Dropclothdiaries

Greetings and salutations! For those of you who keep up with such things, Lent is upon us. And no, that doesn’t mean its time for a new lint brush and to clean out the dryer trap. I’m speaking of the 40 days of self-denial traditionally observed before Easter. As a Methodist, we’re not notoriously in to major Lenten observations but I like to get into the swing of things by giving up my Coffee and Chocolate- and this year I’m giving up Facebook as well.

Besides the giving up of things, for the past few years I’ve also added or taken up some things. This year I’m challenging myself to 40 days of creativity – where I will make myself do some sort of creative project each day. Needless to say, they will probably be small, quick and not stellar quality but the idea is to get me into a creative mindset rather than  sitting around thinking about coffee, chocolate and Facebook. That said, I’ll either post my projects daily or at the end of each week. Check back to see what, if anything I manage to create!

As always, I am, Drop Cloth Dude

OK, do you ever have those days where if something doesn’t change you feel like you’re going to have a melt down? No? Oh come on! I can’t be the only one!Really?! C’est la vie! Well, rather than painting a room or buying something I don’t need, I’ve decided on a new look for this blog. I think the diary (get it?) theme is kind of fun. What do you think? I’m still figuring out all the buttons and tabs but hope to have it 100% in the next couple days.

That’s it for now. Tomorrow is my birthday so I have to come up with something wonderful to fill my day! Maybe I’ll work on some blog posts… or not!

As always, I am Drop Cloth Dude

OK, I promised myself to start posting weekly in 2012 so I’m counting this as a post for this week! Actually, I’m just posting this so I will be reminded that I promised to do it and guilt myself into completing things. Guilt is a great motivator – just ask any mother!

Hoping we all have a super-duper fabulous 2012!

As always, I am… Drop Cloth Dude

Well, I realize that its been a while since I posted something, so while my new hair color kicks in, I’ll do some posting!

Bad Brick:

I know that guys will think this a blasphemy but brick is not sacred! The client had this very unattractive grey/brown brick fireplace and to tell the truth, the color had to go! Since I was doing a strie’ finish on the back of the bookcases, we decided to use the same color for a wash over the brick. The change was amazing! Gone is the dead grey, replaced by a warmer, more inviting color. Combined with the new carpet, lighting and furniture (grey sofas are gone), the whole room is now inviting and the clients are thrilled!

Worth It?

Time: about 2 hours. Paint used: less than 1 quart. Results: Wonderful!

Well, the hair color is ready to be finished so until next time,

I am… Drop Cloth Dude

Have you ever found something you didn’t know you “just had to have”? Well, I ran into something like that today as I was out looking for fabric for a project.

Groovy baby!

So I’m in the Edelman Leather showroom, just to see what new goodies they have, and I come across the most wonderfully colored leathers and cow hide rugs! OMGoodness! You almost need sunglasses to look at some of the colors! Needless to say, I leave the with several samples – even though I have no current projects in which to use some of them!

"Eat your heart out girls."

Eat your heart out Barbie!

As the original “material girl”, Barbie had it all: cars, clothes, dream houses and a loser boyfriend (sorry Ken). Her world was cotton candy perfection and the only thing missing would have been these wonderful cow hide rugs!(see below) The hides are “winter” hides and have longer, shaggier hair which takes the dyes in a unique way, giving them a shimmery look! I think most little girls, and lots of big girls, would love running around on these babies! These are the times I wish I had daughters! Of course, with my luck, they would be total Tomboys or Death Rocker Chicks! Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Pretty in pink... or purple.

Hell bent for leather…

Most of us, if we’re thinking of leather for interiors, think of browns, black, white, tan: you know, the standard colors. Don’t stop there! Most of the leather providers have wonderful colors, textures and patterns to choose from, so don’t limit yourself to the standard and expected! I’m personally waiting to purchase one of the apple green hide rugs for my living room! Awesomeness!

Coming soon to my living room!

While God may not have made candy colored cows, that doesn’t mean we can’t have them. So, exercise your inner “Barbie girl” and enjoy a little/lot of unexpected color in your life!

Until next time, I am… Drop Cloth Dude

 Warning! These pictures are GRAPHIC! What? Squares are graphic! Get your mind out of the gutter!

But seriously…

This is a recent renovation project I had the pleasure of working on. The client and her designer wanted to banish the dowdy 1990′s finishes and replace them with subtle, sophisticated textures and colors. I was more than happy to be involved!

Do it yourself Disco Gold!

The elevator lobby/foyer was covered in a really poorly done gold metallic finish which had seen better days.

Before: Ugh! Talk about dull!

Double ugh!

Rather than try and use it, we put it out of its misery, and ours, and started fresh! The designer handed me an inspiration photo with 9 colors in it and I about walked out! We realized that would be overkill so we cut it back to 4 Benjamin Moore colors: HC 170, HC 171, HC 172 and #971 (just in case you want to know).

Miles of tape and lots of patience…

The beauty of this finish is that it can be done in virtually any color combination but I’ve found it looks best when done in a tone on tone scheme, keeping the colors similar. It really isn’t difficult but it is time consuming and tedious with all the measuring and taping! But, I think the finished product is well worth it – and so did the client and her designer!

Much better!

So, don’t be afraid of large graphic looks in adult areas!

Much better to come home to!

Your risk taking side will be glad you did and it probably won’t look like something out of an Austin Powers movie! Not that there’s anything wrong with that! So get out your masking tape, ruler and paints and have some fun! Because it truly is hip to be square!

As always, I am, Drop Cloth Dude

Have you ever gone over to a friend’s or relative’s house after they have a baby? Are you ever surprised by the changes a baby can make in someone’s life? I recently went over to a client’s home to take care of some odds-n-ends for her and realized how much more than diapers get changed when a baby enters the picture!

What a mess!

Mess? What mess?!

I had to chuckle a bit when I walked into the kitchen! This is a lady who is so organized and put together that its frightening! What had happened? Well, that would be a baby! It’s amazing how much stuff babies require! I didn’t ask to see the rest of the house but assume that its just as crazy! Now, to be fair, the baby did arrive two weeks early and came by Cesarean, so Mom hasn’t been up to full speed, but still!

They’re so small!

Pink princess and Devil Dog

How can something so small, soft and cuddly create such chaos so quickly?! Did none of her friends and family tell her what was about to happen? Why did we bother with the house renovation? Well, that would be because kids eventually grow up and parents eventually reclaim their space and she wanted something nice to reclaim.

Ch-ch-ch-changes…

While I’m all about having beautiful homes and comfortable lifestyles, I mean, it is what I do; I’m more into big rowdy families and houses full of noise, toys, kids, pets, friends, life and love, rather than perfect interiors. Babies are always a good place to start! Its going to be interesting to see how well the furniture and rugs survive baby barf, ground in Cheerios, juice box spills, markers and pink nail polish! I sure that when Mom gets back into her groove, the house will once again look like it was planned to look, but until then, watch your step!

I hope those are fresh diapers!

Until next time, I remain, your humble Drop Cloth Dude

Hot enough for you?

OK, its too hot to do much of anything that requires leaving the house, so I guess I have no excuse to not post some more photos of things I have for sale. Check back later today or tomorrow, as I will have added more things to tempt you!
As always, I am, your faithful Drop Cloth Dude

Aye caramba! I’ve always heard that accessories make the outfit/room but this may be too much of a good thing!

Treasure Trove

Why, you may ask, do I have boxes of lamps and accessories sitting in my living room? I’m asking myself the same thing! Truth be known, a friend of mine recently closed his shop and these came from there and I volunteered to help him sell them. I’ve really got to learn to keep my big mouth shut! Anyway, I’m busily photographing, pricing and posting to EBay and Craig’s List! Ah, the “glamorous” life of an interior designer!

It’s all about the Benjamins!

Well, maybe not ALL about the money but that is the main reason to be in business, isn’t it?! I’ve been informed that once this load is moved, he has three more loads this big to get rid of! Oh my aching back! I hope to have it all gone by the end of Summer… or Fall… or end of the year! If you see anything in the pictures that tickles your fancy, let me know, because its all gotta go!

Goodies!

Well, enough typing. Time to get back to pricing and posting! Until next time, I am…

“Drop Cloth Dude”

OK, did you ever just get too involved in everything else but what is important? That’s where I’ve found myself for the last several months! Time to climb back on board the priority train and get back to work! Just finished a really intense project – will post photos in next post – and I’ve totally backed away from new projects, including this site. Enough!

Until next time, I am, your humble Drop Cloth Dude