Desk of the Week

Rock, Paper, Scissors

The mixed messages here are cool. 

The iron bed, petite wooden desk and 

old-time chair are offset by the 

utilitarian steel shelving and modern art.

Barely visible are what look like 

velvet, floor to ceiling black out drapes.

Dear Earthlings,

NASA is unsure what is going to happen to earth in 2012 when all the planets line up and the gravitational pull from the moon will undoubtedly effect the oceans. OMG - why are we not debating this on the national scene besides the ridiculous health care debacle? The movie Deep Impact suggests cities in the mountains to escape the rising waters. I live on a peninsula stuck out in the Atlantic ocean called Florida; it is safe to say I am mildly concerned in 2009 and my fears will probably increase exponentially each year. What about you? Are you concerned at all? Are you considering making a plan in the likely event we enter into an unstable period of gravitational and climate change?

Workspace of the day

This reminds me of a modern take on the partner's desk. And looks like a marvelous place to speak with your own partner at home about you name it. I like this look - would be easy to accomplish at home, even in a spare bedroom - near a window, of course. The window is the star player in this workspace.

What do the Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz have in common?

Ken Burns, the boy darling of the modern documentary is the commonality after the same named triple-series. Be sure and tune in to the great spirit of America for a 6-part PBS series on the "The National Parks - America's Best Idea" beginning September 27.

I will pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!

I'm writing with grave concern about our national debt. Eleven Trillion is already untenable. Please do EVERYTHING in your power to influence Congress to reduce the national debt, not increase it. The news this morning is that Obama will increase debt to 20+ Trillion.

See Article:

At what point will it be unsustainable? Isn't 11 Trillion already enough? What will happen... really, think through this... what will happen if we reach a 'tipping point'...and our economy collapses...? Think about the numbers!!20 Trillion dollars!- If we paid back the debt at the rate of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) a DAY, it would take 20,000,000 (twenty million days) to pay it back, or 54,794 years.

If we paid back at the rate of $1,000,000,000 billion a day, it would take 20,000 (twenty thousand days), or 54 years. Where will we get a million dollars a day? a billion?Do we want our country to pay back our debt over the next 54 years? 11 Trillion Already! - Even if we paid back the current debt, 11 Trillion ($11,000,000,000,000), it will take 11,000,000 (eleven million days) to pay it back, or 30,136 years.

If we paid back $1,000,000,000 billion a day, it would take 11,000 (eleven thousand days), or 30 years. And these numbers don't include interest. We already have 30 years of repayment…IF we repaid at the rate of $1,000,000,000 (one billion) a day… and how realistic is that? With numbers like this...is it not unreasonable to question the future of our country? Is anyone in Congress listening to this?

Friday Treat - Cake and Punch

Quick Caramel Cake

2 cups cake flour

3 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cups sugar

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

Let all ingredients stand at room temperature 45 minutes before use. To sifted flour, add baking powder, salt, sugar; sift again into large mixer bowl. Add shortening, milk, vanilla. Beat 2 minutes with mixer at low speed. Add unbeaten eggs and beat 1 minute longer. Pour into 8 1/2 x 13 1/2- inch pan. Set aside. Topping: 2 egg whites, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped pecans. Clean mixer beaters, and beat egg whites till stiff but not dry. Gradually add brown sugar; beat well. Spread atop cake; sprinkle with nuts and bake on center rack in 350 degree F oven 35 minutes. Makes 1 cake.

Ice Tea Punch
2 TB loose tea
2 cups boiling water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup lemon juice
12 oz. cold ginger ale
Pour boiling water over tea and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain tea into pitcher. Add sugar; stir until dissolved. Pour in juices and chill. To serve, pour over ice in punch bowl and add ginger ale. Makes 10 cups.

Wonderful treat for company on Sunday or anytime. Your family and guests will thank you!

Help me Rhonda!

Help me Rhonda. Help, help me Rhonda
Help me Rhonda. Help, help me Rhonda
Help me Rhonda yeah....
Get her out of my heart

La Ronda, that is, right here please, by September 1st.

Architecture for the Everyman

I love this William Krisel designed home. In Florida, we have lots of these style homes, heralding the coming mod era of the sixties, and I can only imagine the interiors of most of them. The Palm Springs style of design may not be everyone, but it certainly does set a mood. Key smart things in this interior redesign by David Jimenez can be seen from the slideshow (no before shots).

• Terra cotta floor tiles painted white instead of riped out.



• Painted over stones around hearth from previous owner were sandblasted bringing back a natural look.



• Following the original mirrored walls in foyer, he continued it along the back wall, to make the room look HUGE.



• Rescued two identical sofas from thrift store and had them upholstered in Naugahyde - hey, it's a vacation home with a pool!



• Removed the wall between kitchen and dining area making for an expansive room.



• Used wallpaper extensively in bedrooms and entry way to create very unique spaces.

I love this designer - his work always, always, speaks to me.

Architecture for the Everyman

I love this William Krisel designed home. In Florida, we have lots of these style homes, heralding the coming mod era of the sixties, and I can only imagine the interiors of most of them. The Palm Springs style of design may not be everyone, but it certainly does set a mood. Key smart things in this interior redesign by David Jimenez can be seen from the slideshow (no before shots).

• Terra cotta floor tiles painted white instead of riped out.



• Painted over stones around hearth from previous owner were sandblasted bringing back a natural look.



• Following the original mirrored walls in foyer, he continued it along the back wall, to make the room look HUGE.



• Rescued two identical sofas from thrift store and had them upholstered in Naugahyde - hey, it's a vacation home with a pool!



• Removed the wall between kitchen and dining area making for an expansive room.



• Used wallpaper extensively in bedrooms and entry way to create very unique spaces.
  

I love this designer - his work always, always, speaks to me.

These are not your grandmother's quilts.

There is a must see exhibition in NYC featuring local artist Paula Nadelstern, made right in her Bronx home of 25 years. We might think twice about sleeping under these astonishingly beautiful quilts made of cotton and silk. Exhibition at the Folk Art Museum ends September 13th, 2009.

These are not your grandmother's quilts.

There is a must see exhibition in NYC featuring local artist Paula Nadelstern, made right in her Bronx home of 25 years. We might think twice about sleeping under these astonishingly beautiful quilts made of cotton and silk. Exhibition at the Folk Art Museum ends September 13th, 2009.

WHY IS A SHIP CALLED A SHE?

A Ship is called a 'she' because

there is always a great deal

of bustle around her;there is

usually a gang of men about,

she has a waist and stays; it

takes a lot of paint to keep

her good looking; it is not the

initial expense that breaks

you, it is the upkeep; she can

be all decked out; it takes an

experienced man to handle her

correctly; and without a man at

the helm, she is absolutely in-

controllable. She shows her top-

sides, hides her bottom and,

when coming into port, always

heads for the buoys.

WHY IS A SHIP CALLED A SHE?

A Ship is called a 'she' because

there is always a great deal

of bustle around her;there is

usually a gang of men about,

she has a waist and stays; it

takes a lot of paint to keep

her good looking; it is not the

initial expense that breaks

you, it is the upkeep; she can

be all decked out; it takes an

experienced man to handle her

correctly; and without a man at

the helm, she is absolutely in-

controllable. She shows her top-

sides, hides her bottom and,

when coming into port, always

heads for the buoys.

Friday Treat!

Still going with the no oven treats; we remain insufferably hot in the Florida heartland.

Frozen Lime Pie

1/2 cup Key Lime or Persian Lime juice

1 15-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

5 egg whites

2 tb. sugar

1 tb. grated lemon rind

few drops green food color (optional)

1 9-inch graham cracker pie shell

Combine lime juice and milk, stirring until think and smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff. Add food color. Fold in lime-milk mixture. Sprinkle lemon rind on bottom of pie shell; turn filing into shell. Chill until set. Freeze and keep until time to serve, or serve without freezing. For topping, swirl on sweetened cream.

Whipped Cream Frosting

(or cool whip)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 tb. sifted confectionery sugar

Whip heavy cream until stiff. Fold in vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Spread on cooled desert.

Friday Treat!

Still going with the no oven treats; we remain insufferably hot in the Florida heartland.

Frozen Lime Pie

1/2 cup Key Lime or Persian Lime juice

1 15-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

5 egg whites

2 tb. sugar

1 tb. grated lemon rind

few drops green food color (optional)

1 9-inch graham cracker pie shell

Combine lime juice and milk, stirring until think and smooth. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff. Add food color. Fold in lime-milk mixture. Sprinkle lemon rind on bottom of pie shell; turn filing into shell. Chill until set. Freeze and keep until time to serve, or serve without freezing. For topping, swirl on sweetened cream.

Whipped Cream Frosting

(or cool whip)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1/2 tsp. vanilla

3 tb. sifted confectionery sugar

Whip heavy cream until stiff. Fold in vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Spread on cooled desert.

This is Postwar European Modernism?

What's a shark, a sun vase and a modernish lamp have in common? The late, French Potter, Georges Jouve that's who. These pieces are simply breathtaking in their bold modesty.

This is Postwar European Modernism?

What's a shark, a sun vase and a modernish lamp have in common? The late, French Potter, Georges Jouve that's who. These pieces are simply breathtaking in their bold modesty.

Yes times six.

William Yeoward, English product designer, known for his beautiful tablescapes, has created a beautiful set of plates featuring a different bird. Top, Partridge, Snipe, Woodcock, Bottom, Pheasant, Wild Duck, Grouse.

Yes times six.

William Yeoward, English product designer, known for his beautiful tablescapes, has created a beautiful set of plates featuring a different bird. Top, Partridge, Snipe, Woodcock, Bottom, Pheasant, Wild Duck, Grouse.

Mom, I need some new shoes!

by Chie Mihara

By the way, Mom, they're from Spain...but aren't they cute?? Can I have em, can I have em, pleeease...... [in my mind, this is how it would go if I were about 11]

Mom, I need some new shoes!

by Chie Mihara

By the way, Mom, they're from Spain...but aren't they cute?? Can I have em, can I have em, pleeease...... [in my mind, this is how it would go if I were about 11]

Want to find out your design style?

HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm a Bohemian Classic

Thank you for the link, ISUWANNEE.com

Want to find out your design style?

HomeGoods StyleScope - I'm a Bohemian Classic

Thank you for the link, ISUWANNEE.com

Earrings for your Home.

These lightweight accessories for the home can be had at Faux Wood Beams, which has all kinds of wood 'beamage' for your castle.

Earrings for your Home.

These lightweight accessories for the home can be had at Faux Wood Beams, which has all kinds of wood 'beamage' for your castle.

Bookdog...not.

I cannot get this one to crack a book this summer; all he wants to do is sleep and text his friends all day.

Louis XVI or Uncle Louie's hand me down?

Ok, the gig's up. The one on the left was a hulk of a mess found at a flea market and reupolstered in denim and painted the hideous gold. The sofa on the right is the real deal, upholstered in a beautiful sage velvet and painted a much more muted gold.

I would have painted the hulk of a mess black or indigo, and upholstered it on the reverse side of a damask, or even a darker denim would have been chic too.