Key word: was
Relatively simple post. Until she found a piece at her last show. Measuring 30 inches deep and 70 inches long and rusted to purrfection. Not exactly something that could be squeezed in the corner, hung on a wall or stuffed under something.
But she was not leaving this one behind especially since Dad offered to pay for it. She was so excited about this piece that before she left the show plans were being made regarding what would have to be moved out and sold. And what would have to be moved to another place in the studio.
All the while, I was home, never suspecting the incoming upheaval that was about to occur.
Never. Saw. It. Coming.
Comparable to being run over by a goat with tin can lust in it's eyes.
Thanks for the warning Dad. I survived the shock but paybacks are a coming.
As you might guess....in the end, most of everything had to be moved and nothing left the room.
Except me. And that was a matter of self preservation - tails and paws are a precious thing you know. And if you've ever experienced one of her "re-arranging adventures" you know that you have to go wash the dog or read a book in the litterbox. In a different room. At the other end of the house.
And before I forget..... for those of you who follow along on my adventures, the answer is "yes" - she went from painting and rearranging the office, immediately to the studio project. Which also meant that she was so busy that she had to admit she did not actually see me doing anything wrong (accused of evils against tiny innocents in the previous post). So it could not be proved that I was the evil do-er. And for those of you who backed me and were willing to boycott on my behalf....we are victorious!!!! Oops. Sorry, this is about the studio right?! My studio! Sorry got a little excited there for a moment......
Back on track.....let me show you my place. Let's start as we walk in the door from the office and look to your left....kind of hard not to see this unless of course you are looking to your other left and you run into it. Then you see it. Up close and personal. If you eye isn't swollen shut. Because it is solid industiral metal. No forgiveness from this piece. Do you suppose that's why she put it here? To discourage visitors?!?
We are not discouraged though. I gotta tell you though that it was hard to get a decent picture of this because of the angle at which it is placed.
So because it is hard to discern what this contraption is let me help. This is a rolling industrial shelf with pull out steps in that blue that she loves.
It was one of the pieces slated to go before she found a place for it. Just as well because on my bucket list is getting to the top so I can nap in that basket of vintage eiderdown comforters. And I have not completed that task yet.
One day I will though. Just as soon as I figure out how to pull out these steps and knock the books off.
Right smack next to it is the new piece. Well not so new. Actually old enough to have rusted to a fine patina.
Anyone know how long it takes something to rust out in the rain?
No? Me neither but it's probably a bit older than that.
I think.
Oh wait. I should warn you. Viewer discretion is advised. To properly view this post, you have to love rust or risk fainting away at the overwhelming amount you'll find here. So for those of you who seek perfection and sleek shiny surfaces, look away now before it's too late! Although everything was cleaned extensively before bringing it inside, it is still going to be purrfectly....imperfect, rusty and old!
However, for those of you who do appreciate this type of impurrfection, don't forget, you can click on any picture to see a larger version. Just letting you know in case you don't have feline vision.
With the exception of the young orange fuzzball, Tessa (appearing in the above photo), you'll find a scattering of old stuff currently on the counter....
My addition was the lamp from Target. Well actually, the idea for the contents. That was my idea. Totally all mine - such creativity, yes?
On the other end of the counter. Books that she thinks make her knowledgable.
Purrsonally, if she is supposed to be intelligent, why would she need the books???!?
Just one of the many things I ponder.
And balanced on the scale is a colander of shells and a few tubes of vintage paint.
Perched at the base of the scale....
You think of vintage sand shovels.
I think of emergency pooper scoopers.
It's all purrspective.
And speaking of purrspective....this is the view while sitting at the counter.
On a rainy day. One of many during the past month.
In back of the counter is the stepback that she purchased in southern Georgia. On the bottom of one of the drawers the maker signed his name and dated it, 1940.
Sorry but I am not going to dump the drawer out so I can show you. I'd never get everything back in there. So purrhaps you can just trust me and use a bit of imagination?
In this photo below can you see a glimpse of the paint?
This is the way it was found - honestly aged and crackled!
Moving toward the window, in the left corner, is my back door to adventures and next to it the fireplace. I warm my fur here in the winter.
Nestled into the fireplace surround on top of the fireplace..... yes, a surround on top. Hey, I never said she was normal or that she follows the rules for how things are to be used. Should I have warned you earlier?!
Then we come to the dead tree solidly rotting away in a pile of books.
Did I say "rotting"??!? Oops, rooting. It should say "rooting".
Reaching up towards the 16 foot peaked ceiling, one can only imagine how she got this inside. Actually, I wish I had a video of that one. It was entertaining to say the least. As a side note, if it ever has to go out....well it will be in pieces. Many small pieces.
Under the tree, is my workbench and an antique medical chair. Which by the way is quite handy for jumping up on the workbench. It also has a nice glass top that feels wonderfully cool after sunning myself out on the deck.
The warmth is good but sometimes I fall asleep and get a little toasty. Too toasty. I mean have you ever fallen asleep outside in the sun wearing a fur coat?! Go ahead and try it for the proper perspective and a new appreciation of my glass top workbench. But no, you cannot use mine to cool off. You're on your own. Nothing purrsonal, I just don't think we would both fit on there.
I've worked hard to make this piece uniquely mine. Bird books, bunnies and bird nests.
I'm telling you I should start my own decorating service just for us cats.
Being not only talented but generous, I did allow her to put a few things on the
industrial rolling ladder next to the workbench.
I'm not all tough and stuff. I do have a few kind whiskers for her.
In back of the workbench we find....
more rust.....
and old cabinets....and not so old cabinets filled with jars of buttons and supplies for creating.
And windows....in case you are wondering or had not noticed, the entire wall is one of windows.
Yes, this is why this is my favorite room if I have to be inside. And why I have deemed it as mine.
Above is another bucket list locale.....
One day I will scale that mountain of antique hand loomed linens!
They will be mine I tell you!
My cat fur will reign supreme on their once pristine surfaces!!!
Next to the wardrobe are the boys, more fabric and stacks of children's books.
I am hopeful that one day she'll make me a huge blankie and
read me some of those stories.
Now on the other wall is this huge stepback.
Oops just realized, this is another exception to the rule of old.
This is a reproduction but a good piece because it holds lots of junk stuff.
It used to be by the doorway to the office but had to be relocated to make room for the counter. Works better over here anyway because in the winter you can see the neighbors house. Which is a rental and a mere ten foot off our property line. Ew. Yuck. Shove that over here, I yelled!
And now it nicely blocks the view. And their view. MOL (meow out loud). Nothing worse than working and having the feeling someone is watching over your shoulder.
Not to mention that should the neighbors see all this old
And so completing the circle on the last wall, opposite of where we came in, is the big blue cabinet that is nine foot tall and was a gift from.....my Dad. It was a surprise and while I'm not the syrupy kind of cat you might think, it was a pretty sweet thing he did.
You see a friend had this cabinet at mall she used to sell at (10+ years ago). But it was out of her price range. So she worked hard to sell her stuff to get enough money to buy this monstrosity.
And she lusted over it every time she came into the shop, hoping that the cabinet was not sold yet. Because well, maybe she would have enough sales and maybe be able to buy it. Maybe.
Then the inevitable happened. The cabinet was sold.
And she was so disappointed. So she told herself it just wasn't meant to be. Even though deep down she was still sad about not being able to get it.
Until she saw a card with her name on it. It was from Dad and he had bought it for her and left a card that said, "just because". Pretty sweet husband, yes?! But she still loves me best. Of course.
Next to the cabinet is my chair. Which I might add seems to be continually occupied by someone other than myself.....
How is it this three legged cat seems to be everywhere at once?!??
Guess I'll just have to go rest somewhere else.
There is a table in the center of this side that I love to sprawl out on.....
When I can get there first.
Now however, I think purrhaps we should head out for an adventure! There are many more studios out there waiting for us! They probably even have a chair we could sit in.....
And of course a special thank you to Karen for your continued dedication and your initial vision to create this fun party! We appreciate you!
