Crabbit's Profile

^^^
Though I could be wrong; it could be someone else just inspired by her work!

A vintage Best Foods mayonnaise jar, paper label intact, full of vintage crocheted shade pulls and window and drapery hardware. (It looks like this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theclassicfarmhouse/3663555672/

and though I have no use for it, I keep it because I find it charming.)

Six faux-etched champagne flutes, not my style at all, but very appreciated to supplement glassware at parties over the years. (All gone now, after 20 years of parties.)

I like the shape and the shade fabric, but I think it would look better if the base were a different color than bright white. The white in the shade is an off-white, and the bright white makes it look dingy. I actually think it would be more chic if the base was the same color as the yellow-green in the shade fabric.

If you can't find a match, it would actually look cute mixed with similar chairs in other bright colors. I know FerMob does similar ones, though they can be expensive. Flora Grubb carries some pieces, and I got a fuschia side table from there on sale a few summers ago.

A rare Roseville Pauleo tree vase for $68.00 at the Alemany flea market in SF. I am not particularly into Roseville, and I did not know what it was at the time; I just liked it. I have seen a few (a very few) listed on Ebay and art pottery sites, for like $1,200.

http://images.cloud.worthpoint.com/wpimages/images/images1/1/1206/17/1_5ed6ac94cb2651a564b4f370ac9b1cd3.jpg

For years it really bugged me that lamp cords were left visible in so many otherwise meticulously styled interiors I saw in French magazines, but gradually I realized it was intentional.

http://www.cotemaison.fr/atelier-deco/diaporama/style-brocante-les-blogs-font-du-neuf-avec-du-vieux_9058.html?p=8

Now I think it can look good, in certain contexts.

I like it. It has a nice feeling, and does not seem at all like it was done on the cheap. I also like that effort was made to tie in the building's style and mood. I just saw an article about a couple who gutted their Victorian and made the interior all clean and modern. It was horrifying (especially to me as a Victorian owner); all of the character was erased, and there was a total disconnect between inside and out. I am not saying that a Victorian has to be decorated with taxidermied owls (though I do happen to have one of those), but I think there is a way to do modern without dishonoring a building's essential character.

I live in San Francisco, and I know and am friendly with (and in some cases friends with) several people from the apartment building next door to the right of my house, my neighbors to my left, my neighbors directly behind my house and neighbors from the housing complex across the street (whose cat we happen to have adopted!) One of my neighbors is my occasional handyman/gardener. Maybe this isn't typical in a big city, but I'm sure that part of the reason is that I have lived in my house for almost 30 years and some of my neighbors have been here even longer.

(TL;DR) I am so glad to read this post and these comments. I have wondered for the last few years whether I am letting my house drive me mad. It's my chief hobby and creative outlet, and I love it, but it's a big Victorian that could comfortably accomodate an entire family, and it's just me there since my son and his girlfriend got their own place. I thought housekeeping would be easier for one, but it doesn't seem to make a difference; I am still overwhelmed. The last thing I want to do after working all day is to come home and do housework (and anyway I need daylight to clean properly!) So that leaves me the weekend, and it's not long enough to fit everything in. Just getting from one end of the house to the other, and tromping up and down the stairs with my heavy Dyson (don't get me wrong; I love it) or loads of laundry takes time and strength that always seems to run out before the chores do.

Nothing makes me happier than to entertain, or just relax alone, when the house is at it's sparkling best, and nothing is more depressing and panic-inducing than to look around and assess tasks and projects vying for my immediate attention. At this point, the satisfaction outweighs the frustration, so I guess I don't need to check myself into an institution yet. It's comforting to know that others are likewise conflicted.

Great post, Tess! I have huge open-house buffet-style parties a couple of times a year, and though they are a hassle to prepare for (my house is big and ... complicated), I love having them because they motivate me to REALLY get everything into perfect shape. Then after the party, in the wake of the exhaustion from preparing and excitement of seeing all my friends, I can relax and really enjoy my home at its best. If only I could be this motivated on an everyday basis.

P.S.: LOVE the rubber gloves image. I collect rubber gloves (and other hand items), so I am printing it for my wall (is that OK? Never have been clear about images, copyrights and permission requirements!)