Week Three

Spring Break is over. I am proud to say that I studied, slept, and finished decorating my sister's house. No broken bones or car accidents occurred. I did get a really bad sore throat and sinus infection that required a doctor's visit.

Speaking of doctors, my son is in his third year of medical school. Last week, he helped amputate a leg. He did not get his strong disposition from me. I would have hit the floor in an unconscious state. But it did not seem to bother him. The first week of medical school, the students were taken to the basement to work on the cadavers. I am so glad I did not choose a medical profession.

I enjoy decorating as a hobby. I wanted to pursue interior design in college, but I did not think I could make a living in Oklahoma. I love HGTV's website (http://www.hgtv.com/) because it has ideas for every room. Bold colors are back such as countertops, tiles, and cabinets. Red is a color that is still hot, due to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing while oranges and yellows of India are soothing.

Tuscan and Terracotta are color schemes that are out because of its overuse in stores and restaurants. My favorite color is burnt orange with accents of blue and dark brown. My sister has an old world taste with a touch of Hollywood. She loves fringe, tassels, sparkly chandeliers, and glass accents. I had to put my Shabby Chic taste aside in order to decorate her house, according to her style.

Shabby Chic includes vintage fabrics and antique furniture painted white or a soft pastel color that is distressed at the corners by sanding. I also love faux painting. I painted my study gold, and then I brushed burnt sienna in a half-moon shape over it with a paint brush.

I find lots of ideas at http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/. This blog defines Shabby Chic as mixing the old with the new, blending them all comfortably and in harmony. Sounds like a good definition to me.

Apparently, Rachel Ashwell created Shabby chic in the 1980s after spending lots of time at garage sales and thrift stores. The colors include pale pink, pale blue, cream, ivory, and pale green. Fabrics are usually mis-matched fabrics, florals, stripes, and plaids. I like it because anyone can afford this style. It is okay if things don't match. In fact, it looks better if they don't. Target carries Shabby Chic decor and quilts are seen at http://www.target.com/Simply-Shabby-Chic-Designy-Shabby-Chic-Design.

This floral print makes a great throw pillow that fits in any decor. Even old dishcloths or handkerchiefs would work in this bedroom. The flowers remind me of my 'Nanny.' She used to sew her own flowered-dresses with this floral print.

My sister likes Old World style decor that is found at http://www.kirklands.com/. Here are a few items that I put in her house:

Of course, these items look better in her house, but it shows the different taste that we have. She is eight-years-older than me. She likes to dress up, and I like to wear jeans.

This week, we are learning about politics, citizen journalism, and blogging in our online class.
My favorite political blog is http://www.huckpac.com/. I am discovering a world of information that I had no idea existed. Who needs to watch the news with all this information available on blogs?

On the other hand, my sister likes old world decor in her house. I learned a lot while I was shopping and decorating. Here are a few pictures of her taste: