...clearance $ale at Thomasville Furniture!

By now everyone is sand deep in their Summer season, some still recovering from their 4th of July festivities. Thomasville Furniture has brought many brand new and some slightly owned upholstered pieces to their showroom floors for quick sale and delivery. Even though your minds may be on your current or fast approaching vacations, please keep this in mind. Clearance does not mean unattractive. Sometimes a designer can rush and turn a lovely custom sofa with black leather into a lovely cream sofa with the click of a keypad or a transposed digit. Your Summer home, impending dorm room or your year 'round home may need a piece or two. Check out the Thomasville Furniture and Design Showroom nearest to you, or call any of them for a speedy rundown of what they have on their floor that should be sitting on yours! On this day in 1785, the dollar was unanimously chosen as the monetary unit for the United States. Now is the time to drop a few.

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later."
Og Mandino

...art for Heaven's sake

Starry, starry night everyone! On this day in 1998 Vincent van Gogh's Portrait of the Artist Without Beard sold at auction for $71.5 million. Most of his self portraits showed the artists head from the left. We all know what he did to his right ear. A wonderful, game playing customer phoned yesterday trying to be sneaky and clever. I had both ears tho' and cut through the games. The customer used some pretty mean names, but not to worry. I have heard them all before. And let me tell you, one would have to be very flexible to do what he suggested I do! Have a great day, see the beauty in everything, even the jerks. "Starry, Starry Tree Skirt" shown.

"Conscience is a man's compass." Vincent Van Gogh

...comfort zone

It is oddly grey and raining in Chester County this morning. I have a fun-filled day ahead and need to pack in as much as I can on my day off. First, a visit to the dentist. Then two design problem calls. One is a huge shade that refuses to cooperate and then it's a huge traverse rod that has the same type of bad attitude. I will fix both 'cause it's my job! Life cannot always be a Norman Rockwell painting. Photo shopping your life tho' can make people think that it is! My favorite Holiday album of all time is Carpenters "Christmas Portrait" and is considered to be one of the best Holiday albums of all time by critics and the popular vote also. Carpenters chose a Rockwell-esque cover for the millions and millions sold album, released in 1978. In 1978 Richard was heavily addicted to quaaludes while Karen was in the beginning throws of Anorexia Nervosa. Their lives were a living hell at the same time they released a magical collection that has stood the test of time. On this day in 1941, Norman Rockwell's Willie Gillis character debuted on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. EW emailed me yesterday and would like to add a Custom Tailored Dust Ruffle and Euro Shams to her bedroom design. I will cross my fingers that the fabric is readily available! Interestingly, when I hit 'spell check' on this blog entry, 'anorexia nervosa' was not in the dictionary. How I wish that it wasn't a necessary addition. Have a great day, be a good person and if things aren't going exactly as you would like them to be going, photo shop; if only for the moment.
"Fortune favors the prepared mind." Louis Pasteur

...sliced bread

Air conditioning is a must have in Chester County, PA. Another hot spell is hovering around us and even the birds are tipping their claws in the bird bath to see if it's too hot. Air conditioning is the sliced bread of the Summer, even tho' when I buy bread it is usually in a loaf and I break it. Whatever. That sort of puts a damper into my 'on this day in' but I shall continue anyway. On this day in 1928 sliced bread was sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company of Chillicothe, Missouri. It was described as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped". Doesn't have much of a ring now, does it? Needlepoint pillows continue to sell via my website, and currently gnomes, owls and butterflies are hot. Just like the temperature in Chester County, PA. As shown today, drop a sink into an antique dresser to cool off. Nevermind all of the cutting to allow plumbing, it's the look that matters most. Did someone just call me vacuous?

"There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles." Stephen Covey

...they shoot Warhol's, don't they?

Andy Warhol was an American painter, printmaker, and filmmaker who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. He became famous worldwide for his work as a painter, avant-garde filmmaker, record producer, author, and public figure who hung out in diverse social circles that included bohemian street people, distinguished intellectuals, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons. On this day in 1968, Valerie Solanas, author of the "SCUM Manifesto", attempted to assassinate him by shooting him three times. The SCUM Manifesto was a feminist mag written in 1968 by Valerie Solanas where she called for the gendercide of men. Gendercide is the mass killing of a certain sex. I couldn't make this up if I wanted to. I am almost finished painting a desk, chair and shelves in a somewhat Warholesque style, using red, blue, yellow and incorporating large dots. Pop Art for sure, but please refrain from shooting at me. Well, not three times.

"Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches."
Andy Warhol

...memorialize this

Oh, say can you see? This weekend is the official start to summer for some, for others they can begin to wear white but in truth, Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May, which commemorates men and women who died while in the military service. It is those soldiers who keep the US the land of the free and the home of the brave. Christmas was memorialized forever on this day in 1942 when Bing Crosby, the Ken Darby Singers and the John Scott Trotter Orchestra recorded Irving Berlin's "White Christmas", the best-selling Christmas single in history, for Decca Records in Los Angeles. Now you have two melodies to hum all weekend long. I will be painting, upholstering and thanking God that I can see, that I have freedoms, and that, even though white isn't one of my fashion staples, I can wear it comfortably without causing an uproar at a handful of parties that I need to attend. The 'Writing Desk' pictured is on sale, simply because a little scratch is on it. Make me a decent offer, pick the thing up and then sit down to write a song that will stand the test of time.

"Since it is not granted to us to live long, let us transmit to posterity some memorial that we have at least lived." E. Joseph Cossman

...work of art

Do your best. Whether your career involves studying cells, painting walls, teaching or many other vocations, it is always best to do your best. A macaroni casserole can be a work of art if you put your all into creating it. On this day in 1999, in Milan, Italy, after 22 years of restoration work, Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece The Last Supper was put back on display. If you look closely at Jesus, right facing, you can see a macaroni casserole and the hint of an 'Almond Joy' candy wrapper. What a surprise! Speaking of surprises, here is a Nolah update for those of you following her daily routine. She awoke from a nap and Mommy went to get her out of her crib. The little darling pointed across the room and said, "Momma, fuck!" Needless to say the blood drained from Mommy's face. Nolah repeated, "What, No No?" "Fuck!!!! Peeeeeeeese?" Finally, Mommy just put her on the floor and the little doll ran to her dresser and picked up her fuck - it is green and goes "ribbit!"
In addition to practicing her counting, they are now working on the diphthong "fr" Today I will begin painting, reupholstering and creating polka dotted swags and chair covers for a soon-to-be bedroom work of art. Take that da Vinci!

Update: "Whatchu talking 'bout?" I am talking about Gary Coleman, the child star of the TV sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, who died today after suffering an inter cranial hemorrhage. He was 42. Utah Valley Regional Medical Center spokeswoman Janet Frank said that life support was terminated and Coleman died at 12:05 p.m.
Coleman was hospitalized Wednesday after falling and suffering a head injury at his home south of Salt Lake City, according to family members. Rest in peace, Mr. Coleman. You brought laughter and entertainment from inside and outside the television set and left a lasting impression on popular culture. Not many can make that claim.

"Silence is one of the hardest arguments to refute." Josh Billings

...bless the beasts and children

It is raining lightly over Chester County, PA. I made sure to fill the bird feeders as they rely on the food source. My housemates rely also on my feeding them but are a little more finicky. My design mentor was telling me a story of how she attempted to consult with a new client while their young daughter did everything in her arsenal to prevent communication. Frustrating, yes. Get a babysitter madam! But make sure the sitter is reliable. We need to protect those who cannot do it for themselves. On this day in 1932 ten weeks after his abduction, Charles Jr., the infant son of Charles Lindbergh was found dead in Hopewell, New Jersey. His body was found just a few miles from the Lindberghs' home. I can't imagine this loss. M and SP need design help in their Owner's Suite and Living Room. They have three children and a 4 legged son. Be open to new ideas, keep your eyes open also and protect the beasts and children...even if your child is a beast. "Bichon Needlepoint Pillow" shown today. Hi Prince, Charlie, Beau, Baby Boy1 and 2, Max and Camille! The Musicians Hall Of Fame lost their 'babies' also. Prayers go out to those in Tennessee. Click here to view a baby moose playing in a sprinkler.

"Common sense is not so common." Voltaire

...who wants to be ordinary?

Hi. We live in a society where many like to keep things in boxes, categorizing to make life simple. In polite society rules are made to govern those who need a barometer for behavior. But why be ordinary? I find that life is more interesting the more interesting and out of the ordinary people and places are. On this day in 1958, entertainer Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army.
I am not saying for a moment that soldiers are ordinary. What I am saying is that when a superstar takes on a position, or joins a group much larger than 'superstars' it makes that person even less ordinary. We all have a place in this Universe and we need to keep remembering that we are unique and special, no matter how we spend our days. If you like stripes, work with stripes. If you prefer solids, go with that. But sometimes it makes things less ordinary when we mix it up a bit.

"Nothing will work unless you do." Maya Angelou

...going up?

Hello. We crossed the Commodore Barry Bridge yesterday and I love to be that high. For me, there is nothing better than viewing a large body of water, knowing that a beach is probably nearby. On this day in 1857 Elisha Otis's first elevator was installed at 488 Broadway New York City. On the same day a few years later, 1903 to be exact,the Wright Brothers applied for a patent on their invention of one of the first successful airplanes. Going up anyone? DL chose an Upholstered Chair and Ottoman in a Sable Black and Taupe heavily woven fabric and an area rug in Tropical Green. How beachy! Have a good day, aim high and don't worry about the fork in the road. It could have been a spoon and besides, who's to say that both choices aren't going to be golden? "Catalina Mirror" shown.

"The leader must aim high, see big, judge widely, thus setting himself apart form the ordinary people who debate in narrow confines."
Charles de Gaulle

...can't we all just...

Hi. We trekked to Northeast Philadelphia yesterday and it was an adventure. There was much police activity, but luckily it was sunny and warm out. Later in the day I met with two past clients who need to do work in their Beach Houses. That will be fun. It's my favorite 'style' and I hope one day to live near water, being an Aquarian cusp. When I say 'water' I mean an ocean or a substantial body, not a bath tub. I will take the tub for now tho'. I am not judging. On this day in 1765, after a campaign by the writer Voltaire, judges in Paris posthumously exonerated Jean Calas of murdering his son. Calas had been tortured and executed in 1762 on the charge, though his son may have actually committed suicide. Oops. And then on this day in 1993, Rodney King testified against the four LAPD officers accused of violating his civil rights when they beat him during his 1991 arrest. Can't we all just get along? Apparently not always. Have a great day, defend your Civil Rights and if you choose to kill someone, make it look like a suicide! Shown today is the 'Basketweave Mirror.'
"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." Winston Churchill

Tulip Mania!

No! Not my new tulip needlepoint pillows and rugs! But you are welcome to consider me maniacal anyway. I am really referring to this day in 1637. Tulip mania collapsed in the United Provinces (now the Netherlands) by government order. Tulip mania was a period in the Dutch Golden Age during which contract prices for bulbs of the recently introduced tulip reached extraordinarily high levels and then suddenly collapsed. At the peak of tulip mania in February 1637, tulip contracts sold for more than 10 times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. It is generally considered the first recorded speculative bubble (or economic bubble). Snow is covering most of Chester County right now...the only tulips in sight are in today's blog photo. The furniture truck is delayed, the men in CT never received their velvet sample, even though I placed three stamps on the envelope on a nice, thank you card/envelope and some whiner in TX assumed that hand painted ceramic tassels would reach her by osmosis. Have fun everyone! I sure am. Take time to stop and smell the tulips, even if is from a can of air freshener. (But no huffing.)

"A cynic is a man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin." H. L. Mencken

...let it snow!

Hello. It is snowing in Chester County, PA and it looks beautiful. Last evening as we were making a Train Cake, the doorbell rang. It was our friend from the park stopping by to wish everyone a Happy Holiday! We all ate cake and drank mint tea. I sent her off with two stockings. I had never been to her home but she claimed that the fabric looked familiar. Hmmmm. She emailed me this morning to tell me that she has two pillows and a quilt made from the same fabric that her Mom had made her. Coincidence? I think not! Happy Divine Connections, again and again. Happy Birthday Sandy O'Hara!

Oh the first snowfall of the winter
Was a day that we all waited for
When it drifted to and fro'
Why you should've seen the snow
It was near seven feet or more
By the old barn door

Oh the first snowfall of the winter
What a joy for a boy to behold
In each house you'll find a sleigh
That was waiting for this day
And of course, down the road a hill
For each Jack and Jill

Every winter breeze that scurries
Sets the snowflakes up in flurries
It's the good old sentimental season when
Folks put runners on their surreys
And forget about their worries
When a man becomes a boy once again

Oh the first snowfall of the winter
Jingle bells bring us spells ever dear
Under wintry skies of gray
It was snowing all the day
And it showed no signs of stopping
Every kid with eyes of popping
Will soon be belly-whopping on his ear

On the first snowfall of the winter
Oh the first snowfall of the year
The first snow of the year
Is just about the best snow
Well I'll say any snow
Is a pretty good show...

"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody." Bill Cosby

...Rainy Days and Wednesdays

Hello from a drenched Chester County. We had to walk this morning but all towel dried to keep the beasty flu away. If that indeed helps. Last evening while writing 'Thank You' cards, and blessedly for me I had quite a few to write, an ad for Carpenters 40/40 came on. It brought me back *cough* a few decades and the feeling was magical. They could have used more attractive video clips of Karen who I had met on several occasions and was much more beautiful in person, but it's really all about the music. 40 years later the brother and sister are selling big numbers. What a legacy for Karen and a pot of proverbial gold for Richard. The Roman Shade installation has been postponed again and that may be a good thing. My drapery steamer stopped working this past week and I ordered a new one. Built in obsolescence maybe? Binge drinkers may be interested in knowing that, on this day in 1885 the first porcelain toilet was built. Joan Rivers bought one in Harvest Gold. My Living Room is now stripped of the Brunschwig & Fils concrete block wallpaper that I have loved for over a decade but it is far too daring to leave up to a prospective home buyer so I opted for vapor blue walls. I finished painting late Monday and the boys all have touches of said color on their coats. Speaking of blue, does continual rainfall make you feel that way? Do 'Rainy Days and Mondays' always get you down? I hope not. The line that she sings, 'sometimes I'd like to quit, nothing ever seems to fit' is eerily ironic but she is one amazing vocalist. If you are in the mood, click on this link and listen to Karen Carpenter, in her early 20's, singing this tune. It is as soulful and timeless as it gets. Have a great day, celebrate the porcelain toilet and take time to listen to the music.

"The image we have would be impossible for Mickey Mouse to maintain. We're just... normal people." Karen Carpenter

...business or pleasure

I had the most amazing dream last night and it involved a past client. It was short, brief and very real. In the dream Judy McHugh gave me the tightest, warmest hug and I awoke feeling refreshed. Odd, eh? Today I am going to see 'Little Shop Of Horrors.' A long term clients' daughter has the lead role and I have done design work for her since she was a tiny baby. She is now in College. I often cross the line in the area of business/personal life but it has worked for some 20 plus years. It may not be in the 'Business Owner's Handbook,' but whatever. Instead of bringing a bouquet of roses for the leading lady, I tracked down a 'Venus Fly Trap' and that should be more than acceptable. I will bring a small bag of ground beef to keep the thing quiet during the performance. Have a great day whether it be business, pleasure or both.

"You must do the things you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

...florence nightingale

We got to the park before sunrise today and let me tell you,. it is no mean feat to attach three leashes in the dark. However, we did it. beau has bounced back wonderfully and I didn't even have to administer any of the pain medication given to him. Why medicate if you don't have to? Yesterday I installed new speakers and the truck sounds amazing. As it turns out, one of the many boxes that I moved contained...you got it...the exact speakers and tweeters(?) that my truck took. Coincidence? I modified them a little, put the door panels back on and am very satisfied with the new sound. I moved some of the boxes to P's home who has both MS and cancer. There is a rather new procedure where they use a laser knife instead of a cold knife. Her incision, if you will is measured now in a few small inches rather than a huge vertical and horizontal cut. Modern medicine. I sure hope they get it all. I sure hope she quits smoking on 11/7 as she has promised, but I am not judging. I don't want to consider the stress that she is under, or how I would deal with it. My dear neighbor died on Saturday after going to great lengths to save herself from cancer. She found a Doctor in another state, made the trek, was improving daily and then her organs began to fail. She was fifty. Rest In Peace Debbie! I will miss you.I delivered the chair and a half and matching ottoman yesterday. I had suggested a regular sized chair and ottoman but the client insisted on the chair and a half. When I delivered it the client stated that it was too big and that she should have ordered a regular sized chair and ottoman. *shakes head in utter confusion* We ended up rearranging some pieces, placing the chair and ottoman in a corner and now she loves it. I do my best to make suggestions that I feel appropriate after what, 25 years in the industry but the client has the last word. Last evening I went to EA's for dinner and caught up, finalizing our Halloween costumes for a party that we may or may not attend. Back to health. On this day in 1854 Florence Nightingale, ( not the Mom from the Brady Bunch) and a staff of 38 nurses were sent to the Crimean War. I have shop hours today and hope that my Internet orders arrive so that I can ship them right out. I also hope that everyone has a great day, eats healthy and drinks Emergenc-E in those Pink Lemonade packets if one feels a cold coming on.

"I have lived and slept in the same bed with English countesses and Prussian farm women... no woman has excited passions among women more than I have." Florence Nightingale

...lucy in the sky with diamonds...

Greetings on this cool, clear Autumn day...at least it is cool and clear here in Chester County. Visits to K&S Auto and Malvern Dental Associates were great as usual. Is it odd to rave about a visit to the auto mechanic and then the Dentist? It isn't for me as both outfits are superlative regarding service, professionalism and attention to detail. During the weekend my website sold this Dodge City Station Clock to a gentleman in Texas. I also sold some hook pillows again so some people out there must be having a hard time letting go of the warm weather. Unless it is warm where they are... I delivered the faux finished table on Saturday and they ordered an area rug to go underneath it. And a chair for the family room to coordinate. It looks terrific and was well worth my time and theirs. I have begun the renovation in my kitchen, albeit a small one. I have those dated soffits above my cabinets and they have to go. I have about three quarters of them ripped out, much to the chagrin of the garbage collectors. Thankfully I also have a dumpster at work. Currently the kitchen looks like a bad trip with the open spaces, revealed studs, (not that kind) and electrical wires suspended in time. "White Rabbit" anyone? I don't plan on putting this place up for sale until Spring, but when I have free time I need to make the best of it. Speaking of bad trips, on this day in 1966, LSD was declared illegal in the United States. Have a great day and keep the stress low. If you get to feeling too much tension, picture yourself in a boat on a river... "Flower Power" handpainted chest.

"There are three side effects of acid: enhanced long-term memory, decreased short-term memory, and I forget the third." Timothy Leary

...Kimberton Knoll Townhome for sale...

My neighbor is selling her beautifully decorated town home. Redesigned kitchen with granite and all of the details. Hardwood floors in many areas with neutral wall to wall carpeting in the remainder of the home. A wine tasting room on the lowest level with wine cellar, three bedrooms, two and a half appointed bathrooms. Corner gas burning fireplace in the Living/Dining area and Crown Moulding. The finished loft can be used as a bedroom or a home office. The heating system has been upgraded and the deck is revamped. Professional landscaping front and back and convenient parking at the front door. For more information please call Eileen Amoroso at 610- 917-3294. Many of the furnishing are up for sale also. $270,000.00

...labor pains...

Hello and Happy Labor Day! Labor Day is a United States federal Holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in Camden, New Jersey as the first woman, ( and this can be argued) went into labor at 3:13 pm. There were no drugs back then and you should have heard the language! OH, wait. That isn't quite right. The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. On this day in 1979 the Chrysler Corporation asked the United States government for $1 billion to avoid bankruptcy. I still have Brothel Red paint stain on my hands and legs from Saturday's project which nicely matches my red fleece jacket which was necessary last evening after swimming. We kept at it tho' as I periodically cleaned falling leaves from the top of the pool. One partier lost his right contact lens when he was hit by a water pistol, or should I say water magnum. That thing can shoot and I had, well, someone at the party had NO IDEA the power that gun held. It is now Labor Day morning and the skies are overcast. Have a great and somewhat labor free day if that is possible. Call of the wild. "Zebra Tray Top Table".

"Success is simple. Do what's right, the right way, at the right time." Arnold H. Glascow

...deliver...

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds" Greetings. Last night the postman may have thought twice about ringing let alone delivering the letter, the sooner the better as it rained like h*ll and torrentially here in Chester County, PA. The dogs remained sane but the cat was quite vocal about it off and on all night. I finally got up and hand sewed hems on a denim -like drapery panel fabric since sleep was out of the question. Everyone is quiet this morning and bedtime will come earlier than later tonight. One thing that arrived early, and to the top of the Billboard Charts happened on this day in 1961. Motown released what would be its first #1 hit, as the Marvelettes brought "Please Mister Postman" to the top. That song had thus been 'covered' quite a few times by the Beatles and Carpenters to great results. Which is your favorite version? A simple, magical song with simple chord progressions and a propulsive beat. What more could you want except perhaps for a piece of Bazooka Bubble Gum! I ordered four cane back swivel bar stools yesterday for a client and they are the same ones that have been in my kitchen for about ten years. Quality people. Heaven knows that my bar stools get a workout. Today ELM has an interview. Let's wish her luck. Have fun today and read the label carefully, postman or not. No sense getting soaked by a moron. Huh? What? KM understands this. Ask her. The sooner the better. For your vanity.

"Even if one tree falls down it wouldn't affect the entire forest." Chen Shui-bian