My Friday

A few photos of how I spent my Friday...

Workin' at the Theatre

I got a  new workstation at the theatre!

Well, I switched desks with my coworker, Jessi.  I love it because it's right by the window, so there's lots of light and air.

I've done the best I can to make it homey, inviting, and like a theatre office.  I think it's turned out very "me." I've angled my computer at the 90 degree angle of my desk in an effort to give my arms proper support while I work, and so that I don't have to directly face the wall.

Love my plants:

My collection of posters from shows I've done (I almost have a grid!):

My bulletin board with drawings that I've done, as well as some of my favorite cards:

And my collection of depression-era national parks postcards (I've been to 16 out of 24 of these parks; thanks mom and dad!):

And (in case I didn't have enough already) some more color...

Anyway, I'm very happy with my new space; it makes me glad to come to work!

Does anyone else collect dinosaur/vegetarian themed art?

Because I do.  Or at least I do now.

I started out with this print, which I fell in love with and purchased about a year ago.  It's from SUPERMARKET (a great store that sells accessories, prints, home decor, etc. direct from the designers- kinda like Etsy).

Just recently I found (and received in the mail today) this print from SOCIETY 6 (also a terrific store).

If it's hard to read, here's the translation:

T-Rex: Oh great.  Who invited the herbivore?

Brontosaurus:  I brought hummus.

As a vegetarian, they both crack me up.  The best part?  They work well together, color and otherwise.

Next up?  This print from Etsy:

If you ever come across any dino/vegetarian themed art, let me know!

Does anyone else collect art of a very specific theme?

A Room for My Bed

One of the many reasons I love my house: my cozy bedroom nook.  I live in a studio, and therefore don't have an actual bedroom, but the nook gets the job done.

It's hard to see, but there is a built-in bookcase/shelf that runs the bottom length of the far wall. Inside is my collection of books and plays, and on top is my favorite duck lamp (which has always been a favorite of mine, much to the chagrin of almost everyone I know)!  My bed, a little closer:

Above my bed are two of my favorite pieces of art.  The tree is a collage made by my sister, Xue, and the orange-framed one is the cover of a children's book called "If"  by Sarah Perry.  The book is made up of beautiful watercolors of scenes that could only exist in the imagination of a child (or in the imagination of an artist; the two are, I believe, very similar).  You can check out more about the book HERE.  The cover image shows green fish growing on a tree where the leaves should be.  My mom gave me the framed picture this past Christmas.  She knows me well.

Moving along to the shelf by my bed, I've got a fun collection of sentimental items...

First, my green light-up owl (uses a green bulb!) that belonged to my grandma.  I have memories of arriving at her house in San Diego to visit and immediately rushing into the bedroom to turn on the owl lamp.  

The brown owl is one I purchased at a thrift/curio store in downtown SLO.  The 'Olive You' painting I bought at a sale in Cambria (my hometown) during a day trip with Luke.  It was the only thing of the artist's that I liked, and at the time (I was completely broke) $18 was a lot to spend on something frivolous like art.  Looking back, I'm so glad I bought it.  I love the colors.

Next is a piece painted using a stencil- designed, created, and given to me by a friend. I've always loved it.  The mask is one that I bought in Venice.  The K is one that I DIY'd.

The Avila postcard is vintage and is one of several that I bought for a friend and then had to go back and buy some for me!  The framed painting next to it is the beginning of my nickname, Kee, made by a street vendor is San Francisco- I've had it since junior high.

Lastly is the sweet little turquoise-colored ceramic elephant (my favorite animal), which Luke bought me at an antique store on our vacation to Cedar City, Utah.  It's actually hollow and is a planter, but I prefer to keep it empty.

Until I started writing this post, I hadn't realized how many special pieces and items I've collected.  But that's always the way I've viewed art collecting; it should mean something.  None of this "I kinda like it and it's something to put on the walls" stuff for me- if it's gonna take up space in my house, then it better have a memory attached to it!

My Monday Makeover

I follow quite a few DIY/home/decorating blogs, and am constantly reading lines like "give fresh life with a coat of paint" or "transform your thrift store find with paint."

yeah, yeah, yeah...

Well, turns out it's true.

I've had this stool (found in the neighbor's trash pile; hence the strange holes on the seat) for quite some time.  It's always been white.  I thought I liked it white.

Before

But then I had this crazy idea that I wanted to paint it red.  Like bright, obnoxious, fire engine red.  So I set off for Home Depot, where I came back with this paint for around $3

And this paint/primer in one for about $7.  I chose the paint/primer in white because I have a couple other projects I will use it on...

Following the instructions in this article, I wiped down the surface of my stool.  I opted not to sand it, since I would be using the primer spray.  I did two coats of primer, and several coats of red (several thin, even coats are better than one thick, drippy one).  I also allowed plenty of drying time between coats and before bringing it back inside (which, impatient personality that I am, was not easy).

And I ended up with this beauty:

After

I couldn't be happier with it.  It adds a terrific pop of color to my room.  I would say a much-needed pop of color, but my house already has so much color that I'm not sure that's true...what can I say? I'm a color addict! At any rate, it definitely brightens the place up!

The stool is also really functional: it provides an extra sitting spot when I have people over, I use it as a stepladder, and also as a little computer table while sitting at my couch...

My new piece in action!

Coincidentally, here's what that corner of the room looked like before I took that last picture:

Its own little makeover, no?

Anyway, I am a paint-can-be-transforming believer now.  And now I have the urge to spray anything I can get my hands on... watch out world!