Before Dawn Activities

Before dawn , while most of the world is snoozing, I sit at my computer and explore things. Sometimes I look up places to visit, or the old hometown, sometimes I do research: genealogy, locations where ancestors lived, what happened then in history. Often I go 'blogging'. I read blogs on-line written by other crafters, gardeners, friends. But today...today I went cyber decorating.

I suppose it all has to do with trying to put this house back together in some fashionable way following the flood. I have a lot of furniture that I like, as well as just 'stuff'. Putting it together in a cohesive way always seems to stymie me. So, I snuck into other's rooms to see how they make things work.

I found a lot of 'redone' pieces put into some homes. What I mean by that is, pieces of furniture made in certain eras that have been 'transformed' by collaging French magazine ads to it or hand-painting pink roses or vines on
the doors or elsewhere. While those looks are fine for some, they don't work for me. I'm more a 'keep it in it's original state' even if that means it's finish is marred or the paint is chipping. I don't know why, but I'd rather see an armoire that carries its scarred, walnut stain than to see it painted aqua and artificially crackled.

This morning's tour of homes gave me a greater appreciation for my own things.
I don't want to clutter my home with 'useless' stuff anymore, although I did that for much of my life. I'm ready to simplify. If it doesn't have a place or a use, I don't really want it around. I'm not saying that I'm going to live with bare walls and shelves...don't get me wrong. I need to be surrounded by things that make it feel 'homey' to me, so pillows and photos and family crafted items will have their place. But statues and jars and stuff that just collects dust isn't going to take up residence here.

I guess there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, even if you like something. That's the part that I can't really come to grips with. If I like it, and it works with my other stuff, I can't seem to part with it. Right now, that's an assortment of many embroidered samplers. I don't know where to put them, so they're sitting in a box. I had them hanging over the couch, and though I was complimented often on them, the arrangement didn't work for me, or at least, it doesn't anymore.

I've been working on turning the small loft space into an 'office' for myself. The furniture is in, but there's still much to be done to make such a small space a workable one, and comfortable. I will just keep strolling through people's homes on line until something strikes me. It will suddenly 'hit' me in one of those pre-dawn hours, and it will be just perfect for me when it does.