Moving Mode: An Inspired Doorbell Gong

The glass walls and doors that surround the courtyard which makes our mid-century house so unique pose a bit of a problem when receiving guests.  With no designated front door or doorbell, visitors can feel confused and the hosts startled.  We needed to provide a way for guests to announce themselves before they appeared in our kitchen, so we decided to hang a gong at the front gate.  Perfectly suited for our Asian inspired entryway and loud enough for us to hear across the courtyard, our new inspired doorbell gong makes for a dramatic entrance.  Take a look:

Here's to hearing your gong hits soon!

Moving Mode: Putting Themselves Out There

Now that we've settled into the house that's feeling more like a home, the kids are looking forward to meeting new people.  A week ago they worked on signs introducing themselves to potential friends and hung them on a post at the 'circle', the IT place where neighborhood children hang out.  Feeling anxious and a bit shy, they bravely and confidently put themselves out there and met a few of them.   As time passes, each child adapts to the move differently.  Ben, who's favorite song at the moment is Red Hot Chili Peppers' Californication, is missing his Cambridge comrades the most and finding it difficult to feel like his old self.  Enjoying her very own room for the first time, Zoe has become more independent than ever.  One can overhear her saying things like: "Is this for real or am I dreaming?" and "I want to live here forever!”.  Max who was the first to knock on a stranger’s door to introduce his family swears that when he turns 20 he'll buy a plane ticket back to Cambridge.  Managing the many emotions of three children can be challenging, but I’m so proud of each one of them  for acclimating at his/her own pace.

Here's to putting oneself out there!

Moving Mode: Evening Reflections

 Over the weekend, I snapped some shots of the house after dark.  The rooms that are sun filled during the day take on a whole new look at night.  Images that are reflected back on the many glass walls and windows give the illusion of multiple spaces.  I can't get enough of our new home. Take a look:

Moving Mode: Book Shelves/Before And After

There was a time (not that long ago) when I organized books by color, shape and size.   Not now, not in this house.  I've set my OCD aside (at least for a while) and let the books fill the shelves without any design restrictions.  This method did take a lot less time and effort and I actually LOVE the way it turned out.

 With all the moves we've experienced in the past,  I've come to the realization that each new space is unique.  What may have worked in one may not look right in another.   I'm enjoying letting go of some past decorating approaches and welcoming new ones.  Keep posted for more updates.

Moving Mode: A Place To Relax

I know I should be focused on organizing and decorating the inside of our house,  but this California weather makes working on the outside irresistible.  The wonderful temperatures and consistently blue skies turn the outdoors into extensions of the indoors.  With that said, one of the first outdoor "rooms" we worked on was our bedroom courtyard.  Repurposing  plants from the existing garden, we filled planters from our Cambridge roof deck and placed one of our West Elm Double Loungers in the space to create a serene haven for rest and relaxation.  Take a look:

Do you have a special indoor/outdoor place to relax?