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Hip Update
Here’s something to keep in your handy file of Tips That You May Need One Day: When recovering from hip replacement surgery, do not go up and down the stairs five times in one day. Gee, how did I learn that?
Actually, I’m coming along nicely. But the process is far more boring and annoying than I had anticipated. Basically, you are allowed to lie in bed. Period. Trust me, anything you can do in bed, such as watch entire seasons of shows you thought might be good, surf the net, you name it, gets tiring quickly.
Hence, my thought that, since I was feeling pretty good, that it might be a good idea to have a bunch of friends over for lunch. FAIL!
While everything is good and my new, bionic hip will soon have me prancing in high heels again, I am hoping you’ll bear with my limited posting for a bit longer.
The project so far
In the meantime, I’m spending today making my son’s Renaissance mask for his Romeo and Juliet segment of English. All from bed, don’t worry. I’ll post a the completed project later. It completed design involves chicken bones.
At least I’m putting my design talents to some good use! But this brings me to a non-design related pet peeve which we can all share in….
Keep me company today by posting your own rant-comment on how many times you or your child, was given a school project that is clearly meant for the parent to complete. Tri-fold science displays in second grade? Dioramas depicting Pre-Columbian life in fifth?
Fire away.
Design Hole is 2!
Happy Birthday to Design Hole! It’s two years old. My, how time flies. Speaking of old age, my hip recovery is coming along fine. I’m still a bit blithery and I’m constantly battling my desire to give in to the urge to test things out just a bit more than I should.
Just A Quick Note
I thought you’d like to know that Jennifer’s surgery went really well. She’s trying her best to follow the doctor’s orders and not go up and down the stairs more than once a day. Thanks for your emails and kind thoughts. She has some guest posts planned and they should start in a couple of days.
Hip replacement is not for faint of heart. Fortunately, Jennifer a tough and determined cookie.
She also asked me to pass along that she recommends The Duchess for great interiors and costumes. She liked Rickie Gervais’ apartment in Ghost Town.
Thanks again for all your messages.
High Heels
“High heels, high heels, high heels.” This has been my mantra the last few days as I’ve been preparing for surgery tomorrow. In about eight weeks I will once again be wearing high heels. Forget about the pain being gone – one has to set one’s priorities. I think I really need these Missoni pumps to help me recover (tiny hint to Misterarthur).
I’ll also be able to devote more time to Design Hole, which I’m very anxious to get back to full time. Here are some things to look forward to:
A Hallway Transformation
I’m in the midst of an exciting hallway project – a complete transformation. I’ll be writing about the project in a series of posts – moving from design inspiration, hiring the contractors, lighting to paint and artwork. I hope to give you a new appreciation of what interior designers do – where we get our ideas, find painters and make creative decisions. I’m using Benjamin Moore’s Aura paint for the first time and am looking forward to writing about that, too.
Design Dilemmas
I’ll be restarting one of my favorite series – Design Dilemmas. This is a chance for you to send me your project and get some free advice. So start thinking about what needs sprucing up and send me those photos!
More Rooms – More Trends
I’m planning on adding more topics featuring photos of rooms. Red rooms, blue and white rooms, rooms that depict a trend or show ways of hanging artwork. A picture paints a thousand words. You’ll see lots more examples that you can use for your own homes.
Everyone loves to know what’s up and coming. I’m hoping to be recovered enough to attend this year’s Salone in Milan. And ICFF in New York. Both are in the Spring. At any rate, I’ll be writing a lot more about new products, new trends, and whether they’re worth following.
In The Meantime
I won’t be posting tomorrow, but Design Hole will be back on a daily posting routine by mid-week next week. I have some great guest bloggers who’ve written some fantastic posts. It’s always fun to read a different point of view. So be sure to check back every day to see what’s going on.
So this is Jennifer signing off for a few days. Just think of me wearing my high heels.
Design Hole News
As most of you know, I’m going in for a hip renovation in a week. I was born with something called Hip Impingement, which I would never have known if I hadn’t chosen to be athletic. That’s enough detail. Suffice to say that I need a new hip.
Anyway, I’m going to be limiting my writing for the next few weeks. I have guest bloggers who have written some great posts I know you’ll enjoy. I’m not going away! But I need to get through this brief bump in my road to design world domination.
Thanks for your patience and undestanding.
Ten Days and Counting Until My Personal Redecoration
I’ve got a full schedule this morning. I’ll be posting thoughts of infinite design wisdom later.
In the meantime, I’m checking off the days – only ten left to go – until I check myself in for a little redecoration of my own. No, it’s not a face lift – I’m not that old! I’m getting a bionic hip. I wore out the present one running covert operations with Jack Bauer. Errr., actually it was that last Olympic weight lifting event. The snatch and grab is hell. Um,
I’ll be out for a two to three weeks while I recover. I’ll have some guest bloggers filling in for me, but will be on a reduced posting schedule.
The good news is that once I’m back, and feeling like my old self again, I’ll be able to devote more time to improving the content on Design Hole. Something I’m very much looking forward to. I appreciate all my loyel fans hanging in there with me. See you later today.
Merry Christmas
I’m off for Christmas! Our tree is up and so are the lights. We’ve got about a foot of snow on the ground and are ensured a holiday that’s perfectly decorated by Mother Nature.
We’re sharing the holidays with a group of friends from around the globe. Can’t wait. Afterwards, we’re going on a well-deserved vacation to sunny Belize. I hear the bird watching is great and the Mayan ruins splendid. So I bid you farewell until after the New Year.
Jack, the noble Border Terrier, joins me in wishing everyone a happy holiday and a wonderful New Year. See you in 2009!
Speaking of Color…
Whatever happened to my purple hallway project? I’ve received a couple of emails asking about the status of my plan to overhaul my own hallway and take you along for the ride? If not, you can read my initial post here.
The after photo
Here’s an update. It’s been postponed for a bit. As most of you know, my Dad passed away last month. It’s been tough. My Mom, married 54 years, needs help, too. So I thought I’d let you know that I haven’t forgotten about itor you.
In fact, since this is my own project, I spend a lot of time thinking about it. So never fear! I’ll be back on track with the new hall soon.
I’m in Detroit Home!
This just in! I’ve been featured in this month’s issue of Detroit Home Magazine. They asked me to clue them in on my five favorite home stores in the Detroit area.I was honored to be asked – especially since I’m the second designer they chose.
It was a nice opportunity to point out some local shops I really do enjoy visiting. With the economy being what it is, I also hope it will entice Detroit Home readers to check out something new.
My five choices were:
- Mezzanine. Owned by my buddy, Joe Posch, this was an easy choice. Joe sells high-end contemporary furntiure, as well as some vintage, mid-century pieces.
- Bureau of Urban Living. I like to support shops that are (like Mezzanine) actually in Detroit. The Bureau is always fun. They have great gifts as well as home accessories.
- Vertu. This Royal Oak shop sells vintage furniture and accessories. It’s the perfect place to find that last accent piece to complete a room.
- Village Picture Framing & Art Gallery. A client introduced me to Tom, the owner of this Dearborn gallery. He really knows his stuff, including how to hand=wrap linen mats.
- The League Shop. One for the home team! The League Shop (located in Grosse Pointe, where I actualy live) sells an eclectic mix of china, accessories and lamps.
Thanks again to Detroit Home Magazine for the feature. It’s nice to be noticed.
Design Hole News: Surgery
Ick. For those of you who haven’t heard, I have a bad hip due to an over-indulgence in sportage. I’ve also got three surgeons scratching their heads over what to do, since I’m too young for a hip replacement unless there’s no alternative.
So, they’re going in to take a look at it in real life this Friday. It doesn’t sound like too much of a big of a deal.
Because I don’t know know what the recovery will be like, I’m offering anyone who’s interested the chance to be a guest blogger. If you have a favorite decorating tip, a favorite home store, or something else design related, this is your big chance for fame and glory.
Shoot me an email and we can discuss the details. Thanks!
image from Three Potato Four
Guest blogging At Home with Kim Vallee
My friend from Montreal, Kim Vallee, writes an entertainment and lifestyle blog. She’ll be out for part of next week and has asked me to guest blog for her. I’m looking forward to writing about cooking – my second love. So look for me there ( as well as here) next week.
Now I’ve got to go frost Arthur’s birthday cake. Have a nice weekend!
cake image via: cake journal
The Road to Milan: One Week To Go
I’m getting all my black things together for Milan. Misterarthur and I leave in just a week. The Salone is the giant international furniture show. This year they expect over 270,000 visitors. The show is separated into a number of large pavilions – a total of 226,000 square metres.
It’s not just furniture. Soft home products are there, and a huge kitchen exhibit.
The show is divided into two styles – contemporary and classic. It’s so huge that one person couldn’t possibly see everything. But I’ll try. I’m especially interested in the Satellite Pavilion, which features young designers and students.
I’ll be posting throughout the day, along with Arthur and Industrial Designer, Leon Fitzpatrick.
It may seem rather abstract, but this is where the trends emerge. This is where it all starts – color, new materials, styles. Think of it like haute couture for the world of home furnishings.