A well-appointed home makes room for painter’s tape and Scotch tape.
My husband and I have lived in our historic home for over twenty-five years. We have started and completed many projects, with and without help. Early in our time here, we did most of the work ourselves. Plaster repair, painting, wall-to-wall carpet removal, flooring repair. We have light skills in electrical and plumbing.
As our time here has progressed through the decades, we have been known to hire the most amazing professionals to help us make our dreams come true.
When all repairs and improvements have been completed, my favorite process has been placing our inherited and collected furniture in our rooms. This includes the hanging and display of our art. We started with framed posters and reproductions from museum gift shops. We moved into pieces purchased at charity auctions that had been lovingly donated by local artists. And, yes, we have also purchased art from my favorite store.
Then magic happened: our son made art at school, in classes at the art museum, and on our kitchen table in our home. He started this in preschool and continued into high school. Some art ended up in that year’s box of schoolwork and projects, nicely packed away to this day in the attic. Some ended up at the framer’s for hanging in our home.
Our home is over 100 years old. Our walls are primarily plaster. When we make a decision to hang a new piece of art, it sits for about a month near where we are considering displaying it. We talk about it, me more than my husband. I hem and haw. I gnash my teeth while holding my tongue, and then, yet again, I ask what a certain someone I married thinks. He tells me every time that my first instinct was sound. “Go for it,” he says. I delay a bit more. To commit to hammering a cut tack into plaster takes chutzpah and careful consideration. Then I make my move with his help.
Life has been rather hectic lately. In the last two weeks, I have spent too many nights away from home rather than tucked snugly into my bed. On several days, I have barely swept through the house after work to collect clean clothes before heading out to stay with a parent.
Several days ago, while walking through the living room on my way to my bedroom, something caught my eye. New art in the living room, taped to the thick curtains. Classy. The bonus was that, unlike the other pieces in our growing collection, this one came with an artist’s statement – again, taped to the window coverings.
It was a nearly subzero night in our Midwest city. Homes that are over a century old can be a wee bit drafty. Velvet-backed tapestry curtains help to relieve that discomfort.
The comedians I currently live with – my son and my husband – had decided to hang new art in our home without the trouble of cut tacks and a hammer.
I like to think we are a class act. Mostly we are funny people who do not take ourselves too seriously.
p.s. That my son made this piece and hung it – with tape! – on the curtains covering my westward view did not go unnoticed by me.
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Love this! (Now can you come over to our house to undertake some remodeling projects?) After five years, in many rooms, we still haven’t committed to the nails and hammer that represent permanent art on the walls.
Janel:
As chief curator of the art, this piece has been removed from the curtain and is currently at the studio being re-worked to remove all adhesives that might have be transferred to the front of the piece when the artist chose to hang it so irresponsibly.
It will remain a piece in the permanent collection but might not hang again for many years and, until then, remain in storage. If another institution finds it worthy of a trade for exhibition, we will consider it.
(Thank you for reading our blogs and taking time to send a note. I appreciate it deeply.)
-sloane
Darren:
I am sorry to say, we have retired from construction and restoration. If you want us to provide you with a list of amazing professionals, please let us know.
There will be no charge for our recommendations.
– sloane
Darren:
I am sorry to say, we have retired from construction and restoration. If you want us to provide you with a list of amazing professionals, please let us know.
There will be no charge for our recommendations.
– sloane
That would be a permanent installation for sure – thoughtful son
Janel:
As chief curator of the art, this piece has been removed from the curtain and is currently at the studio being re-worked to remove all adhesives that might have be transferred to the front of the piece when the artist chose to hang it so irresponsibly.
It will remain a piece in the permanent collection but might not hang again for many years and, until then, remain in storage. If another institution finds it worthy of a trade for exhibition, we will consider it.
(Thank you for reading our blogs and taking time to send a note. I appreciate it deeply.)
-sloane
Thanks for sharing. Funny. Clever.
Kim:
Thank you for reading our blogs, first and foremost.
Thank you for sending time to send a note.
If he is nothing else, he is hilarious. And, again, thank you. He is a good egg.
– sloane
They are indeed both of those, funny and clever.
I will share with my husband and son your approval.
– sloane
p.s. Thank you for reading our blogs and taking time to send a note.
Love this…….you two raised a good one.
Kim:
Thank you for reading our blogs, first and foremost.
Thank you for sending time to send a note.
If he is nothing else, he is hilarious. And, again, thank you. He is a good egg.
– sloane
This is so great, Sloane. I can relate about the plaster walls and the many holes hammered in the hopes they’d hold a piece of art. Fingers crossed every time.
I also relate to the nights away caring for parents and loved ones –my heart goes out to you all and hope the sturdiest tape can hold you all up.
Marn
P. Claire:
It is fine that he is back home for a bit.
He keeps us laughing as he works on getting that rocket into space!
– sloane
Marn:
You are so kind. I will tell you, duct tape can prove to be very strong…but you probably already know that.
xoxoxo to you.
– sloane
so it is good that he is back at home.
That is beautiful! What a thoughtful and clever son.
Kristin:
He is one of the funniest people I know!
And, please don’t tell him. : )
– sloane
p.s. Thanks for reading what we write and taking a minute to send a quick note. I am deeply touched.
This is insightful and hysterical. Someone should create a series about the three of you!
Ruth-Ann:
You are kind but I think we are better is short doses!
Thanks for reading our blogs and taking a moment to send a note. You are the best!
– sloane
Dakota is CLEARLY more than just a pretty face. That is priceless!!! Is it for sale? What’s the asking price? Bah hahaha!
Monica:
I live with crazy people! Artists? Maybe. Comedians? Yes!
And, it was priceless and still sitting on the dining room table before heading off to Sotheby’s.
xo
-sloane