Nellie"s Needles

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Macatawa

Thank all of you for the comments about our fun cottage furniture. There is one painted piece in our Tennessee condo. It's an art piece by Jan Miller, a funky tiered end table from the 1950's painted with lizards.

We have fun painted furniture here at Macatawa because this is a summer cottage. Most of the furniture is cast-off by previous generations of family or purchased at thrift or resale shops. It would be mighty dreary if these pieces were not jazzed up. Besides, my husband and I want to present a fun summer retreat to our family and friends. This greets our visitors. It is hours of driving to get here from anywhere. Our sentiment is printed over the bank of windows in the livingroom.

This place is filled inside and out with whimsy, humor, and art. We encourage all who come to play and create. We are most pleased that our nephew, Peter, has honored us with a number of painted surfaces. Here's the storage closet doors he painted just after he returned from years in Poland where he received his masters in art from the University in Warsaw.
"The Baba Cupboard"
Then there are ongoing projects, such as this mirror. It is decorated with found, broken, or left over objects from projects.We consider ourselves to be this generations caretakers of a place that has been magical for so many people throughout the years. Our grandchildren are the fifth generation.
We invite you to view an album of photos about the cottage and our typical activities. It is posted in the sidebar. Just click on the photo of the cottage quilt. Pictures are worth a 1000 words. However, I've included captions.

9 comments:

Doreen G said...

What an amazing home you live in Nellie and to think that you have all that art at your fingertips.
How creative your family is and I bet when you all get together it must be like Alice in Wonderland.
I would love to be a bird and come live in your garden for a week.

arlee said...

I'm constantly amazed at how much you really do surround yourself with art! I'm trying to get Greyman to appreciate the value of "living" in art, he's slowly getting it :}

Joyce said...

How inspiring to live among so much wonderful art!

meggie said...

What a wonderful, magic haven you are caretaking for your future generations of your best masterpieces- your children & grandchildren!

FARBTUPFER said...

Wonderful, to see how you are living,
like Doreen I want to be a bird and I could visit your garden.

Teodo said...

Nellie
It's great to live in such a personalized house.
You are an artist! your husband and all your family too!
I'd like to see all of you while creating!
ciao ciao

Jan's Art and Musings said...

Tag! You're it! I am tagging you to post seven random facts about yourself on your blog, and then tag seven other people. Have fun!

I love the painted furniture. I have a cherrywood dining table and chairs and am considering painting them ala Monet (blues and yellows).

Kay said...

I've tried to comment several times unsuccessfully. This is such a delightful place, full of fascinating pieces. Thank you for the tour. I particularly love the mirror. If only I could be so creative with the "found objects" I have!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I just looked through the Macatowa pictures and it makes me want to go there. Wait a minute, we leave tomorrow!
See you Sunday!
Love,Terra and the Boos