Color My Fun

Stake claim
High atop
Come round
Trip me up
Slip a notch
Not by much


Batter up
Another batch
Whip up
Some more
By out
The store


Run wild
Swing about
Wind whispers
Scream aloud
Dream catcher
Life watcher


Game stopper
Dice tosser
Big drama
Simmer down

Verandah, Ojai

I want big color.
I need simple things.


I want an elegant hand bag.
I need a market basket.


I want a new roof.
I need a cozy corner.


I want a new view.
I need a new point of view.



I want to explore peeks and valleys.
I need to bloom where I am planted.


Tell me too, what is true for you? "Want" vs. "Need"

Verandah
Home Decor
305 E Matilija Street, Ojai, CA 93023
In the courtyard at the Arcade Plaza
805-640-7357 Helen MacGregor

"Share Supply"

Pick a pill, any pill.
Pick a card, any card.
Pick a color, any color.
Pick a book, any book.


Play a game, any game.
Play a hand, any hand.
Play a song, any song.
Play a trick, any trick.


Post a note, any note.
Post a bid, any bid.
Post a link, any link.
Post a secret, any secret.


Pitch a fit, any fit.
Pitch a ball, any ball.
Pitch a tent, any tent.
Pitch a script, any script.



So what you got?...and what you gonna do?

Planet Sark: for free sources

No Plot? No Problem!: for support

Daily Wisdom Pick: for a clue

Along The Surface of The Sun

Riding that rainbow wave along the surface of the Sun,
we find the need for some serious fun.
Blazing color sweeping stop the wavy horizon of searing heat,
a radiant, tropical palette paints the days complete.


Turn up the flame.
Burn our desires.
Sizzle up the atmosphere.
There is no shame.


Sweet potato fries we share with friends.
Fry 'em up. Dip 'em and dunk them in.
Hot sugared Malsadas burning at our finger tips.
Tongues bouncing, hot-hot-hot, pop more in.


Burning sticky hot, we cannot stop.
Pinch hold our earlobes to cool them off.
Tricky tricky, sees our waitress.
Mama shakes her head and laughs it off.


Splash hot coffee with drop of a sugar cube.
Cinnamon sprinkle and a honey spoon.
Hot spring bubbles burst the surface.
Jacuzzi tub jumping at high noon.


Tuna Poke, soy and ginger.
Salmon skin sticks with Aioli.
Fireside, tiki torch, candlelight.
Roy's serving chocolate lava tonight.


Lover, lover.
Cool it down.
Mango, cayenne.
Pele come around.



Hot Summer Fun at Roy's Restaurant.

The Curious Case of a Perfectly White Powder Room Turned Blue

After ten years of living safely with a white on white powder room, I felt the need to go deeper, and darker. Once again, playing with my favorite pick of Aura by Benjamin Moore, in the color called Luxe. Although I love a nice, clean white bathroom, the urge for deeper roots pulled me to follow a more library look. My collection of blue and white Chinese ceramics. Following will be another collection of my Mother-in-law's oil paintings, which are all her interpretation of the Museum Masters..Degas, Vermeer, and so on.
The gallery of "May Lee" will be the new title of this space.

Cast of Characters:

The Tub: An original from the "Montana Grand", Missoula, Montana. It had been claimed by a friend's husband, after the hotel's remodel, but remained perched in the snow of her drive way, just waiting for a better home. That would be mine; thank you.

The Sink: Often mistaken for a Bird bath!...stands proudly on guard at it's post; despite the fact that my husband insisted it stay out in the backyard, beyond eye view.

The Hand towel: Missoni..! comes and goes.

The Mirror: My Grandmother's Federal style framed mirror that graced her home for many years, long before my time. I took it to be mine.

The pair of Sconces: Wish I could remember which Japanese architect, designed these simple "soft-modern" interpretation of American traditional lamps, with their round pleat, paper shades and brushed nickle finish....

The Towel bar: ...Hiding along the other wall, hangs a double rung, vintage, hotel silver towel bar. It was found at the Downtown Los Angeles Architectural Salvage house.

The Rug: An Afgan-ish find, during a road trip to some where, and followed me home.

The Paint: A blue called "Luxe" from the Affinity colors collection, Aura paint made of low V.O.C. by Benjamin Moore. www.benjaminmoore.com

The Rest: ...all Kohler; chrome.

Note: Quite deliberately, none of the metal finishes match.
Quite naturally apposed to the concept of matching.

And yes, the tub has remained with out a face lift, choosing instead to reveal the history of all it's years of service, up until it was unearthed from the historic landmark. All of our "things" do have a story if given a chance.

What do your 'things' claim to be?

THINGS ARE GOOD

Things are good when I have at least one room that has been cleared out, and re-negotiated. One room at a time. One day at a time. Sweeping the insanity out the door.
My little room was sweet and pale, and being over burdened by piles, and barriers, and boredom. After hours and days of delays, and color theories and samples, I respond by a shot from the hip. Instincts kick in, pulse races, cross fingers, and fling the chip on the counter. Close that deal. Make it happen. It works not because it is the best color choice. It works because that color made it's way onto the walls. Live with it and learn to love it right where it is. Worldly advice: No one is allowed to judge a new color until it has been lived with and absorbed by the senses for at least a week; including You. Step back and allow it to unfold. Change is good, but it is not always so easily digested. Be kind and enjoy the ride. Change leads to more change, so choose from a hopeful space, and be willing to be guided to an inspiring place. This is not the spot where I produce my art, but it is the spot where I am most inspired by ideas, and so I chose to have it be the same spot to house my completed art. I feel completed.