{my teeny little disclaimer: although this is an interiors blog, I could not help but cross the line for a small chat about another area of style:}

Am I the only one?
please tell me no.
I am a stubborn member of the American Association of Over-dressed Attenders.

People. When did this happen to us? It used to be, that if you were going to be attending a City Symphony Hall, that is when your finest finery would come out of the closet with joy. That is when we would all “dress to the nines.”

{Valentina is off to the Met, 1945; photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt via NYTimes}

alas. now, we are getting advice like this about what to wear to the Symphony! A “lightweight turtleneck sweater???” Really, people?

now, don’t get me wrong. This is not about being elite. It is NOT about being snooty-tooty. Oh, no!

It is about having FUN,
It is about having GUTS,
and it is about dressing like a queen for a change… and grinning like you used too when trying on your mommy’s high heels and lipstick.
If you cannot look smashing for the Symphony… well, then, I ask: Where can you look smashing?

{photo by Drew Altizer, via SFLuxe.com}

You don’t have to dress like these amazing opera and symphony go-ers,
but I do beg to differ on the “lightweight turtleneck sweater.”
How about a lovely black dress with a sophisticated jacket, nice heels and your most beautiful necklace? Now was that so hard? And don’t you look smashing?!!!

Today, I am off to the Symphony. My firstborn {age 5} and I are going on a date: Benjamin Britten’s “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” Now, for a children’s matinee, I will not be dressed in a ball gown, or in Valentina. But nevertheless, I will likely be overdressed compared to the rest.

But, at least my date will be too.

pictures to come.
-{darlene}

Blogland, how I love thee.
While sometimes a love-hate relationship, when I am putting First Things first {translation: not blogland, but God and family.}, you continue to shower bloggy love upon me.

first of all, there is you: the wonderfully stylish one reading this post. Because of blogland, I know you. and I rejoice in hearing from you.

then, there is the sweet linky love,
like the wonderful shout out from Centsational Girl.
and another super kind linky from Beth at Home Stories A to Z.
and an invitation from my darling friend Traci to do a guest post, coming mid. April!
{go visit those gals to meet some fresh inspiration!}

and Monday, my inbox greeted me with great investigative news from a reader:
Liz said…

APRIL 4, 2011 10:59 AM 

Yay! I just did a jig! Liz had found the source for this BEAUTIFUL wall covering that I longed for in this ditto post. Thank you so much, Liz. This fabric is officially bookmarked. I love it here in Blue/Green Linen too {followed by a pic from the dining room I ditto-ed}:

and, last but not least, I won a Nester grand prize this week. Does that really happen? Now, how fun is that?!

My rockingly funny friend, the Frugal Flamingo, declared that she wanted to rub my head. I am still giggling over that one. {btw. you should visit Flamingo, and tell her I sent you. ’cause I love her. That’s all.}

“And the Grand Prize winner of the $100 shopping spree:”

Blogland, how I love thee. What a fun, unexpected, creative place for me to pour out my dreams!
-{darlene}

Here are the before pictures:

{the former entrance to the cellar}

{the view down to our cellar, with the door removed, and part of the wall removed. We did this to open up the floor plan – in our awkward and tight dining room – by a few feet.}

{here is a view that we had for far-too-long. The wall was rebuilt, closet interiors built, and a new frame created for the new closet.}

{this is a view of the finished closet door. It is actually shorter than the former door because we decided to use the 180 year old, original, back door to our home. It is a joy to know that we have repurposed this door.}

{then we put in a short door along the side wall to make use of the remaining space beneath the second floor stairs. As you can see, the cute door doesn’t even come close to being the cutest thing in my house.}

{but I designed a special little feature into this coat closet that really has been wonderful. What is a girl to do when you have a house with no closets on the first floor? Divide and Conquer. We added a half-wall that runs vertically and creates a “closet within a closet.” You can do this to nearly any closet!}

{have a closer look! Our very own broom closet; tucked neatly along side our coat closet. It works beautifully.}

This can be done in any closet, whether or not you have a closet crisis in your home. It has proven to be a very efficient use of space.

You could do this to create room for a wrapping station, a broom closet, a place to keep your handbag collection….
dream away!
– {darlene}

linked to Stories of A to Z and Shabby Nest

1. the soft blue gray walls. {the color here is Blue Hubbard by Sherwin Williams}. Gray has a way of transcending the seasons and feels at home on the hibernating days of winter and the sun-dappled mornings of summer. Gray is certainly a versatile neutral.
2. the proportions. The chairs meet the console table at just the right height. Small, gentle legs are met and balanced with chunky legs. the height of the lamps are balanced by a wide, lower silver vase. and the height of the mirror is balanced by the width of the symmetrical art.
3. beautiful woods. nothing says classy and refined like beautifully conditioned wood pieces with the lines of the classics. I particularly love these chairs. They are intricately detailed, like works of art. Their symmetrical placement both grounds the space, and offers a perfectly wonderful place to put on your shoes.
4. beef up the architecture. What makes this space so classy is the architectural foundation. The trim is thick, detailed and highlighted in white. The backdrop offers views of revival paneling that surround the door frames. And the flooring is done in a classic, dark wood that offers a perfect blank canvas to the space.
5. mirrors, mirrors! check your makeup before flitting out the door? yes. But also, offer a small space more light and reflection. Mirrors are perfect for foyers. And don’t miss those fantastic mirrored doors on the piece in the next room. What a wonderful way to draw your guests in {and check your outfit one last time while heading out}.
6. the rug balance. If you have two rooms that flow from one to the next, and offer views of both at the same time, a fantastic rug solution is to find complementary rugs that share a color palate. In this case, these two rugs share stunning geometric patterns that make them look just like sisters. I just love the rug in the space beyond the foyer.
7. do you have a foyer table or a buffet that you find too tall? rejoice! this is the perfect opportunity for layering. I love the look of layering furniture pieces. In this case, a stately and sturdy stool with curving lines provides the perfect layering piece beneath the console table.