Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Picasso Smoke and My First Couch


This post is about memory. I like to name my creations. Sometimes it is a bit of a struggle; all my ideas seem contrived which does the work an injustice. With this choker, however, as soon as it was finished it, the title came into my mind immediately.

When I was in my early twenties, I moved out of my shared apartment into my very first home of my own. It was a bachelor apartment in an old building in downtown Ottawa. I set out one day to buy my first couch. Upon seeing a gray/blue velvet Bauhaus couch and loveseat at a furniture store I was hooked. No other furniture would do. It blew the budget but I had those pieces for many years.

What sealed the deal in my mind I am sure, was the name of the color, Picasso Smoke.
Such a gorgeous juxtaposition of words... and exactly the color of the velvet ribbon in this choker. The overall dusky hues also evoked the name. Of all things to remember, so many (!) years later says a lot about memory. I know I have forgotten many details of my life so far; I have forgotten them so I cannot relate how many or why those thoughts have vanished. All I can speculate on is why I do remember what I do.

Picking out that couch was a strong signifier of who I was at the time. I shopped for it alone. Paid for it with my hard earned money from my paste-up artist job. It looked great in my apartment, my choice was the right one. Now that purchase is giving me one more pleasure, the name of my favorite new choker, Picasso Smoke.





4 comments:

Waterrose said...

ooohhh that is beautiful! I love all of the texture and subtle color.

Leililaloo said...

Yes i agree, this is sublime!

FoundVintageStyle said...

this cuff just sold to someone who is giving it to their sister for a 'significant' birthday...

Anonymous said...

Oh Carol, I haven't been here for ages and I'm glad I have done so now. What a lovely post, I love to hear about the name and I understand how names can sound contrived. Sometimes I want to use a name that springs to mind but then don't like the way it sounds because it sounds a little too corny so I change it, ha! Funny creatures aren't we?!
I love the choker you made and the velvet is quite opulent. I have an antique velvet sofa na dchair in a brighter blue that I'm about to sell, not for the want of selling either :-(
Love Debra (AllThingsPretty)