Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Everyone!  I hope your holidays were happy and healthy.  It's time for my annual Happy New Year post and, as usual, I don't want to do: 

- a 'Top Posts from 2021' post - not my style.  

- a 'Word' for the New Year - again, not my style. 

- a New Year Resolution - Does anyone really keep them?  

Sooo, let me talk about creativity, share some design tidbits, and tell you a funny story.

 Creativity

We've been watching a series on PBS called Craft in America.  If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you find some time to watch.  The artists, their work and stories are inspiring and one quote spoke to me:

'Creativity Involves Risk'

Isn't that the truth?  I'm putting that quote on the wall in my craft room to remind myself to try new things. Even if I'm not successful, taking risks is what helps us to grow and that is important, especially in these challenging times.

Design Tidbits:

#1:

Several months ago, I took a design quiz and I must say, it was a pretty accurate description of my style.  Here are a few highlights:

*There is a more weathered look to your style that separates you from a more traditional style. You are much more relaxed. You may have collected items from your travels or inherited pieces that mean more to you than acquiring new items.

*When purchasing pieces you are drawn to items that look slightly worn, architectural, reclaimed or repurposed.

*Focus on architecturally interesting, weathered, natural and reclaimed pieces for your furniture. 

That's Me!

What's your decorating style?

#2:

I've been hearing a bit about Cottagecore Decor style (and I'm sure you have too).  It's also been referred to as:  Vintage Minimalism, Granny Chic, and Granny Glam.  I won't bore you with all the details, but I do like bits and pieces from the description, and since I never fit into a box, I would call my style, 'Vintage Junk'. 

 

I pick things that 'speak to me'. My home is filled with objects/furniture that needed refinishing, repurposing, or a complete rebuild.  If you've been visiting the Cottage for a while, you know I love anything old, vintage, antique, and with a story.  Remember the antique eggbeater? I love a challenge and I have two mantras:

'Look beyond the dirt and the damage.'

'I can make it pretty!'  

There's no 'matchy-matchy' around here and I'm guessing it works because when the woman that bought our house first walked through it, she came outside and asked me if I was a designer/decorator.  I started laughing and told her I'd been called a lot of things but that was not one of them. (We had her offer on the house a few hours later - along with an inquiry as to whether I would be willing to sell some pieces).  

When I told my daughter this, she looked at me and said, "I'm not surprised. No one has a house decorated like yours.  It's completely unique."  No farmhouse or modern contemporary, or any other popular style here.  Just a collection of things I love and often have brought back to life...and, chances are, I will be adding more.

Funny Story

I was shopping in Target with my daughter debating whether or not to buy some Christmas crafting stuff to tuck away for next year's crafting season. (yes, I do that). In the course of the conversation I mention to her that her Dad had recently seen my craft stash and said, "Whatever you do, don't die before me". A woman nearby starting giggling. Then my daughter replied with, "Why? He's just going to call me and say, 'Come deal with your Mother's craft sh$t!'

That did it, the woman was laughing so hard she was wiping her eyes. She apologized for eavesdropping and said she couldn't wait to get home and tell her husband this story. She browsed a little longer and as she was leaving stopped to tell us that up until that moment she hadn't been having a very good day and thanked us for turning it around and 'making her day'.

She walked away still laughing......

You just never know when you'll make someone's day!

As I reread this post I realize it rambles, but I'm going to leave it as it is.  Why?  Because we are almost 2 years into a pandemic and, I'm not going to lie, it's been rough.  We've had masks, toilet paper shortages, shut-downs, vaccines, boosters, variants, and people dying (tragically, we still do).  There were plenty of days when I didn't want to do much of anything, much less do something creative, or write a blog post.  Some days, I didn't and lost myself in a book.  Other days, it was just the thing I needed.  I see more of both in the future, but, that's OK, it's what I do to get through the tough stuff. How about you?

That being said, I hope you'll join me in 2022.  

There will be creativity.  

There will be risks.  

There will be stories....because I'm 'all about the stories'!

Thank you for reading my rambling post.  I appreciate every one of you who has become part of the Apple Street Cottage Community.  Your visits and comments 'make my day'!    

Happy New Year!

If you'd like to read my other New Year posts, here they are:

 

There was Keepin' It Real where I layed out my 'not so perfect' house for all to see.  

Then there was Hello 2020 discussing my love of antiques and anything vintage...I guess you'd call it my 'Style', and who I am 'imperfectly' as far as a DIYer, blogger, and creator. 

And then there was Looking Forward after months of living during a pandemic.

Featured at:

Link-Up Potpourri