Staging Places Blog

The Dandelion Queen

I can't help but smile, as I watch my daughter flit through the yard. She is daintily tip-toeing from one yellow dandelion to another singing a spring song that she makes up as she goes along. The birds in the trees, inspired by her voice are crooning their own tune. She carries a fist full of golden flowers adding to it with each step. Delicately, she picks one, as if it were a perfect rose made just for her. These weeds, as some would call them, are no less than a miracle in her world of childhood. She has been making it a daily ritual to pick "her flowers," as she calls them. The fruits of her labor are scattered through out our home. They look just as sweet in a crystal vase as they do in a chipped teacup. Not because the flowers are a thing of beauty but because they were gathered with love and given from the heart. Although it has been more years than I care to admit, I too had a fondness for these little orbs of sunshine.

Some of my sweetest summer memories are of waking up to discover the lawn of my childhood home dotted with hundreds of golden gems, as if they were created over night for my pleasure. I spent endless hours collecting enough to make into necklaces and crowns so I could be the queen of dandelions. My excitement grew as the days passed and they turned from yellow dots to little white clouds. After making a wish, I would blow as hard as I could thinking all the little seeds were flying away to make it come true. A neighbor even showed me how to fry dandelions in a pan. I can't say I enjoyed the taste but I was amused.

I listen with regret as my husband outlines his plan to do away with the dandelions. He, like most homeowners that tend their lawns, considers them an eyesore. Weeds, that if left to grow will spread like wildfire. When did the world turn against dandelions? Is it a mindset that happens as we mature? Anything that we did not choose to plant is considered a nuisance and deserves our wrath? The grown up world thrives on order and routine. There is no room; it seems, for a little unexpected beauty. What if we were to add dandelions to our gardens making them something to admire and enjoy? Perhaps farmers could have fields of dandelions similar to sunflower fields, using the plants for their many benefits. These modest flowers really do have a lot more worth than most gardeners give them credit for. Dandelions can be used to make salads, jam and even wine. The milk held in each hollow stem is said to be an insect repellent and even a wart remover. Why would such a handy little flower be considered an adversary to be stamped out and destroyed?

I would love to help rid dandelions of their bad reputation. If not for myself then for my daughter and all children who love these special flowers. I consider dandelion picking a rite of childhood that should be encouraged and celebrated. Preserving something so simple may seem unimportant but childhood is such a fleeting time in one's life, I feel it is a worthy cause. Birthday parties and holiday celebrations meld and blur until they become one intertwined recollection. It's the small, quiet memories that stay with us and shape our lives. The next time you pass a yard scattered with bright yellow dots, try not to think of them as an eyesore. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the dandelion holder.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz

Forgotten Treasures

As I made my way to the lower level of a house I was helping stage, my eye immediately went to the corner of a blue and white damask sofa in the back of the basement. It was covered with a worn blanket and looked as if the only use it had was a cat bed. I made my way around forty years worth of stuff to peak under the cover. My heart skipped a beat as I realized it was in near perfect condition. I felt sorry for the old piece of furniture, banished to the basement to finish out its days in the dark and gloom. This sofa deserved better surroundings than plumbing pipes and cinder block walls. A glamorous piece like this should live in an elegant Paris apartment flanked by crystal wall sconces and stuffy portraits of old men.
How I wanted to rescue this treasure! I imagined driving home; it perched on the roof of my mini van like a large fabric trophy.

Most of my life I have had a tendency to cart abandoned pieces of furniture home, as if they were stray animals. I find it hard to pass up a lonely chair on the corner, or a worn but still functional table at a yard sale. It gives me a thrill to recreate them with wood glue and a fresh coat of paint. When I was furnishing my first home, those cast off pieces were a great way to decorate with little or no money. Traditional chairs and outdated tables were always more fun with a bright color or new fabric. It was a challenge to see what I could make of something that others thought had worn out its usefulness. For years, white has been the color of choice when updating wood furniture. Lately, I am noticing that black seems to be just as popular, along with the more daring colors like red or robins egg blue.

I love the fact that most trends tend to come back in style at some point. Designers have a treasure trove of past styles for inspiration. The best part is that each time they are recreated they have a fresh new look. Spring seems to be the time of year to breathe new life into old things. Damask fabric is quickly coming back in vogue for home décor. Once known as the fabric of royalty, it was first produced in China, Persia, India, and Syria. As it became more affordable in the 1920’s its popularity soared. The pattern can be almost anything but will always have a raised design and is reversible. The more traditional muted colors used in the damask of yesteryear are still available for a more formal look. Designers are also adding an element of fun and casualness with bolder colors. At the same time, retaining the traditional patterns. This spring, you will see it everywhere. In bedding, wallpaper, fabric, and even lampshades. While I would not suggest you recover your sofa with damask fabric, you certainly could add some great pillows to showcase this hot trend. My favorite is the black and white floral pattern. It would bring a fresh look to a neutral living room or add romantic drama to a bedroom. Target has many choices in this color and pattern. Try adding a bold red and white damask shower curtain, found at wrapables.com, for an entirely new look in your bath. A fairly neutral damask rug from bedbathstore.com would work wonders for a sun porch or family room.

Looking for some cool artwork? Frame a piece of damask fabric or wallpaper. You could probably even find wrapping paper if you looked hard enough. A metal frame would give it a modern edge while an ornate gold frame would be a great homage to the Hollywood glamour of long ago.
Spring is the time to give your space a shot of life. Keep an eye out for the unexpected treasure. Remember the wonders fresh paint and fabric can do. Who knows, you may even find yourself driving a little slower the next time you pass a forlorn chair on the curb.

©2007 Heather Durren, ASP, IAHSP
StagingPlaces.biz