Places, Things and Another Story

It’s strange, isn’t it how we remember things and what we remember. Some moments are perfect lasting moments and others are hidden far back in our mind and surface as a remarkable surprise.

 

I have been neglecting my Flickr involvement because I started to redecorate my VERY humble 700sq ft stucco condo in San Diego. The design is dull and boring like all the early condos in the city. For years, however, it was an affordable place to call home while I worked and then traveled. I admired a few special items I had collected, but in general, it has been a place to sleep and store things.

 

Now that I am unable to travel, I started to look at my home and how to make it more comfortable. I found some new living room furniture that was actually patio furniture. It works because there is little distinction between my living room and patio except for an ugly sliding glass door.

 

I focused then at a small corner next to my kitchen. A big glass table was always awkwardly shoved into the space. That’s where I dumped stuff and worked on my laptop. How ugly, I finally realized. I must find a new table.

 

After months of looking at a “Paris” bistro table with a marble top I decided to buy it and go for a new look. Ah ha, I thought, I will recreate a little café in the corner and accent an existing painting of women gathering in small café at the turn of the 19th century.

 

After hours of combing all of the websites of furniture retailers, I found the perfect Art Deco cabinet and a serving cart. Well, a little different time period, I know, but I can’t pass up any thing that is Art Deco. Sitting in my very very tiny spot in the world I am now happy about the memories it evokes, but what memories and why does it make me feel at home.

 

Strangely, I have never been in Paris. It was always too expensive for me to take a trip there when I lived in Portugal. When I could finally afford such a trip, big cities were not my passion. I wanted to see remote areas of nature. My brush with French décor and architecture comes from the time I spent in Southeast Asia.

 

Vietnam and Cambodia, thankfully, never quite erased the remnants of their colonial days. I lived in New Orleans too; quite easily the most picturesque city in America where wrought iron balconies line the French Quarter and little gardens are tucked away into every corner. It is no wonder my tiny place is filled with wrought iron screens and accent pieces.

 

While sipping coffee in my new little space, another memory came to mind. I was in Hue, Vietnam and had flagged down a cyclo driver and asked him to show me some of the old city of Hue. We went through hugely congested areas of typical tiny shops where people were living and shopping at a rapid pace. Interesting and typical, but not very relaxing or memorable, I thought. My driver spoke little English, but seemed to be a caring man. I finally realized that he did have a special destination to show me.

 

When we arrived, his eyes gleamed and a big smile came over his face. In front of us was a gate leading to a winding drive way, lined with green tea bushes. There were koi ponds, small temples and an old wooden house in remarkable excellent condition. It was an open French plantation home with lattice sliding wooden doors. Inside were wall hangings and paintings dating back a century. Looking up, one could admire the intricate wooden ceilings. Strangely, no one was home. Using some sign language and simple words, I determined that I was free to wonder about and explore.

 

I was stepping back in time to the Hue of the late 1800’s. I lingered, taking in the ambiance of the old home and the spectacular grounds. Much later, I learned that it was an old Garden home called a nha ruong. It had been restored to show tourists, one reason, why Hue was such a special city for the Vietnamese.

 

Here is an image from that visit showing the weathered wooden sliding doors and a very beautiful black lacquer vase. My space isn’t remotely this elegant, nor as historical, but now I know why I chose my new décor.

 

Done