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Where to Hang Family Photos?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Maybe I’m just nosy, but one of the things I most enjoy most about visiting a friend’s home is seeing his/her family photos.
There are some people who feel family photos should be restricted to certain areas of the home, but I remember my great aunt, a woman of impeccable style, placing or hanging family pictures throughout the living room, bedroom, and dining area - all places that have been considered off limits.
In my own home, I have photos of friends and family on display in my office, and I plan to create a hanging gallery of family photos in the currently unused space just off the front entrance.
I’ve also seen fantastic displays in hallways and on staircases (see image at right from Real Simple which offers great tips on arranging and hanging photos). What’s more important than location, I think, is planning the display, and not haphazardly throwing any picture in any frame on just any wall.
Where do you hang your family photos?
What are your strategies for organizing them?
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: design trends
Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A neighbor once commented that upon arriving home one day and exiting the elevator she immediately realized she was on the wrong floor thanks to “all those tacky doormats.”
I’d never given doormats a second thought, but when I had my own elevator mishap and exited on that floor, I admit, the first thing I noticed were the mats.
Some were quite nice. Others were those rubber things you might find at the entrance of the local gas station, which seemed a poor way to welcome someone into your home.
A cursory look around yielded some nice options such as these pictured. But I’d love to hear your thoughts.
What is your stance on doormats? Where have you found nice ones?
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Fine floors
My first Persian rug
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’m officially an adult: I bought my first true Persian rug.
You’d think my first mortgage payment would’ve given me such a grown-up sense of pride, but no — it was this rosey-red, brown, turquoise, cream and dark brown hand-knotted rug made some time ago in Tabriz, Iran. It’s somewhat worn, but I like its aged look and have more than once thought it will be with me for decades to come.
But despite all the years my mother took me to rug dealers and my own appreciation of their beauty, it wasn’t until last weekend at the Scott Antique Market that I observed the dramatic difference between the light and dark side of the rug.
Standing at one end, a rug can seem muted and pale, while walking around to the other side gives a richer, deeper look. I currently have the light side of my new rug facing oncoming traffic, but will switch it out in the winter for a homier feel.
How often do you rearrange your rugs for a design effect? Do you have any rugs inherited from your elders? Are you interested in knowing its origin, or just glad to have those hardwoods covered?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
House plants for cleaner air
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With summer days too hot for open windows and winter months too cold, I begin to feel squeamish about the recirculating air. To help combat this feeling, I long ago turned to indoor plants research has suggested can clean the air of toxins.
My peace lily (like this pic from the University of Washington) is just now acclimating to my new home, blooming with numerous white spoon-like flowers. I also keep a Norfolk Island Pine (not the most effective in toxin removal, but I like its look) and a pretty pink anthurium.
According to the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, NASA research has shown the root systems of these plants as effective in removing formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide from the air. That said, jury is out on whether having a couple plants really makes a difference, though all agree some extra green can’t hurt!
- Bamboo Palm
- Chinese Evergreen
- English Ivy
- Gerbera Daisy
- Janet Craig
- Marginata
- Mass cane/Corn Plant
- Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (snake plant)
- Pot Mum
- Peace Lily
- Warneckii
What plants do you keep in your home?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
Whoops! I broke your chair. A question of furniture ethics.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Strolling through an antique store the other day, my friend pointed to a Chippendale dining chair and said: “That’s like the chair I used to have before my cousin broke it.”
Apparently, her late chair collapsed under the weight of a rather hefty cousin.
A co-worker of mine has a similar tale. Her obese niece (rhyme unintentional) sat on her pedestal-legged antique settee, only to have one of the legs break underneath her.
I can’t imagine how embarrassed either party felt; the hostess for having furniture fail, the heavy person for breaking it. In both of the above cases, neither guest offered to pay for the furniture repair, prompting this ethical quandary:
Who should pay for the repair? Should the host or hostess apologize for the incident and take care of repair quietly, or should the guest offer to help with the costs, perhaps assuming responsibility for the antique furniture’s demise?
Do we assume all furniture, even that made centuries ago, should support today’s larger society?
What are your thoughts on handling this delicate furniture faux pas?
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: "Roominations"
Latest comments
Just bought me a new doormat at walmart for 10 bucks. It’s black rubber with some sort of feaux ‘bronze’ looking ‘welcome’. It seems kind of cheap and I should have gotten a sturdier mat, but my prior straw type mat had gotten... read the full comment by slim | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
My god, did the AJC turn into a ghetto-blog?... read the full comment by Jim Bob in Georgia | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?
So far, the only “art” I have hanging in my house was done by my niece when she was 3. I have a number of family photos in frames that prop up. Now that we are re-doing the kitchen, dining, and family rooms, I want to take nice close up pictures... read the full comment by Melissa | Comment on Where to Hang Family Photos? Read Where to Hang Family Photos?
Elevator?? Trying to dress up a condo with a fancy doormat is like putting a dress on a pig. Save your money and but a real “house”. When you get rich like me, your elevator won’t lead to a “floor” where you gander at other... read the full comment by Mac Daddy | Comment on Doormat debate: classy or trashy? Read Doormat debate: classy or trashy?