Working Projects

 

Ad for BPA

As a working designer, I sometimes forget that it is important to share projects I am currently working on.  This a remodel of a kitchen that is about to start construction. We completely re-designed the area with a sitting area to enjoy the view, lots more storage, and more light.  Can’t wait to see the work begin.  satre Orr Front Door in Color

The front entry will be enhanced with a Store Front door and side windows, to let in additional light and make more of a statement entry.

Satre Kitchen Floorplan

The kitchen is completely re-designed to make the space open and user-friendly.

Kathy_Bill Living Room View 6_20

There will be lots of storage and a raised bar area at the entry to the house.

Kathy Bill Window Wall Cabinetry 6_20

The window wall will give you lots of storage with a view.

Kathy_Bill Kitchen Aisle 6_20

The inside aisle will be a cooks dream with a gas cooktop and two ovens.  I will keep you posted as the work begins.

Happy to help you with all your interior design needs.

 

 

Working Projects

Selling Books Online

I love Amazon.  I seem to always have a package coming from Amazon.

A few years ago I decided to thin out my library as I have so many books.  Some of them I still had from college and from teaching and decided someone else could better use them.

My first lesson was always have a confirmation of delivery.  The seller is “always” the liar in Amazon’s template.  I sent a $110 book with $6 or so postage to a person who complained they never received it, so I got a bad review and she or he got a free book.  That was about five years ago.  I felt if they need to lie to get a free book, then they needed it more than I did.  Not to worry.  I sold a few more books then decided it was too much work.  I got to know our local postmasters well, as I was going there about every other day.

About six months ago, I decided to list books once again and listed some 400 plus books and they started selling.  This time there was tracking for each one and a confirmation.  Well, the buyers have gotten more savvy and according to Amazon, they are always right.

This time I lost an $80 book, as the person claimed it was the wrong edition, even though I clearly had posted the one listed.  They got to keep that one for free.  Next the post office accidentally sent two books to the same address (shown on my receipt) so lost another book. Never did figure out what happened to that book. Third person received a book from my PhD classes for a mere $124.00 and they said it was missing pages.  Funny, they were all there when I sent it and when I personally used it.  Amazon awarded them the book and the money.  Another student sent a nasty note that they had received the wrong edition, saying they were way behind in class due to my mistake and in this case I did accidentally send an edition that was one earlier.  The note said they were failing the class due to my stupidity.  I let it go, knowing their stupidity was far more charming, after teaching design for eight years,  and authoring a successful design book, I know there is not that much difference in editions.  I am sad for their view of the world.

Yes, I am no longer selling on Amazon.  Too many complaints from buyers.  So if you are selling your books on Amazon:  Seller Beware!  The buyer is always telling the truth according to Amazon.

Just a commentary for today.  Any ideas where to sell these books?  I think Powell’s in Oregon buys, so will look into that, but would love other ideas.

Selling Books Online

Artwork in its new home

Flower BuddiesScreen Shot 2016-01-11 at 6.05.18 PM

For the last about 15 years I have been enjoying the creative pastime of painting and drawing.  Over the years I have sold many pieces and with the exception of a  doctor’s office, where I helped install the work I seldom get to see it in it’s new environment.

The second photo is of a piece I sold at Interiors of Edmonds and the new owner was kind enough to share a photo of it hanging in her lovely home.  All artists should be so lucky to see where their work finds a home.

Thank you for sharing.

http://www.dianakingsley.net

Artwork in its new home

Ya ma da poonoo = It’s bad for business

jabba_the_hutt

Jabba the Hutt had a lot to say in Star Wars and beyond.  The name is often used as a satirical literary device and a political caricature to underscore negative qualities.  Jabba is depicted as a large, slug-like alien, that is a cross between a toad and the Cheshire Cat exemplifying lust, greed and gluttony.  Known throughout the Star Wars universe as the “vile gangster”, amusing himself by torturing and humiliating his subjects and enemies.

The physical appearance of Jabba reinforces the personality of a criminal deviant winning the award for “The Most Disgusting Alien”.  The body is a Miasmic mass with the lardaceous body periodically releasing a greasy discharge, sending fresh waves of rotten stench into the air.  Jabba’s appetitive is insatiable and often authors portray him/her treating to eat subordinates.

Jabba the Hutt is an icon in American popular culture becoming synonymous in American Mass Media with repulsive obesity.  The name is utilized as a literary device – either as a simile or metaphor – to illustrate character flaws.

In other words, Jabba the Hutt has come to represent greed and anarchy, especially in the business world. Jabba ranked #4 on the Forbes Fictional 15 list of the wealthiest fictional characters in 2008.  Not sure where it is ranked now?  Probably grew in wealth as growing in girth.

Let’s see if by some his/her ( gender is never implicated ) quotes if you can figure it out what Jabba represents in current culture?

“You weak minded fool.”

“He is my kind of scum, fearless and inventive.”

“They will suffer for this outrage.”

“Have you now, ha ha.”

“Your mind powers will NOT work on me.”

“Let them marvel at our splendor.”

“There will be no bargain, I will enjoy watching you….(die or whatever bad)”

And my favorite:

“You will soon learn to appreciate me. ”

Jabba went on to point out: “Here, like everywhere else, laughing and singing, dancing and dreaming are not exactly the whole of reality; and for one ray of sun, shining on the hut, the rest of the village remains in the dark.”

Why write about Jabba the Hutt?

How many of you have dealt with someone with even one of these qualities in business? When reading about Jabba, is there a character that comes to mind in your life?  Someone that befriends you, only to use you to their advantage and if you do not do exactly as they want you to do it, even if they are wrong or slightly corrupt, you are chastised and attempted to be made to feel like the low life they actually are.

As I grow older in our culture, it has become highly apparent to me, that people will lie under oath, tell you what they think you want to hear and basically do anything to get ahead and win whatever is important to them.  You are of use, but not of importance to people like this.

In my way of thinking that is not a good way to go through life.  If you see that happening in your life, get out of the way and let Jabba roll right on by you.

 

Ya ma da poonoo = It’s bad for business

Designing a Postcard Ad for RE

Airstream being pulled

Today while listening to classes on real estate I decided it was a good time to sketch while listening.  Multi-tasking and now I need to add color and come up with a By Line.  Anyone have any ideas?  Here are some I was thinking about:

Thinking about making a move?

Ready for a change of scenery?

Where do you want to be at this point in your life?

Don’t think I need to to exert this much energy to move?  What is your idea?

Think of me when you think of Real Estate. Join me on one of my Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/dianakingsley1

https://www.facebook.com/D-zine

https://www.facebook.com/kingstoncovestudio

http://www.dianakingsley.net

 

Designing a Postcard Ad for RE

How does your day begin?

IMG_0028IMG_0025 (1)IMG_0019

Everyday in my home I wake up to a variation of this view.  It took a long time in life to get to the place where I wake up and can’t wait to see the view of the morning.  I kept buying and selling and then building and selling to make a profit on each so I could move to somewhere with a better view. I am in the smallest home, other than my first in Del Mar, California and I love the view the best!

Many do not understand this obsession, but living in the Pacific Northwest we have this incredible opportunity to live our lives with amazing views or using a word I heard for the first time “Fablioso” views. If you don’t live where you love the view you wake up to, then perhaps it is time to think about moving?

That is where I came in to help you find just the right view.  As an artist and a professional (ASID & IIDA) interior designer (Yes I passed the two day test) and having worked to earn a PhD in Business Marketing, I can do a great job for you!

Think of me when you think of Real Estate. Join me on one of my Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/dianakingsley1

https://www.facebook.com/D-zine

https://www.facebook.com/kingstoncovestudio

 

 

 

How does your day begin?

Another SOLD Postcard

Maxx Sold

Weed Post card Side 2

Whenever I sell a home, the client receives a hand drawn pen and ink with a watercolor wash that I draw just for them.  It is framed and cards are made to match the drawing.  They are also welcome to use the drawing in any way to share with family and friends.

If you or any of your family or friends are looking to buy or sell in the Poulsbo, Kingston or Bainbridge Island, I have lived in the area for 25 years and know the areas well.  I love making the transaction a smooth and positive experience.

Hope to hear from you.

http://www.dianakingsley.net

 

 

Another SOLD Postcard

Catching Up

Postcard for Weed

Sold this gorgeous waterfront home the first part of December and just sent out “Sold Postcards” yesterday with the hope someone out there would love for me to list their home.

Fred's New Home

Sold this home on two acres to my youngest son last month too.  Has a water and mountain view.  1934 home with lots of land to build a new home someday in the future.  So proud of my sons.  All of them are now home owners.

 

repeat Flowers

Did another version of the flower painting shown below, as the first one sold and a second one was requested by another client. Similar but different.

Flower Buddies

Happy New Years to everyone.  Hope every year is better than the last year!

Catching Up

Happy Easter

_SDI0296 IMG_8959

 

Happy Easter with new dresses for the granddaughters.  Everyone loved what I made for them this year, and it seems the Easter Egg Hunts were successful.  Brunch brings back fond memories of living in Del Mar and getting together with many friends for Pot Luck Easter Brunch.  Lots of great food with friends and children after church.

Yesterday I went to church in the morning to hear a new friend sing at her church.  It has been a long time since I have been this moved by someone singing, but my friend is amazing and should be doing this on a much bigger stage.  It was sheer pleasure to watch her perform.

After church full swing action with sharing our beachfront front yard with our neighbors family.  We may be finding extra Easter Eggs for ages, but watching then discover all the eggs we lovingly filled was a true delight.  Maybe next year Claire can came join us.  Happy Happy Easter and Here comes Spring.

Happy Easter

And sometimes we just have to ENJOY!

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Sometimes I am in awe of our beautiful surroundings and what nature freely gives us to enjoy.  This morning is one of those mornings.  This is the view I wake up to in the Fall.  Cold crisp mornings with glorious views.

IMG_8115

Icicles are one of natures wonders that we see lots of in the Pacific Northwest and what a joy to view from inside looking out.  Of course with the change in temperature there are often  a few surprises that we get to deal with, like the frost on your car windows and yesterday it was a broken faucet with water shooting across my front porch.  Guess husband did not turn off water and I did not notice (should have looked) and the frozen water shot my hose across the yard freeing the water to gloriously flow at a very rapid rate.  It was funny to walk around the corner, see the fountain and know you had to deal with it.

Thank Heaven for hot water and pliers, as it took both to turn off the water.  Just a little sidetrack on an otherwise sunny and freezing day in Kingston.

And sometimes we just have to ENJOY!