Set-ups, Day 5: Comfort and Joy

• Savor sleeping in until 7 a.m.!
• Head for only scheduled setup for the day, lamenting that we're only a team of two
• Call store to see if anyone is available to help; access denied, as store is WAY busy
• Unpack box after box of favorite things from Susan's store, purchased by client in years past
• Exclaim over beauty of tree!
• Break for lunch--a lovely catered affair on holiday china hosted by our gracious client, Lani
• Swoon over arugula salad with Craisins, walnuts, and blue cheese; salivate over dessert tray sporting a tempting array of lemon bars, pecan tassies, chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies, brownies, and cannolis
  
• Hope that climbing ladders multiple times daily counts as workout
• Love Lani for allowing us to take creative license in our work
• Comment on how inviting her house looks from the street
• Finish later than we thought; crack open a Coke Zero to prepare for evening of Christmas shopping
• Drag ourselves home around 11:15 p.m., shopping bounty in tow

Breath of Fresh Air!

With all that has been going on, (packing, moving, more packing, more moving, packing, editing, hauling, packing, painting, cleaning, unpacking, sorting, merchandising...and so on, and so on), I've been lax in reporting what has been happening with my designer room for the Princeton Jr. League Designer House. Ugh.

It's been on my list of things to do, but it's been pushed to the bottom of the list night after night!

That being said, I have some glorious photos of the before when I can locate the camera chip that holds the information...for now, here is an in-progress report that I think you'll find interesting.

Often, in designer houses across the nation, there emerges a theme of color...unbeknown st to the designers collectively, trends set the stage and many rooms begin to follow a pattern. In a quick preview of many of the other spaces, this is what I found...

Grey living room...

Warm stone foyer...

Grey-ish upper hallway...

Another grey hallway...

Charcoal/taupe master bedroom walk-through...

And these are just a few of the rooms I perused...who knows where else this trend color (stone) will show up.

And then...ta da!! My room, yes in glorious Yam!

Here is a fabulous vintage bookcase/desk that I picked up and painted SW Warm Stone as an accent to my Yam...way cool!

I'm happy to report that amidst the room after room of grey/taupe, grey/charcoal, grey/grey, and even more grey, my pop of orange shines! Yam sets the stage for natural linens, velvets, and creamy contrasts. I think it's going to make for a memorable room.

Lastly, I just couldn't resist reminding you what color my room was in last year's Buck's County Designer House...SW Warm Stone. I do believe that Black-eyed Susan sets the trend.

More to follow in the coming days, as we near completion of our room, I promise!

First Look!

After working all day with the most inclement weather, Rita and I made a pretty good dent in the final stages of the designer house. I'm going to tell you, when you really need a helping hand, and one who is an engineering type thinker, practical and down to earth.....Rita is your girl!!



We carried about 18-20 total loads of books, accessories, lamps, platters, and art into my room! The day started out with a terrible downpour! We tribute our combined prayers for the parting of the storm clouds just long enough for us to empty the van with multiple trips before the downpour resumed! Now that's the kind of friend I want on my team! Thanks again, Rita!



(Due to a very bad hair day for both of us, no photos!!)



Obviously, the lack of natural light combined with my accent wall of black (!) did not bode well for photos.....the mantle was in progress, and after viewing this shot, I am certain that my final change was a good move! It's coming along.



Sneelock won't be too impressed with this one either! I guess I should have tried one without a flash, or turned off the chandelier! But take a look at that great chandelier! As you can see, there was a lot of "noise" about the room with other clutter!







This shot is one of the window sills with the exotic fan-tail pussy willows, several nests and one of my favorite vintage dogs....



Tomorrow, I'll try to take a better snapshot when all is fairly well in place. (Can't wait for the drapes.....!)

It is rewarding to see the whole thing coming together. Once again, thanks to my dear friend Rita for putting in another day of hanging crystals, loading, unloading, polishing, handing, climbing, sorting, labeling, and in general, woman of all trades!



Stay tuned for more updates. Tickets are still available at Black-eyed Susan!