Paper lanterns that the hubby and I found to hang in the Gravy Baby’s nursery; when I showed the Gravy Baby, his jaw literally dropped.
Well, it’s official.
As of Wednesday this week, our house now looks like Southeast Asia threw up in it. It only took us 18 months of living in this part of the world to get here, but we’re here now, and I don’t think there’s any going back. At every outdoor market, side alley pushcart, chintzy Chinatown craft shop that we’ve happened upon since moving here in whatever country, you can count on me to pick up the odd (usually fake) artifact, trinket or painting.
An original oil painting we snatched up from Stanley Market in Hong Kong
What I didn’t realize was that the sum total of all these little morsels of junk eventually need a resting place in our home, and after more than two hours of working with a local carpenter, everything has a place. After the dust settled, I stepped back to admire my (i.e., the carpenter’s) handiwork, and seriously, save for a random IKEA print here or there, everything we have smacks of Asia. When we move back to the US, I fear that walking into our house will be like walking into a picked-over version of Pier 1 Imports.
So, in a last-ditch effort to save our house from drowning in the Orient, I asked the carpenter to hang two last picture frames in our living room. The top photo is of my sister and her husband, and I plan on relocating that photo to the nursery, since she gifted us the photo so that The Gravy Baby will recognize her (I wish I were joking). So, I have two empty frames, and no idea what to put in them. Do you have any ideas? Better yet, can you mail me a postcard or 5×7-inch something to hang in these? Your art — or idea for art — will hang in our living room, and you’ll be forever known as the kind person who gave The Gravy Family a little piece of America back.
Amy, I’m not judging your moves. This Christmas I ordered my nieces and nephews placemats with our mugs printed large format across them. Ann, you know JJ’s Facebook profile pic? Yep, the kiddos are getting Mexican fiesta JJ on one of their placemats. I was petrified they wouldn’t know us and refused to let it happen. Now we’re moving home in a matter of weeks and I feel like the most vain Aunt on the planet. Do my nieces and nephews need these placemats now that we’ll be down the street? Is that creepy??
I would suggest just framing some pretty wrapping paper, but it would probably be Asian inspired. There is a photographer I met last summer who I love and immediately bought several of his pieces. In fact one of them, paper plane, would go well with Bennett’s yellow and grey motif. His website it http://www.cliftonhenri.com
What’s so wrong with sending you a pic so my nephew will warm up to me instantaneously??
Placemats? Brilliant! What else can I put my face on? We will see!
Courtney: oh. my. god. Do not encourage Amy. By the time she gets here in 3 weeks we’re going to have our house plastered with her face!
Liz: I’m checking out Clifton Henri. Thanks for the suggestion!
I asked my brother to get a webcam for his house for my birthday so I could chat with my nephews (and they wouldn’t forget me!). Amy, i see nothing wrong with your plan!