A Blank Canvass.....

Darlings, as I mentioned in my last post, I have a decorating challenge on my hands!

Usually, I'm not a fan of challenges (if it were up to my gene pool, we'd have all stayed in Boston) but this is a whole new realm of decorating for me. I'm going to try to do a Martha Stewart Room!!!

The main reason (hell, the ONLY reason) I'm doing this is for The Colonel. He's an Awfully Good Sport about my somewhat eclectic taste, and I am going to try to do a room for him, using some of the pieces that he inherited from his mother, or purchased on his own in his bachelor days. The purpose of the room will be a study/guest room, and I want it to be traditional and warm, yet casual.

The centerpiece of the room will be a Boston Chippendale secretary, a Missiony rocking chair, a vaguely Mediterainian style Curio Cabinet, and Mother Kukec's waterfall style cedar chest - all darkish wood. I'll be adding a Hollywood bed with a floral pattern (yes floral. No sacrifice is too great, after all) in tones of green and blue, and a bookcase. (books are awfully decorative, don't you think?)

So I need a base color for the walls. Something restrained. Something tasteful. Something that says "Look at this formal furniture. See how tasetully restrained I am."

I'm thinking a Tasteful Taupe. Or a Restrained Blue of the palest blue. Or a Manly Grey. I need your help, dear readers because, left to my own devices, it would end up like this, and The Colonel wouldn't approve at all (yes, it's an encore, but it's still true)

For the Wisconsin Housewife.....

Darlings, Where has the summer gone? I keep starting posts and abandoning them, and before I know it, here it is time for me to start harranging you about Thanksgiving!

It's been a busy few months here at Chez Vel-DuRay: The Greek bought a condo, and we've been slowly moving her out. My district at work got expanded to include the fabulous Olympic Manor. The Colonel has been traveling to Delaware and points east. I finally got The Professor to ship his dining room table to his sister. We painted the deck. It simply never ends.

Mother Vel-DuRay is feeling quite well (knock on wood) and we're cautiously optimistic that she might be able to come out here for Thanksgiving, along with sister-woman. Time will tell, of course, but keep your fingers crossed.

But with The Greek's departure, all eyes turn to decorating. The extra bedroom is going to be transformed - transformed, I tell you - into a stately sort of room. One that is more in keeping with The Colonel's taste. It shall be a Study. A Library. A den, if you will. I'm thinking darker wood, a touch of brass, a hint of chintz. And pearl gray or maybe taupe. Whatever happens, it promises to be a STUNNING departure from the rest of Chez Vel-DuRay, but every bit as tasteful, so stay tuned.