Not Quite 1 Corinthians 13

Ah, the island life!

This morning, three of us took the ferry to Whidbey Island for lunch with a friend.

Susan, our island-dwelling friend, is an exuberant powerhouse.

Every gesture is lavish. She has an infectious laugh and a bright, ready smile. She is bold. She is passionate. She is generous. She is confident. And, her house is a complete reflection of everything about her. Did I mention she's funny?

Just to give you an idea of what we are dealing with:

So, hanging from a hook on the ceiling in her living room is an actual ruby slipper. A deeply red, high heeled, covered with dazzling red sequins, ruby slipper. Only Susan could put it so perfectly ~ "sometimes, the other shoe doesn't drop."

Art is everywhere. Sculpture. Paintings. Collage. On the walls. Inlaid in the floor. All on a backdrop of rich jewel-toned walls, large light-filled windows, acid-etched concrete floors, and comfy, overstuffed furniture. There really is something hilarious in stating the obvious. The large cream pillow on the purple sofa ~ "Sit Here." The small marble plaque under the light switch to the back yard ~ "omnia vincit Amor." The plastic joke cup of spilled coffee on the immaculate kitchen counter.

This is a home that says happiness and a free spirit abides here.

As we got ready to go, I asked to use her powder room.

S*M*A*L*L and completely darling. Oh, rats and double rats. Why did I leave my camera at home? So, using the camera on Susan's phone. Let me tell you about this space. Deep intense colour with amazing tangerine accent pieces. And, behind the matching blind? The shower. A perfect solution to disguise a difficult element.

And, on the back of the powder room door. A very updated 1Corinthians13. I'm sure God doesn't mind, because, He knows the truth of "and, a time to pee and poop!!!!" and, would really appreciate that it's handwritten under the artful Biblical reminder.















Driving up the Susan's house, you'd just know a fascinating person lives there.

The exterior is just as remarkable and personal as the interior. From the rich, dusty French Blue picket fence to the crystal balls on the corner posts of the fence. A clematis to die for. Lush. Covering the gate from the side yard.

The front porch sports two round blue rugs plus a red-centered bull's-eye rug at the front door with an arrow ~ "you are here." Cheeky.

Guarding the front door is a sculpture of her beloved, late Dalmatian, "Spot," with his food bowl full of primroses.

For me, this is a capital "T" truth about design: the best design is personal.

It really does reflect the  hopes, vision, dreams, aspirations, and character of the person who lives there. It is never achieved by buying a suite of furniture (no matter how expensive) at the store, having it delivered, propping your feet up on the coffee table, and thinking, "there, I'm done." Boring! Not to mention, slightly depressing.

Great design is risky. Exciting. Thrilling. It takes courage and most of all ~ vitality. When you go into a room and think "a real person lives here," it is nearly always because it is original. That "one-of-a-kind"ness is exactly why it is special!

Our field trip to Susan's Whidbey Island home was the cherry on the top of our excursion sundae. A ferry crossing on a beautiful clear sunny day with a destination full of whimsy!  

  

Day 15 Everyday Grateful ~ a rainy Seattle morning,

a ferry ride on completely calm water

and a sunny afternoon coming home.