Then she invited me next door to see her place. She and I have the same floor plan but, boy, our places couldn’t look any more different. If I had to put a one word label on her place it would be ‘happy’ or ‘classy’ or ‘cool’. Okay, that’s three words but the first view of her space reminded me of a Paul Cezanne still life. She’s got an ancient carpet that covers most of the living room area that has a wide, bright blue border with a solid, "old gold" center and accents of red and black dead center and on the edges of the blue border. It’s spectacular! One red club chair is the next thing you notice, then your eyes are directed to a gray, mid-century modern couch along a wall with a red throw cushion with a black Scottie dog on its face. Two other club chairs--one in black, one that matches the couch completes her main sitting area. Over her couch is an large abstract with primaries---red, blue, yellow, black and lots of white.
In her window bay, where I have my art easel, are two of the finest examples of mid-century modern antique Eames, Herman Miller fiberglass shell chairs I’ve ever seen and I've seen the ones in the furniture museum (see example in the photo above). They'd been in her family since they were new in 1950 and they are a rich, vibrant blue, in perfect condition. Eames chairs were a huge deal when they were first manufactured and they are still a big deal in the history of furniture making because of its then unique use of fiberglass.
If you haven’t picked up on it, I’m impressed by my neighbor's decorating taste. She was a psychologist and social worker and is pure class in her dress, her home, the way she carries herself and her taste in dogs. By the way, I’m going to kidnap Robbie someday. I haven’t told her that yet but I did offer to dog sit should she ever have a need.
Another notable person I’ve met lately who lives in my building is also into art but after listening to her drone on and on about how much she loves painting religious icons I decided it’s best not to sit near her in the future. She’s been doing them for years, has even spends several weeks at religious retreats to do them in silence. She goes to church nearly every morning, sometimes goes back again later in the day and I just can’t find any common life experiences to relate with her. And to make it worse her soft, angel-like voice reminds me of an episode on Jerry Seinfeld so even thought she's a nice lady I have trouble making small talk with her. And wouldn't you know it, last night the only seat left at a dinner table for eight was at her right.
After dinner she invited me to stop at her place to see her paintings, new Shoji screen and fireplace. I’ve been thinking about getting a Shoji screen to block off my art easel area so I was eager to go. She, too, has the same floor plan as my place and she, too, has bold colors like Robbie’s mom. Only her colors were gold, black, turquoise and orange. If you’ve been reading my blog right along you know I hate the color orange. But she had her furniture arranged in a good configuration that makes her space look larger than mine; I might be moving mine and my area rug after the holidays.
Her religious icon paintings were done on polished wood slabs with lots of gold leafing. Quality workmanship but certainly not my cup of tea. She talked about the saints she depicts like they're guys I’d know…and probably I should have, having had an aunt who spent her entire life scrubbing floors at a Catholic hospital and had dozens of religious icons up on her walls. My soft-spoken neighbor rotates them on her walls according to the holidays.
But the most curious thing in Icon Lady’s space was the fact that she had red cardinals tied to all the cupboard door handles. Twelve cardinals. Are they still "spiritual messengers from God" when you buy them yourself and mount them in your kitchen? Either way they did give me something in common with her since I have a red cardinal in the wreath on my door. ©
It must be fun seeing the new neighbors' digs (and dogs!). I think kidnapping Robbie is a fine idea and I'm really glad he's right next door to you so you can get some petting time in. They both sound interesting in their own ways, even though the one might not be quite your cup of tea. I'd be interested in the icons for the technique but I couldn't see living with them. I'd prefer the neighbor with the comfy chairs and abstract and Eames, even though I'm more traditional than contemporary. Every day is a new discovery -- that's fun.
ReplyDeleteWe have since had a Parade of Apartments for those who wanted to show off their Xmas decorations and decor`. None could hold a candle to your fun displays.
DeleteThe icon painting process was described in detail to me and it does not allow for any creativity or deviation from the color range. But I can see how doing them would be meditative much like doing the adult coloring books only it would take more skill than those books.
So glad you have Robbie for your dog fix. He sounds adorable.
ReplyDeleteHadn't thought about it but with the apartments having the same basic floor plan, a persons personality would really stand out in how they decorate. Good way to get decorating dos or don'ts by checking them out.
Her soft voice would drive me crazy. Had forgotten that Seinfeld episode.
Even with my earing aids in I have a hard time hearing her talk when she's sitting right next to me. It's funny, there seems to be more people without aids living here than with and I've never been in an environment that damages ears like a factory or loud concerts. Struggling to here someone, especially someone who talks a lot, wears me out!
DeleteRobbie reminds me so much of Levi...both terrier breeds so they have similar personality traits.
Good to have a dog next door! And I would love seeing how others decorate their spaces. We are both retired Herman Miller, so of course, we have our share of Eames. None of the shell chairs, but several other styles. We're pretty minimalist, but I had to draw the line at some point and add fabrics. DH would have all leather and wood but I need warmth. Luckily, we were able to compromise, although if I were alone, several pieces would be sold. LOL.
ReplyDeleteWe have two retired Herman Miller employees living here who were on our Parade of Apartments and I fell in love with their Eames chair and coffee table. When my husband and I were going to garage sales, estate sale, flea markets, etc. we always looked for Eames molded chairs but never found any. Not our style to live with but wanted them to turn a profit on and I love the artist lines of them and of course, their history. They don't look very comfortable to sit in for any length of time.
DeleteI wear hearing aids and really need to invest in a new pair, I think, although they can be so expensive. I often just smile and nod like I know what people are saying when I actually have no idea! :)
ReplyDeleteBeen there, done that. I need a new pair too. Mine are ancient and were a cheap model to begin with. Ticks me off that they cost so much.
DeleteThis last May I got my first pair of hearing aids. They make such a difference. Mine are rechargeable so I don't have to worry about batteries and my hearing specialist programmed them so I can press the button on the top of the left one to switch to "restaurant" mode, "outdoors", or "crowd" mode. A voice, first in my left ear and then in my right, tells me which mode I'm in. The buttons on the top of the right ear can turn the volume up or down. When I take my little dog to the park here in town I usually go to "crowd" mode because it tones down the traffic noise. Yes, they weren't cheap but I don't think I'll be needing to upgrade for a long time. If Medicare covered the cost, that would be great but I'm not holding my breath on that.
DeleteI just took a shower with one of my hearing aids still in. The first time for that, so I'm thinking it might be sooner rather than later I'll need a pair. My insurance for aid coverage is changing next year so I'm hoping that's good news for me.
DeleteI and most of my friends obtained our hearing aids from Costco. I'm really happy with the review by the testing audiologist there of the right type of aid with my type of hearing loss and my particular need. When I got my first pair, I was still playing the violin in the local symphonic orchestra and I wanted mine programmed so that they would pick up the richer tones of music. Most hearing aids are focused more on the human voice, but that made my keyboard sound more like a harpsichord on the regular program without switching to the programmed one. I'm on my second pair now. They're still expensive, but far cheaper than those obtained elsewhere.
DeleteInteresting! I need to invest in a new pair next year. One, mine are over 10 years old and can't be programed any higher now plus they were a cheaper model to begin with, and two I'm actually wearing mine daily know when I haven't been doing that until I moved in here.
DeleteSuch interesting people! You can tell a great deal from people by their decor and the objects they surround themselves with.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you got to meet Robbie and had a chance to offer your dogsitting services. I hope you get a chance to do just that.
The icon painter obviously finds a great deal of comfort in her religion and its attendant hobby. Her quietude seems to fit with her lifestyle.
We really do have some interesting people living here, but I'm sure that's true of every where. What is unique here is that we all moved in at once and so no one is shy about trying to get to know one another.
DeleteIcon Lady's quietness does fit interests, that's for sure. I found it interesting that both these women love art, but totally different kinds of art and they're homes reflect such different tones. One, I loved, one I couldn't live in and I'm guess neither one would like living in my colorless place.
I think icon paintings are very cool looking. I would love to recreate them but with modern day or pop culture figures instead of religious ones. Any one for a RuPaul or Dave Grohl icon? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love getting ideas about decorating my home from what other people have done with theirs. Sounds like you have struck some neighbour-gold there, Jean. And to have a cute doggie so close by too? Yay!
Deb
I found out recently that there is an artist on our campus who taught at a college level up until a year ago. I saw her work and she is really great. She's active with the local artist guild and not into the social scene here but I'd like to stalk her and see if I can't meet her. LOL
DeleteI love your modern twist idea for my neighbor's art.
What a fun hobby ... checking out furniture arrangement and decor. So far, I like yours the best. Calm, serene and filled with history. It took me a time or two to get my living room furniture placed just right and we only move it a bit to put in the Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteWithout Bosko and his huge bed, we have so much more room. But sure do. miss him.
Do you know where Bosko ended up, a forever home, I hope?
DeleteI got to see more apartments at the Parade of homes, I'll write about them in another post.
It's nice to have look at the neighbours homes, identical in layout but so different as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing the same square footage can look entirely different with a different decorating style in mind. Even kitchen countertops. I thought mine was a bit cluttered until I saw others.
DeleteSounds like you have some interesting neighbors.
ReplyDeleteI do, lots of professional women... heavy with teachers and within the medical field.
DeleteI just saw this yesterday about hearing aids becoming available OTC next year: https://www.npr.org/2021/10/19/1047303559/fda-hearing-aid-prescription-over-the-counter. I don't need them yet, but from what I've watched friends go through and spend - it can't come soon enough.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Bernard Shaw said you have to meet 99 people before you find a keeper. I think he meant love, so hopefully a rewarding friendship won't require that many meetings. I'd stalk the artist college teacher! No shame whatsoever about doing it either. You'll know with a couple of conversations whether she's someone you would enjoy. My experience from meeting other artists online has been very positive, but I haven't met that many in person.
In the meantime, Robbie's Mom sounds like a keeper?
Wouldn't that be something! I will keep that in mind on the hearing aids. It's crazy how much they cost comparted to say, a talking watch or other tiny device that can do so many things.
DeleteRobbie's mom is definitely a keeper. She's quite a busy person, with stuff she does off campus. A lot of people seem to do that.
Your new home looks charming just as it is.
ReplyDeleteI am such a Voyeur when it comes to looking at people's Homes, it tells you so much about a person. Your description of both Neighbor's Homes makes me think I'd like how each Decorated. I have a Thing for Religious Icons even tho' I'm no Religious Fanatic, when I first met The Man he used to call my Office "The Pope's Room" and when we moved we actually wrote that Label on the Boxes that held things from that Room, it was hilarious. He used to joke about me having a Crucifix in every Room even tho' I'm not Catholic. Then when we moved to The Historic Haunted House he had an Experience in his Workshop Cottage and he and his Buddy Joe, who was Catholic, came running in asking if I had a Spare Crucifix they could hang in there... it was HILARIOUS! Joe was Genuflecting and everything... nothing malevolent, but it had unnerved them... after the Crucifix was hung, no more paranormal stuff happened in that Cottage so The Man quit Teasing me about my Religious Icon-ery. *Winks* The Mid-Century Neighbors Home I'd J'Adore, tho' I don't Decorate with it, I did in the early 70's and it's still a Style I fully Appreciate when done Well.
ReplyDeleteI never did understand your attraction for religious icons. But the olders one, especially, were often done by great artists, so there's that to appreciate. But that's a funny story you've shared so thanks for that.
DeleteI've only ever had one religious icon in my whole life and it made the cut to come here. It's a copy of the only Michelangelo sculpture to appear in a World Fair, here in the states. I fell in love with it---it's size, it's details, the quiet awe everyone viewing it fell into. I spent the next year in college trying to carve marble, an unfinished people that lives in my brothers yard.
My daughter worked as a display artist/designer for a store called Homestead here many years ago. The owners often made trips to Europe to bring back furniture and other vintage items. The second floor of the store had a whole collection of religious statues, etc., that had been in churches there. Whenever my daughter had to work on that floor, she would catch glimpses of someone watching her. She wasn't the only one to have that experience. I often wondered if there was some energy or spirit connected to those statues.
DeleteSome artists are just really good at doing eyes. But a whole room full of anything with eyes---dolls, paintings, statues, tuff animals---can creep me out.
DeleteI agree with you on that, but what she and her co-workers saw sometimes was an actual shadowy person peeking up from behind the displays. Nobody liked to be working up there after dark.
DeleteGlad you've made some connections that are fun, even if they all aren't. Sounds like you're on an explore, seeing and doing different things daily. I will pull out my shawl that you liked and count the stitches. It is an easy pattern, but I'll have to find my index card where I wrote it out. I'll measure the shawl too, that way you can determine if you need to add or subtract stitches; as I found the pattern stitch and did my thing in terms of size. Will be back in touch. Sorry it took me awhile to respond. Somehow I missed your comment on that post.
ReplyDeleteWhen I spotted it after writing a new post, thought I'd pop over to let you know and will add you to my blog list to make visiting easier.
Thanks! I need a project to start after the holidays.
DeleteI am enjoying the experience of getting to know people around here.
I must say, I was much more excited about the pup next door than I was about the furniture, but I love reading your posts. Again, I'm so glad you are finally there.
ReplyDeleteYou couldn't grow up in the area I did without learning a lot about the history of furniture design, so I learned early on to appreciate the contributions to the industry those Herman Miller chairs have made.
DeleteI had dinner with Robbie's mom last night. They walk every morning at 7:00 to 7:45. He is so cute!!
First, I would love to own those Eames chairs or just gaze at them. The closest we've been able to afford mid-century furnishings is by collecting Russel Wright dinnerware piece by piece. Second, I could probably stand in for the quiet actress on the Seinfeld episode, and I had to laugh at it. In my growing-up household, we spoke softly or else! My voice hasn't been enhanced either by thyroid treatments or my inherited form of hearing loss. I try. I really do. Thanks so much for introducing us to your neighbors. Does your neighbor's dog tempt you to find another to join your household or will you limit it to enjoying the neighbor's when you can?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't justify the cost of those Eames chairs either, especially when I'd never sit it one. In this are where they were made there used to be running adds in the newspaper looking to buy them.
DeleteMy voice quality has really changed over the years. I used to think it was lack of use but now that I'm talking more I still have a very horse voice. Never thought that having a low voice could be a medical issue. I'll have to try harder with Icon Lady.
Actually, my neighbor's dog kind of points out how hard it would be to have a dog in an apartment. She's walks him an hour morning and night and has taken Robbie to a kennel for a two day stay to "give herself a break." As for limiting my enjoyment of the neighbors, it would be the opposite. There's a dog that goes to the cafe` and lobby area often and that dog gets so much attention she thinks she's in heaven since her 'grandpa' moved in.
Popping back in with the info on the shawl. The stitch is called Broken Garter. You want to use multiples of 6 plus 1 (always cast on odd number). Row 1 Knit, Row 2 slip 1 knitwise, then *K2, Pl, K3* to end, til it's the length you want. BO knit wise. The directions were CO 49 and it was suppose to measure 9 x 78. But I was using lighter weight yarn, so I CO 55 (44 =1). I used #3 weight yarn a very light Alpaca and Peruvian 50% each wool blend. I don't remember for sure how much yarn I used, but I think I used 3 or 4 skeins. The skeins were 146 yards Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light. Let me know if you have any questions. Oh...I should also tell you, it takes awhile before you see your pattern. I almost stopped and pulled it all out, but glad I didn't. I had a non crafty friend look at it to tell me if she saw any pattern or texture, so don't give up.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I really need a shawl around this place.
DeleteWhat fun to visit other people's apartments and see all the very different ways of handling the same basic floor plan! It reminds me a bit of 1950s housing developments, which began with all the houses being identical, but over time each has become distinctly different from the others (only it takes less time to get those distinctive looks with an apartment -- which is good, given our ages!)
ReplyDeleteIt really was fun and especially since we had time to hear their stories about favor things.
DeleteHow nice to get to hear more about the people who live there. It is funny how the same room can be styled so differently. I'm partial to autumn colors so I wouldn't impress anyone, but it does seem like so much fun viewing the different apartments.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised if the autumn color palette is due to become a big thing again in a few years. It's been a while and the soft greens from the '60s are making it back. I've seen 14 apartments now 16 if I included the models. I've written about the parade of apartments in post in the scheduler.
Delete