Monday, May 21, 2012

Dining Room Renovation: Finishing Touches

I have finally had a chance to change the chandelier in the dining room.  This Supernova light fixture was made by Lou Blass from Adlib Antiques in Hudson, NY. Longtime followers of the blog know my minor obsession with light fixtures in general, and this one, in particular.
 Thanks to my mom, I was reunited with this self-portrait done in 1985.  Always fun to rotate the artwork-- don't you agree, modernemama?

After a frenetic rug search, I took a leap of faith with this one from Crate and Barrel. The Chrysanthemum rug, which seemed to have a mid-century feel, reminded me of the circular shape and spindles of the light fixture.  Better yet, it was the only 6' x 9' offered.
And finally, Jackson shared his heart with us all-- the ultimate finishing touch.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Platonic Ideal


Ask any child to draw a house and you'll find the classic gabled roof.  Despite the variety of houses they've seen, engrained in our consciousness is the triangular roof and straightforward facade. Here are two examples-- George Washington's house at Valley Forge, PA, and the other a Presbyterian church in Old Scotland, AL.  Divided by geography, function, materials, and about 50 years, they nevertheless retain the same ideal form.  Don't be surprised if both wind up as the subject of my next two paintings.