It's the little things

As I walked thru the living room of my small house today I began to mentally sort thru my things. Seems it's that time again....to pack up and haul my life to a new locale. Mind you, I'm fairly expert at this game...tho as the years go by, the sorting and ditching gets more difficult. Living a good life will do that to ya!

I've never been much of a collector but one of my choice things is considered such. There is the set of 10 numbered Lenox/ Boehm plates that became my special,annual Christmas gift beginning in 1973.Way back then, they had to be ordered in advance and purchased thru a fancy-schmancy jewelry store even tho we lived within a few miles of the main Lenox factory. Each year, I knew what was inside the gift wrapped box and yet, I excitedly opened the new edition and felt like I owned something coveted.           

The first plate arrived 3 years before our first child. For a long time our houses were sparsely furnished and we moved frequently. Whether we lived in an old military row house, a well-worn rental or eventually the house we built new, the plates were displayed with pride. At first it was a plate here or there decoratively hung on a wall. As our family and belongings grew, the plate collection did too. They were moved to more prominent places, enhancing the beautiful hutch alongside Great Grandmothers' antiquities that were passed down to me. I believed they would one day be worth a mint. However, valuable enough, with the introduction of eBay, no longer are the plates impossible to find. More now than ever, their true worth is calculated in sentimental dollars. Today they are truly priceless.

    Along with the plates is the painting that no-one in the family quite remembers. In all honesty, I don't recall when I actually acquired it but I do know it was another treasure from my very victorian great-grandmother. Seems that back in the 1920's or 30's, "ladies of position" did various things to educate themselves and increase their worldliness. Great Grandmother took a class in oils or so it seems. This may be the only painting she did that was worth framing.  (well, we believe she painted it for it's not signed)  Forever, I have loved it for it's simplicity and primitive allure. I've used it in many different rooms...even my little bath, that today is quite fancy. It always seems to refine wherever it hangs.

Finally, two winters ago, I carefully bubble-wrapped it and tucked it into my suitcase to take to a man in Boston who specializes in primitive art. Having visited his fine antiques shop often, we had become friendly and he invited me to bring it along on my next visit for a free evaluation. He was thrilled that it had been cherished and told me the rendering was probably of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland....but sadly, he said, the value was purely sentimental. That, there is no disputing. Just today, I finally googled the Cliffs of Moher and low and behold, the chills that went thru me as I saw pictures of what Great Grandmother felt moved to paint!


It's been too many years since I've lived near my children and extended family. Work will often take us away from the faces and places we love. Seldom are the people I hold close able to come and visit for it's a long haul, I suppose. Tho I am surrounded by the things that unwittingly made our house a home, I am once again in touch with why they remain important. Pieces of the past transcend time and place, forever become the fabric of our personal patchworked life. When deciding to pack away the Lenox Wildlife plates, I casually mentioned them to my now grown-up daughter. She has her own style and her own sentiments, new and old. I wondered if she would like them, expecting her nonchalance. Instead, imagine my joy when she said,  "Mom! I would love them! They were always part of our home."

Things. Just things. So we may think....until the day comes when we load up the rooms with boxes and paper and tape in preparation for another move, another chapter. That's when every little scrap of paper, silly do-dad, or heartfelt memento has meaning or.....not so much. But the process is cathartic and the real job is in deciding where the sentiment lies. My son is equally sentimental tho I have no idea what will be dear to his heart. I'm sure, as I ever-so-gently tuck away the past, at some point I will hear him say, "Mom! I would love that! It was always part of our home."

As you prepare your next move or begin to re-design, have fun going thru the bits and pieces of your life. Take care to choose wisely when deciding what stays and what goes. Most of all, remember.....it's the little things that matter most.    
                                          __________________________________

   Suite 24 is ready to help you make those tough choices when bringing your room to life...and in bringing your life into the room!
           __________________________________________________________________

       Suite 24    

  Re-Arranging, Re-Designing, Re-Purposing in one day!               We offer same day basic design solutions as well as ongoing services, special occasion designs, staging for resale, organizing,        re-purposing, remodel consulting, interior design, color consulting and more....specializing in small spaces, apartments and first homes.

  *Returning to the Annapolis area soon!  Consultations available    to book in time for the holidays. Call now....410-370-3020

A Man's Home is his Castle

When I first met Steve, he was the typical 40 something bachelor. Divorced, free-lancing and as carefree as one can be, he joyfully lived in flannel shirts or sweats, had the TV stuck on the sports network and had the obligatory six-pack in the fridge at all times, right next to the chip dip. Needless to say, his home is his castle.    He owns a nice, modest-sized brick house built in the 1950's that he 'decorated' with a certain manly flair. Since the front door was no longer the main entrance, we entered thru the sun room, ummm....storage room?... that connected the garage to the main house. My design wheels went from 0-60 in less than a minute....what a perfect place to entertain on a summer evening. I could already imagine the laughter of friends, hear the sound of a blender mixing cold concoctions in the kitchen, see the sun setting thru those vintage, wall-to-wall jalousie windows....but ooooh.....first....stepping over the broken down boxes of old car parts and discarded furniture I was brought back to reality. No doubt, this was going to be a sweet project!   Suite 24 was called on to rescue the whole house....again, one room at a time. The living room was to be our first task. As we left the sunroom and entered the main house the thru the dining room, the storage theme continued. Tho the place was well kept, it was no surprise that nary a fair maiden would venture into the generous-sized living room. The decor was early tool box and the dust bunnies were well fed. Beyond the controlled clutter, the place had great bones. As a lot of men will confess, decorating isn't their natural born forte. Like his bro's, this nice guy possessed a total inability to distinguish function from funky but there was promise.   Walking from room to room I could see just how simple it would be to bring this haphazard haven up from despair and make it handsome. To top it all off, Steve reaped the rewards of some decent furniture that his bachelor room-mate added to the mix. All that was needed was a good cleaning and some simple re-design to get these guys back in the game. Suite 24 was ready to make this place oh so Sweet!    For the majority of our designs, Suite 24 is responsible for the dismantling and sprucing up of the room to be worked on. On this assignment, because the budget was small, we enlisted the help of both Steve and Saleem. Together we did a white glove cleaning, exorcised the dust bunnies, carted the tools to the garage where (gasp!) a toolbox and workbench lived and then began the process of editing the room. Simple...it just takes determination to relegate things to a more appropriate spot...which just might mean the trash!  We laughed a lot and I got a great feel for how these two men wanted their space to represent them.  Clean me   Emptying the room is the first step towards re-design. Steve's living room housed a proud collection of guy stuff. The raised slate hearth was hidden by tools, hardware, a zillion old phone chargers, books and manuals, sports equipment, you name it. Tho the task may seem daunting, cleaning and organizing exposes the range of possibilities and makes the process flow. You will also now be able to locate your cell phone and your keys.  The Second Half After a good cleaning, editing is the single most important part of the re-design process. Suite 24 takes care to carefully choose from the pieces you love and re-purpose others that may be hidden in other parts of the house. Your favorite chair may need a slipcover or the funky lamp you discovered in your Mom's basement might need spray painting and a new shade but incorporating these sorts of items will help show off your individual character . As important, removing excess elements helps the room make sense. In Steve's living room, there lived 3 table lamps, 2 floor lamps (one was broken but still took up space there) and a ceiling fan with down lights. Can you say overkill?  Clearly, these guys liked things to be well illuminated. Suite 24 becomes a new set of eyes to see beyond those emotional blocks that accompany the oft-heard sentiment  "I like it this way!" and brings you to that  ahhh moment.  For those elements that will need replacing, future purchases are discussed. Consultations are always available to guide your choices as we complete the whole picture. We're a team....remember? One room ....one day.....one step closer to wonderful. Choose your focal point  Since Steve no longer used the front door, the space had no traffic flow. What it did have was lots of natural light. Often, as in this case, the living room is where the gang watches TV. This TV and the stand overpowered the best asset in the room....the fireplace. Moving the set would bring back flow and make it someday possible to re-instate the front entrance. For now, that one change would eliminate the competition for attention between TV land and the under-appreciated fireplace.  I took a tour downstairs to the "man cave" to check out the wiring with high hopes that we could re-position the set and it's console to the long wall allowing us to better use the floor space. Experience prevailed and it was obvious in this house it would be a time consuming undertaking to move wires thru the floor joists under the dropped ceiling. This is an easy enough task from a work perspective, but sometimes you've just gotta go with what you can accomplish in the day.  This is a great example of setting the framework for future upgrades to the design. Leaving the TV where it was functioned fine and will be addressed in the next phase of refining. In the end, it all came together and the TV is now in the shadow of our true focal point, the fireplace. Game Results We brought some importance to the room by showcasing a favorite framed  picture over the mantel. Steve managed to smuggle it out of his childhood home and tho it has little monetary value, it's sentiment is priceless. This is what we at Suite 24 look for when beginning your design. Pieces of your life, things that reflect who you are and where you've been....these are the details that turn a house into a home.                                                      With some creative, inexpensive additions the mantle became the wow factor this simple surround needed. Even tho the budget was minimal, we were able to add some 'free' touches. There were a few odd wine bottles that we fitted with  inexpensive colored candles reminiscent of  earlier times in Steve's life.  (The guys later told me how much they really like that particular feature. Candles are now part of their budget!) Using the wine bottles for the candles kept the design manly and un-fussy but brought ambiance to the room. We also agreed to keep the odd pair of contemporary pictures since they echoed the fun-loving side of the homeowner. Phase two of the re-design process will find them a better place to 'hang' but for now they're part of the story. Sometimes you just need a touch of quirky or the unexpected to keep things light and interesting.    Using the red color of the sofas, we incorporated a special art piece that belonged to Saleem thus bringing his presence into the design. It's important to represent all members of the household. Each of us share part of the tapestry that becomes the whole.  Guests are no longer seated on sofas at opposite ends of the room but instead are positioned to bring the focus and conversation front and center. Between the candlelight, a roaring fire, some real plants and new furniture placement, the room gained an identity at little cost. Even the addition of firewood artfully stacked on the hearth created interest. Family and friends can now comfortably gather, welcomed by memories the familiar picture evokes and the interesting story of Saleems' Togo roots evidenced in his art piece. Both of the men's personalities now shine thru.                                                      Suite 24 to the rescue. One day....one room...one cohesive look.  Oh....and it doesn't hurt that the tools and manuals no longer hide the hearth. Go Steve!  P.S.  Don't forget to water the plants.                               ______________________________________________________________         Suite 24                  Re-Arranging, Re-Designing, Re-Purposing in one day!                                            We offer same day basic design solutions as well as ongoing services, special occasion designs, staging for resale, organizing,re-purposing, remodel consulting, interior design, color consulting and more....specializing in small spaces, apartments and first homes.   *Returning to the Annapolis area soon!  Consultations available    to book in time for the holidays. Call now....410-370-3020

Who, What, When and Where?

                               
  
    Since introducing Suite 24 to you, I've been in a quandary about what my first topic should be. It occurred to me that a laundry list of the special services we provide would be necessary but lists....oh, I must have an allergy to lists! In my everyday life, even when I make them I seem to leave them behind. Mental lists work best for me....I think in pictures and the pictures are far more detailed than my list could ever be. However...


   My conclusion is that a simple run-down will suffice. My bargain with myself is that after The List, I will introduce you to my past clients with the hope that their re-designs will inspire you to give us a call. Together, Suite 24, with your input, will refresh and rejuvenate your home....one room at a time.


   The List:
  Suite 24 specializes in re-designing, repurposing and re-arranging one room in one day for basic refreshing. 
  Obviously, if we have to wait for paint to dry, carpets to be cleaned, slip-covers to be made or the dog to
  return from the doggy-salon, it's going to take more than one day. 
  
  Small spaces are our favorite challenges, incorporating organization and smart use of space. Bring us your
  problem areas and we will surprise you with clever solutions.


  Editing your rooms creates better traffic flow, directs your eye towards important pieces and makes the 
  room shine. Every room shouldn't be a trophy room. Let's bring some polish to your pad.


 Consulting services are available on an hourly basis for developing the plan for future design work that can
 take your rooms beyond same day services. We will also provide research and can purchase new items
 to compliment or replace what needs revamping within your time frame and budget. 
 Sure you can....ask that crazy question!


 Other services are also available, i.e. painting, carpentry, wallpapering, light fixtures, draperies...those tricky
 things!  Of course, these aren't going to be same day services but we still offer them. Yessiree.


 Organizing is a must. Simple or complete, Suite 24 can make your world so much easier to live in with big
 and small organizational changes. Closets can become catch-all's. Let us conquer the clutter and bring
 some order to your life. (Well, at least to your closets)

 For special occasions, we would love to spruce up the place! Family and friends will swoon over your 
 elegant table and refreshed decor. Keep your eyes open for seasonal specials to be advertised here.  
 Everybody loves discounts, right?

                          

                                           
     And then there is everything in between. We've done demo to final design, refinishing to new purchasing. Whether you live in a tiny, first apartment or a house filled to the brim....bringing life and character to your home is within  your reach. Suite 24.....one room at a time, building the foundation for stupendous results!


    Consults are by appointment. Last minute re-design services are welcomed....but time may limit how extensive our first endeavor can be. Please call.....we'll talk!


    Suite 24
   410-370-3020
    Ruthann Donaldson

*Pricing discussed at time of initial conversation. Each job is priced according to scope of services.
  

Suite Intentions

  Welcome to the launch of Suite 24!
     Suite 24 is my design baby, a company that is intended to bring each and every one of you some collaborative divine inspiration.


 It's taken me a long time to take this leap into the bloggosphere. My greatest ambition is to share my passion for designing, experience to help guide you and a belief that surrounding ourselves with beauty is reflected throughout our everyday well-being. 


Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Here at Suite 24, our philosophy is that the real measure of 'design beauty' comes from within not from a design house or a fancy price tag. Without even knowing it, we each carry pieces of our history along our path. The worn upholstery on a well-loved chair only makes curling up with a book more inviting. Kicking back on that old leather sofa with your feet propped up on the coffee table says this is my home, sit down and relax with me. The faded throw who's home is draped over the arm of a passed-down rocking chair brings comfort and security, memories and all. Regardless of your aesthetic, there is beauty unbounded. It comes in all styles and sizes, old or new and should be an ongoing evolution of your senses and sensibilities.


Grandma's old tea cups, sturdy new coffee mugs, that new 'to-die-for' modern chair, old dishes handed down from the family table, broken-in doggy beds, the big screen TV for friendly gatherings, a sumptuous, king-sized, pillow-topped, mattress for dreaming and that irresistible, quirky thing-a-ma-jig...all of these pieces have a place in a real home, for this is what design is meant to be. Good design sets the stage for creativity, a space where creature comforts and your stamp of individuality happily reside. 


With every cool furniture find, displayed photos, odd trinkets, travel mementos or treasured heirlooms you surround yourself with, your home is a travelogue of life. It's the map of where you've been and where you're headed. Each thing you add to your place called 'home' is a snapshot of the history that makes you who you are. When these things are used or displayed on shelves, tables and walls, they become bits and pieces of life that orchestrate to reach out and share your unique story with everyone who enjoys the comfort of your home.


   As the owner of Suite 24, I extend a warm hello to you. I hope as my blog develops you will follow along by contributing your ideas, pictures and questions so that together we can create spaces that will inspire community, family, memories and love.  Those spaces become...Home.


Ruthann Donaldson
Suite 24