mid century modern double danish love

What happens when your buddy summons you to Raleigh for design assistance on her gorgeous master bedroom redecorating project? You go. You shop. You listen. You give your opinion. You listen some more. You watch her buy. 

And then you pick up a little something for yourself. 

And so it went for me. Our Saturday morning trek to the fairgrounds flea market netted me the steal of the (mid) century, as I snagged myself two amazing Danish modern chairs for a mere $50 each! "Where to put them when you live in a condo full of someone else's furniture" was tomorrow's worry. Schlepping them back to Charlotte in my teeny tiny Mini Cooper was the immediate challenge at hand, but nothing that the nice man who sold them to me and I couldn't overcome together.

Some mineral spirits and 2 coats of Refurbish brought the beautiful finish back to their sexy arms and legs.

 

Richie gives his official "Green-eyed monster seal of approval."

Our landlords recently reclaimed 2 of their chairs from the condo, creating the perfect space in our living room for these Danish beauties. I found e what I wanted from my friends at Modern Fabrics, Larry Dellinger waved his magic re-upholstery wand for me one more time, and this is what emerged.....

For a total investment of less than $550, I got two new modern classics that look like a million bucks and will last well into the middle of this new century!

beauty from ashes

Friday, September 7, 2001 was a spectacular day in NYC. I was visiting my dear friend, Lynette, and we happily began our morning with a HOT NOW donut at the new Krispy Kreme on the first floor of the World Trade Center. To this day, I still laugh about the "coffee incident" (one of many, over our many years of friendship) when Lynette was forced to relinquish control of her cup as they insisted on adding cream and sugar FOR YOU behind the counter before handing over to their customers. It could've been quite ugly but she was gracious, as is always true. Or, at least, that is how I'm choosing to remember it. (Old friends can joke this way, OKAY??) We savored every bite, licked the last of the icing off our lips and she continued her subway journey across the Hudson to her office as I set out to shop and explore.

Our extended weekend of adventure came to a close on Monday evening. Storms rolled in and my plane waited them out on the runway at Laguardia. They were threatening to close the airport but we got out just in the nick of time. I wasn't worried, though, as I had a free place to stay another night if that happened. 

Back in Charlotte the next morning I rolled in to my office, only to find my co-workers staring in stunned silence at the TV screen. The Twin Towers were ablaze and the hellish destruction was just beginning. I imagined what was happening that moment at the Krispy Kreme, as surely the patrons were now running for their lives. Lives that were forever affected. Harrowing stories of tragedy emerged alongside countless acts of heroism and help. People came together as true brothers and sisters to carry each other's burdens. Party lines were crossed as we chose for a brief moment to identify ourselves only as Americans, united in a true state of cooperation. 

And what emerged was, indeed, beautiful.

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,
even though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea.
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake
with its swelling,
there’s a river
whose streams shall make glad
the City of God,
the holy place of the Tabernacle
of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her.
She shall not be moved.
God shall help her
just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged,
the kingdoms were moved.
He uttered his voice.
The earth melted.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come behold the works of the Lord
who has made desolations in the Earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the Earth.
He breaks the bough
and cuts the spear in two.
He burns the chariot in fire.
Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the Earths.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.

- Psalm 46

Meanwhile, back at the ranch....

A year ago we unloaded our home of 16 years and loaded most of our earthly possessions into storage. Then we sent ourselves and our cats packing, to live in a rented condo full of someone else's stuff. Lovely stuff but not OUR stuff. 

I've struggled to straddle the line. Living fully in the moment (with contentment) while still pursuing the dream of something different is a graceful dance of discipline. My own timeline for this journey would been much shorter but pesky little details like unemployment and major career changes (yet another pursuit of another dream) have caused us to shift our focus. Only one pot at a time can cook on that big front left burner, right? The other pots must submit and simmer slowly.

Left to our own devices, most of us tend to slide in the direction of discontent and ungratefulness. I know I do, and I've been around long enough to realize I'm not that different from the rest of you. Imagine attempting your yoga practice in the highest most slippery heels on a newly varnished hardwood floor. As much as I love my stilettos, I'm smart enough to know that nothing good can come from a silly decision like that! Only with feet laid bare on the sticky mat foundation of trust can we live firmly and joyfully with whatever has been given to us in this moment, secure in the knowledge that the One who loves us can also be trusted for each moment ever after.

"We take the moments as bread and give thanks and the thanks itself becomes bread. The thanks itself nourishes. Thanks feeds our trust." -Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts.

So I proceed with hands open, holding loosely to my dream with the knowledge that it could come to pass exactly as I imagine. Or not. But it will be exactly as it is supposed to be.