Everyday Things

Everyday things can be arranged for happy glimpses of order and beauty.

Juxtaposing everyday objects is an ongoing habit of mine that never ceases to amuse me.

So here is a glimpse of my clutter and piles. I was inspired by one of my favorite blogs,

Apartment Therapy.

Here is my desk.

The lovely watercolor is painted by Phyllis Ray.

Book Pile.

One of my favorite books: Tokyo: A Certain Style.

Pristine....I knew when to leave it alone.

The long skinny dark box is a Leroy Lettering system.

I used this back in the day of Ink on Mylar Drafting.

Ancient History.

On top of that is a game of Go.

On top of that is a vessel used in the field and carved by

Ray's grandfather.

Neglected clutter, once arranged but, alas,

it has gotten away from

me. I delight in the colorful firework boxes from India.

Patron Saint of Architects and Buildings,

Saint Barbara, peeks out amongst the rubble.....

October Still Life

Seattle is glorious this time of year indoors and out. This is a snap of the afternoon light in the dining room. Note the eucalylptis leaves that give off scent, even when dried. Also, the blue French carpenter pencils purchased from a vendor at a Paris flea market. I bought 3 on a trip last October and my scout Wendy returned 10 months later and brought back more for my collection. Ray's collection of chemistry glassware is the perfect compliment to the Geoff Hunt print of Boston Harbor.

KOBO + MOMO: Field Trip

KOBO:

I've been pounding the pavement in Japan Town and the environs. I'm telling you, if you need a fix of NYC there is a fraction of downtown at KOBO and MOMO. Two different stores right next to each other on Jackson Street. This first snapshot is the historical side of KOBO. The Higo 5 and Dime Variety Store artifact shelves at the end of the store transport me back in time. I used to shop in this store for useful household items when it was owned and operated by the Murakami family. The original flooring and lighting is still in place but the owners, Mark and Binko Bisbie have lovingly taken over the space and created an experience of visiting a museum, gallery and boutique. They respectfully honor the Murakami family with a scrapbook history to look at in the store. The original KOBO on Capitol Hill is a jewel box of a boutique with gifts for all ages too.

MOMO:

What can I say, Leland is by far the most helpful, happy and laid back representative of a retail establishment that you can ever possibly hope for. I found clothes that I've seen in Takashamaya in NYC before they closed, so I am thrilled to have a source for unique, well designed apparel. In a nutshell here is MOMO's description on their FB page: Momo is a happy, lucky shop in Seattle's Japantown. We blend Asian style with European accents in a mix of men and women's clothing, home accessories and gifts, flavored with a bit of Hawaii. Hapa to it! I love MOMO. You will too.