Fixer-Upper: The Camark Cat's Tale

     I am not, nor have I ever been, a crazy cat lady.
     Except maybe once.
     For reasons undisclosed, therapy, perhaps, I took up collecting Camark Pottery.
     Maybe because I'm from Camden and grew up with the stuff (ooops, pottery) on every flat surface of our house, there was a degree of nostalgia involved with these mid-century art pieces. There was a green cigarette box with a gosh-awful blooming rose on the lid. A few Camark ashtrays were strategically placed on side tables, one in the shape of a small skillet. A cream pitcher sported a colorful parrot handle, and a red Razorback snarled and grunted atop a football. There was more, of course.
      In an area of south Arkansas known for its winding Ouachita river and stately, sheltering pines, catty-cross Truman Road from our house, lived the Wagnon family. Their front yard boasted one of the largest pine trees in the neighborhood. On that giant pine-straw and pollen producer, forever in mid-climb, rested a now-rare Camark climbing cat. These cats were not just at Johnny's and Anna's house, they were everywhere. After all, Camark Pottery employed over 100 people in its heyday and the inventory was extensive. Camden residents owned and used Camark Pottery pieces, especially the French-influenced climbing cat.
     Noting some garish colored pieces, I thought the overall collection was knick-nacky-tacky and a real throwback to Ward, June, Wally, and the Beave. However, hunting for it, finding it, and escaping with a treasure while paying next to nothing for it was diversion. Collecting Camark Pottery provided an outlet for stress and was far less expensive than nerve pills.
      On one trip to Paducah, KY, I found the iconic S (salt) and P (pepper) shakers for a pittance. During the 1950's,the S/P pair lived on formica-topped kitchen tables all across Camden, originally designed to encourage Sales and Profit among Camark employees.  I could not, however, find a Camark Cat.
     That's when I became a "crazy cat lady."
      Telling my fellow collectors that I'd steal the cat from anyone's tree should I happen to see one along the side of the road, I had my eyes peeled for just such a treasure, anywhere and at anytime. We girls were known to screech to a halt should a treasure appear on the side of the road, as long as our hair and manicure did not get trashed.
     One day, while on a Spring Break excursion to Gulf Shores, we ventured toward a little collecting before down-right shopping the Foley Outlet Malls. In an antique shop on a back street in Daphne, Alabama, I spied a white cat with tell-tale green eyes. My knees buckled; I almost fainted. Could it be? Might I have stumbled upon an honest-to-goodness Camark Cat?
     Employing all the stealth of my candy-stealing days at my family's drug store, I moseyed over to examine the cat. No sticker, but I'd memorized Letitia Landers' book about Camark Pottery and knew in a heartbeat this cat was the real deal. How I managed to steal this collector's dream for such a bargain price is part negotiating skill, part fake disinterest, and part good humor. I think the shop owner was having a slow day and our venture into his domain provided entertainment.
     That Daphne, AL, adventure took place about 15 years ago and only today did the Camark Cat once again climb a substantial pine tree.
      In my yard this time.

Fixer-Upper: Unpacking the Dining Room

dining room

     Being able to unpack the dining room boxes today felt like a visit with long-time friends and relatives. I wrapped and packed these family treasures in early November, 2016, almost 3 months ago.
     From providing temporary residence to a washer and dryer, and an array of brim-full boxes, the dining room finally claimed its purpose. Uncle George's linen chest, two dining room chairs, and the old Regulator Clock have surfaced and are now "at home."

wedding gift

     The china hutch holds special memory-pieces like  "don't you ever sell or give away Banmama's celery dish and cake plate" which have been cherished for generations. A vegetable bowl from Mother, another from my Nana, and Gordon iced tea spoons along with a serving spoon engraved J. Ritchie complete the visit with relatives.
     Each time I look at the wedding gift from Tom and Lois, I have warm thoughts, "May Love, Joy, and Happiness be with you always!"

Camark cat

And then there's the famous "Brick Betsy" from Mrs. Plunkett's estate to my mother, and the Camark Cat which longs to climb one of our back yard pine trees. I have just the spot for him...maybe today.

Fixer-Upper: Cinderellajane wears Purple Gloves

     Cinderellajane stopped browsing Pinterest, put aside her laptop, and faced the truth of working through a remodel.
      She called to the scampering bunnies and the industrious mice as she faced the daunting task of wiping down the walls and ceilings in the Back Entry and Laundry Room prior to painting. Not one rodent responded.
      Cinderellajane, in her best Prissy voice, sang-along with Dish 50s and 60s Hits to entice Prince Charming. "Mama said there'd be days like this..." Only an echo; no sound of a galloping steed.
      "Curses, foiled again," exclaimed Cinderellajane.
     
         Cinderellajane's friends were shampooing their hair or helping birth babies. Unavailable.

Cinderellajane donned elbow-length purple gloves and slipped an apron over her head, secured it with a bow in the back and took one more look around the laundry room. No bluebirds.

Well, "Drat," said Cinderellajane.

Cinderellajane grabbed her resolve plus a bucket, a sponge, a mop, and uttered an expletive to HGTV's beautiful Joanna Gaines and Hunky Chip whose program Fixer-Upper seems to have skipped right over the grunge parts.

Fixer-Upper: Colors, Cabinets, and Paul Newman

 Silver, gray, black, white, beige with a pop of steel blue combines for an awesome color palate. 

I could live with that.

Reminds me of Paul Newman.

When Washington D.C. is focused on cabinet picks, I am, too. The manicurist said, "Be sure you choose what you really want because you'll look at those cabinets every single day for the rest of your life. Your husband may or may not be in your kitchen every single day, but those cabinets will!" 

Puts it in perspective.

Fixer-Upper: Snow in January (inside)

I've seen snow in January, but not much of it this year.
I've not seen snow on the inside of a house.
Nor have I seen dust in any house drift into corners.
Those people who have lived through a renovation have witnessed sheetrock dust as I have today.
A renovation via HGTV: no one films sheetrock dust and the globs of sheetrock mud that creep under construction paper taped down to cover floors. Not glamorous at all. Even first time reno people fast forward through sheetrock dust.
We are hoping the sanding will be over tomorrow and we can start cleaning the floors.

Over the weekend, the area that will house the home office/laundry/back entry & mudroom/ 1/2 bath/ pantry areas will get prepped for painting. The desk, file cabinets, printer, freezer, washer, dryer, and broom closet with cleaning supplies can be moved out of the dining room and the back two bedrooms.

Did I mention the windows are being replaced tomorrow and Friday (hopefully).

Fixer-Upper: Medusa, Marvin, and Me

     Somewhere between light and dark, heat and cold lives the ugliest of the Gorgon sisters. An errant glance upon her face would turn to stone the most valiant of warriors. Regardless, Medusa had to be conquered. Marvin suited up and gathered his trusty weapons. He spent Saturday outwitting and outsmarting Medusa.

     So surprised to notice anyone coming to her lair, Medusa allowed that single moment of shock to give Marvin time to chop her head off while also avoiding the writhing venomous snakes that swirled around her head.  Total bad hair day.
     Bringing Medusa under control granted us light in the darkness and heat in the cold - an upgraded, reworked electrical panel.
    My job involved handing the hero the correct tools and giving the band the downbeat to signal success.
FYI: the panel comes in decorator gray.

Fixer-Upper: Greige is Hot on Pinterest

The mid-January celebration approaches. Something must counter the dreary cold or the damp, rainy forecasts. I read on Facebook that Queens are born in January. I do feel like royalty some days when I see this remodel take on life from Marvin's design. Whoever said being a queen is easy work?

Steps from entry to office/laundry
New entryway to kitchen will be cut.
Steps up to new floor level. Love this.

The remodel is chugging along and the carpentry will (most likely) be concluded this week.

Carport entry-door changed

The sheet rock dust (see Elvis, Alcatraz, and a Remodel) has been a killer. Even with construction paper, the dust and shavings are being tracked throughout the house and the fine particles settle on everything. Marvin has been to the doctor twice and has a red throat this time. Sweeping and vacuuming is handled daily. Seems to matter not.

One of the BEFORE photos of the "mystery room."
Two layers of ruined indoor-outdoor carpet removed.
Pictured is the door we recently replaced. This room
has become the new entry and the Master Bath with Closet.

I've devoured Pinterest boards and pins regarding style, trends, and updates for the 2017 outlook. The colors I like are "in" - gray, brown, beige, gold, silver, cream - all neutrals sometimes with a pop of color (such as teal) stemming from a favorite piece.
My boards on Pinterest are visible (311 Remodel, Home Style, Organize Me, etc.) if you're interested.

You can also read back into December's Posts on this Blog to follow the home purchase and remodel, step by step.

Fixer-Upper: Elvis, Alcatraz, and a Remodel

Girls rock.

Boys collect rocks.

Elvis sang and strummed his way into the Rock n’ Roll hall of fame.

A mom sings “Rock-a-bye, Baby.”

Little Rock, Arkansas

Druggies get arrested for possession of a rock.

Alcatraz was known as The Rock and so was a wrestler.

A girl’s best friend is a rock: a chunky, blinding, obscene diamond.

Men who design, construct, nail and wire bring paper plans into reality; they speak of rock.

Translated, their rock means “sheet rock.”

Sheet rock is messy and has zero in common with a girl's best friend.

1/2 bath appears huge

Sheetrock dust finds its way under construction paper and onto the laptop keyboard.

Overlook the mess because sheet rock means progress.

 Bathtub under windows

It’s the construction process.

It’s a signal that the plan is becoming reality.

And, this reality will be a gem.

Fixer Upper: It's all about the Paint

             God has been painting His world with spectacular sunrises, sunsets, shadows and light. The Painted Desert, Purple Mountains Majesty, a rainbow, and the gorgeous scenes in America point to the master Artist.

             

One of San Francisco’s most photographed areas contains a row of houses; at least three different colors decorate each exterior. These Painted Ladies are a sight, for sure.

            Singer Kenny Rogers begged Ruby not to take her love to town though she’d “painted up” her lips and curled her tinted hair. Then, novelist John Grisham told of the prestige associated with paint, especially for a house in the 1930’s.

           DIY folks paint everything from antique furniture and brick fireplaces to concrete floors. While researching paint colors and other trends, I pondered also what to do with “not-so-modern-at-all” white appliances that dominate this inherited kitchen. I found Pinterest loaded with ideas. I   acknowledged that the appliances work and I am not among those who can toss out working appliances. Then, a Board about paint trends triggered a 1980’s memory: I owned an extra refrigerator and had it professionally painted. As I recall, it was painted bronze over white.

           And then, VOILA’! I discovered STAINLESS STEEL PAINT.

sample of a Stainless Steel painted appliance

      Yep, I can paint my white appliances “Stainless Steel.” Small sheets of a darker, see-through covering give touch control and continued access to the control panels. New manual controls for the stove, however, would become necessary.

      When I install new cabinetry, the appliances will be pulled out, so now’s the time to determine if I should attempt this DIY for each of the appliances.

      Thoughts, recommendations, opinions, suggestions welcome.