THE BEST SEAT IS BY THE WINDOW

Our warmest conversations happen at the dinner table, and the best seat is always by the window. This past year we've often opted to sit at the table rather than the couch in the evenings while we talk and work, so a struggle with this apartment has been the cramped and windowless dining nook. But it's the gentle push of necessity that often causes me to not only be resourceful, but to discover and develop my favorite ideas.

In a 24 hour swoop we decided to sell our couch with the intention of replacing it with a more durable, leather one. We began the hunt for a replacement, and moved our *dining table into the living room, creating a play space for Henry in the old nook. The intention was to keep our living room from looking bare, but the first evening we found ourselves across from each other at the table for hours, drinking tea and conversing by opened windows over the low light of pillar candles.

I know from experience that when we move next month the spaces in our home will pivot many times before the dust settles. But I'm reluctant to give up this fresh arrangement, so here's hoping I can find the table an open spot by a window in Carrboro. I can imagine the laughter of dinner parties and low tones of intimate conversation that will sift through our window screens on summer evenings, drifting down to passersby.


*We built our oak parson's table in a friend's workshop last summer, and it's scheduled to receive a new coat of danish oil upon our move. The chairs are solid walnut, purchased from the local flea market and originally built in the 60's by a North Carolinian carpenter. We started sanding them down to the natural wood, but it was slow going so we opted to paint the chairs an off-black color.

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE PARSONS TABLE

My favorite thing I have ever helped make, ever,  in my entire life is our Parsons table. I swoon over furniture that has a modern feel but evokes a sense of tradition, and when I first discovered the Parson's table, I fell in love with it's neat lines and elegant stature - a paradox of strength and delicacy.

At first glance, it's a simple concept - yet something about the design is unexpected, and so intentional. Because of my compulsive need to know, I researched the design's origination.

• While there are several versions of the Parsons table's history, the generally accepted tale you're most likely to hear is that the table was born at the Paris Branch of the Parsons School of Design in the 1930's. 
• The story goes that design legend, Jean-Michel Frank, "challenged students to design a table so basic that it would retain it's integrity whether sheathed in gold leaf, mica, parchment, split straw or painted burlap, or even left robustly unvarnished." (Quote) 
• While again, the story varies, according to school records, the Parsons table (originally called the "T-Square table") emerged from Frank's work with the American designer Joseph B. Platt and an unknown student: a simple table, distinguished by it's square legs - always the same width as the table top, regardless of it's length or width.
• Favorite fact: the first model was built by the school janitor. 

Knowing the history of something you own is inspiring, and the things made with your own hands are often the most exhilarating.


photo found here.

APPRECIATE THE EMPTY WALL

We've kept the walls in our apartment sparse. In our bedroom we have a beautiful little painting of a ship, gifted to us by my parents last Christmas. The other walls are blank because I can't bring myself to hang anything cheap in the presence of such a quality painting. But in my opinion, the windows and the little ship are enough to make the room feel cozy and complete.

I've struggled the most to decorate the wakeful areas. I've considered a gallery wall, but right now even cheap artwork isn't in the budget. So we've left a few walls completely empty. I've contemplated adding a few hooks to hang a blanket and bag or two behind my grandma's cane chair... But for now, that wall stays empty too.

While in the future we'll welcome fine paintings and Henry's scribbled masterpieces, right now "less" is the economical decision. I've had to come to terms with this, and I'm beginning to appreciate the quiet walls which give me space to think.

DECORATE WITH WHITE AND WOOD

If you're like us, you're furniture shopping has been limited to what's cheap on craigslist or available in your parent's garage. One of the great challenges of decorating on a low budget is dealing with mismatched furniture. I've found that the best way to create a sense of cohesiveness is to create a simple color foundation.

When we moved into our apartment, our landlord graciously painted over the beige walls with white. We opted for neutral rugs, and kept most accents and accessories white - with the exception of the occasional fresh bouquet.

If you have one piece in particular that especially struggles to join the crowd, move it a little to the side and give it it's own simple backdrop. You will find that even the most disparate will find their place within the room.


photo found here