The house is a museum. When people come to see 'em

[+ purplekow]

It really is a scre um The Addams Family.

 

I am planning a small party with a variety of people who are in my life but are for the most part, not connected to the others at the party.

I have just finished doing some renovations and had the house repainted.

As I was deciding what should go where in the house, I realized that my decision making frequently relied on a personal connection to the item rather than the style or color.

I am thinking about writing an index card on selected items in each room and telling the story of that item. I would than place the card on or near the item.

Some are expensive but not exorbitant, most just have sentimental value or a humerous story to go along with it. (Two primitive art paintings from Haiti made by children that I obtained from the child artists in exchange for a pair of my jeans. I slipped a $20 bill in the pocket as they did not want to take money and i have a picture of the two young artists each standing in one leg of the jeans practically covering their entire body and each holding his painting.)

The paintings themselves are probably worth less than the cheap woodens frames that they came in but the story is funny and touching and the story dies with me and the pictures are probably consigned to a trash heap after I pass. Which would be one reason to do this cataloguing and the other is to have the index cards hung under the pictures serving as a conversation starter for my guests who would otherwise be asking each other how the other knows me.

So is this a strange idea or a party starter?

[rvwnsd]

...I am planning a small party with a variety of people who are in my life but are for the most part, not connected to the others at the party.

I have just finished doing some renovations and had the house repainted.

As I was deciding what should go where in the house, I realized that my decision making frequently relied on a personal connection to the item rather than the style or color.

I am thinking about writing an index card on selected items in each room and telling the story of that item. I would than place the card on or near the item...So is this a strange idea or a party starter?

 

What a great idea! I think this would be a real conversation starter. In fact, if you don't mind, I would like to adopt that idea. I, too, have many pieces that have a personal connection including pottery thrown by a friend, paintings painted by my dad, and a painting by a different artist that has a back-story to it. May I use your idea?

[+ purplekow]

I do not believe this idea is unique so though you really do not need my permission, I grant you use of this idea for your personal effects and hope you have much enjoyment from writing out the cards and that guests enjoy the product of your catalogue

[MsGuy]

I love your idea.

 

I ran a kind of thought experiment and decided the cards would be a god-send for folks like me (I'm awful at making small talk with strangers).

[rvwnsd]

Thank you.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

After the party, you might consider finding a way to permanently adding the cards to the items. I have begun doing this with some of the things I have that are more sentimental or may have value that someone would not realize. For example, I have a painting that my nephews plan to fight over when I'm gone. The both know that it was in my mother's house, but I'm not sure that they know it was in their great-grandmother's home. My grandmother wrote a note about the painting and how a painter could not pay her father to repair the plumbing in his house and gave him the painting in return.

 

I've told several family members that I've left notes about some of the items in my place to make sure the story is known.

[cany10011]

I love the fact that you have a close group of friends to share your interests with The idea of sharing the info is useful especially from a curatorial standpoint and also for your heirs and close intimate group of friends. I actually have mine catalogued with provenance, receipt, and expert valuation.

 

 

It really is a scre um The Addams Family.

 

I am planning a small party with a variety of people who are in my life but are for the most part, not connected to the others at the party.

I have just finished doing some renovations and had the house repainted.

As I was deciding what should go where in the house, I realized that my decision making frequently relied on a personal connection to the item rather than the style or color.

I am thinking about writing an index card on selected items in each room and telling the story of that item. I would than place the card on or near the item.

Some are expensive but not exorbitant, most just have sentimental value or a humerous story to go along with it. (Two primitive art paintings from Haiti made by children that I obtained from the child artists in exchange for a pair of my jeans. I slipped a $20 bill in the pocket as they did not want to take money and i have a picture of the two young artists each standing in one leg of the jeans practically covering their entire body and each holding his painting.)

The paintings themselves are probably worth less than the cheap woodens frames that they came in but the story is funny and touching and the story dies with me and the pictures are probably consigned to a trash heap after I pass. Which would be one reason to do this cataloguing and the other is to have the index cards hung under the pictures serving as a conversation starter for my guests who would otherwise be asking each other how the other knows me.

So is this a strange idea or a party starter?

[Daverwr]

Excellent idea! Though it works well for your party and giving strangers something to share and talk about, I think it's something that should become permanent. It really brings a part of you to your favorite possessions.

[BigK]

Sounds like a great party. May I come?

[+ Charlie]

I love parties with a gimmick. The most memorable party we ever threw was when see-through shirts were the latest thing (OK, that really dates me, since most of you can't remember that fashion rage); everyone was told to wear a see-through shirt. Since no one was over 40, and almost everyone went to the gym regularly, no one felt uncomfortable. Most of us bought them off the rack at places like Bloomingdale's, but one guest had the shirt custom made for him by a designer. It was a bitter cold night in New York, so several guests brought their shirts in a little bag and changed into them in the bedroom. The last guest to arrive was a beautiful young man whom none of the other guests knew. He went into the bedroom to change, and emerged in a stunning shirt--and see-through pants! It created such a sensation that the guest in the designer shirt was still reminiscing about it to me decades later. We never managed to throw another party that could top it.

[Daverwr]

I love parties with a gimmick. The most memorable party we ever threw was when see-through shirts were the latest thing (OK, that really dates me, since most of you can't remember that fashion rage); everyone was told to wear a see-through shirt. Since no one was over 40, and almost everyone went to the gym regularly, no one felt uncomfortable. Most of us bought them off the rack at places like Bloomingdale's, but one guest had the shirt custom made for him by a designer. It was a bitter cold night in New York, so several guests brought their shirts in a little bag and changed into them in the bedroom. The last guest to arrive was a beautiful young man whom none of the other guests knew. He went into the bedroom to change, and emerged in a stunning shirt--and see-through pants! It created such a sensation that the guest in the designer shirt was still reminiscing about it to me decades later. We never managed to throw another party that could top it.

 

Now, THAT'S a theme party!