Life, Etc. -- Twenty-three

Chloe’s house was located on a two acre piece of land about a mile

from the Book ‘n Brew.  Megan had seen the house the first time she and Emily drove through Maple Village.  Louise had told her the history of the place.  The house was built in the late 1940’s—probably the first building in Maple Village after World War II.  The same family had lived there until a couple of years ago when the husband died and the wife went to live with a son in Portland.

Chloe opened the door and greeted Megan.  Again, she was impressed by this woman she barely knew, but who exuded such strength and beauty.

“Your house is lovely, Chloe!  I saw some work being done last fall, but didn’t realize the property had sold.”

“I was very fortunate.  I bought the house on a day the owners’ son was here.  Once I signed the papers, he allowed me to make some choices for the remodel in progress.”

Megan looked about her at the dark red/orange front door and the black shutters contrasting with the taupe siding.  The large front porch only added to the character of the home.

“I also chose my own colors for inside paint, carpet and hardwood floors.  He said they might as well be what I want.  It was like having my own house built, except that I have the charm of an older home.  Would you like to look around?”

“I’d love to!”  Even with boxes and furniture that obviously didn’t have their final place, the home felt cozy.

After the tour, Chloe took Megan into a room that measured about 15 x 20.  “This is where I want to have my studio and teach art classes.  It has perfect sunlight, and I love the view from these windows—it’s what sold me on the house.  I think the family added this room because they had four or five small grandchildren all at once.  This was the kid’s room when they visited.”

 

Megan saw numerous canvases along the wall.  “And, here are the pieces I’d like you to consider for the shop.”

“Chloe, these are beautiful!”  Megan couldn’t believe the vibrant colors and designs.  “I mean, they are exquisite!  Are these oil or acrylic?

 

“Most of these are acrylic.  The watercolors are in the other room.”

“I love your work!  I know they’ll sell, and will add such flair and distinction to my shop I’ll hate to have them leave.”  On closer observation, Megan noted, “You said you are Italian.  I see you are continuing the beauty of Italy through your art.”

“I’ve spent quite a lot of time visiting there since moving to the States—sabbaticals and a few vacations.  I think I’m in a rut, so this spring, I want to give more local expression to my work.”

Megan selected numerous canvasses—doorways filled with flowers along narrow streets and fields of sunflowers—and they talked about when Chloe could come into the shop to help determine arrangement.

 

Megan chose several pictures for the “Brew” corner that fit in well with food and snacks and drinks—a colorful outdoor Italian restorante and a picnic scene beside a lake with a lovely Italian villa in the background.  As she stood envisioning the new look of her shop, she remembered the large Italian linen napkins that her college friend, Adair, had brought her.  They would work perfectly made into seat covers for the bistro chairs.

 

“I can’t wait until all these are in place!”  Megan suddenly looked at her watch.  “O, goodness, I have a friend coming for dinner.  I’d better get going.  Thank you so much, Chloe.”

“Hey, thank you, Megan!  This will be a great help in getting my name out in the community.  We’ll complete the paperwork when I come in on Monday.”

 

As Megan left she hoped that this was the beginning of a long friendship.

To be continued...