A toes perspective

Yesterday I was hoping to check out the Coach outlet for a book satchel but I had to make a little detour to get my big toe nail removed.  The removal of my big toe-nail was insignificant compared to the sad little room I sat in for 45 minutes.  One of the things that I am really interested in is commercial design and the challenges that are faced in designing such a space that is not only functional but visually interesting.   In between getting 7 shots to numb that big fat ole toe I really studied the space.  My toes and I were shocked to see this uninspiring space. I kept asking myself.....did someone really design this space???   Bottom line it really sucked.

The first thing that struck me was the color of the walls.  Why in these type of institutional settings do they insist on using some mucky putty color?   Really it is depressing.....and I was thinking  I might need to make an appointment to get some antidepressant pills if I don't get out of here quick.

The next thing was the combination of the wood tones.  The floors were probably the best feature in the room ..... and I am being generous.  But the combination of the three wood tones of the floor, the door and the Formica cabinets left me speechless.   Oh and about those floors......there is one thing I just despise and that is the rubber baseboard molding.   I have been lucky enough to have been involved in the design of a few commercial spaces and you won't find me using rubber baseboard....I just won't do it.

Ok so next is art work.  

Well I guess if I try real hard I can get a color palette.....

flesh, putty and blue......

Wow.....I may be on to something.
THIS SPACE MAY HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DESIGNED.    

 What else could explain that pop of red??  And then there is that same blue that was in the art work
It is spaces like this that just give me that extra push to run not walk to design school.....because seriously this space could have been so much more.
How about this?

http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2008/02/07/business/07clinic_CA0.ready.html
Truly isn't this much better??  Nice cheery color. Great textured flooring.  A little better artwork
and
NO WIRE HANGERS RUBBER BASEBOARD!!!

Glad I got that off my chest. 
  

Books, Books and more Books and a few art kits too

And about those books...... I am taking 16 units and while I am not surprised.....that equates to a lot of books.   In addition to the books there are three art kits.  I just think the art kits are so amazing.....and yes I will confess I picked up two of my three kits over six months ago too!    I have pillaged them.   I just had to touch everything in my kits.  I tried out the pencils, the french curve, the T square, the triangle and the colored pencils and more.

I only needed four more books and an art kit to complete my book requirements so yesterday off to school I went to pick up the balance of my books.  As I entered the bookstore a very nice bright pink haired young girl asked me  " Ma'am......can I help you?"   

This is a fairly good representation.

Although I am used to being called "Ma'am"  these days.....it still gives me a little jolt.  I unfortunately....or maybe it is fortunately can't remember exactly when I crossed over into the "Ma'am" world.......but it sort of  DEFINITELY sucks.  But it is what it is.   I gave her a list and she looked at me and said  "Wow....Are you getting these for your daughter?....that is so nice".   I think stuff like this is going to happen a lot.  But I just smiled and said "Nope there for me".........she gave me a very pleasant smile back and a big  "Oh".  At any rate she was very helpful and I was out of there in no time and back on the road to home.  My husband was so kind to drive me which of course allowed me to peruse all the books on my way home. 

I spent the evening scouring through the books and these two are going to be my favorites.

Today  I decided to take inventory and put everything out on my dining room table. That is when I realized......Holy Moly...this is a lot of stuff and I still have one art kit to obtain that is filled with all those really cool Prismacolor markers and who knows what else.  So at the moment this is what my dining room table looks like. .

So tonight while I am sleeping I know I will be dreaming about some sort of really stylish satchel or book bag  to carry everything in.     Hmmmm............and I know of a Coach outlet real close. 

Anticipation

Every time I hear the word "Anticipation"  I get a visual image of a dusty old 8 track and the voice of Carly Simon blaring out of my cheap speakers....ahhhh 1972 ....where the hell does time go????  So all summer long that is what I have been singing in my head....trust me Carly I used to listen to nothing but you...but please give me a break already. 

Cover of Anticipation

So my summer is winding down and my life is about to change.  I look in the mirror in the morning and ask the face staring back at me....Are you ready?   The fuzzy face staring back at me reaches for her progressive lenses and slips them on her face and answers "Hell Yes"...and the real world comes into focus. So what exactly am I ready for??   That would be a dream come true...and a long time coming.   Interior Design school is something I have thought about for over twenty years.  But life has a way of charting its own course ....and it was a great course.  I have four great kids all grown and making their way in the world.  I have a loving nurturing sexy husband.   My life is great....my life is spectacular.  But I knew I still had unfinished business.  Design business that is.....so off to design school I go.

My classes begin in less than 3 weeks and to say I am a little excited is putting it mildly.  Truth be told since I am a bit of an overachiever and a bit of a dork  I went and picked up most of my books over 6 months ago.  I have been reading them off and on over the last 6 months.  Geez........I hope I pass the first quiz..