This is me. I am Elizabeth Young: a decorator, entrepreneur, community activist, ice skater, artist, writer, friend, daughter, sister, tante, ex-wife, girlfriend, fashion lover, reader, workout fanatic, lover of food and wine and all around great girl (if I do say so myself). I have decided to jump on the blogging train - which left the station a LONG time ago I admit - to express my thoughts and ideas about the world of style in Troy, New York and the world in general.
When someone asked me what it is that I wanted to make of my career, I answered that quite simply, I want to make things beautiful. Everyone has a unique concept of what beauty is. Yours may be dramatically different from mine. It is my goal to show you here what I think is beautiful, and how I worked to make it that way. I will post decorating ideas, tricks I have learned growing up in the antique business, photos from my life as a stylish person, and lessons on how to enjoy hidden beauty in everything you do, everyday of your life.
Though this may seem insignificant. it's not. I am reminded right now of a most over used phrase 'stop and smell the roses' and I can honestly say that when I walk past a lovely garden, or go to a restaurant with a bud vase on the table, I always, quite literally, do just that. I have a moment of beauty - a tiny bit of joy. I would rather have a million tiny joys spread throughout my life than a one-million ton joy heaped upon me. I can appreciate things more this way. I am not spoiled, just sprinkled lightly with sugar to remain pleasantly sweet. This lets me enjoy everyday - even the most outwardly mundane, and makes me happy. I find a million bits and moments of beauty in a day - like the wonderful morning glories that line the fence of a church I walk past on my way to pilates class - and the strange looks I get, decked out in my workout gear, stopping to smell as many of the joyously blue blossoms that I can reach - the little laugh I let out when I realize that morning glories don't really have a scent, as I try each one anyway, just in case. It could be a new combination from my closet that I had never before thought to coordinate, making me feel oh-so-terribly stylish the whole day I wear it - or just the daily phone call from my mother to make sure I am well - and nothing can top a piece of wonderful upholstery fabric that makes me giddy to find a needy naked chair to give it a home - I think I could literally write a million. But I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself. Stay tuned...
Posts
yaay! I love it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have a request for a post already! Wood grain, staining, finishes--what goes good with what style? i.e. shiny is traditional, black stain versus light stain is better for contemporary, and stuff like that. (I made those up, btw. I have no idea what is good for what). I often have a random piece of furniture from the street or a hand-me-down, and have no idea where to start in terms of stripping and staining. I usually leave it be because I'm too scared to choose a look and go with it. Or even buying a piece of furniture, what will the wood color say about "my style"? Anyway, you are great at that kinda stuff so you should share. You know, no hurry or anything, I've just always been curious.