A Log Cabin in Alabama

Sorry, no original content but I had to mention this not-what-you-expect log cabin in Alabama built by the owner, artist Butch Anthony. The place is incredible and he's still working on it. In fact, this is his second log house; the first, a one-room cabin was built when he was only 14 years old!

Mr. Anthony, who is in a relationship with sustainable clothing designer Natalie Chanin, has decorated the home on his 80-acre compound with unusual objects. The wire contraption in the picture above is actually an old wire bed spring, the seats of the two flanking chairs are woven with old neck ties, and the base of the platform bed is lined with recycled car license plates. Not typical log cabin furniture at all.

Yes, another quirky bathroom!

The rest of the house is furnished a bit more traditionally though there probably is always a little twist somewhere in the decor. He is an artist, after all.

Check out the New York Times slideshow here.

Images: Robert Rausch for The New York Times

The Need to Purge

I remember years ago when I first started reading about the Apartment Therapy Cure. It sounded exactly like what I needed; a systemized way to get rid of my apartment clutter. The cure has occurred umpteen times now and always with a very helpful and supportive group of fellow Cure-ees. However, time and again, I find I "don't have the time" to do it. However, there has always been stuff to get rid of in my "outbox" area since the day I moved in.

This is a girl that loves empty space around her furniture and along her walls, but you wouldn't know that from looking around my apartment. There are piles of picture frames, stacks of boxes holding old clothes, empty product boxes, a stack of obsolete college textbooks I can't even sell back, and magazines that no longer fit on their designated shelf. These things annoy me, get in my way, look messy, and above all, accumulate dust bunnies like nobody's business!

The detritus of my life includes items I need to either give away to friends, donate, throw away, sell for whatever I can, or re-use with a different purpose. This occurs in my clothing, shoes, apartment decorative items, furniture, and kitchen items. There is so much in this little 520 sq ft apartment that I could live without, it is amazing.

I have two Bundt cake pans and the last time I made a Bundt cake it was the 90's. Should one or both go? I have items bought specifically for certain events in my life that are now laying dormant, clothes I need a reason to wear that I just don't have right now. How do I handle all of this?

Watch this space to see how I handle this all.

Alabama Chanin

I recently discovered artist Natalie Chanin in a Domino magazine profile. Her lifestyle-focused company, Alabama Chanin, creates limited-edition artisan created clothing, home furnishings, and jewelry from new, organic, and recycled materials. Natalie still resides in her small hometown of Florence, AL and all of her company's creation and manufacturing is done with local artists in Florence. Such an enterprise is sustainable for the local economy and very admirable.

Since her items are artisan-produced, the prices are understandably pricey. However, Ms. Chanin offers instructions for some projects, such as these appliqué t-shirt designs, on her website.

The sections on her website for Tips and Treats supply you with a list of books that have inspired her work and recipes that have been enjoyed by her family and friends.

 

Natalie is also publishing a home sewing book, Alabama Stitch Book, due next spring.