Gehring Road

happy happy thanksgiving!

From our little family to yours... Happiest of Thanksgivings! 

into the loft... an update and a bit of a story

When I tell you (often!) that I am the luckiest lady that there ever has been, I truly, truly mean it. I am incredibly lucky to have the most beautiful, warm, sunny spot in our home to create and reflect. This evolving space I have come to love used to be Rob's office before I moved in. And what a story that was... my moving here. The apartment I was living in when we met suddenly and horrifically began to leak and flood during any rainy weather... and that summer just happened to be one of the rainiest on record. These frequent floods led to a significant mold issue that my landlords cured with paint and industrial dryers. I was often times unable to be in my apartment. When I became panicked about my books, my belongings and my life, Rob suggested bringing everything I loved to a space he loved and making it a space we both could love together. Though it was early days in our relationship, he offered the very best he could give me, making room where he could (even giving up his huge closet!) to make me happy during one of the most difficult times in my life. I have not stopped feeling lucky for so many reasons since. I think about that foundation our relationship is built on every time I'm in my loft, my creative space. It is, my favorite place to be for those reasons. 

So, I am lucky to have found the sweetest and most generous man, and that really should be enough... however, I won big with this man of mine in that not only is he the sweetest and most generous... he's also an incredibly chef, extremely patient, turns a blind eye to the many fabric packages that he intercepts throughout his days working from home and he's super handy. So this sweet, generous man not only painted that perpetually beige wall in my loft the perfect shade of Chocolat teal (Benjamin Moore's Newburg Green for those playing along at home) while I was shopping the Denyse Schmidt Sample Sale, he didn't bat an eyelash when I also requested a giant (3'x8' ahem) pegboard for my tools and sewing supplies... framed with trim... but not the trim we already have for the windows he's replaced (see, told you he's patient).

I just love the results... not as much as I love the man who made my vision come to fruition, but pretty close... Here's what we did...

...before...

 

....during....

...more during (I'm in love with the color, truly)...

 

...and after!... 

 

 

I love how this little project came out, it has changed the way I work in and use this beautiful (and much loved) space of mine. The pegboard came together quickly and easily and I'm so glad we decided to use a smaller trim. Originally I considered a mahogany stain on 4'' trim, but the darkness scared me a bit as did the extra use-able space I would lose from such big trim. The white just pops in the space (which we can see from our living room) and is one of my favorite elements. 

... a few things moved around, a few things have stayed the same... 

And so like a good wine and an even better relationship, this loft keeps evolving and if I do say so, darn near perfect-ing. I love it so. Thank you, thank you Honey! I love you so. 

 

Here's a list of where to find a few things from this post...

* Yellow and blue hooks purchased from Anthropologie (a while ago) 

* Pegboard and trim from Lowes

* Pegboard accessories (metallic) from Lowes (they came in a kit) 

* Pegboard accessories (teal blue) from Diamond Life 

* White file drawer is from Ikea

* Clock was an Etsy find 

* Bowls are from Anthropolgie 

* Ladder was a Brimfield score

* Glass Jars with lids from Stonewall Kitchen

 

improv quilting workshop

 My blocks from Denyse Schmidt's Improve Quilting Class 

Oh goodness, I had the most wonderful Saturday... covered in thread, fully inspired, learning, laughing with a great group of women and taught by Denyse Schmidt. Let's back up just a bit. Last week, I happened to notice that Denyse would be teaching a class at the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell. Lowell has a special place in our hearts, Rob used to live there and we both love this sweet and eclectic city. The workshops were sold out but I emailed to have my name placed on the wait list and just this Thursday I received word that a last minute cancellation meant I could attend. I am one lucky lady, I tell you. So just yesterday we packed sewing machine, tools, rulers and mats and headed up for a workshop that I have been dreaming of taking for many, many years.

If you ever have the opportunity to take a class with Denyse, do! There are spots available for her April workshop! The Improv Worshop is all about process, letting go of traditional and expected and delighting in the making. It was about using what is on hand, experimenting and enjoying the moments of creation. It was so incredibly liberating, inspirational and I just didn't want to leave. We spent the day learning Denyse's process. Making blocks as we went... 

We were asked to bring a quarter yard of our favorite fabric and of course, I couldn't choose so I brought five or six different options. The very first pull of fabric from Denyse's stash was gray bouquet, so I saw that as a bit of serendipity and used it in the second half of our day. I love the results. These blocks will be a quilt all by themselves. I'm thinking of scattering them on a really lovely solid and love the idea of having the quilt as a memento of the day. Pretty wonderful. 

So I've left Denyse's class completely inspired and in love with sewing again... my cutting board is filled with prints and ideas... 

... just as it should be. Happy Weekend everyone, I hope it is treating you just as well!