Most of you probably remember our rainbow bookshelves. Either you saw them in person or you saw the write-up about them in the New Yorker online.
When John left, he took most of the books and most of the bookshelves. Which was okay with me. I was ready for something new, and the books seemed so heavy, such a burden. Both in physical weight and in the weight of memory. I kept my professional books–moving them to my office at Chapman. And I have two shelves of personal books in my bedroom. But for the most part, the books are gone from my space.
So I’ve been working on re-doing my living room in the meantime. I wanted it to be artful and comfortable, yet also have very clean lines. And while it’s still a work-in-progress, this is how it now looks (this is the very same wall that used to be covered in books):
The art on the walls is mostly done by the children, with the portraits on the end being painted by my Aunt. I love that it still retains the whimsical feel of the earlier rainbow bookshelves. I also love just how much it still feels like home.
10 comments
Jana–I like the new look and the openness that it has. Hope you don’t mind my saying that I’m sorry about the break-up.
Jeanne:
I appreciate your sympathy very much. I hope I’ll have the chance to swing by Seattle again soon and have a good chat with you. I enjoyed our last visit so much!
~Jana
I love the new look. It’s fresh and clean and looks like you. And, while I appreciate the political statement of the rainbow, I think the personal statement of you and your children’s art is lovelier and more personal.
Jana, Your “new” space looks so comfortable and inviting. Maybe I will have to drop by sometime. Love you!
Please do. I would love to share my home with you :)
Beautiful and feminine! That’s what it looks like. And it’s definitely an art space. I wanna snuggle up in that new couch of yours. It’s perfect. I love this new you.
Come and snuggle on my couch! :) You are welcome anytime!
I love your new sitting/living area. It looks both inviting and personal, all the more-so if the art is personal.
I was looking at some art prints to purchase when it struck me that I live with two amazing artists (my kids). It made so much more sense to display their work than to buy a print. Every time I look at those pics I feel just wonderful.
[…] we divorced, John took the bulk of our books. I was happy about that–wanting to shed the weight of so much […]