As many of you know, there was a terrible fire at my daughter's sorority house two weeks ago. As a result, all 80 girls had to be relocated quickly. The university and the national branch of their sorority were fantastic in getting them moved into furnished 4-bedroom campus apartments. But "furnished" to my sweet daughter does not mean the same thing as "livable". It's become increasingly apparent these past two weeks that Emily has inherited all of my decorating and cooking sensibilities . . . or craziness, depending on which way you look at it!
I've been getting phone calls and emails ever since they've moved in. Apparently, her sister-housemates don't have a smidge of the decorating or cooking bug between them, so they've asked her to decorate their apartment and to help them decorate their bedrooms, as well.
First, I get a call, "OMG Mom, there is not one lamp in this entire place! How can they expect it to be homey with just these awful overhead lights?!". So, out she goes and buys three new lamps to replace the ones of hers destroyed in the fire. And some for their living room as well. (BTW, our insurance is paying for all of her things to be replaced that were ruined in the fire)
Next, there was nothing on the walls, and being my daughter, this kid has been raised with lots of art around her! So, she's been making the rounds to places like Kirklands and Hobby Lobby, with and without her sisters, to buy art for their walls. Of course, everything she buys is on a budget, but she's done a darn good job for an almost-20 y/o. She cracked me up with her , "OMG Mom, they have absolutely no design sense! They wanted me to hang these (framed ) prints halfway up to the ceiling! They have no idea about proportion and balance!"
Next they went out and bought dishes, and a few pots and pans as they'd been living off paper products and Easy Mac. Emily's now trying to teach them how to cook and plan healthful meals. "But, of course, I had to go out and buy herbs, spices and olive oil first, Mom". LOL!
We did replace her ruined bedding with the same patterns. Thankfully her rug, towels and curtains were ok once all the soot and ash were washed out of them.
She had me send her an old cream colored matelassé bedspread of ours to use as a sofa cover, though, as their sofa looked like it was upholstered "with old motel carpeting". I'm sure that it was fine, just not the girls' favorite. I also sent them a couple of old but wonderfully soft rose colored throw pillows to use on it. The girls' inspiration for this place is everything Lilly Pulitzer (think tropical pinks, greens, yellows, blues, etc.).
Yesterday DD called to ask if 2 tropical looking throw pillows she found on Etsy (and were on sale with free shipping) could be her Valentines Day presents from her dad and myself, as their living room still needs more things to add color and comfort.That's my girl, always thinking decorating! I said yes. It's better ~ and more healthful~ than a box of chocolates.
With all of this, you'd think she was fast-tracking to a degree in interior design. She could be but, nope. She has her heart set on becoming a clinical psychologist, but is not ruling out family practice like her dad. Shaking my head!
OK, one more funny to share with you all. Last week she called me up to complain about their apartment's stove. "Mom, we have the weirdest stove here! At first I thought it was broken because I could NOT get the flames to come up. But it's some bizarre coil stove and there aren't any flames! Those coils just get really red and hot and you cook on that!". Now, I have nothing against electric stoves whatsoever, but we've never had one since before Emily was born. I guess she's never seen one at any of her friend's homes either. I've been chuckling over that one all week!
If I get a minute, I'll post a couple of pics of all Emily's efforts. I tell you, it's not bad for an almost-20 year old.
Lynn
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