Fun game: let's pick a parlor rug

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. So I made a super rough Photoshop mockup of the parlor and tested different rugs in it. The things in this room I actually own: the loveseat, light fixture (though it's not hung yet), curtains, and chairs (though they're not reupholstered to look like this yet). I'm on a blue kick, and I love bold graphics. A navy rug? But which one?

Above: it's loony and I love it! This rug has little orange squares in it which tie in with the orange womb chair in the adjoining living room! If we leave the pocket doors open and you stand in just the right place, you'd be able to see them both at once. But I think I'm too chicken to buy this one, and I wouldn't want the eyeballs of visitors to pop out of their sockets.


Or take it down 6 notches and go with asymmetrical rectangles. By the way, I always first type "asymmetrical" with two s's and then it looks like ass and I realize something is wrong. (Just an aside. Or asside.) This rug is navy with a pale gray background like the walls.


Maybe stripes? A bold move. Navy and ivory.


Royal blue instead of navy, in a chevron.

What to do, friends?

DIY washi tape magnets

Have you seen the witty washi tape magnets at Twirling Betty? I spotted the idea at Craft the other day and immediately had to try it out. I love fancy Japanese tape. And magnets that look like fancy Japanese tape. Read Christen's easy instructions right here.



I stuck a white mailing label over the printing on my junk mail magnet and layered the tape on top of that, since there was no paper that would peel off. The label hid the printing. They're pretty believable, right?

My new roman shade

Guys! Look at the latest addition to our house: a roman shade made by Rachel Epperson, owner of The Needle Shop. When we were in Stockholm earlier this year, we found this fabric in a shop and I was instantly smitten. I think I drooled on it a little. Rachel immediately snatched it up and offered to make me present. My understanding is she went to Home Depot, bought some wooden dowels and a couple doodads, waved her arms around, and this was the result. You can't even see the drool now. It's so fantastic I can hardly stand it.



The fabric is by Almedahls, designed by Kerstin Boulogner in the 1950s. It's available by the yard at Hus & Hem or as a tablecloth at Huset. And if you live in Chicago and want to learn how to make your own roman shade, The Needle Shop has a class.

Santa Claus Making Deliveries

IF only I were Santa Claus and you were still a boy, I'd find the chimney to your heart and fill it full of joy;

On Christmas Eve when all was still and you were fast asleep , Much like your Santa Claus of old unto your bed I'd creep.

And in the pack upon my back all shining, bright and new I would have gathered everything to help and comfort you.

I'd tiptoe round about your life as Santa round a bed, Until with happiness and peace I knew your path was spread.

WERE there a single line of care upon your kindly face I'd find the cause that marked it there and banish every trace. I'd fill your breast with songs of love, your face

I'd deck with smiles And roses red should mark your path for miles and miles and miles;

And as I looked into your heart, while you so soundly slept, I'd find the hidden closet where your dearest hopes are kept,

The sacred dreams of long ago, the deeds you hoped to do And one and all, before I left, I'd realise for you.

О tawdry gift of tinsel cheap would ever I bestow, With joy your eyes should wake to smile, with health your cheeks should glow;

I'd search the corners of your heart where all your griefs are stored. And in the morning bright you'd find that on them I had poured.

The oil of consolation sweet and changed their stings to be The hallowed and the precious calm of sainted memory.

I'd make of you a happy friend, I'd robe you with content, I'd strew your counterpane with joys that night before I went.

This Image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1923 are copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office. Works published before 1923 in this case c1911, are now in the public domain.

TEXT and IMAGE CREDIT: If only I were Santa Claus Author: Edgar Albert Guest. Publisher: T.P. Henry, 1914. Original from: the University of Michigan. Digitized: Sep 9, 2009. Subjects: Poetry › American › General. American poetry / Poetry / American / General Poetry / Anthologies / Santa Claus.

Washington at Valley Forge

Title: [Washington at Valley Forge] / E. Percy Moran. Creator(s): Moran, Percy, 1862-1935, artist, Date Created / Published: c1911. Medium: 1 photomechanical print : halftone, color. Summary: George Washington on horseback in snow at Valley Forge.

Reproduction Number: LC-USZC2-3793 (color film copy slide) LC-USZ62-51810 (b&w film copy neg.) LC-USZCN4-331 (color film copy neg.) Call Number: LOT 10043 [item] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA.

Notes: K25716 U.S. Copyright Office. Reproduction of painting by Edward P. Moran.

Subjects: Washington, George,--1732-1799--Military service. United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Military personnel. Military camps--Pennsylvania--Valley Forge--1770-1880.

Format: Conjectural works. Halftone photomechanical prints--Color--1910-1920. Paintings--Reproductions. Collections: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand.

December 19, 1777, Washington's poorly fed, ill-equipped army, weary from long marches, staggered into Valley Forge, winds blew as the 12,000 Continentals prepared for winter's fury. Only about 1/3 of them had shoes, and many of their feet were leaving bloody footprints from the marching. Grounds for brigade encampments were selected, and defense lines were planned and begun. Though construction of more than a thousand huts provided shelter, it did little to offset the critical shortages that continually plagued the army.

This Image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired. This applies to the United States, where Works published prior to 1923 are copyright protected for a maximum of 75 years. See Circular 1 "COPYRIGHT BASICS" PDF from the U.S. Copyright Office. Works published before 1923 in this case c1911, are now in the public domain.

This file is also in the public domain in countries that figure copyright from the date of death of the artist (post mortem auctoris) in this case Percy Moran, 1862-1935 and that most commonly runs for a period of 50 to 70 years from December 31 of that year.

TEXT RESOURCE: Valley Forge From Wikipedia

Christmas Tree Amsterdam Avenue and 83rd Street Upper West Side NYC

This photo taken by sookietex on Manhattan's Upper West Side at 83rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue December 18th 2009

The fir is undoubtedly the Christmas tree par excellence, especially in the northwestern and Lake States, on account of its long, horizontally spreading, springy branches, and its deep green and fragrant foliage which persists longer than that of almost any other evergreen. In the northeastern and Lake States it is the balsam fir (Abies balsamca) that furnishes the bulk of the Christmas tree trade; in the South it is the Fraser fir (Abies frascri) which figures as a Christmas tree but less frequently than other more accessible conifers, since the fir is confined exclusively to the tops of mountains throughout North Carolina and Tennessee. In Colorado and other Rocky Mountain States, fir, though abundant, is difficult of access and is used only sporadically, giving its place to lodgepole pine. Douglas fir. and occasionally to Engelmann spruce. On the Pacific Coast it is principally the white fir (Abies con color ) that is used as a Christmas tree.

The spruces vie with the firs in popularity as Christmas trees, but as a rule in the South and West they grow at high altitudes which makes them also difficult to get at, and are therefore substituted hy less suitable but more accessible conifers. Black spruce is the tree most seen in New York and Philadelphia. Throughout the States of Illinois and Ohio nurserymen supply the local demand with nursery grown Norway spruce.

The pines are in great demand for Christmas trees when fir and spruce are not available, or are only to be had at a high price. Throughout Maryland, Virginia, and in Washington the scrub pine (Pinus virginiana) finds a way into many homes for use in this capacity; while in southern Wyoming the lodge pole pine is almost the only species available for Christmas trees.

Un-edited image Christmas Tree Amsterdam Avenue and 83rd Street Upper West Side NYC

The center of the Christmas tree industry lies in the big cities of the East. New York City and the New England States consumes nearly half of all the output. Nowhere does a Christmas tree furnish such enjoyment as in the North where its green foliage is so suggestive of summer during the black days of winter—and especially in big cities where evergreen trees can be seen only in the parks.

Maine. New Hampshire, the Berkshire Hills in Massachusetts, the Adirondacks and the Catskills in New York are the sources of supply for New York, Philadelphia and Boston, and even for Haitimore and Washington. The swamps of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota furnish the markets of Chicago, St. Paul, and Minneapolis.

TEXT CREDIT: The Guide to Nature, Volume 10

Cat on a bench

Cat on a bench in Locke, an unincorporated community in the Sacramento/San Joaqin River Delta in California. Creator(s): Highsmith, Carol M., 1946-, photographer. Date Created / Published: 2012. Medium: 1 photograph : digital, tiff file, color. Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-highsm-23102 (original digital file)

Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.

Call Number: LC-DIG-highsm- 23102 (ONLINE) [P&P] Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print.

Notes: Also known as the Locke Historic District, it was established after a fire broke out in the Chinese section of nearby Walnut Grove. Chinese merchants approached landowner George Locke and inquired if they could build on his land. He consented and the little town was laid out by Chinese architects. Title, date, and keywords provided by the photographer.

Credit line: The Jon B. Lovelace Collection of California Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America Project, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Gift; The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation in memory of Jon B. Lovelace; 2012; (DLC/PP-2012:063). Forms part of: Jon B. Lovelace Collection of California Photographs in Carol M. Highsmith's America Project in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

Subjects: United States--California--Locke. Chinese. George Locke. America. Format: Digital photographs--Color--2010-2020. Collections: Highsmith (Carol M.) Archive. Part of: Highsmith, Carol M., 1946- Carol M. Highsmith Archive.

About the Carol M. Highsmith Archive

The online presentation of the Carol M. Highsmith Archive features photographs of landmark buildings and architectural renovation projects in Washington, D.C., and throughout the United States. The first 23 groups of photographs contain more than 2,500 images and date from 1980 to 2005, with many views in color as well as black-and-white. Extensive coverage of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building was added in 2007. The archive is expected to grow to more than 100,000 photographs covering all of the United States.

Highsmith, a distinguished and richly-published American photographer, has donated her work to the Library of Congress since 1992. Starting in 2002, Highsmith provided scans or photographs she shot digitally with new donations to allow rapid online access throughout the world. Her generosity in dedicating the rights to the American people for copyright free access also makes this Archive a very special visual resource.