At least twenty years ago I decorated this room in an old 1910 house in downtown San Diego. It seems miles away from my life as it is now in Portland, but it was a memory, a room that I still think about as magical in many ways. The house was directly under the flight pattern of the airport downtown, Lindbergh Field. When I am not remembering the noisy planes, I am thinking with pleasure about this room.
It was actually a breakfast nook, right off the kitchen, but I decided it was cozy and private enough to be my room of inspiration and memory, and also a room dedicated to The Art of Longing by Cooper Edens, my love of vintage clothing and my hand-made hats. I wallpapered it to a point up the wall, added a border, and then bordered the border with a hand-painted strip of copper paint. Above this, I painted in cursive the entire book of The Art of Longing. I hung hats around the words.
I hung some of my favorite ribbons and trims from a decorative metal hook and framed illustrations from a Cooper Edens calendar that was very dear to me. When I entered this space, I was suddenly transformed from the ordinary into the dreamer I have always been. When I invited my mother over to see it for the first time, she looked up and down and all around reading the words of my favorite book. I waited for a response. She paused a minute, and then said without hesitating, “I have no idea where you came from.” It was the biggest compliment she had ever given me.
On one end of the room there was a cupboard for dishes with glass doors. I covered the doors with lace and in it stored my laces, vintage patterns, and fabric where I could easily reach it. Above the cupboard, I hung a vintage Bill Blass silk evening jacket that I had purchased with hard-earned money. I still have it, but for the moment don’t know what box or cupboard it might be in.
It was during this same time that I made this “skull cap”. I had been inspired by Greta Garbo on the front of an Architectural Digest magazine and decided to recreate one. I hand-painted gold designs on the outside, couched gold threads down the sides and top, and trimmed the edge with a wide metallic trim. When I was finished I added a decorative element to the arch of the wall between the living and dining room. We had a very tolerant land lord.
It is funny how things come about. A week ago, I had been looking for some photos for my daughter for the wedding and came across these. I had not even remembered taking a photograph of the room. It reminded me of a time of great creative impulses and experiments and confidences. Now this room seems to come alive once more in order to remind me that this is the best way to thrive if you want to take a risk and realize one dream or many. I tend to think I found these photos for a reason, that it was not simply a coincidence.
I don’t know where you came from either, but I am quite sure I came from there, too! Along with 19 hats, 10 teacups, an empty birdcage and the art of longing. I have only a fragment of memory of this Cooper Eden book, so I must find it and savor it all over again. The room you created is magical and dreamy beyond words. I see why you love Manon Ginoux. I love the floating-in-air, lighthearted daring of your room.
Of course we did come from the same place! My father used to tell me when I was not paying attention or not rising to meet his expectations that I “was just a dreamer”. I know he was not giving me compliments, but I always considered it one. Floating-in-air is such a sublime way to exist as long as you do come down occasionally to pay the bills and cook a few meals! This particular book of Cooper Eden is definitely my all-time favorite.
It is so beautiful because it was uniquely you. A room like
that is magical and it “speaks” of many dreams and stories.
I come from that same place too!
: )
I would guess that there is this common thread for all of us who follow mutual blogs. We are connected through similar dreams and stories and that is why we feel close without ever having met.
You’ve sparked a secret flame…I am so drawn to fabrics printed like that wallpaper. If I could, I’d make long dresses of it so I could disappear into the woods. The picture of the girl standing in the prow of the boat fills me with memories, wonder and longing all in the same moment.
Well we must share similar dreams. I love your beautiful image of long dresses made of this fabric and disappearing into the woods. Perhaps we grew up reading the same fairy tales or imagining similar visions. I want to find that card of the girl and send it to you. I think you would love it. Give me a little time and I will get it in the mail.
I’m sure you found these pictures for a reason too. It’s so good to be able to dream…
Dreaming is as important as sleeping and eating! Funny how things come back to us.
i painted my room black when i was younger. you have reminded me of how important it is to transfer dreams to reality. at least to see them in a real context….
I could probably follow my creative growth and evolution through the private spaces that I considered sacred. I am sure you could also.
That room is breathtaking! It makes me wonder what was going on in your life. I do think that the room reflects a persons psyche and it looks like you were bursting with creativity and longing.
I would like to see more of your rooms. Maybe start at the earliest and come up to the present?
I am keeping my fingers crossed that my computer problems have abated for a year or two, at least.
Oh Pat! I have missed reading your blog!! I hope everything is okay now and that you are able to connect again.
I sometimes think when I am struggling most in my life I turn to creative outlets and longing for this certainly was the case when I created this room. I was in a second marriage by all standards that was quite unhealthy, but I was trying to persevere in spite of the struggle. I was separated two years later and then divorced. This room was definitely my cocoon, a space for comfort and dreams.
A beautiful inspiring room meant to inspire! Lovely, I don’t think it was a coincidence. I think it was a calling!
What a nice thought…a calling. I like that very much.