lovedreamliveathome

Loving Small Living

2011-11-17T19:53:00.009-07:00

I'm loving living in my studio! As you can see, it has evolved in the few months since I've moved in. I've made few changes in the layout except for adding a funky, rustic shelf that effectively separates the kitchen and provides an entry into the apartment. I've hung a coat hook beside the door and voila! I no longer walk straight into the kitchen (a Feng Shui no no) and better yet, I do not see the kitchen from my bed. I also stitched up some unbleached (white) burlap curtains for the areas which need them. I love their rustic simplicity and the way they filter the light. I have divided the space (650sq ft) into two, distinct spaces - kitchen/studio - which includes an easel for painting, my office and a small library besides the cooking and eating area, and relaxing/sleeping room. Mainly I've concentrated on really organizing my storage options so that the space is totally multi-functional. I've had a couple of dinner parties here for up to eight people - the drop leaf green table pulls out for more seating and extra chairs are pulled into service from the balcony. Right now the plants are sharing the space for the winter and they too, seem to have adjusted to new surroundings quite well! Thank you for all your comments! I'll try to post more often now that I'm back in a groove. Have a lovely weekend.

Hidden In Paris

2011-09-04T21:58:00.009-06:00

For all of you who are fans of Corine Gantz's fabulous blog, Hidden In France, go to Amazon.com (click on post title to get there quickly) and order her debut novel, Hidden In Paris immediately! The story is a mad romp through contemporary Paris, where our heroine, Annie, an American ex-pat, suddenly finds herself sans husband and in the possession of a grand, albeit crumbling house in the heart of the sixteenth arrondissement; the widowed mother of two small boys. What's a (thirty-something) girl to do in a situation like this? A bright idea turns lucrative when Annie decides to open her home to a few strangers against her children's and best friend, the sophisticated and very Parisian Lucas' wishes. What ensues is for you dear reader, to discover but rest assured there is everything Paris has to offer between these pages, including great food, wine and men! Corine has written a fabulous first novel and no doubt she's already scribbling away at the draft of her next, or at the very least, tossing a few ideas around in that creative head of hers! This book is pure fun with a dollop of wisdom thrown in for good measure. I loved it and so will you!

Finito!

2011-09-01T13:41:00.011-06:00

Done! Made a few pillow covers with textiles I had on hand - determined to use what I have and not acquire more - and rearranged a bit. I think I'm done! I have gone mad with prints, texture and layering here. I think it works because of the amount of white present in soft furnishings, painted wood and objects - including shells. I love bringing nature indoors. I've hung a few mirrors but more for Feng Shui reasons than as decorative tricks - there's no getting away from the fact that this is only one room! Rather than fight that, I've embraced it and by leaving the sweep of space between the bed area and living room, I've created a great open feeling.

Finding Space Within Space

2011-08-30T09:50:00.024-06:00

The challenge with downsizing from a two bedroom house to a studio is zoning space for all the activities that take place in a home. Storage too is a problem. In a one-room studio, especially, a lot of storage is going to be on display and everything really needs to be organized to the max. I didn't have enough closet space for instance, so I carved out a 'closet' in the bathroom by hanging two rods, one for clothes and one for a curtain, in an empty area behind the sink. I put a small dresser beneath the clothes rod and voila! Closet! The other closet is to the right of the bathroom door, concealed behind a burgundy velvet curtain I happened to have saved from an earlier abode. Not only does it fit perfectly, it matches the burgundy kitchen tiles! Rather than fight the light grey of the bathroom tiles, I painted the walls (and the wall behind my bed) the same shade and added blue and cream in the way of fabric,along with a couple of painted wood pieces to give it more of a feeling of a room. It has a romantic, shabby chic atmosphere now. I decided right away to leave the main space open rather than use a divider in the bedroom area. I much prefer the feeling of open floor space and think screens, though often beautiful, a bit old school. I think the pale grey on the wall behind the bed works nicely to seperate it from the other areas where whatever adobe was present among the wood, I painted white. Instead of 'decorating' the space, I placed furniture, objects and art in a very relaxed manner, which gives the space a very cool, bohemian feel. The light here is gorgeous and waking up in the trees is lovely. More shots above of the bathroom/dressing room. Tomorrow I'll post my review of Hidden In Paris!

Downsized

2011-08-29T12:00:00.016-06:00

I've been gone because I've been making some big changes to my life. Biggest change was a big move to a smaller space! For a number of reasons, not least of which, the urge to travel more, I decided I no longer needed the amount of space I called home for the past five years. Deciding a smaller footprint was a more conscious decision, I divested myself of about half of my possessions (children, yard sales and giveaways) and rented a 650 square foot, rustic studio loft at the top of a building which houses only two other apartments, quite near to where I lived previously. I have a small space beneath the stairs where I'm creating a little container garden, and another on my balcony which looks at Taos Mountain. I divided the space in two with a big ficus tree; kitchen/dining/office library on one side, living on the other with an abbreviated sleeping alcove created with an antique sari and double bed made up like a daybed. It works! Tomorrow I'll show you some pics of the bathroom/dressing room but I'm on major writing deadlines at the moment so today I'll be brief but back tomorrow with a review of Corinne from Hidden In France's great novel, Hidden In Paris and more on downsizing and loving living in a smaller space! Above are few shots of the new love, living and dreaming abode!

Bottle Trees

2011-06-28T11:15:00.007-06:00

Bottle trees have a cool history. They were first brought to Europe and the Americas by African slaves who believed that evil spirits are trapped in the bottles, preventing them from coming inside and doing harm. They are also very pretty and sparkle in the sunlight like stained glass. I used old bottles I'd collected and lined the path with them.

The Secret Garden

2011-06-22T11:10:00.015-06:00

I'm sorry for my absence - real life calling - but I'm here today and wanted to say thanks so much for the comments! In between writing I've been gardening and trying to stay connected to the Earth as we all go through these tumultuous times together with Gaia. My garden is a wild meadow, slowly being returned to a natural state with a little planting of tree and shrubs, along with growing veggies and flowers in raised and layered beds. This year I've co-opted a bit of the wild, forested area I leave alone for birds and creatures, to make a tiny, secret garden for my grand kids. A place for them to connect with nature in a magical way. I think these days, kids are too reliant on technology and do not spend enough time outside except for controlled activities. I believe children should be encouraged to be a bit feral, just like the creatures that inhabit my wild garden. The secret garden is at the end of a small path I cleared through the brush and deadwood. Beyond lies a gully and more trees before opening out onto an open field. There is one more house at the end of this lane but one cannot see it from here. I created a barrier from dead branches and twigs and posted a sign to keep the girls from wandering further. A scary fairy with an owl on her shoulder hangs beside it. Beneath the plum tree arbor and red umbrella, there is a primitive chair, bench and a few potted plants decorated with toadstools and stuff the girls made for the fairies. They love their garden and when they visited last they went straight there before coming to say hello to me! The secret garden is situated across from the potting shed, but it feels like it's a world away. I didn't spend a penny on this little project, only used what I already had. A little secret I discovered is that it works for me too! I took a cup of tea out there yesterday afternoon and felt totally rejuvenated after I returned to the computer. Even if you don't have this kind of space to work with, a small and private spot outside, is easy to create. Create "walls" with trellises and vines, keep it as tiny and intimate as possible. Room enough for one chair, perhaps two, a small table and scented plants. I potted lavender (snipped from another mature plant in the garden) and a miniture rose along with snap dragons and pansies. Include some water, a birdbath or bowl will do, just be sure to change it daily. A bird feeder and a tinkling chime are a must. It can be done in a corner of your yard or even on a balcony and if you are resourceful and recycle what you already own, it can be totally cost free! The rewards are priceless.

Hidden In Paris

2011-05-19T12:30:00.001-06:00

The fabulous Corine of Hidden In France fame has a novel out; aptly titled Hidden In Paris - I am delighted to be one of the winners of this book and will post a review here after I read it. Many of you are already visitors to Corines charming and often, amusing blog, but if you haven't, please click on this post title to go there. Her aesthetic is fabulous, French and full of wit! She's also colour happy, which is what attracted me to her blog initially. I am sure this, her debut novel will be as witty, colourful and rich as the life she shares with us on Hidden In France. You can read an interview with Corine here http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com/
(where the above image comes from) and find out more about Hidden In Paris from the author herself.

Magical Bird In The Shade Garden

2011-05-11T21:40:00.000-06:00

When I opened the kitchen door to my deck yesterday afternoon, a brilliantly coloured finch was in the birdbath on the far right corner of the deck. It flew up into one of the two old pine trees that shade this garden, as I ran for the camera. I was able to get one shot between the branches, before he flew off. Above are a few more pictures of accents in the back garden that leads off the deck; a fenced in spot I am currently planting with shrubs, climbing roses and a forsythia bush - all yellow. Coyote Willow already grows in a copse in a sunny corner. More pictures later when the trees leaf out but I've been busy making little stone paths throughout the garden and placing drift wood and the rusty, old objects I love, along the dry stream, moss bed that runs along the back of the house. Wish I could have caught him in the water! Do you think he'll come back?

The Dark Side

2011-05-11T08:49:00.000-06:00

Last Winter, I painted the tiny hallway between my bathroom and guest room a deep, slate grey-blue. It opened up the small space brilliantly and the contrast against the surrounding white walls and pale woodwork is stunning. It's hung top to bottom with a mix of drawings, paintings and favourite photographs. I love the old wooden kitchen chair against the sooty colour of the walls. This Spring, I have continued the moody theme outside, in my garden. Taking inspiration from the aged teak decking and fencing around my property, I've used lot of blues in furnishings and stones which spill along natural swales in my back garden, creating a frame for the moss that grows there. Above are a couple of detail shots of the newly painted hallway and a white rock placed with intention on its mossy bed.

Tuesday Inspiration

2011-05-10T16:22:00.002-06:00

Inspiring me today. This relaxed and personal home in Australia (from the Taverne Agency.) Its laid back vibe is unpretentious and comfortable yet elements of style and design remain very strong. The fearless use of colour and pattern is another plus in my book. This house reminds me how important it is that we consider the occupants of a home, before decorating. This house is obviously home to children and all the stuff that comes along with them! It is also filled with vintage and hand-crafted furnishings which makes it sustainable and green. The ideas in this home could be applied anywhere, but especially in places where the lifestyle is equally relaxed and connected to the outdoors. The ideas in these photographs would be wonderful used in a beach cottage where one is only a seasonal visitor. A few visits to a local flea market and a couple of cans of paint is all it would take to transform a blah rental into a magical, weekend hideaway.

Credit to Shannon Fricke (see her blog listed in my links) and Prue Ruscoe.

The House In The Oasis

2011-05-09T11:02:00.011-06:00

Inside this gorgeous house, it's all about the details. Woodwork, both new and antique salvage, gives warmth to the thick adobe walls and gracious proportions of these rooms.The house was built in 2001 on a piece of land entirely covered in sagebrush. In my previous post you can see that the plantings done then are maturing, and have turned this scrubby lot into a lush oasis.The views from here are extraordinary - grand vistas on every side - viewed from great expanses of window; many of them, south facing to capture solar gain. The house is tastefully decorated and although the couple are collectors of antique carpets, art and furniture, not everything is on display. The Feng Shui of this home is perfection. Above are some pictures (click to enlarge) taken inside this house last week. Please see my last post with contact information.

Oasis In The Sage

2011-05-06T10:18:00.075-06:00

The couple who built this beautiful home in the Weimer foothills recently returned to Taos after a few years spent in Louisiana. He is a master builder and contractor, originally from the Czech Republic, she is American. Both are long time Taos residents. When they built this house in 2001, they had three children still living at home, now with the kids gone and grandchildren being born, the large house no longer makes sense and it is soon to be put on the market. The photos above illustrate brilliantly, how in only a decade, they have managed to carve an Oasis out of the scrubby sagebrush that covers these foothills. Beyond the terraced berms and the newly installed, gated fence, lie acres of sage (shown in the first photo taken from the garden) while inside this courtyard that surrounds the house, all is lush and verdant. By June, roses and lilies will bloom and fill the space with colour and fragrance, but even now, as the grasses and plantings come back to life, the serene garden rooms are a testament to our ability to green the desert. The house itself is a masterful composition in design; the downstairs contains a beautiful open-plan living and dining area, separated by exquisite, antique pillars from India. (He has collected antique doors, pillars and other salvage from the Orient for decades for use in his projects) The kitchen is equipped with the very best in modern appliances without sacrificing warmth and a certain cosiness. Beyond the main living area are bedrooms, a bathroom and a comfortable den which houses the TV and music system. Up the spiralling wooden staircase is the master suite which looks out on breathtaking vistas. Today I'm posting pics of the exterior and on Monday, we'll take a peek inside this beautiful home. If you are interested in more information on this house, you can send an email to meenakshijirik@hotmail.com

Cinco de Mayo

2011-05-05T09:03:00.018-06:00

Happy fifth day of May everyone! It's a beautiful Spring day here, the sky is clear, the sun shining and for once, the wind is being held at bay. The greater world might be in turmoil, but here, all is as it should be; another day in paradise. What a year this has been! My heart aches for all of those who have suffered and lost loved ones in the wake of these devastating natural disasters. My life has thankfully been less dramatic, but it seems there were never enough hours in the day to do what I was doing and be here as well. Besides workshopping my play, The Land, I just completed writing a book about Angus MacDonald, a fantastic painter with an incredible personal history. I was hired to write the book by the MichaelMcCormickGallery - http://www.mccormickgallery.com/artists/macdonald-a/ma-current.html - here in Taos, after writing a piece about Angus for the Taos Magazine, for which I am a regular contributer. I thought Angus' painting, Arroyo Seco was quite apropos for Cinco de Mayo - we had snow here last week and probably will have more before Spring really kicks in. Angus paints the South West and the people of this region with tremendous sensitivity. I'll let you all know when the book becomes available. In the meantime, you can click on the gallery link to see more of his wonderful work. Time to water my garden! See you all tomorrow.

May Flowers

2011-05-04T14:53:00.006-06:00

Our Spring has come late this year, but today my first poppy has bloomed; a single flame of bright orange holds her head above a patch of foilage, buds almost ready to flower alongside her. This morning a little butterfly celebrated her with me as I watered and weeded my beds. I'll have much more to share in the coming weeks, but today I thought this singular bloom was the perfect offering.

Hello Lovelies

2011-05-03T17:37:00.008-06:00

Yes, I am back. I needed a break from the blog and took a long one! I missed you all and I'll have some new pictures to show you - I've made a few changes around here - and news about what I've been up to this past year. Today I am weeding my garden which is a horrific mess after the unseasonal snow we had over the weekend but I did want to pop in and say a quick hello. Hope all is wonderful in your world and look forward to catching up with all of you soon! Meanwhile, new look on the blog for a new year!

The Potting Shed

2010-04-29T11:01:00.017-06:00

Today more snow is blowing in, but my seeds are sown, beds mulched and the garden is coming back to life. I will plant more fruit trees this year, at the bottom of the meadow which begins where the grass ends, near the beds which are planted with flowers, herbs and veggies in a bio-diverse mix. The raised beds in front of the cottage are flowers only, closely planted for a romantic, tangled feeling. At the far end, next to the gate into the deck area, I've put in a berry patch - strawberries and a blackberry who share space with a collection of heart rocks, a butterfly bath and broken terra cotta angels. In the fence bed, I've sown so many seeds, I'm as in the dark as you are, as to how it will turn out. The twig tepee is support to sugar snap peas and morning glory. Lots of mammoth sunflower seeds are pressed into the surrounding earth and if the magpies don't get them, they'll be glorious come July! Needless to say, I spend a great deal of my time in my shed during the Summer - in Winter it contains my woodpile - and this year, I've planted several containers that were taking up space, with herbs and veggies too! I wrapped the old plastic pots in burlap and made a home for the adorable, recycled metal pig with wings, my friend Amanda gave me, when she visited last week. Above are a few shots of the shed and the garden in progress.

Peacock Paradise

2010-04-19T08:53:00.009-06:00

Across the ditch from my home, is an Ashram. They keep peacocks. All Winter, the birds are confined, but during the Spring and Summer they wander about and seem to love my wild meadow. They visited yesterday for the first time this year, while I was weeding and digging in the garden. I ran inside and grabbed the camera. Managed to snap a few shots before they went home. One of them, comes right up to my front door and knocks at it with his beak. They are the friendliest peacocks I've ever met and so beautiful. Now and then they leave a feather or two. Yesterday, they left nothing behind, as if they simply popped by to see if I was still around. Good for the garden and good for my soul, I feel so blessed that they enjoy my company. If you click on the shot of my living room window, you'll see the hen peering in from the flower bed, where she was working hard to remove slugs, beetles and other pests!

Marrakesh Riad

2010-04-06T13:50:00.005-06:00

Fancy a romantic, magical Moroccan getaway? This lovely just-off-the Medina Riad is owned (and decorated by good friends of mine) Bill and Kay Eagleton. Check out the link for rates and info

http://www.lilawaleila.com/index.html

Clouds

2010-03-31T10:41:00.003-06:00

It's clouding up again outside - could be more snow on the way! That's just how it is up here at 7500 ft. Spring comes in slowly with fits and starts. Days can be balmy and warm with temperatures dropping drastically at night. If we do get more snow, it will melt quickly. Can't wait for early May to get outside and dig! Meanwhile, the amaryllis is blooming crazy in my East window and providing a welcome shot of colour against the darkening sky.

Amaryllis

2010-03-29T09:33:00.005-06:00

My granddaughter, Natalya and I planted this bulb a few weeks ago. It is starting to bloom as robins flitter about outside, along with other signs of life. Spring is here! I can feel it! Along with working on play revisions, I begin another writing project this week, so my Summer promises to be busy and productive. After this long Winter Season, I am so ready for it! Hope your days are sunny and bright, and those of you going into Autumn, stay warm and cosy in your lovely nests and enjoy the introspective, contemplative energy that comes on with cooler weather.

Dreaming About Gardens

2010-03-25T08:38:00.006-06:00

As the days grow longer and warmer and Spring snows briefly cover the thawing earth, my mind is on the garden. I have been planning a kitchen garden in the enclosed area behind the house,this long Winter, and can't wait to dig my beds and start planting! It will be more cottage style than potager - the space is too small for formality - a random wild mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables. I also plan to get a few chickens to help with the slugs and other pests and put in a little water feature. Above a few shots I've collected over the years of gardens that inspire!

Springtime In The Rockies

2010-03-22T10:50:00.002-06:00

On Friday we had a storm blow through, dumping over a foot of the white stuff on us. Today is glorious - in the 60's - sunny and bright. The snow has already melted, leaving lovely mud in its stead. This is known as mud season around these parts; One day snow, the next day sun and everything turns adobe brown. Even our pets! Happily, I am in very good spirits knowing that Winter is behind me and soon I'll be digging in the dirt, watching the garden come to life! Already bulbs are showing green tips and crocus and hyacinth are blooming around town. Today I have an assignment I must attend to, and am on my way out the door, but wanted to wish all of you a very Happy Spring Equinox from these magical mountains!

New Moon And Sun In Pisces

2010-03-15T09:58:00.003-06:00

This is a poet's dream - this moon/sun conjunction in Pisces lifts the veils to the inner worlds - come on, walk through them with me. Take a break today, if you can to connect with the Neptunian energy this aspect brings - a dreamy, lunar tide that will fill your cup with inspiration! I'll be tuning in. Above, Taos Mountain, held sacred by the Red Willow People who have lived at its base for more than a thousand years.

Between Winter And Spring

2010-03-10T09:42:00.006-07:00

This is my least favourite time of the year - this strange and uncertain season where snow still falls while the sun gets warmer and the days grow longer. Today the planet Mars went direct after months of retrograde, lifting a little of the 'stuck' energy I've been feeling these past few weeks. This morning, I opened up my doors and windows to let some fresh air circulate and fresh chi regenerate the stagnant energy that has collected over the long winter. Feng Shui - something I have practiced for years - is truly magical! All about intention, it can change your life!