The STUFF Sisters
S. Sloane Simmons and Casey Simmons
Sisters and business partners sharing life's stuff....
I tore this page from the February issue of Spaces magazine. This room is too formal for my lifestyle and taste, but that color. Ohhhhhhh, that saturated color.
I think the turquoise matted framed art is brilliant. And, if you look closely the whole wall is framed in wood and acts like a giant second headboard. Again, brilliant. Because that incredible color would become cloying if the whole room was saturated. To me it is the perfect amount of infused color.
SHARE THIS: 
I have never really liked the “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” saying. It has always bugged me, and it doesn’t sit right.
I have never really liked the “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade” saying. It has always bugged me, and it doesn’t sit right. I like a good motivational saying – my Pinterest board “Sayin’ Something” is full of them. But that one, not so much.
When life, parades, business and commitments stepped in a few weeks ago and blew the plans my family and my sister’s family had made for Spring Break, we didn’t pout; we just changed our plans. Well, the youngest among us cried her eyes out, but the rest of us remained relatively calm. We were to have skied in Steamboat, but, instead, we took a road trip to Dallas. See? Nothing like lemonade.
And it was fantastic! What a great American city. The night before we were to leave, I typed my new favorite combination into Google “boutique hotel in (choose city name)” and happened upon the Belmont Hotel. Just over the Trinity River from downtown Dallas, and the view from most rooms was unstoppable; the view at night from the pool was a picture postcard.
We did our part as tourists – and those who like to spend money with locally owned businesses – and stayed in a locally owned hotel, ate meals in 4 locally owned restaurants, and, visited two tourist destinations located downtown. The Dallas World Aquarium and The Nasher Sculpture Center have found happy homes in urban settings.
We left much to go back and see, but that has been the way we’ve traveled with our son. You must always leave one thing undone in a destination so that you always have a reason to go back.
The Dallas World Aquarium was nice. The best part was when my husband decided to call it a terrarium after we had walked through the three floors of animals, spiders, and cougars, and finally made it to the lower level…where the aquarium part was. The whole building was packed to the gills with humans – never the best way to view nature – so we paced ourselves and took it all in. However, there really wasn’t enough sea life to put aquarium in the name.
I live with a funny man, and every time I think of the aquarium/terrarium comment I smile.
Extras and details:
SHARE THIS: 
A year ago, a close friend said to me, “Yes. I know about the blue and you.” I retorted with a general, “What are you talking about?” or “What do you mean?” She said, “I read the blog.”
A year ago, a close friend said to me, “Yes. I know about the blue and you.” I retorted with a general, “What are you talking about?” or “What do you mean?” She said, “I read the blog.”
Yes. It’s somewhat true about me and “the blue”. But lately I have been struggling with the desire to actually paint our bedoom a deep, rich blue. Not chalky or grey. Blue. Deep blue.
I attended a show at The Nelson-Atkins museum a few months ago, and the rooms were painted a rich, deep blue with hints of green in it. It inspired me so much that I actually called the offices and asked for the number/maker of said hue. I have since misplaced it because I realized it really wasn’t for me.
My husband isn’t crazy about this idea. He’s challenged me with the knowledge that our bedroom isn’t that large. He’s troubled me with the realization that blue walls are one thing, but what about the large amount of trim that is inherent in our 100-year-old home? And, most importantly, he wonders if I have thought about what our art will look like on blue, since it has always resided on white. He isn’t against the idea; he just seems to feel it’s important to needle me with details that clearly need to be considered before diving in.
The last and most imporant decision that must be considered is that we commissioned an outstanding local artist – my sister Casey – to paint our bedroom windows so that we would never need curtains again. These windows are the one detail I have yet to work around. I would never want to take away from their amazing strength by painting the walls a powerful – yet soothing – hue.
These are my issues with blue right now. Previous musings can be found here and here.
p.s. The top three image are from the website of Anthony Barratta. I have mentioned on my blog before that I adore his work and the work of his retired partner, William Diamond. When my ship comes in, his phone will ring.
The bottom photo is of our bedroom windows. They are stunning at night as well.
SHARE THIS: 
I like interior walls filled with art. I just rearranged the art in my own home. I created new collections that reflect some of the styles in this one-page article.
I like interior walls filled with art. I just rearranged the art in my own home. I created new collections that reflect some of the styles in this one-page article.
I really like the simplicity of the limited color palette in this next photo, but it is safe to say I don’t collect art in one color palette; it is quite the opposite, I must admit.
I will try and take some photos in my home soon.
Note: These pages are from Elle Decor magazine, March 2010.
SHARE THIS: 
This image inspires me. I love these kinds of spaces and idea boards. But, I must admit I can’t help but ask…who has to dust all that?
SHARE THIS: 
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo Da Vinci
This quote is on my bulletin board above my desk. I read it almost every day. On a trip to Atlanta recently, I was finally reading my magazines from November. I saw this ad and immediately thought of the quote.
This photo reminds me of Richard Avedon’s work. It is simply classic.
SHARE THIS: 
I fell in love tonight with a naked man in a museum.
I fell in love tonight with a naked man in a museum.
With my 14 year old son standing by. I was not embarassed by my behavior.
I love Friday nights at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art because there are never crowds of people and it always has a hint of a festive mood – that “end of the week” buzz. The guards are a wee bit chipper and make more than eye contact. The rooms hum with the feeling that, although the weekend will be busy, this is the real calm before the storm. This is when the “real” stuff happens. This is when the art sings to you in a quiet room and sinks in a little deeper.
That’s exactly what happened between me and “Man Falling” by Auguste Rodin. He sang to me and I fell in love.
SHARE THIS: 
My sister, Sloane, posted a blog today titled “Tentacles”. I was struck dumb when I read it, because I had just saved this image to my desktop yesterday. We must be broadcasting that “spooky sister connection” our mother always talks about.
My sister, Sloane, posted a blog today titled “Tentacles”. I was struck dumb when I read it, because I had just saved this image to my desktop yesterday. We must be broadcasting that “spooky sister connection” our mother always talks about.
This image was featured in a widget I have on my iGoogle page called Artist A Day. You can find them here. I discover new artists from them all the time. Here is the link to the artist’s website.
SHARE THIS: 
I started wearing reading glasses about a year ago. And I have noticed I have been wearing more and more jewelry at one time lately. Do you think when I grow up I can be as bold and beautiful as Iris Apfel?
I started wearing reading glasses about a year ago. And I have noticed I have been wearing more and more jewelry at one time lately. Do you think when I grow up I can be as bold and beautiful as Iris Apfel?
I scanned this photo from the October 2009 issue of American Style Magazine.
Iris Apfel is an amazing woman that you can read more about in the New York Times here.
SHARE THIS: 
I attended my first friday night football game at my son’s new high school tonight.
I attended my first Friday night football game at my son’s new high school tonight. Football’s never really been “my sport”. It is a wee bit violent for me. When I attended high school way back in the early 80s, I tried to never miss a game. Our school shared a field with another high school, so even home games held the allure of a car ride, before and after I had my license.
I did not sit with my son at the BBQ before the game or at the game. He was off with his friends – new and old – and that made me infinitely happy. He’s building his life and his memories, and I’m merely the taxi driver. Fine by me. Truly.
The light came on again tonight that my son has done nothing but grow away from me since he was born. I should be sadder, or so I’m told. I’ve spent time and energy visiting this issue, and you can see one of those musings here. While sitting in the bleachers with my niece, I was reminded that – even after the lights came on and the world got a little darker tonight – my son knew exactly where to find me. If I’ve been doing my job correctly and have let him grow away from me, he’ll always know exactly where I am.
p.s. If the photo of the field lights I captured isn’t the stuff of a Lori Buntin painting, I don’t know what is.
SHARE THIS: 
