The Work Table

I was in my studio most of the afternoon yesterday, and it's gradually looking more like a workshop than an art space. . . but that's ok.  Something told me that it was right.   It was at the same time peaceful and energetic, if that makes any sense.   Ideas were running rampant, a few projects were attended to in stages, but, the huge wood table was in the center of it all.  Built by my Dad for our family dinners, the table had served not only food but also as a meeting place for all 5 of us kids at the end of the day.  Games were played on it.  Homework and projects were done.  Birthday and holiday celebrations began and ended there.  As I worked today,  not only the table, but the old wood clamps, his clamps . . .and the saw, his saw. . . and the levels, his levels,  were surrounding me, and it felt good.  Comforting.  It's nice to know that as I work here now, his time spent with me in his little shop so long ago still brings me close to him.

This beautiful vintage chair belonged to someone's grandmother, and is getting ready for an update with a new fabric seat and some sanding on the arms and legs.  Yes, it's got a little wear on the arms, but that's what makes it so full of character and interest.  We'll let you see it when it's finished. 

Speaking of tables, this one is a consigned piece from a wonderful Victorian home in Englewood. Won a design award from the Chicago Art Institute in the 70's, and is a really good example of mixing the elements of tradition with contemporary styling.  Deep black glass top, shiny chrome edging and black cambriole legs.  It was packed and stored for a few years, so it has retained it's just about perfect condition.  Special thanks to Bobby & Michael for re- assembling  this one for us.  Come in and check it out when you have a few minutes. 

Enjoy your day!

Blooms

Spring is trying so hard to make an appearance here in the northeast.  As I walk in the mornings I see the buds of crocus and daffodil peeking their heads through the groundline, and every once in awhile by mid day the temp rises to about 50 or so.  If it feels like spring, it must be coming right?  One more hour of light at the end of the day is so welcome now, after a long long winter season.  I'm so anxious to get out in the garden again and make new friends with the fresh "buds" soon to emerge.  But in the meantime, there is always the beautiful selection of flowers from your local market or florist, just to get you in the mood.  A simple bunch of tulips in a glass jar can go a long way to bring back the feeling of warmer weather and living outside once again. So treat yourself and go get some!

This beautiful bouquet was sent to us at the shop by Clare, courtesy of The Empty Vase in Closter.  Aren't they gorgeous?

A few pots and gardeny things in the shop right now. . . 

Small Bird Dish (or maybe chocolate egg dish)?

SWP $10

Pottery Barn Vase 18"

Fill it with Forsythia

SWP $30

Yellow Ceramic Pot (Big)

Would look amazing filled with Forget-Me-Nots.

SWP $25

Have a great Sunday . . .

Putting Things Together

Sometimes, when you are starting a project, or thinking about a solution, the end result just does not appear clear. You weigh your options and try different approaches.  You put pieces together and layer one thought over the other.  You overthink and go into overload.  My good friend (and amazing artist) Max once told me that confusion is the step before clarity.  How true those words are.  There is nothing better than a vision revealing itself after days, weeks,  sometimes months of planning and re-working.  Like the pieces of a puzzle, the strokes of a painting, or a list of recipie ingredients, all the little parts start to fit together, and begin to make sense.  Euphoria sets in and wow it worked!   That's when you step back and thank God for His many blessings.  That's what Mary & I will do today.

Thanks to all of you who stopped by today.  A special thank you to Tricia for the Corvo.  So nice.   We enjoyed meeting you and celebrating!!!  Tomorrow is our first full day of business . . .whew.  Love you all!

Have a wonderful evening,

  

Reflections

Mirrors have such a wonderful way of adding light, space and interest to an interior . . . or even an exterior.  Almost nothing else can create the excitement in either a small or a large space as a beautiful reflection of flora, candlelight, art or pattern.  Interesting visuals are cropped,  and make a statement of their own.  Here are some great space expanding examples . . . 

Marie Burgos Design

Jonathan Berger for House Beautiful

Apartment Therapy

We just got these small (convex) mirrors in at a very nice price . . .

On the porch or in the powder room perhaps? 

SWP $25 each 

Have a reflective day!

Coloring

One of my top 10 favorite abstract impressionists has got to be Wasilly Kandinski.   His early use of playful shapes and bold strong color,  combined with the influence of music, made for dynamic and exciting compositions.  The application of his color palette and his design elements are all over the place right now.  How amazing would this be as a rug on a white floor . . . a pillow, or  summer table linens?

Remember those found-by-the-road pink pillars that we painted white?  Here they are,  set in place to frame a doorway.   We love the way they add some interest and height to the back room. One day on the way to the landfill, the next, in a new setting with a new life.  Wish we had a Kandinski rug to pair with these great pillars!


Have an exciting & colorful day!

      

(not so) old friend

What can you say about a dear friend? . . .  an amazing person who is really more like a kindred spirit.  I feel so lucky to have a few really really good friends.  People who I care deeply about, and who I know care about me.  One of these special friends however, is now, not only my friend but my new business partner, and I feel like a kid, who having planned an adventure in the playhouse dreaming with her best girlfriend, is now able to realize that dream.  Who but Mary would lift and move humongous pieces of furniture, spend hours sanding, painting and sometimes re-painting floors and walls with me, and be willing to do almost anything required to have the space we want ready for our shop opening.  Not to mention someone who is considerate, kind, creative, honest, patient, and always receptive to new ideas with a positive spirit.  Someone who is not afraid to take some chances and make some mistakes with me.  I could not have asked for a better person to partner with in undertaking the challenge of a small business.  Soooo. . . . Mary, thanks for agreeing to be my partner in this brand-new adventure.  No matter what happens with SWITCH, the friendship we share and the memories we make will remain the most important thing above all else.  

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you've forgotten the words."

Have a lovely day!
Alicia 

Just got in some new/old vintage sparklies!

SWP $25

SAVE THE DATE: FRIDAY MARCH 11 between 3-8

OPENING PARTY AT SWITCH

IF YOU'RE READING THIS YOU'RE INVITED!

two new friends

Yesterday was an absolutely perfect day . . . until about 5:00pm.  We painted up 2 beautiful 7' white columns that I found on the road last week.  Since we are using them for props in the shop, they needed to be leveled on the bottom, (thanks here to my amazing brother-in-law Scott), and then set on pedestals for standing support.  Cannot wait to set them up and pray that they will be secure enough not to topple over.  Don't have a before image, but here's how they look now.

After that, we headed over to the home of a really nice (and super creative) lady who had some great pieces to sell.  Francesca previously owned a shop in Glen Rock and her house was filled with all kinds of truly beautiful treasures,  re-done pieces and works in progress.  We wound up falling in love with with the most comfortable chaise ever . . . and of course buying it for the shop! 

We also picked up a terrific display case which is perfect for showing our colored glass . . .  and Francesca was kind enough to throw in a cute little iron footstool as a freebie.  So nice.  Thanks to the moving services of Packy & Bradley, we had the items on the truck, delivered to the shop and set up within an hour.  Thanks guys!  Could not have done it without you!


Back to 5:00.  Things go pretty smoothly for awhile, but then the inevitable happens sometimes and things go haywire. Losing a wallet with credit cards and license as I did yesterday was a nightmare waiting to unfold.  The thought of calling the bank, calling the credit card companies, calling the (dreaded) insurance companies, but worst of all having to go to the DMV and waste precious time one week before we open was almost too much.  Scary couple of hours.  The good news is that the bank, yes the bank, had my wallet, which I discovered this morning.  All the while I was imagining someone running up enough charges to put us out of business before we open, my wallet was safe in the bank vault waiting for me to come pick it up!  I now love my bank. 

One more pic of two great bar stools we picked up, waiting to be transformed. . . 

Have an amazical day! 
Alicia