Design on a shoe string budget, "An Artist's Loft"

When I saw those Jackson Pollackish walls, I was scared.  I mean, walls that have blackish paint splattered all over them are not something I’ve worked with before.  I had my opinion and it was not nice.  But, this was my daughter’s room.  I couldn’t show the least bit of dislike/hate for those walls.  I needed to smile and keep my mouth shut.  Until she mentioned it, then I would unload my opinion in a rather Jane Austin way, “can we paint them a cheerful color?” 
That was a good try on my part, but for Isabella Gonzalez, those walls were perfect, and I better just smile and move on.  There was no way on God’s green earth they were changing, {even if I sprung for the paint.}

My next mission was those rugs.  I mean, really, REALLY?  They are so dirty, “but Mom, I’m fine with it for now.” Swallow hard and move on.Surely, I can find something cozy, inviting to work with.  “Mom, work with the ceramics, and spread them out on the table.”  Okay, can I layer them? “Can I hang them on a shelf, how, what…”  My whole one hour was me feeling my way through the forest blindly!
“Mom, don’t get mad, but I’m going to re-do the ceramic area.”  “No problem, can I vacuum the rugs?”  “Oh yes, please, they really need it.”  {They need to be thrown out.}  The $15 Bissell vacuum did a great job, I only had to empty it five times and meanwhile, I’m sneezing uncontrollably.  They looked 50% better after that, another Jane Austin suggestion, “I remember seeing a beautiful red Persian in one of the stores.”  “Mom, what size,” she asks. “Um, a 6’ x 9’”, I stammer.  I am so lying, but she won’t give me my way no matter what!

“Your Dad and I are going for lunch, how about we let you finish up?” “Sure, can you bring me back lunch?”  When we got back, it was in this set up.  At that moment, I knew, this really was perfect for her.  The floor plan is 20’ x 20’.  She can do her artwork there in her room and not really ruin anything.  {At her other place, she couldn’t do that, for fear of getting paint on everything.} She displays her artwork, reads, sleeps, relax all in 400 square feet of space.  She can participate in gallery shows outside the room in the common area.  That was a BIGGIE.   Artists need to commune, critique and grow with other artists.  This space is all that and a slice of bread.  I’m so proud of her for finding this on her own.  She even had 50% moved over before we got there.  All she needed was grunt Father to install shelves, and grunt Mother to find suggest her furniture choices.  I get it!  I’m here to tell her, “it’s you, all YOU flower!”

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Confessions from an Interior Designer (who hates cleaning)

It’s true, I love my cleaning products because they help me get the job done.  When I had to work 9-5 Monday – Friday, I had to reserve Saturdays for cleaning.  Now that I’m stay-at-home homeschool Mom, a term I do not take for granted, but appreciate, I confess, I need my cleaning products!  For me it’s deeper than cleaning, it’s maintaining a 3500 square foot home that has general routine maintenance, lest it looks “worn”.  And that is undeniably the last thing this interior designer wants her home to look.

So here it is, the top 7 list of can’t live without products, that you might want to consider.  In no particular order:

Rubber gloves – need these because well, I like to tell the manicurist that my hands don’t see water!  I prefer the more glamorous ones “Gloveables, black cheetah”.  Believe me, it’s a mind-set and those gloves get me on a roll.  Bottom line is that rubber gloves are protection for your pretty hands and that’s why I love them!

Old English Polish – favorite “go-to” for all my Indonesian wood furniture and wood trim.  Whenever there’s a scratch, this stuff handles it.  It’s referred to by some as “stain-in-a-bottle.”  I like it but remember when you use it, to wear  your gloves.  This stuff stains and needs dry time.  So don’t be rubbing up against whatever you use it on, it’s as strong as stain so use with caution.

Tarn-X – tarnish remover, for your silver, platinum, gold and diamonds.  Yeah, it works on diamonds.  I’ve not tried that, but it says you can.  I use it on my silverware because I’m old school and I still have silver lying around.  I’m about to phase those serving pieces out, but for the meantime, it’s the perfect go-to and if your tarnish is really built up, pour it into Tupperware and let those babies soak!

Tru Bamboo Oil and Wipes – my friend owns this business and gave this to me, but I highly recommend you buy it.  It works on your bamboo cutting boards.  This product is sold in Florida at Publix Supermarket.  Bamboo is a natural plant so it tends to dry out. Plus, I also have bamboo designed into my house, so I use it on that too.  But, get the wipes because they further the oils penetration/
absorption.  A regular cloth just soaks up, the wipes aid in spread. 

Goo Gone – I am asked repeatedly about “sticker glue”.  This is your product.  It takes off anything sticky.  So when your kids grow out of the sticker phase and you need to clean up, use this.  You can also use it on lipstick, crayon, anything gummy.  I highly recommend it be in your tool cleaning box.

Murphy Oil Soap – It’s been awhile, and I remember the smell of this at my Grandmother’s house.  It’s for wood furniture that is dark in stain.  I use this because the majority of my furniture is dark and it looks dusty/dull over time.  This product seems to breathe new life into its finish.  I put it on a cloth, add water and wipe down.  Easy and fast, this product is the perfect go to when you need to add some shine back into your furniture.

Goof Off – this is a powerful one.  I only use this when necessary because it’s like nail polish remover.  It works for taking off paint, ink, anything that won’t come off, will with this.  I don’t use this on soft surfaces, it is for hard surfaces like tile, terrazzo, slate (sometimes carpet).  Test a small area first and then go to it.  It is extremely strong smelling so use it in a ventilated area.

Alright, now for some love, if you landed here and I gave you something you can use, give me some love and leave me a comment or if you’re feeling really good and you want to make me smile, “follow”.  Thank you, have a wonderful day!