What Color is Your Emotional Base?

Another possible title: What color is your eye sugar?

I'm in the midst of redefining the space in our former theater turned production area. We'll miss our movie nights downstairs as this was the area where Bacchus & the Ball of Yarn was born.

I've decided that I really want to make this space work hard. The things I'd like to accomplish in this space is storage, shipping, sewing, and painting. Real painting, like on canvases and stuff! I've got such the itch to clean pigment from under my fingernails.

Additionally, I'd like to take advantage of the technology we have (video camera & Apple equipment) and begin creating video blogs; I'd like to show my enthusiasts just what it is I do on a regular basis and dispelling any myths about us, "creativetypes." Andrew believes I'm just going to reinforce them, but we'll let you be the judge.

I photographed the progress of the renovation today that reveals a bit of madness, but no fear, a bit of method to all of this. I love looking thru the camera lens because I'm able to eliminate the clutter of life and focus on what is to become important: the space. The particular area is this angular wall Andrew built back in 2001 because he wanted to block off an area for his office. I'm proud that we worked out the plans in my journal on the way back from our first trip to London between repeat showings of Shrek. He actually took my advice and has never looked back -that's one indicator of how well we manage to shelve our egos when necessary.

Knowing that I want to do some videoblogging downstairs, we need to repaint -at least of portion of it because it's current color state is dark blue. Andrew insisted that the color be dark in the theater because if we're watching movies, he wanted the wall to recede when watching epic pictures. After taking a few photos, I realized that I want to repaint with a color that is light and a satin base (to reflect light easily) and with a red base so that my complexion is complemented.

PSYCHOLOGY COLOR TIPs: Depending on what room you're painting in your house, you'll want to be thoughtful about your choices and this is what you can remember:

Red induces hunger & energy. For me, red is sugar for the eyes. Yum! If you're an eat-to-live person, red is a good color choice for a kitchen; however, if you've got an eating disorder, green is better. I wanted red in our kitchen, but Andrew chose a dark billiard green instead and I'm fine with that -I don't think he was aware about the emotional statement he was making, but I'm no judge. We've also got a sage in our dining room to promote a healthy, calm eating lifestyle. Plus, it's just plain pretty.

Blue can induce depression, banality. When you're painting your bathroom, don't make it blue. Studies have shown that more people call in sick because when they get up in the morning, their eyes haven't adjusted and with the influence of blue on their complexion, they suddenly become influenced by the 'blahs' and then it just snowballs. Your bathroom should have some kind of red base, at the very least.

Yellow is like liver: It can provide a very positive response or anger. If you're painting your baby's room, rethink the yellow choice. A buttercup is nice, but the sunshine banana yellow can keep your baby upset. If this is your predicament, you can hang pretty sheers over the walls in any color to calm baby. Personally, I don't like the banana color; I get so angst-ridden I have to leave the room. Although, I do love gold -love love love that old world hue.

Green induces tranquility and serenity. We love green and have used shades of it liberally thru-out the house. It works well with the peanut butter we've chosen for the living room -very Earthy.

Purple induces affection and passion. I prefer periwinkle over gray because it's got just a hint of color. The perfect periwinkle has equal parts of both blue & red and this is the color of our bedroom. All colors and materials support the versatile hue extremely well: from rich, dark winter fabrics to fresh Spring colors -it's just a dynamic color.

Orange induces a similar energy that red stimulates. It's also very youthful & hip. We don't use much of it, if at all. We like to think of ourselves as hip, but it might be a throwback from our pre-pubescent years we spent in the 70s.

So, with this knowledge, I'm using a red-base color for the wall color -perhaps something within the terracotta family: dry or wet. Currently, I've got a wet terracotta color in my office and I never grow tired of it. It has just enough red to keep me engaged in my activities and I never want to leave.

While looking thru the lens, another 'a-ha' moment hit: chalkboard paint!! Yea mahn! Chalkboard paint. When I simultaneously create my art and videoblog, I can talk and write notes on the board -how cool is that? When I ran upstairs to tell Andrew, he also suggested that we take the cork squares we bought many years ago and install them so that I can post my ideas -fabulous! I'm thinking we'll do long sections, column form, and also put them on a board then install the board so that we can preserve them for other spaces if necessary. We'll make the chalkboard paint magnetic, too!

Ohhhhh, I can't wait!!

Now that I've revealed how I love to live in color and my emotional base, what's yours?

Stacation Updates: An Effortless Task

This weekend with 'the wall' went up without a hitch. I was really expecting more of a tumultuous issue than we had, but our predecessors helped us out -and you won't believe how!!

After spending an hour Thursday Night clearing out stuff that lay against the wall, Andrew began light demolition the next morning until I returned from my walk. I dragged my sorry butt into the house and he pulled me downstairs to reveal the idiocy left behind by the former owners.

The infamous double doors. (click to enlarge at your discretion)
1+2)Braced by only trim work by our brilliant predecessors. We're thankful we didn't have another hurricane, or worse, a wolf come blowing down our doors!




3+4)Nothing says love like inserting an inappropriate moisture-prone wood door used for dry spaces. They must have installed these for the 'quick sale.'




5+6) Two! Count 'em: 2 micey nests. Tucked neatly under this nasty step -they got in, but they didn't get out. Evidently, they died in place similar to those peat bog burial rituals found in Ireland.


Fast forward to framing
7+8] Jim finally showed after demolition -a much cleaner endeavor- trumor has it that he just got a manicure. Borrowing awesome nail guns from our good neighbor, Mike, we, er, Andrew and Jim built and installed the framing. 9-11) Rubber sheeting applied to outside to prevent moisture and windows installed; Andrew routers out the sections for windows.



12) After cutting and fitting insulation, we used materials given to us by Mike and his former projects -we love handy neighbors. Thanks, Mike! We finally got smart and snapped the drywall to create cleaner openings for the trim that will get inserted. 13) A hard day's work deserves lotsa protein -and a fabbo salad built by Jim. This was definitely photoworthy.



Hints & Tips: Making a Daunting Task Effortless
Sure, I grew up with tools of all kinds and Andrew has an industrial design background, but having these backgrounds doesn't necessarily make any project easy. Keep in mind that:

1. Egos are sure to be involved. I have to say, Andrew & I mesh very well when it comes to projects: one is the project lead and the other is minion -and we alternate.


2. Another important factor is research. This may be books we bring home from the home improvement store, online searches, even the next door neighbor. Although it was the holiday weekend, Mike availed himself to us for a consult since he's already flipped a house and is now currently working on his deck.


3. Right Tools. One needs the right tool for the right job. If you're painting, don't open the can with a screwdriver, snag a churchkey from the paintstore -they're free. If you're doing framing of any kind, use a automatic nailer -it makes a difference. Oh, they're not free, so don't be afraid to rent the tool.


4. Friends. There are many a guy out there who insist on doing projects themselves. I know that when strength will be tested on an hourly basis, he's going to need help. Sure, there's always me and I'm usually right in there getting my hands dirty, mosquito bitten, cut, but no matter what it takes, employ the help of a friend. If you think the project will only take 2 people, get a 3rd. Be sure not abuse your friend for stupid tasks -use him only for those that require brut strength. You know there's going to be reciprocity, so choose wisely.


5. Know Your Limits. If a project looks simple and you've got the genius to do it, be sure to schedule between the raindrops. Keep a tarp and phone number of a local handyman expert handy.


6. Double the cost, Double the time. For any project, estimate how much it will cost, then double it. Estimate the time, and double it.


7. Keep a Sense of Humor. Any project can get soured quickly by a number of things -egos, primarily. Remembering the fact that we're all imperfect humans "should" mitigate any disaster -provided it's not a disaster that lands us in ER.

Got any tips? We'd love to hear them!

Next on CREATIVEGoddess: Will Jim ever get his hands dirty? Will the rain and humidity dry up so that we can install our siding and paint our fresh spackled walls? Will I ever get my remodelled production area in a state of extreme efficiency? Will Mike ever finish his deck?? Will Andrew and I finally get the mannies & peddies we so richly deserve??

Stay tuned...