Color

A friend of mine is getting ready to paint her new home office and is having a very difficult time deciding what color it should be. Her whole decision making process/indecision got me thinking about color - why we select it and how.

My personal process is so random. The selection of a color is usually is derived from a passing thought or a glimpse of a part of an image that strikes me just so.

The interior of our new house does not have a color scheme yet - That is, unless, light gray is a color scheme. I was so busy and so stressed when we were painting that I gave up and just painted everything the same color. Where I did select a color, I really regretted it. Once we get the outside of the house done this summer, the interior of our house needs a new paint scheme - Something that gives our house some kind of character. I am not trying to implu that I am going to paint everything a color, but what I am intending is that there will to be lots of color somewhere in each of the spaces.

In a little aside, I found this little narrative on colors and color therapy. It is entertaining and fun...enjoy!

Copied from Biopulse.org

RED stimulates brain wave activity, increases heart rate, respirations and blood pressure, excites sexual glands. It energizes the first chakra (coccyx). It warms us and awakens us physically and energizes our blood. It is a good color to wear when we have colds and poor circulation. Too much red can over stimulate and make some illnesses worse. High blood pressure is an indicator of too much red energy in the body. It is a color for war, prosperity, fire, and rising sun. Spiritually it is the root color of fire and connects us to our physical self. ORANGE is the color of joy and wisdom. It affects the second chakra (sacral). It gives an energy, stimulates appetite and it is a good color for illnesses of the colon and digestion. Spiritually it is the color of joy. It connects us to our emotional self. YELLOW is the solar plexus chakra. It energizes, relieves depression, improves memory, stimulates appetite and helps in digestive problems. Spiritually it is the color of wisdom and connects us to our mental self. GREEN affects the heart chakra. It has a calming effect and balances the nervous system. Green color is soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps those suffering from depression, anxiety, nervousness. It is a good color for cardiac conditions, high blood pressure and ulcers. Since green stimulates growth, it should be avoided in cancers and other tumors. Spiritually it is the color of love and connects us to perfect love. BLUE is the color for the throat chakra. It is a good color in respiratory illness or throat infections. Blue is calming and cooling to our system and hence, a good color to counteract hypertension. Spiritually it is the color of health and connects us to holistic thought. INDIGO is the color for healing of the brow chakra. It is a good color for sinusitis, immunity problems, and all face problems. Too much of this color can cause depression. Spiritually it is the color of intuition and connects us to our unconscious self. VIOLET is the color of the crown chakra. It is cleansing, strengthening, and awakening, suppresses appetite, provides a peaceful environment. It affects the skeletal system of the body. It is a good color for improving immunity, cancerous conditions, and arthritis. It also purifies the system and is an excellent color for headaches and migrains. Spiritually it is the color of faith and connects us to our spiritual self.

U-G-L-Y

When we combined households 6 years ago, this bed found its way into our bedroom! I am not in love! It is U-G-L-Y! I have hated this thing since the moment that I first laid eyes on it.

The bed (and kitty).

I have plans to make matching nightstands similar to this only the bottom will have two pull-out drawers then three shelves above it:

For the foreseeable future we won't have the cash to replace pieces that we already have. So, I am looking for suggestions as to what can be done with this terrible thing to make it not so terrible . I am thinking at least, paint and remove the metal piece at the headboard. Maybe add an upolstered panel at the headboard? Please excuse the un-humg photos in the box in the background - I am still having serious heartburn about putting holes in our new walls....

**The trunk is also on the list to be refurbished. We got it for free, so i guess that we shouldn't complain... any suggestions with that would be much appreciated too....

Lighting

Lighting in our house has been a huge issue. I have been very hesitant to select lighting that is too industrial or too Fru-Fru. I really want just simple fixtures that light the space and offer some kind of good even lighting.

I have now settled on the following fixtures. They will be replacing bare bulbs in white ceramic fixtures - AMEN!


New Kitchen Island Lights on order:


New Bathroom Lights on order:

Still to be determined:

1. Dining Room Lighting
2. Guest & Master Bathroom Lights
3. Foyer Light

Lots of Work Little Motivation...

I know that 'in this economy', for a person to have more work than they can handle, is rare.

Last week I had a not so nice experience with a client (we will call them 'The Greedy Gimmies'). I gave them A+ service, went the extra mile with design, gave them a discount from my normal rate, jumped them in line because of their construction schedule and availability of their contractor, etc. Long story short, there are just some people who, no matter how good you are or how hard you try, they will not be satisfied.

So, where am I going with all of this? Since the little issue with 'The Greedy Gimmies' I have not really been all that motivated to do work. I should not complain that I am swamped with work. I should take it like a trooper and be grateful that I am not scrounging - living hand to mouth. I have deadlines looming for many projects, I have new work coming in the door, so why is it that I can not make myself motivated to get it done?

I need a reset. A couple of hours away, something to clear my head and refocus. I think a nice drive over to the electrical surplus store, via the fabric store would help.

Seriously, I have allowed myself to be affected by the negativity of the experience with one client. I in disbelief of the fact that I have allowed this experience to affect my other projects and the fact that I allowed the situation with 'The Gimmies' to get to the point that it did. I know better for next time and won't let it happen again.

I know that I have rambled here, I think that I need to go to bed, clear my head and tomorrow I am going to embrace my good fortune. And the great projects that it has brought me.

On a very positive note... Tomorrow is the 'Grand Re-Opening Party' for my very first large project. I love the way it has come out and can't wait for my parents (and everyone else in the community) to shop there.

House Numbers

I have been largely disappointed with the available options for house numbers. So, each time, we have moved into a new house, I have made the house numbers.

This time will be no different... Black Painted wood numbers with metal standoffs.

The current options (I am leaning toward one of the bottom two):

5+ years and I never noticed.

This weekend the husband and I went out to dinner. We decided to go into 'the big city' for dinner. We went to a great Indian Restaurant. When we were walking back to our car, we noticed this sad old building behind the terrible storefronts on the main street on the university hill. I can't believe in the 5 years that I was in school, that I never noticed this sad old building.

What were they thinking??

Who are you?

What one thing do you do? Make? Say? Advocate? -- What is your 'thing'? The thing that makes you who you are? The thing that people come to you for help with?

I read an article a couple of weeks ago that made me start thinking about this. The author made a passing statement that her 'thing' was closet organization. I immediately thought 'I don't have a 'thing' that I do.' - Or do I?

My husband says:
Great at starting projects for me to finish.

My kids say:
1) Really good at figuring out when I haven't done my homework
2) Nagging me to keep my room clean.
3) Making my cereal...and being the best mom.

My friends say:
Her eye is her thing. She takes information - shapes forms, textures, colors, etc to creatively apply them to any situation

She goes 100 miles per hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

She designs - everything.

She is adaptable.

I say:
I love projects (any kind). I will do anything for my family. I look for opportunities to design. I am passionate about whatever it is that I am doing. I mentor. I am Energetic.


Bottom line:

I have come to the conclusion that it is just too limiting for me to have just one thing that defines who I am or what I do. I am many things to many people - and glad for it.



So, what is/are your thing(s)?