Expresso as a means of expression!

I've been off for a few days...but not really!  My "uber session" is going strong, so I decided to take a couple of days off from blogging to "devote to my students!"

Today I started thinking about all of the ways I have tried to make our house less formal...

The house plans called for a Butler's Pantry. 

I had never seen one in a newer home but remembered all of the cool historic sites I had visited that had a Butler's Pantry adjacent to a kitchen or dining room.

In most cases, a Butler's Pantry is a place to store the "good china" and the crystal.

Although I have the "real stuff" in terms of china, I opted not to display it in the Butler's Pantry.  This lead me to my quest for collecting Expresso sets!  I always remember my grandmother making the "demitasse" or Expresso on Sundays.  She would let me have a taste...even with the Sambuca!

Now, after six years--our Butler's Pantry is filled with quirky sets!  Some are traditional and others are colorful and interesting.  I mixed the sets in with a few teapots (even though I don't use the Expresso cups with tea). 

This simple set is from Italy and is glazed in the colors of the pantry...black, white, and gray.  

It's the only one I have that came with dessert plates!

Circus animals...very whimsical, don't you think?!

The cups sit on an asymmetrical saucer!  I love the matte glaze on this set.

Expresso and favorite dresses!  

 Coffee shop chic paired with a traditional tea pot!

These always remind me of a cruise!

...not your typical SB Expresso cups, but the red and white complement the colors in the pantry.

Anyone who really knows me would expect me to have these...FAVORITE PURSES... do I see a kate?

I found this set years after the Christmas when I received this cool teapot as a gift from my mother-in-law.  Although not exact, I think that the cups match!

...thinking of Expresso as a means of expression!

Friday workspace!

Today's work space is located in our formal living room.  I don't often work there because the window is open the light is typically very strong making a "sun-like" glare on my computer screen.

The table is really a dining room table that folds up to a narrow desk-like piece.

The chairs match our dining room chairs and serve as "extras" for guests.  The smooth wood and soft lighting make this a great work space for early evenings.

I like looking out on the common areas in our neighborhood, which gives more depth to our bungalow-like set up with courtyard and seclusion.

The "table-desk" has a narrow draw in the front where I keep interesting writing cards ... that I never use because I rarely handwrite notes!  But, I pick them up when traveling and they remind me of places we've been.

A lamp with bone globes and a piece of hand-thrown pottery add to the serenity of this work space!

My husband threw this piece.  He rolled a design and left the clay body (no glaze)for added interest.

Another great space to work for the end of the week!

...off to grade electronically!

Where should I work today?

...and the "uber session" is off and running!

I, however, am still thinking of different workspaces around the house to break up my computer time.

Another great space for working is nestled in a corner in one of the guest bedrooms. 

I wanted to make a comfortable space for this particular room because -- in addition to being one of the guest bedrooms -- it is also a great place for yoga and exercising.

I found this desk at a local furniture store and paired it with a heavy, mission style chair that I found at Pier One.  The desk is very functional and the chair is great for sitting long periods of time.

A small flat screened tv helps to provide background while working and also serves as the display for the Wii and dvds.

Details on chair and desk.

The black iron design on the desk lamp reflects the craftsman style.

I brought this poster back from a trip to N.Y. and had it framed in a simple black frame.  

It hangs above the desk.

I threw this pot a few years ago.  The glaze is an "ash glaze" and adds interest to the desk.

Fragrance and freshness!

 Another great workspace for me and my guests!

...off to work!

...the uber session begins!

Today we begin the May "uber session," where every day is equivalent to one week in "regular semester years!"

Knowing that I will be online constantly, I have prepared yet another excellent work space.

I always read that you should never work in your bedroom, but... sometimes it is necessary to look out to the serene courtyard while working and "watching" movies!

I also like to have an easy chair nearby so that I can take a break from computing and stretch out.

Workspace for the day:  The Parson's desk and chair from Crate and Barrel are finished in honey.  The color and smoothness alone lend for working!

On what seems like very RARE sunny days, I can look out to the fountain in the courtyard and read a little Audrey to refresh...what would Audrey do...

Favorite pottery piece that I made (center) arranged with others that I purchased when traveling.  The small piece to the right is like a shaker/stress reliever...I still can't figure out how it was made!

Brown leather easy chair for taking breaks!

...gotta love the online classroom!

Reading on yet another rainy Sunday!

This is a FIRST!  I am reading on a rainy Sunday, but today I am using my iBooks Library on my iPad! 

Although the iBooks store doesn't have a very large selection of decorating-based books, I did find a few that seem interesting. 

After this post, I am going to head for my Krups, pour a cup, grab a favorite throw, and settle down with my new device and the newest additions to my library!

Here's what I found...

The first is a "how to" book.  I thought it would be fun to download this one because I can carry it around with me while taking "electronic" notes about future projects.

Here's my second read for the day!  

love DIY books and this one has several interesting projects that look "user friendly!"

With summer coming, I thought this "read" would be great for generating ideas for table arrangements with themes!

...interesting "reads" for a rainy Sunday...will we EVER dry out in Nashville?!

...working from home!

As a university professor it is always necessary to work at home on projects, writing, and coursework. 

As a university professor who designs online courses and who also teaches online, it becomes essential to create work spaces that are conducive to...working!

For me (...with my very short attention span...) this means that I have to have multiple spaces where comfortable desks, chairs, music, and "scenery" are present.

By doing so, it makes working for long hours on a computer easier and also helps to break up the hours that are spent working from home. 

Essentials: Furniture that lends to the task at hand, comfortable chairs for the long hours, and additional pieces for interest!

I'll be sharing some of my favorite work spaces over the next few days.  Here's the first!

I know I talked previously about old pieces that I purchased at art crawls and antique malls.  This is one of my favorites!  

I converted this side table into a workspace that sits in our screened in porch.  The "desk" is worn and the wood is smooth.  The old can chair is comfortable and "broken in."  This is a great space for working on cool nights when deadlines must be met!  

Check out the worn top...it makes one wonder who used the "desk" previously!

I use the pottery cork holder as a table top cork board!

...thinking of creating comfortable work spaces...Have a wonderful Saturday!

...a gathering place!

When we were building our current house, I tried to somewhat "reproduce" the model in terms of the design and in keeping with the bungalow spirit.

One of the focal points in the house was the family or gathering room. In the model (left), the room was simple and reflected an almost serene feel.  The room looks out to the courtyard and the model courtyard was very "zen like."

Considering that we were looking at a model home, of course there weren't any signs that someone inhabited the room--which strengthened the zen quality. 

 Model home family room and courtyard. 
(See previous post Courtyard: Part Tres! for a contrasting picture of our courtyard).

I knew that I wanted to add some things, but also liked the design.  I didn't want to purchase a new sofa because the black leather one we already owned was so comfy!  (...and we were already planning to purchase tables, lamps, etc.)  

So...here's what I came up with.  I included a few pictures from the model home to show the similarities.

Model

Our family room with added built-in oak shelving on either side of the stone fireplace.

 Model home (above)

Our "colorful and eclectic" family room below!

Model home (above, left)  Our family room (above, right)

Our furniture reflects the mission style with oak tables that are topped with black slate and flour bin handles.  Lamps also reflect the bungalow design.  Black and white photos of New York above the sofa.  Casablanca ceiling fan (same as model but I changed the globe).

Shredded leather carpet instead of the simple oatmeal carpet in the model.

A place to sit, read, and reflect.

A great room for a "gathering" inspired by a model home!