I think that’s the longest I’ve ever gone between posts.
I have knit a few smallish items, but they are all gifts and I want them to remain secret until gifted, which will be relatively soon. Also, my friend K, whom I made the orange Sahara for, offered to take pictures wearing it in front of something stupendous, like the Coliseum. You can bet if she found time to do that, those puppies are going up here tout suit!
Still consumed with house stuff, although it is coming together. A few pics (this is indulging me, if you desire please skip to the bottom for knitty news…)
The biggest changes happened in the front rooms – a new dining set (my first real one – I feel like such an adult!):
Solel for scale
There will soon be a large danish vintage teak credenza sitting along the right wall (squee!), we had to wait to transport it.
Also, moved the bookcase into the living room and changed out the coffee table to something smaller, square, and a lighter shade.
I LOVVVVE the feel of having a big bookcase behind a comfy seat, as though you could grab a book, plop down, and start reading. Hmmm, maybe that chair needs a floor lamp?
I sold the existing table (on Craiglist – gone the same afternoon, love it!) after finding this vintage storage cube from Directional Gallery (an American danish modern furniture company from the 50s-60s) at Funnel in Pasadena. A great place – super friendly and knowledgeable staff, great selection, and reasonable prices.
The wood was unrefinished, and apart from being a bit dry it was in astonishingly good shape for an original. We applied a coating of Feed-n-Wax to every surface, inside and out, and what a difference it made. It was great looking to begin with, but oh my, we didn’t expect this grain or the honey color to be this pronounced. It just needed a little TLC!
I neglected to take a picture of the storage aspect, but it’s hollow with two shallow full-length drawers at the top. It’s my knitting station! It holds all my project bags (currently 3 full-size sweaters and a shawl), winder, scale, needles, and notions with room for the remotes, coasters, etc. and room to spare. I am in love!
All this change also prompted serious Spring cleaning. I am going through everything and cleaning, sorting, and generally paring down. More and more I try to work towards the adage of if it’s not beautiful or useful, don’t have it in the house. This small place has limited storage, which has taught us powerful lessons about “stuff”, it’s getting, having, and storing. And how’s it so much nicer to have only what you really need and have space for. That’s been my experience, anyway.
Again, if you read all that, thank you for indulging me. If nothing else, my fam was asking for pictures ๐ This house feels more homey now than it ever has. I don’t think either of us realized what we were missing having to use the second room as an office and having so much equipment tucked into the corners everywhere.
I’ve been trying to keep up with blogs, though not succeeding. I do have a sprinkling of knitting news! If you haven’t already heard:
The Knitty surprises are up! That’s a cute cardi.
The Spring/Summer magazines are popping up – IK, Vogue Knitting, knit.1, Knit Simple. I let my sub to IK lapse. It was fun getting it in the mail for a while. But they accumulate quickly, getting 4 a year, and I decided I’d rather pick and choose which issues to get. Fortunately, I’m a bit meh on the Summer issue, as I usually am. There’s some cute items, but not enough for me to want the whole issue, really. Fall and Winter is when IK seems to shine. Haven’t had time to really look at these others, but a glance tells there’s lots to see!
KnitPicks (I know, you love them or hate them, this is just a PSA) has introduced some news yarns, including organic cotton in a couple weights and City Tweed, a merino, superfine alpaca, tweed blend, in a couple weights.
Off to work for me! A good thing as I am nursing some sore muscles today, but the good kind, not the fibro kind.
Your place looks so homey and cozy! I love spring for inspiring me to clean out and pare down – i think we could all use a bit less “stuff” at times. A good cleansing of the environment where we live!
Missed you! Your home is really looking lovely — I need some weeks to dedicate to mine. Spring cleaning has waited through season after season, and it looks as if this spring will soon pass me by without the sorting I’d love to do. Good for you for tackling it with great results.
welcome back! I was wondering where you went ๐ The home improvements look great – your dining table is gorgeous. Thanks for the links, as always!
I love what you have done to your place. Great finds ~ I am so happy you shared it with us!
Your home looks beautiful. You did a fabulous job on your home additions.
Oh, the place looks good! And yes, I vote for a floor lamp
The knitting universe seems all wonky, when you’re gone! Glad you’ve posted again. I love what you’ve done with your home! It all looks fantastic!
You definitely need a floor lamp! One with a flexible neck so you can direct the light. I love those in Winter…
I’m still getting IK, even though I haven’t knit anything from it in a while. Can’t wait to get the latest issue of Knit1, I love that they have patterns from knit bloggers!
uh oh…now that you’ve made the ‘real dining set’ leap…guess that just leaves Laura ๐
your home looks lovelier than ever, i’m envious!! congrats on your wonderful finds & successful nesting ๐
i love you xooxoxox