slow decorating + a call for peace
When it comes to my own home, I’m into SLOW decorating. It takes me forever to make decisions for myself, sometimes due to having access to so many wonderful options that I freeze in decision making, sometimes due to budget. I bought a pair of Napoleon III twisted knot rope chairs in 2017 at a consignment store - I knew upon seeing them I had to have them. That decision was easy. Finding a fabric to reupholster them in proved otherwise. They were originally upholstered in a light pink and blue plaid with cream background. They moved around the house and sat in corners with blankets draped over them for 7 years! I looked for fabric on and off, but just never came across anything that I loved. Having furniture reupholstered is expensive and I wanted something that I knew I would want to live with for a long time. I actually very randomly came across this fabric while looking for a fabric for a client and ordered it without even getting a sample. Sometimes, when you know, you know.
I’m a real sucker for animal print, and the green color sold me.
I had the double welt done in a camel color velvet and at some point I’m considering adding gold gilt to the ends of the tassels.
I don’t post my own home too often, mainly out of laziness/apathy TBH. I always think about posting more, and then never do, sigh. But if you have seen my living room before, you might notice a few other changes. I swapped out the rug and coffee table. Both are vintage; the rug I already owned and the coffee table came from Afternoons. The chairs have actually been done for a few months now and while I’ve wanted to share them along with the other changes, there is something about posting about newly upholstered chairs that feels trivial while others homes are being bombed and flattened to the ground with weapons provided by the USA.
Remains of an apartment building in Gaza after being bombed by Israel. Image from CNN.
I’ve been listening to loads of podcasts and reading the news. There isn’t a well informed person out there that thinks what is going on right now in Gaza is acceptable. It is absolutely out of hand. As with all wars, we are going to look back with regret and horror - most of the world is currently watching in shock/horror/despair. War is terrible for the environment - chemical weapons and pollution from weapons stay in the environment as a toxic legacy, among other tragic repercussions. (source: The Conversation) The fact that aid is still being restricted/not let in to Gaza while children starve to death is unconscionable. The fact that refugee camps that are supposed to be safe zones are still being bombed, is unconscionable. The fact that a ceasefire deal cannot be made to return the hostages is agonizing. Our leadership is failing morally and practically (hello failed pier). There is no good outcome for anyone to continue this war - it is putting the US in danger, Israelis in danger and obviously Gazans in mortal danger. Keep calling your reps. Keep advocating for peace and a diplomatic solution that gives Palestinians self determination. Keep donating if you can. Keep hope this nightmare ends soon.
An important read from J Street, ‘The Political Home of pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans’
Use the 5 calls app to call your reps, it takes 5 minutes.
Credible places to donate: Operation Olive Branch, Healing our Homeland, World Central Kitchen