Flying Your Flag High – Inside and Out

We Americans are an odd lot.  Thankfully, it’s an inalienable right to be so!  It’s in our constitution to be able to express ourselves, freely and often, even if we don’t agree.  In fact, some may observe we are a nation, proliferate with a differing of opinions.  We can offer up a pretty good lot of criticism, especially during some of these trying times.  I view it a bit like being a part of a large family.  We can dish it out, but when it comes down to someone else stepping on the “family’s” toes, we band together with an immense source of protective pride!  The Fourth of July – or our Independence Day celebration – is to me, like a big family reunion.  We can be out-of-touch, for a time, but the day brings us together to recognize our roots, and we’ll fly our flags high, celebrate with great food, and make a lot of noise in the process! 

Here are some ideas for spreading the red,white, and blue theme, inside and out:

Bunting draped on this turn-of-the-century home leaves no doubt about the event being celebrated.

Some random accents add pops of color.

 

Pots bursting forth with patriotic pride! 

What a most creative way for this homeowner to display their quilt collection!  A cleverly placed screened-door, painted in ink blue, frames the contents.

 

We Southerners do love our porches! Nan Graham shares a fun poke at us, in her book, Turn South at the Next Magnolia.  To paraphrase . . . “Whereas others may hide their eccentric family members, we Southerners proudly display them on the porch, for everyone to see.”  Wonder if it’s like going “whole hog”, when it comes to decorating with the red, white, and blue?

I hope you’ll be inspired to show your true colors and fly them high.  You’ve been given permission!

Beautiful Books

As the air has a distinct chill, indicating the weather folks may be right about an incoming winter storm, I am finding myself in full nesting mode . . . hot cocoa, wrapped in a fuzzy throw and thinking about catching up on some good reading by the fire.  (Or rather the hope of one if I can convince dear hubby it won’t be a waste of heat as it floats up the chimney.)  In the interim, some great old movies are being replayed and I am always a fan of the Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks pairings – including this one:

For those who haven’t seen this movie, Tom Hanks plays the role of Joe Fox, the villain and owner of a major bookstore chain, who becomes a direct competitor of Meg Ryan’s character, Kathleen Kelly, as she struggles to keep her mother’s bookstore, The Shop Around the Corner, afloat.  The irony struck me, in thinking about this film, released in 1998, the Joe Fox’s of the world are now sharing that same struggle.  The advent of audio books, Amazon.com, Kindle, and now the much talked about Apple ipad tablet, has the whole industry of bookselling rethinking their strategies.

Personally, while I do enjoy my technology, I so enjoy the tactile experience of holding onto a beautifully bound book, flipping the page in anticipation of what is yet to come for the characters, or to see how the plot thickens.  As a designer, I view books as a wonderful way to add texture, history and warmth to a room.  After all, what’s a bookcase if it’s only filled with tchotchkes ?

Chetham's Library, Manchester, England

Leather bound antique books or parchment wrapped volumes are almost sculptural.

 Doesn’t this make the world feel as if it’s in perfect order?  (A period bookcase in County Cork, Ireland.)

 

I could live in this fabulous combination of library and dining spaces created by Paschen Bibliotheken

Can you believe someone still does hand binding?  The embossed turtle design is a testament to taking ones time for beautiful craftsmanship.  From Hardbound Leather Books by Marcia Engletjes 

I could work here . . . . .

. . . . oh, and definitely here!

(Photo credits, above:  Paschen Bibliotheken)

It seems a bit odd, to think of hearing, “I’m going to curl up with my Kindle or tablet.”  It loses something in translation, for me.  There’s no turning the corner on a page, using a beautiful bookmark, or having a soft landing on my forehead, if I happen to fall asleep while reading.

Cheerful Reading to You! – Wanda

Oh . . .  and if bookcases befuddle you, give me a call!