Ethan Allen Visit

Our home in the Midwest was systematically redecorated from top to bottom. When we moved to DC thirteen years ago, we got most of our furniture from Ethan Allen, but I missed working with our designer Glenn. So when we moved to Northern Virginia six months ago we brought along what we thought would fit, but knew we might eventually get at least a new living room because the carpet was too big and the couch was too small for the new space. I contacted Glenn to see if he might be able to help - and he was as happy as I was to do just that. So we had an opportunity to see Glenn when we visited our old home town last week. I sent the floor plans and photos of our new condo to him beforehand so he could work up a few options. We first met for breakfast, and then met him at the design center to see what might work. It was like old times. It will take a couple of months for everything to be made and delivered. I’ll need to figure out how to donate the few pieces we have before the new furniture arrives. That will be the biggest challenge because there are a lot of rules and regulations about securing the elevators for certain days of the week. We hope everything goes well. It was a really nice day and I know our home is going to look very different. 

Room and Board

After lunch today we decided it might be a good idea to check out the newest innovations in sofa beds. We are trying to find a replacement for a huge king size chaise behemoth that takes up the entire space in our tiny condo unit. It is really impractical to take it apart for guests, and the living room arrangement is quite limited. Since we can't decide if we want to stay or leave DC, we thought it might be at least time to update and freshen up the space to make it more cozy and warm as well as versatile and homey. Whatever we do we can enjoy it while we are here and take it with us if that time ever comes. So we headed out to Room and Board. We've been there a few times before, and could never get any traction. We need someone who can help us arrange furniture and recommend wall colors and fabrics. In Milwaukee we worked with a wonderful designer from Ethan Allen who helped us room by room, and even organized several renovations and projects. He knew everyone - builders, fixtures, furniture, arrangement, and he knew our taste. We just can't find someone quite like that here. But perhaps we did today. We got some ideas and assistance, and are hoping we can get more suggestions. After all, anyone from Wisconsin is good to know. And in this town, that's a good thing.