave us balance.
now I see that everything in a room does NOT have to be IMPORTANT, 
only a few pieces.

also, for the 1st time in my life I need a place to watch TV with my 2 little doggies
sitting right next to me.  I'm afraid I'll succumb to  a chaise for the comfort, but that
I'll be SO comfortable I'll fall asleep.

as I've "collected" many things over a long period of time, inherited other things...
this is now difficult to deal with in the smaller place.
I don't have the luxury of a proper space where these bibelots can be grouped together,
and as a grouping they make a lovely statement.
of course, my 2 adult kids don't have the same taste and/or style of their mother
and claim they would "never" use any of it.
this is tragic, isn't it?
or is it just the normal evolution and generational differences?

of course, as I go along I will share some images with you.
I'm a nit-picker and am never satisfied until I think it's perfect,
that's why it doesn't bother me one bit to live in the mess that it now is.



********************************************************************

please hop over to see all the wonderful women who have linked in with our post,
they are "ALL PERSONALLY INVITED" to participate each month and comprise our
membership.

Thank you SO for supporting us in wonderful, magical ways!!!

**********************************************************************

tomorrow I will begin a week-long series honoring Valentine's Day,

it's being called:

FIFTY SHADES OF PINK
a parody of that movie,
come along an join me, and remember it's suppose to be witty.



(OMG, I wrote this last night as I was falling asleep and cannot believe all the
typo's and spelling errors !!!!!    sorry, ladies, I'm human.)






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18 comments:

  1. Ahhhh. A chaise.
    Nothing much better. There's one right by my bed. Covered in red.
    xo

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  2. Your new apartment will be wonderful, Marsha... please show us when it's finished... Can't wait, I love your ideas... :) xv

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  3. What a wonderful sight to greet you when you come home Marsha ….. it looks beautiful { as does the rest of your home I just know } I LOVE seeing what people do to their homes so, this was a great subject for our BIO post this month …. well done Penelope. XXXX

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  4. Love all your ideas, and gray shiny walls sound FABULOUS! I also think you touched on something SO important for today's lifestyle...comfort and functionality!! Yes as beautiful as we all want everything to look, having a cozy and comfy nook to just hang or watch TV is equally important.......fun topic. I will link up now!

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  5. SOUNDS D I V I N E!
    Does this new ABODE have a GUEST ROOM?If NOT I'll take the chaise lounge once YOU and the PUPS have retired!Are YOU REDAY TO MEET ME IN PERSON!!!!!!!!!
    Love the idea of ALL GREY...................A BEAUTIFUL POST by a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN!
    XO

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  6. Marsha, It sounds like you are transitioning beautifully into this new phase of your life. Everything you've described about your new home and your plans is lovely. Here's to creating a place to live that you love! XOXO

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  7. I can't wait to see your new home as it sounds just wonderful. I love everything that you mentioned! And oh, the chaise...well, Ben has claimed ours but when I can get it to myself? It is the most comfortable and elegant seat in the house!!
    Invite La Contessa!! You will have a ball...
    xo
    H

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  8. Your new place sounds glorious. Very chichi and you! Looking forward to seeing your reveal!
    Enjoy your day!
    xoJennifer

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    Replies
    1. I'm also so thrilled to have read our directions wrong for this BIO :-O.

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  9. Oh dear. My computer hiccupped and I don't think my comment went through. I only want to say that ANYTHING you would do in a space would have your signature style and be impeccable.

    xo

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  10. It's really interesting how our homes reflect where we are at a point in time...one of the wonderful bonuses of moving to a "new" place as life changes, and all the opportunities that creates to define just exactly what we really need in our homes - rather than being surrounded by what once worked. Things change, people change, and homes should change along the way to reflect that, I think, but sometimes it takes a move to a new home to see that. Your ideas sound very elegant - nothing less than I expect of you!

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  11. Oh dear! I posted a blog post; but I can't figure out mr. link!

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  12. If I lived closer my dear I would paint you that mural in your foyer! I love all your thoughts on what to keep etc. I am lucky for design as I work with my sister we bounce ideas off eachother for eachother. I wish you much luck on your move and I know it will be wonderful!

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  13. Hope you're settling into your new home! At least the bags and shoes are taken care of. :)

    Downsizing is always complicated. What stays. What goes. My husband and I moved from a NYC apartment with no children, to a large home in the South, filled it with two kids and then downsized when we moved back to NY. Now, I am constantly culling things and trying to get rid of "stuff".

    Looking forward to 50 Shades of Pink - definitely my favorite color and now off to see all the designers!!!
    xoxo Elizabeth

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  14. Great post Marsha! We love that you are human! I also love the 50 Shades of Pink idea - yay! Can't wait!

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  15. Can't wait to see your reveal -- sounds wonderful.

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  16. Shiny gray walls sound gorgeous and great that you've gotten the most important things organized…shoes and handbags! So happy you are getting settled and know you will love your new place!

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  17. Now I can't find the other posts on by invitation only! I am unsafe at any speed!!

    XXOO

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