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Well winter is winding down. For many it was killer. Forced hibernation has wreaked havoc and many say it’s been a big contributor to unemployment. While I think that’s true, I also think people are waking up and rethinking their lives while beginning to readjust to well…readjustment. For years we could (or thought we could) see the future in what seemed predictable terms. So A, B & C plans offered us fallbacks and (at least) the impression of long-range stability. That of course has changed. We’re being forced to live more in the moment and consider things we never would have before. We can either freak out about it or accept it with grace and learn to live more in the question where innovation lives too.

What I have learned over the past years ares that plan A is all that counts—it’s all that ever counted – meaning, stick to your dreams. Plans B and C are often myths and actually can water down dreams with compromise. The result? It sucks the spontaneity out of life, often closing windows that should have remained opened, brimming with potential. Putting a kibosh on great ideas—dismissing them because they were not part of the original plan is in fact arrogance disguised as “prudent.”

The fine line between control and surrender seems to be the greatest struggle we humans have and one we straddle from birth to death. We have to not fear the idea that things will reveal themselves given the proper time and faith—and not to give into fear of the unknown which many people (especially now) are taking advantage of.

Case in point:

Dear friends of mine, looking to sell their home were told recently that it had to be re-staged. A designer was brought in with the Realtor egging her on until too many opinions and mounting fees started to push the homeowners over the edge. I received a 911 email from them as a result. Now, mind you, I’ve not only spent time in this house but in the homeowner’s other home too—which I redesigned for them. Both homes are impressive and both elicit great reaction upon entering. But the mounting fear and desperation being inflicted by the designer and agent could have resulted in the homeowners needlessly spending thousands of dollars that, all said and done, would not have made any difference whatsoever to whether the home sold or not.

I, of course, called my friends and said, “STOP the madness! Your home is charming and beautiful and the last thing you need is to spend money on furniture you don’t need for people you’ve never met”…(mind you I have staged many homes in LA that actually needed it). Long story short I told them, “Make me the heavy, and break it off.” As I’ve always said the reason more folks don’t hire a designer is because they’re afraid to dismiss them should things not work out. After a long pep talk via phone, it was as though the weight of the world had been lifted of the shoulders of the homeowners.

Often when fear and doubt sets in, common sense and objectivity go out the window…in this volatile environment, there are many earning a living by playing into these fears whether inadvertent or not—after all, they’re working hard to make money too. But trust your gut and beware! Think things through and don’t allow the unpredictable landscape to rob you of the confidence to go for it!

Later,
CL

Hey everybody,

I just hung up the phone with my dear friend Mary. She herself is an accomplished home cook with her own web site. From her kitchen in Florida, she shows folks the basics of Italian cooking while her husband, George, films with his Flip camera. But with all her knowledge, she, like many, get rattled when having to do the actual in-home entertaining part of it. I just spent the better part of an hour calming her down and helping her plan the menu for the cast and crew of legendary Broadway song and dance man, Tommy Tune. He’ll be appearing in a local theater there while on tour with his show and Mary, his godmother, wants to host them at her nearby home after the show.

When I was in the theater, many a Friday night, I’d invite the cast and crew to my home after performances so I knew the drill well. Keep it casual, keep the number of dishes to a minimum but they should be heaping—giving the visual impression of abundance! And never serve anything that can’t be enjoyed at room temperature—just in case.

I’ve addressed this many times in my lifestyle column but have noticed a real spike in the interest of food and party planning lately. In my book, “The Hassle Free Host”, I laid down the basics of combating the vulnerable jitters of opening one’s home. Suddenly folks are wondering where they can get it. JoAnn Craft & Fabric Stores has it along with Amazon for those who are trying to hunt it down. While it was written several years ago, you might want to give it another look.

As many of you know, as passionate as I am with decorating, I’m even more personally obsessed with food. In fact, it was I who coined the name ‘Tablescape’—wish I had a dime for every time that term is now used (LOL). In fact after several meetings with my soon-to-be-manager, based on the spreads I’d cooked, he thought I was going to pitch him a cooking show, not one on interior design. Who knew? Later, I was part of the original Williams Sonoma team before it caught on nationwide. I was friends with Julia Child because of it and loved Merrill Streep’s portrayal of her in the recent movie Julie/Julia. So food and it’s prep is in my blood.

Over the years I’ve watch how the Food Channel has changed our culture while every one said it wouldn’t last. How we eat is the greatest comfort we have now. When I rake a fork threw a spaghetti squash or whir a bunch of basal for pesto, all the senses come alive. Food is the most intimate part of ‘lifestyle’ otherwise we’d simply be sitting around staring at each other in well done rooms. And as restaurant prices continue to escalate and Iron Chefs have made cooking unisex, many are finally getting into food in a whole new way. What good is a beautiful home if you’re too insecure to actually entertain in it?

Over the years of doing both party planning and interior design I saw the same mistakes being made. Hosts took on more then they can do, the ego kicked in and they got so uptight that no one had any fun at the party. I’m happy to say that all that’s beginning to change. Just like interior design, the trend is finally getting away from the formality that plagued many of our parent’s homes and ‘appropriate’ parties. Today people don’t care where you got the food as long as it’s tasty and there’s plenty of it. With more people feeling home bound due to the economy, perhaps it’s time to get into the kitchen and do a little experimenting!

Cheers!

CL

Hello Everybody,

I’m about to leave on a 2-week trek beginning in Las Vegas —no, not for partying, but for the national furniture show where I’m book solid for the entire trip. Then it’s all the way to Florida with a stop in Cleveland, Ohio. Since I’m also writing my new book and doing local press, any down time is spent on my I-phone (with the notebook feature) drafting speeches on creativity or outlining chapters. I use my I-phone to avoid the computer-security airport hassle. Sometimes I connect to my email and write on it—cool right?

After several months in solitude working here in Santa Fe, it’s time to get back out in the world. While I’m always doing radio, print and business conference/video sessions here, nothing replaces real people—their energy and their diverse vibes. In a stalled economy and a confusing political environment, I imagine the voice of independence in local communities will be loud and clear.

In Cleveland I’m teaming with JoAnn fabric and craft stores to help a great cause—kids in need. At the home show I’ll be announcing a great give-a-way that, get this, weighs some 2 tons. Can’t wait. If you’re in the area come say hi at the Joann’s booth at the home show.

In Florida we’re working on the PR and outreach aspects to launch my new line of very cool furniture for Office Depot–making its debut in mid spring of next year. I want to go heavy on the internet where I know you all shop now. So don’t be surprised if you see me on places like You Tube showing you how to build an affordable tasking center to keep you productive and help you reinvent in a whole new way. Inspiration and reinvention by small entrepreneurial-minded micro business will be the wave of the future if we can suspend our fear and embrace our God-given creativity.

Operating out of inspiration versus fear and intimidation is the prize right now and that goes for consumers, retailers and manufacturers alike. I pray they hear me and that that message (at a time where focus on bottom-line seems to scream louder) can ‘cut through’ while I plead the case (your voice) in a lot of these meetings—so wish me luck.

Packing for these trips—all in carry-on only—where I’ll be in temps from 65 to -10 degrees is always a challenge. You have to always remember that people who see you in one place, won’t see you in the next. So you can double up. I always pack folding directly into my carry-on to maximize space. I also pack the night before to give time for all the air to settle between layers—gee the 7 layers of packing? Hummmmmm.

For me it gets tricky because between the press appearances, TV with make up and stuff, business attire and travel attire—not to mention evening dinner changes—it’s a lot to get into a single small case. But once you learn you never have to worry about losing luggage or wasting time at baggage claim. The secret is to travel with a professional hand-held clothes steamer at all times. That way you can pack tight! Well I’m off to the store for a few travel-sized things and out early to begin the journey!
More on the road….

Later,
CL

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Hi Everyone,
I was recently sent this by someone in my company who knows me well and thought I’d appreciate it. These are real words to live by. Enjoy.

We can do it!
CL

THE AWAKENING
By Sonny Carroll

A time comes in your life when you finally get it …
when, in the midst of all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your
tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out – ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child
quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder
once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world
through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it’s time to stop hoping and waiting for something to
change…or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the
next horizon.

You come to terms with the fact that you are neither Prince Charming or
Cinderella and that in the real world there aren’t always fairy tale
endings (or the beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of “happily ever after” must begin with you…and in the process a sense of serenity is born of
acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will
always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are…and that’s OK.
They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself…and in
The process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.
You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you
(or didn’t do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really
count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don’t always say what they mean or mean what they say
and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it’s not always
about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself…
and in the process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as
they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human
frailties…and in the process a sense of peace and contentment is born of
forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around
you, is a result of all the messages and opinions that have been
ingrained into your psyche And you begin to sift through all the junk you’ve been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.
And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really
stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you
begin to discard the doctrines and values you’ve outgrown, or should never have
bought into to begin with…and in the process you learn to go with your
instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a “consumer” looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build
a life.

You learn that you don’t know everything, it’s not your job to save the world and that you can’t teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the
Importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.
You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and
that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would
have them. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.
And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK…and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things you want…and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won’t settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to exercise. You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more
time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you
deserve…and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and
that wishing for something to happen is different from working toward
making it happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone…and that it’s OK to risk asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron
of all: FEAR itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that
whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away
the right to live life on your own terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you think
you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good
people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things.
You learn that God isn’t punishing you or failing to answer your prayers.
It’s just life happening.

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state – the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be
understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and
poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of
walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things
we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth only dream
about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot
shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle for less than your heart’s desire.

And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.
And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open
to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as best you can.

Hey all,

This brief hiatus between Christmas and New Years has been great but Monday morning approaches—LOOMS actually. There’s a part of me that wants to start super fresh, innovative and new, remarkably improved and spiritually cleansed. But I know I’m overloading expectations for myself. It’s Monday for heaven sake, back to work—cut print.

Wondered if I’d had a Jane Fonda sighting in town recently but wasn’t sure–only to read her blog and low and behold it was her LOL, buying tree decorations at our little year-round shop here. Who knew? –But nothing would surprise me in Santa Fe. Soon, I hope to share it (this wonderful town) with you.

The move here has done what it was suppose to do—help me decompress and rekindle new passions. I’m extremely optimistic about the future as sobering as it might be–and hope to be in service in any way I can. I’m hearing new dialogue, new introspective conversations on the street and a sense of personal expression that I’ve not witnessed in a long time. People are thinking now. Focus is shifting from what we once expected government to do, to what can we do for ourselves. No question, people are taking stock—emotional inventory. This is right on cue and all part of the making of a new renaissance brewing out there. I’d predicted this several years ago and wondered if I was on track. Yup!

While we’ll need to brace for much change—most of it will happen locally as we return to values of self-reliance and community spirit. We’ll be getting a world-view at a glance, but we are finally breaking our addiction to 24/7 speculative-based media reports. This is good. We’re beginning to find out for ourselves versus simply accepting entertainment as fact. It will be a long process, no doubt. A lot of Pandora boxes have been pried open and with clarity comes truth. Son of a bitch! But we have to look at the luggage we’ve been carting around but haven’t opened in a while. It’s all part of tomorrow’s experience. Hopefully we’ll drop a ton of irrelevancy—things that truly no longer apply. Leave ‘em lay where Jesus flung ‘em. If we need a porter to get through life, we’ll never get beyond searching for an available overhead compartment.

BTW, you can talk directly to me on twitter—I’ll answer ya!

I know the fate of Twitter has been talked about a lot recently. In today’s NY Sunday Times however the headline read “Why Twitter Will Endure.” Bottom line if you’re not out to play Moses by virtue of that amount of followers you have, there are wonderful relationships to be had there. As the article says, you can go anywhere on the web but not with your key Twitter buds. What I like about it is that its 140 characters has taught people how to choose their words in a concise fashion. For a rambler like me, it’s actually enabled me to value every character that fills that box. So, I think seasoned Tweeters who now have the hang of it are choosing whom they follow more wisely and forging new relations with people who link us to places on the web we’d never otherwise found.

So I’m inclined to agree that we should not dismiss this important platform because of people who insist on sharing the fact that they’re eating a cookie right now. Well, it will be way past Monday by the time you read this, so I’d better get myself psyched for writing twenty-ten without feeling really OLD!

Love and later,
CL

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

If you and your circle of friends are anything like me and mine, then I think it’s safe to say that we’re all happy to see 2009 come to an end. There’s no question that this year, life as we’ve known it, changed drastically. In 2009 many Americans got clobbered. Economic recession, an undefined war, a new administration, the collapse of the housing market, reform agendas for bank, auto, Wall Street and health care. Not to mention the highest foreclosures and unemployment stats since the 60s. Bummer!

While our government (whether we agree or not) attempts to reinvent, American households must too. This is always the typical precursor of a renaissance. But because there has not really been one since the 1960’s many today were too young to remember it accurately, others simply weren’t born yet. Well, I do and I was. I remember Woodstock, having my draft number on me at all times, Martin Luther King, feminism, the birth of technology…I remember tremendous unrest at every turn—these were the growing pains that benefited us later by changing all our lives for the better. I believe those times are upon us once again.

I know many of you have had to make a lot of unexpected changes. And those who have not are also in the process of re-evaluation of some kind or another. This year forced us all to take stock. As painful as it can often get, I truly believe this process was long over due and necessary.

I think we coasted for many years perhaps postponing the kind of introspection and reflection we should have been doing all along. If our faith got tested, at least it reminded us how important faith was. If forced to make due, it reminded us of our priorities and ingenuity. If some had to drastically down size, perhaps they surprised themselves. It’s amazing how few possessions we need in order to be okay and live well—if not in some cases even better.

I too made some of the most important decisions in 2009 than any year I can remember. I had some final hard choices, which I could have easily postponed until the first of the new year but I wanted them behind me by then so I could start 2010 with a clean slate and with fresh plans. So as I write this, I know I’m ready for whatever the new year holds with a renewed sense of spirit. It is my deepest and most sincere wish for all of you too.

Lets turn off the TV and the computer now and then and think for ourselves. Let’s not be afraid to be honest and then fight for that clarity in those around us. Let’s start nourishing our mind rather then keeping it only distracted and entertained. Lets not be afraid of things we cannot control, embarrassed for whatever losses we’ve experienced, or guilty for decisions that didn’t pan out. Often the greatest blessings are the things we don’t yet understand most.

Lets not look outside ourselves for hope, validation, and salvation—all that is within us.

Here’s to a really fascinating new year!
CL

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Hey all,

How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was great. Since I had to be in LA for one of our residential clients, I had the opportunity to join my business partner and his wife’s family for the holiday. Since they are within walking distance from Shade hotel, I exercised my ‘designer-in-residence’ privileges for the first time.

While my team and I sweated every detail of the hotel’s design, I’d never had any reason to actually stay there—living in LA. So it was fun watching folks make the connection. You see, there’s an etched plaque on their lobby press wall with a photo of me. As a matter of fact, some woman left her lipstick kiss there on my forehead LOL. The rooms at Shade are the most comfortable I’ve ever stayed in. And since they were intentionally designed first, the experience from the time you walk in the lobby to the time you unlock your room, is virtually seamless versus the disconnect I often find—where the public spaces of many hotels never feel like the actual room you’re renting. I took lots of notes about what I liked and would implement again, and what I thought could be improved in Shade’s new sister hotel (breaking ground soon). So over the next three days I held court there meeting friends I’d not seen since I left LA.

I spent the first part of Wednesday breaking color through the entire home of one of our clients. I establish a color pallet that the client and I agree on, then I call out the paint numbers on painters tape throughout the entire house—about a 2 hour process. While the wife was very up to speed on who we were, the husband hadn’t a clue. On a recent trip to Washington he told several friends that some guy named yours truly was doing the job. Well the friends evidently freaked out and the husband got a real download – so much so that he insisted on a photo with me to prove to his friends that I was actually doing the job (LOL) so it seems for the moment everybody’s happy—or at least coping with the workmen taking over their home. We work quick making sure that the disruption is as short as possible. I’m always a fan of doing everything at once because first of all it’s cheaper that way—but “hell” only lasts a short time for the clients and everything’s finished at once so the impact is significant.

After that (having emailed the shopping list to my personal assistant so the food would already be there) I cooked half a day at Dan and Lisa’s, so everything was virtually done and on hold in the fridge for Thanksgiving. So, on turkey day it was a breeze. I did a coffee & dessert station (yes, lifts and levels) in one room and a full-on formal tablescape in the dining room for both the adults and the kids. While I think it’s kinda cool to let the kids join in, I think next time the kids should be placed between adults instead of all together on one side. With short attention spans the kids left the table early leaving a whole side of the table empty with all the adults on the other side bobbing heads to look at each other. Not being a parent I said nothing—next time I’ll speak up. However, the menu was very well received and so another successful ‘catering’ job is under my belt.

I left LA with the concrete jungle below but soon I saw the mesas and Pinon trees and the little adobe airport surrounded by snow topped mountains and knew I was home. Flying into the charming 1940’s airport was heaven. Christmas in Santa Fe as a residence will be cool and just around the corner.

Bye for now!

CL

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Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

So much has happened this year that this holiday means more than it has in a while. I spent the weekend preparing my menu:

Roasted Turkey with citrus and herbs

Savory sweet potatoes with roasted garlic and chive

Sausage, apple and sage cornbread stuffing with chestnuts

Oven roasted root vegetables with balsamic glaze

Brown butter sage and goat cheese mashed potatoes

Roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta and orange zest

But I’m not doing the meal here is Santa Fe. I’m off to LA to meet with one of our residential clients and then I’ll prepare the menu at Dan’s home (my manager), doing most of it Wednesday afternoon. This menu allows for everything to be made in advance so come Thursday morning I only have to pop everything in the oven. Since I hate worrying about there being enough gravy I do a huge batch of it in advance. I roast turkey parts in the oven then put them into a pot of veggies, chicken broth with Madera wine. That way I only have to add whatever drippings there are from the bird—with a lot less stress.

I’ve cooked in many kitchens other then my own so I’m used to the fact that most people don’t have the William Sonoma store that I do. So my menu can be prepared with a modicum of tools—mainly the oven.

This will be my first time in LA since I left. So it will be interesting to see my reaction both in-going and out-going.

This time I’m flying directly out of Santa Fe. They’ve completely restored a charming adobe airport that was built in 1942. If you were to put passengers in period costumes it would look much the same as it did then except for the only security station, everything is as it was. Opening the airport after years of inactivity is a clue that Santa Fe is opening itself up to the world again.

I hear the footage we took last week in and about Santa Fe looks great. I’ll see a rough cut when I return for LA — something to look forward to.

I hope this holiday finds you optimistic. I hope that everyone turns off the news and remembers that our personal journey and destinies are not in the hands of the politicians but in the strength of our personal resolve, curiosity and God-given creativity.

The world will not be changed by people in Washington, but by us, its citizens, learning to reinvent in our towns and cities all across America. It’s not the nation God has plans for, but each and every one of us personally. And for that I’m deeply grateful.

May the Holidays Begin!

Safe travels everyone,

Christopher

Hey Everybody,

This weekend you can hear me being interviewed by Olivia Wilder in a live to tape podcast. She’s a great interviewer and we spent a good hour or so talking of many things. If you have a chance go to (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/olivia).

I understand from fans that this week on the Fine Living Channel they did a Work That Room marathon. Several of you said you watched it all day and picked up even more info the second time around. That’s great—we really try to load the shows with wall-to -wall design tips for just that reason.

On Friday, I’ll be out and about on the streets of Santa Fe shooting a small video presentation based on a new TV series concept I’m developing. The local merchants have really been so warm and accommodating and that should be fun. I’ll let you know if we’re going to air it here—to soon to tell yet. But it will be interesting filming and being on camera again in this town that I’m crazy about.

I stopped in at a local Office Depot and was evidently the last person they expected to see. I do that from time to time just to keep the managers on their toes and get their honest opinions and consumer feedback about my line. The manager of this store came bounding up to me and said that my collections there had really changed his business and he just wanted to thank me. I let him know that new cool stuff would be coming in spring and that I’d stop by again. He was thrilled and I hope you will be too. There’s one collection that even I will be buying for myself so I can’t wait either.

I’m working with JoAnn’s on a whole new out door fabric collection that will be in stores in spring. I highly recommend these fabrics for indoors use too—especially for rooms that get a lot of sun—the fabric won’t fade and is soft enough that it feels like regular indoor fabric—not that stiff Sunbrella kind of feel. Even better it allows for a seamless visual transition from indoors to outside—and of course the new outdoor fabrics, as always, pre-coordinates with the rest of my fabric line so you can’t make a mistake.

Thanksgiving is close at hand. This year I’m flying into LA to enjoy the day with friends. It will be the first time back since I moved here. I’ll also be working with one of our interior design clients—breaking color through her whole house—something I love to do. Especially in established homes, paint color is always the great unifier.

Yes, a while ago we quietly opened up a new division of CLE called Christopher Lowell interior design. So much of our designing in the past years has either been for TV (they are REAL finished interiors but done on a TV schedule) or commercial designing. But because of Work That Room playing every weekend, we’ve been flooded with requests for more and more (non-TV) residential interior design. That’s a good sign that perhaps the economy is coming back.

Some of the requests are for people going through the downsizing process. That’s a subject near and dear to my heart. I hope we’re finally getting to the point where downsizing isn’t viewed as a step backwards but in fact an opportunity to reinvent. My home in Santa Fe is literally half the size as the one in LA and I live better in it then I did with a lot more square footage. I’m not only saving money in utilities and upkeep, but it’s easier to clean.

The move here made me really think about what I really use now and how much square footage I really needed. Because I’ve always purchased furniture with a timeless and classic eye, everything always looks custom to whichever home I move to. Now I feel like I have the best ‘visual’ moments of a home twice the size and everything is completely thought out right down to the medicine cabinets—moving is a great way to purge—keeping it that way is of course key.

I love that I use every room every day verses wandering through big public spaces that never got used—what a waist. So downsizing is truly nothing to be embarrassed about any more. In fact it’s just plain SMART in any economy!

More later.

You can do it!

CL

Hey,

It’s amazing what comes up when you give yourself the proper time to think. We’re often so plugged in and afraid of missing something or so self absorbed that we often miss the most important thing of all—being in the moment.

My early days here in Santa Fe were preoccupied with getting the house pulled together, which I’d done in short order. When my assistant JJ went back to LA I wondered how I’d feel—“stranger in a strange land” kind of thing. Others were also worried and said so, not realizing that I’ve lived alone moving all over this country by myself for over thirty-five years. Often for me, the physical change benchmarks the next reinvention. But since television intervened, it had been a while and I knew I’d stayed way too long in the LA showbiz bubble.

For the first week I had TV’s on in every room and checked my email a hundred times a day. But then after a while the ideas started to flow once again and the TV’s went off one by one and the email became less important. My daily walks into town provided social interaction—or so I thought.

While outgoing on TV, my true nature is to keep to myself in my own shy way so I began to realize that I was in town often, but really not engaging with it. Slowly I began saying hello, asking questions and letting my natural curiosity take the lead. I began assigning myself specific jobs to accomplish as I began to ferret out where the pulse of this interesting little village actually was.

Some people recognized me and said so which made me feel a bit self-conscience. Some knew who I was but pretended not to and others (the majority, thank God) simply didn’t give a damn, which I loved. Being any kind of a celebrity is not the icebreaker people think. It fosters preconceived notions, changes body postures and interaction becomes stilted or certainly one sided in a way that true anonymity does not foster. So testing the waters was important for me in helping to establish an appropriate comfort zone in which I could be myself without expectation and without the ‘handlers’ orchestrating everything. But I grappled with it.

Then, one morning I stopped into the local diner. There, sitting at the counter one stool away, was Gene Hackman—one of my ALL time favorite actors. Suddenly I was the fan pretending not to notice—trying to be cool. I had the burning desire to tell him how much enjoyment and inspiration he’s been for me in my young acting days. Suddenly the shoe was on the other foot. I hope he’d engage with me but was terrified that he might.

I watched him order his meal from the Native American girl who obviously had interacted with him before. She called him Gene and went about her business. A tourist approached him and gushed, and I winced. He, however, had figured out how to be famous and in the moment without it intruding. He said, “Thanks and my eggs are getting cold.” He shook the woman’s hand and turned back to his breakfast before the woman could get the lens cap off her camera.

Then he asked ME if I’d pass the salt and pepper. With a million things spinning in my head, and now totally out-of-body, I said….wait for it, I opened my mouth and said….”SURE.” I really wanted to ask, “how long have you lived here-do you like it-what was your favorite movie-Bob Redford lives here do you know him too? Thank God my shyness prevailed. “Sure” was all that was appropriate.

But it taught me something again—the very same thing that Jamie Lee Curtis had told me many years ago when two flight attendants gushed over me while I was trying to get settled—holding up the entire boarding process. She said, “ They just want you to know that you make them happy—so make them happy and get on with your business.” But I had forgotten.

As I made my now humbled journey back home, a young gal and her mom asked if they could take a picture with me. And the only thing appropriate to say in the moment was ‘sure.’

How was your week?

Later,

CL