Day 210: Location Location Location

Today is one of those busy days where you go visiting (probably 'cause it's Bank Holiday). First, I went to my cousin's new flat. She was a bit embarrassed 'cause it was messy, but it's to be expected, right? There was a sofa here and a table there. I found myself thinking, 'hmm, I'm not sure I'd really put that there,' or, 'I wouldn't paint it that colour.'

Then, we went to see my sister's new flat, which is literally just a shell. No furniture, no curtains, just carpet. That was even more fun. I imagined the furniture, colour scheme, where the bookcase would go, how will it all fit around plug sockets, where to put the 'feature wall'...

Do you do this too? Do you find yourself becoming an interior designer in other people's houses?

I even think about the layout, 'I would've put the door opening the other way...that radiator should be on the other wall.'

Like I really have a clue about any of this stuff!

Next time you go round someones house, have a secret nose around. What do you think? Get your creative thinking cap out. Or why not plan your own future house? What will it look like, how many rooms, where will the lounge be? Will the bedroom have an en suite...?

So many things to think about... 

Day 95: Creative Allergies

In the last few days it has come to my attention that I am actually allergic to white space. In particular, I am most heavily struck by this allergy when facing a massive expanse of magnolia wall. My breathing goes all funny and I start grabbing for bits of anything to fill the space with.

Perhaps this is part of being a creative being. Do you know where I am coming from fellow creativians (I am aware I just made this word up)? Is it just me or do all creative types get this desire to fill emptiness (a blank page, music score, canvas, film,) with...something?

I think on some level I always knew I was allergic, but I have just moved into a new (magnolia) bedroom which is BIG. You know what comes with big? LOTS of white! Arrrr! So, I have spent the last few days trying to fill the white with colour (yay!).

Luckily, I have a massive Indian wall hanging which has been sitting in a Lee Cooper carrier bag for the past 5 years, probably crying. So, I got my sewing skills out and fixed tabs to the back, and hey presto, the white is now pink. The trouble is, a room has four walls!

The second wall has a window on it. That scene is always changing, so I'll let that one off. The other two are more difficult. Living in a rented house, (student) I am 'not to affix any notice, sign, poster or anything to the internal surfaces of the property.' Blue tack is NOT ALLOWED! Well, I had to get around this somehow or my allergy would become unbearable. So, between an existing picture hook (it was already there so it's allowed to stay) and a cleverly disguised pin on top of the door frame, I hung some wool. From this I pegged six strips of crape paper, all covered in postcards of pictures, patterns and colour. On the opposite wall? A mirror leaning on the mantle piece. Sorted!

How do you cope with such allergies? How does your creative mind work around rules and boringness? How would you transform a (horrible) white space and make it yours?

The best remedy to the allergies is creative thinking!