Ever collecting
As you know I am a collector... in every aspect of my life. Layers just interest me... as do the way that we gather them, how we come to them. Serendipity seems to play a role in all of our lives, of course... The older I get, the more I believe that many things just fall into place. As a collector, I have come to realize I will only become more of this person. I like this... I like looking, searching, finding, gathering... It's all so nesty and comforting to me. It's not that anything I collect is remarkably valuable... I am not buying high priced art or antiques that are fetching gobs of dough. For me, it's more of a way of life. I could certainly do without any of it... and for sure, when from time to time something breaks, it is okay with me. Our children are our "home" - not the stuff we have collected - which makes it more fun to keep my eyes open, and certainly more interesting for the boys as well! I have no interest in keeping them out of certain rooms. I love when they are intrigued with how something is made, or how it mixes in with other things... they will often comment on my outfit, or jewelry... their likes and dislikes... ask me how it was created or where something was made. They have strong thoughts on how we decorate, and on the changes we make in our home. I do listen... it honestly does influence me. It sort of seeps in and grabs me. Since I am a collector I have to be pretty aware of finding things that are entirely cool (as this excites me) but the reality is not everything can be too pricey! I pick some things out and am able to justify their price... but then I know I need to mix in something that is in fact quite inexpensive. I find it to be a bit of a game! I actually really get a thrill out of it... It allows my justifications to be that much more plausible!
I commented on this recently in a blog... the high and low of it all. I do it with my clothes, my home... you name it. If you put it together with confidence, it can work quite well. We have a gorgeous den that is a luscious red... and I was on the hunt for a chinoiserie secretary... something to use as a bar or for a computer... Well, I found "The Piece"... fell in love... it wasn't too pricey... but enough. The chair I wanted to go with it was NOT going to happen. Our own furniture collection was not available yet, so I was on the lookout for a chair that I would truly love with it.
One day while buying diapers and such at a Wal-Mart... I happened to go down their furniture aisle on my way to the kids' section... and to my right sat a box with a photo on it of the perfect chair! Black, modern... a nice contrast to my antique secretary... Indeed the item I was looking for (AND cheap!!). I cannot remember... it's been a few years, but I think it was about $22 dollars! My sister came over a few days later and we just laughed at how fabulously they worked, and how little I had spent on my great high-low finds!!
I commented on this recently in a blog... the high and low of it all. I do it with my clothes, my home... you name it. If you put it together with confidence, it can work quite well. We have a gorgeous den that is a luscious red... and I was on the hunt for a chinoiserie secretary... something to use as a bar or for a computer... Well, I found "The Piece"... fell in love... it wasn't too pricey... but enough. The chair I wanted to go with it was NOT going to happen. Our own furniture collection was not available yet, so I was on the lookout for a chair that I would truly love with it.
One day while buying diapers and such at a Wal-Mart... I happened to go down their furniture aisle on my way to the kids' section... and to my right sat a box with a photo on it of the perfect chair! Black, modern... a nice contrast to my antique secretary... Indeed the item I was looking for (AND cheap!!). I cannot remember... it's been a few years, but I think it was about $22 dollars! My sister came over a few days later and we just laughed at how fabulously they worked, and how little I had spent on my great high-low finds!!
posted by Tracy Porter Blog
43 Comments:
It's so true...taking a quote from one of my favorite designers...it's the mix, not the match. ;)
Tracy, That's the combo I asked to see when you blogged about it. Thanks so much. You were right-it's wonderful together. I love mixing!
This is such a beautiful combo together. I too love the high's and low's.....Thank you for confirming it!!!
Perfection. I do this often; and I believe when you have a "fine" thang; and mix it with a "low" thang; it balances all. It's soooo much more interesting. And, as I've said before in the blog: layers are wonderful. P.S. I'm on the hunt this weekend. Headed to Round Top, TX with 15 other chicks. We're staying in a wonderful B&B and will be out scouting for antiques, vintage finds and FUN!
P.S. Tracy-that word "serendipity" is lovely. And speaking of...a serendipitous moment. Get this! CC & I are meeting for lunch next week. Fast friends thru the TP blog. Ta-ta...
I am so jealous that these two can meet. I wanna be in Texas! By the way, my daughter is in Austin this weekend.
Oh, Cool....how does she like Austin, Artist? Austin is a beautiful city. Very artsty...I bet she will love it.
Yes, can't wait to lunch with Virginia. Isn't that cool!?!
CC
Tracy,love the luscious red walls in the den...please share name and maker of the paint used.
I have Artisian Road dishes and I think that red would be beautiful against them!
thanks,
t
Tracy, Sarah, and Katie, I love that you are listening to us!!! Thank you so much. This has almost been too good to be true. You guys are such fun.
DITTO, DITTO, DITTO Artist's comments. Love ya ladies!
Ditto here. AND since you listen to us; I have an idea. We all love to hear what Tracy loves to read. Her faves are posted on archives, etc. How about something on the blog page we click right on? "Tracy's Book List" or some such thing. You could add to it. Nothing like making MORE work for you :) Just an idea...
A Tracy book list is a fabulous idea!!!!! Thanks for thinking of it Virginia.
I think a book section is a great idea! We actually all bring books into our studio ( and movies) to "check out" ...our own mini library of sorts. there are many on our team that love to read so I really love us devoting a section of the blog to this!! Yes, yes!
I have just started "The Russian Concubine" by Kate Furnival...I really like it so far. Worth checking it out.
* Virginia and CC...how fun that you are meeting for lunch!! We'll just all have to wait for the update and live vicariously!! Cheers!
xo
* tina, the red walls in our den are a custom color. I will tell you this if you are looking for a similar red go toward very BLUE reds and go to the darkest ones, once they are on your wall they really lighten up. this is also 2 coats, sometimes red even needs three. We are doing some of the doors in my house a rich red lacquer as we speak, and after 3 coats is still not enough for me. Artesian has alot of orange in the red it almost reads as a watermelon red sometimes.
Tracy - a book list in the making: how cool! And speaking of books. Back in your early blogs you and others mentioned Dominique Browning's writings. I picked up her book in January, "Around The House and in the Garden." For all of us that enjoy nesting, this book is wonderful. She writes so well and has fresh ideas. The subtitle: "A Memoir of Heartbreak, Healing, and Home Improvement." Wish she and House & Garden were still going at it...
P.S. a line from that book to whet your appetite: "Maybe my subject is yearning; maybe that's the case for most of us. We yearn to live in houses full of love, happiness, passion, and peace, too. We yearn for domestic bliss. Even when we have found it, we are restless about wanting things to be better. As soon as we get what we want, we want more. That's the nature of being alive, of persevering, of striving. And that is the nature of redecorating." DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT? Ta-ta...
Virginia, I have that book and love it!!! Where is Dominique Browning now? Another magazine needs to snap her up!
Virginia- I think that should be the fan club motto, honestly, isn't that how most of us feel and isn't that why we gather here on Tracy's site. LOVE IT!
Tina, I wanted to let you know that as a faux finisher, we use paint A LOT! One of the best reds we always come back to is Raspberry Truffle by Benjamin Moore. It is the BEST red out there in my opinion. And as Tracy said, red takes several coats. And priming is a MUST! Let me know what you think.
Tracy, you may already know this, but if you want your paint color to last longer with less fading, try sealing the paint with a boat spar varnish. We recommend this to all of our clients, it prevents sun damage. You also should re-seal every 6 to 12 months.
:)
Tracy, how brave you are painting rich red doors! I have to see this when finished. I know black doors are very european. I guess the red ones are sort of oriental. Do tell us what you are up to.
Whoa baby.....thanks for the teaser, Virginia. I'm writing down the title as we speack so that I can check it out. Thanks, ladies.
This is so fun....Virginia and I will blog about our lunch tomorrow. I can't wait!
Ta Ta!
Melissa, I too have done faux painting for clients. I always mixed the sealer into the paint glaze combo. It omits that final coat.
Artist-I cannot believe you have that book! This is too strange - all the things we have in common: our sons, love of TP and this blog, make up, decorating, TP, chick stuff, etc. And CC - you, too.
Stephanie - lovely idea about that statement our motto! Yes - and someone else (????) asked whether creative folks are wired differently. I SO believe that! I enter a room and can change the little stuff almost daily. It's so refreshing!
Can't wait to see those red doors, Tracy!!!!
Melissa - thank YOU for the paint tips. Cool.
Gotta go meet CC. (My son said: "Hope she's not an ax murderer. That KILEED me-guffawed forever!!) Ta-ta...
Melissa, thank you so much for your tips. Would love to see some of your work!!!
tracy..thank you for the advice on red walls
melissa lewis..thanks to you also. I will grab a swatch of raspberry truffle tomorrow while I am out....when priming for red, do I match the primer to the paint color?
hope you are feeling better tracy.
oh and just a few more "things"...
I now wake up with all of you each morning...I get up, pour myself some coffee (tea on occasion tracy-if I have a good spiced chai in the house) and upstairs I go to this wonderful website! You are all so terrific and inspiring!
I wanted to thank you for the eye makeup tips...these forty something eyes are now so polished and pretty and it was so easy and fun to do! There is another great artist at Target...Sonia Kashuk-she has a wonderful inexpensive line of makeup and I used that..sayde pink worked very well- soft and pretty!
ladies thanks again...where else can I go for advice on painting my dining room and my eyes! this is precious...
tina
Oh thanks, CC & Virginia. I love anything that has to do with paint. Well, you couldn't pay me to straight paint your walls (I get too bored), but ask me to put a finish on and I am there. You can check out my site at www.offthewallhome. I would love to know what you think!
Artist, I love meeting other faux-er's. Actually, the sealer in the glaze is a trick we use as well. But often, people want a simple painted or stained door, yet that always get so beaten up by the sun. Do you have any pics of your work?
Melissa, I don't have a website. As I have said on this blog before....not wanting to bore others- I am a freelance artist now. I stay busy locally due to the fact that I have lived here 25 years and was part of a gallery much of that time. Could I email you pics of my artwork? Maybe to your website? After all this interest, I may get my son to help me set something up. I'm not tech savy either. A true artist! My faux work has been featured in local idea houses. Not doing it now.
Hi ladies,
I can't keep up with all the paint talk, but wanted to say that I admire anyone who can do that for a living. I did 4 coats of different colors on my living room walls, with glaze wiping in circles, then later stamped different leaf patterns on top in the different colors (green, cream). I told my husband he better get used to it because he will be looking at it when he's 80. whew, that's work!! In Home Companion mag., which I dearly love, there was a home that had my exact green living room, my exact dark gold/yellow foyer, and they painted their dining room purple / lilac. It sounds weird I know, but it looked great together, as you could see from one room to the next. So, my project when I have my spring break is to paint my dining room a similar shade of lilac. I am thinking of Autumn Crocus by pratt & lambert. Do you paint experts have a good lilac you can recommend. I got the autumn crocus idea from a mag. that said it's gorgeous in different lights. Also, is there a simple paint technique I could do to make it different, but not complicated? Thanks for your help!
Melissa, I just checked out your web site. It is so very cool. Very professional! You're work is beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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Melissa - your website is terrific! Gosh, are you talented. Too bad you are so far from Texas! You've inspired me! Here's to happy painting & much color!
Aw, thanks CC. I never dreamed I would be doing this for a living, it is such an amazing blessing!
BTW-I just saw some of artist's work myself...WOW. Some really good stuff!
Thanks Melissa, glad you like it. You are also very talented!
Priss, I love home companion also. Mary Engelbreit is very inspiring. I love her quotes. I can't wait to hear how your lilac paint turns out. It does sound beautiful and it would be such a fun color to contrast accessories with.
Priss, What issue of Home Companion was that color combo in. I get all magazines and wanted to look at it.
To Priss,
In answer to your lilac paint question. There are 2 Sherwin Williams paints in that family that I have used over and over both with clients and for my daughter's bedroom.
the lighter one is -Enchant SW6555
the deeper on is Obi Lilac- SW6556
I promise you will not be disappointed.
Priss - I honestly can't think of any lilac's we use. I'm sure the one you are thinking of is beautiful. Something you could do paint-wise that would just add that final touch, but not too complicated is add a stripe. Use the same color, just a different finish of paint. For example, buy the same color in flat and in satin and do an 8" strip all around by alternating the finsih. We have done this a lot in dining rooms and have a picture of one (it's in the orange family) on our website. Maybe I'll post a "how-to" blog on stripping this week.
I am doing final pics of the photo shoot today. OK, the wall colors are REALLY luscious...since we are on the topic! If you need an intense color try a very dark indigo blue, with black trim. Incredible. Warm ,inviting....and typically i don't like blue on walls, usually feels cold to me. We did another color with a damask like pattern over it and some touches of gold over that...then hung faux antler mounts and lots of gorgeous art and some black and white family pictures.This is a vestibule area that connects our mudroom and our great room, typically an area without much interest...but what a fun place to expieriemnt!
You will see soon,( I continue to tease!) but it really is very pretty. We did a picture of Robyn against it with a silver shirt on. Dark hair, red lips...smoldering!
Ohhh, indigo blue with black trim, that sounds so sophisticated. What a great idea! I am bursting at the seems to see more though. Can't wait!
It's great to know all of this background info. I just got the catalog, and you and Robyn look just a like. Can so tell that y'all are sisters. I bet y'all have so much fun working together!
Tsk, Tsk, "Miss" Porter....you should not tease us in such a way! You know, you could cause us to explode with anticipation!!! :)
Artist & Melissa, thanks so much for the paint suggestions. I can't wait to look up those colors. I would love it Melissa if you would do the striping how-to...I kinda thought doing stripes was challenging, but I am determined to try. Artist...do you still have the Aug/Sept. '06 Home Companion? If so, go to page 54-55. upper right corner are my colors at present in my LR / foyer,and the purple in the DR is what I am looking for. What do you think of it? If you have the Feb/March 03, my exact foyer color is on pg. 64, as they listed that paint color in the back. Thanks for your suggestions!
p.s. I am coastal S.C. near MBch
Priss, we are only about 3 hours from each other!!! halleluah! Finally someone close. I love Myrtle Beach. Our Morehead city beach is not as commercial, still very natural. Do you play golf? My guys love to go there for golf. They also have wonderful outlets. We must talk about this when summer is closer. For now, I shall look up your room colors in my mags. Thanks
Priss, I went right to my magazines and found Feb/March 03. That house is one of my all time favorites. Jan Dutcher is so creative. The color is a Martha Stewart paint ( another creative soul). Yes, it is wonderful. Have not found the purple yet. Still looking.
I went to Murtle Beach when I was 16.
Sorry...got lost in memories for a second.
Priss, I actually do have a how-to for stripes on my blog. It's easy to do, you should try.
I love that y'all are talking Home Companion. My business partner and I are obsessed with that magazine. It's great for artistic inspiration.
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