I need to apologize for a couple of things. First of all, a reader brought it to my attention that my use of the word “spastic” the other day was offensive. At first this totally baffled me! I’ve never considered that word to mean anything other than inconstant or random. So I googled around a bit and discovered that here in America, it is widely used and considered largely inoffensive, but in other parts of the world, especially Britain, it is quite the slur. So I do apologize to anyone who may have been offended by that, and hope you understand that I definitely did not mean to hurt anyone’s feelings.
And another thing I’m sorry about is that I finally have to turn off anonymous commenting. The spammers have won; I admit defeat. I can no longer keep up with deleting 300+ spam comments per day. BLERG. But please know that I still welcome all comments (pretty much) and love hearing what you have to say! Comments to a blogger is like getting money in the mail from your grandma, it’s true.
Now, speaking of grandma, she probably would have liked these old before chairs of Leslie’s. Ain’t nothing wrong with them, sure. But they look righter than right with fluffy new padding and a fresh fabric. Can you tell that it’s a cheetah print? How cool to see it done in blue. See more from Leslie on her blog Pillow Love.
And Harmony at Husband and Harmony had this crumbling old settee on her hands and decided it would look better in a sophisticated damask. She was right. Side note: did you know it is pronounced DUH-musk, and not da-MASK, like I’ve been saying it all along? I have learned new things today!
30 Comments
chiara410
March 12, 2013 at 7:49 PMI feel your pain on that one – I’ve definitely had that “yikes” moment of realizing something I grew up hearing and thought nothing of was a slur or descended from one. I think it’s another good thing the internet is doing, is bringing people together with so many different experiences to learn what another’s world is like. Anyway, that was very cool of you to handle like that – a lot of people just like to get indignant. 😛
Guess I’d better choose a permanent ID for here. I’m mostly a lurker but I LOVE THIS BLOG!
fixitfaerie
March 12, 2013 at 5:31 PMPretty chairs and sofa. I always look forward to your blog. You don’t take yourself too seriously, and you always make me laugh. You really don’t have to be sorry for your comments, that person can just stop reading your blog. She/He is just too sensitive or a b**&%h. So There whever you are. Keep it up. Blessings Paula Lusk
mindy m.
March 12, 2013 at 5:56 PMI read all of your posts and I didn’t find “spastic” as offensive, but I simply thought you used the wrong word and really meant “sporadic” but I am sorry someone’s feelings were hurt.
Love your blog!
nigel
March 12, 2013 at 6:16 PMI’m pretty sure in the US, the most common pronunciation is more like DAM-esk. 🙂
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damask
LadySaotome
March 12, 2013 at 6:38 PMI had no idea spastic was offensive overseas. After reading the wiki on it, it seems this issue has caught several people (like Tiger Woods) by surprise, too. It’s kind of you to apologize. But I don’t think you should feel too badly. You’re an American & your followers need to adopt a “when in Rome” attitude.
And I always thought it was “duh-mask” – lol.
Michelle L.
March 12, 2013 at 7:03 PMJust to annoy the spammers (and thank you for the fabulous post), I am leaving a comment! Boo spammers, you suck.
Ann Marie @ Twice Lovely
March 12, 2013 at 7:06 PMI think it IS pronounced duh-MASK. It’s named from the city of Damascus, the capitol of Syria.
ashley emmett
March 12, 2013 at 8:11 PMi hate spammers! i finally had to get a special spam catcher on my blog to deal with the hundreds of spam comments i was getting every day! crazy!!!
sparkschronicles
March 12, 2013 at 8:25 PMI absolutely LOVE the settee!
Tobeystrashortreasure
March 12, 2013 at 9:21 PMI love the settee, what an amazing transformation.
riley
March 12, 2013 at 9:45 PMOh, my. The settee is a sorry mess. I believe it’s the first time I’ve seen something on your blog that I thought was NOT “better after”.
Love your comments and your blog. It’s one of my favorites.
LeeAnn
March 12, 2013 at 9:55 PMI love the settee!! It really stands out now and would look lovely in my home. 😉
Cathie
March 12, 2013 at 11:44 PMI guess you missed the Tiger Woods “spastic” fiasco? (It’s even in the Wikipedia entry for spastic!) I think it’s unfortunate when people choose to take offense when obviously none is intended. It must be nice to have that kind of free time.
Leslie
March 13, 2013 at 12:02 AMOy. Pretty soon we’re gonna be researching every word out of our mouth for fear of offending someone somewhere. Pretty cheesy to bother mentioning it to you. I agree with LadySaotome… when in Rome.
Great settee. And I always pronounced it dam’-ask.
Tracy@GeneralSplendour
March 13, 2013 at 12:06 AMI agree with the group here – you didn’t knowingly offend anyone so I wouldn’t lose too much sleep over it. Any of your loyal followers know what a hilarious and lovely person you are and this is reflected in your blog. Yes spammers are really the lowest form of life and I am sorry they like your blog. As far as anonymous comments – good riddens. If you have something to say – own to it! This is why people have become so rude and vile on message boards and blogs. Putting your name and face to your voice and opinions is the way it should be! Your blog will be ?Better After” the change. Ha ha. 🙂
Carol-Anne
March 13, 2013 at 12:12 AMAlthough I knew you would never say anything that you knew to be offensive, I WAS a bit surprised to see that you’d used that word. I don’t think it means anyone’s too sensitive, it just isn’t a word we use anymore, like ‘retarded’. We know better now.
Having said all of that, I LOVE how clever these people are in changing these pieces so completely! That settee is amazing!
Sylvia
March 13, 2013 at 2:32 AMI love your blog. It is one of the few I visit regularly.
People are too sensitive and too easily offended. Are we to research every word before speaking or writing to make sure no one is insulted?
**Mumzy
March 13, 2013 at 5:31 AMI love the settee!! You handled the “word” with class, just like the classy girl that you are. No worries! Love your blog TONS!
Kathy's Fistfull of Daisies
March 13, 2013 at 5:50 AMI’ve used the “s” word all my life and had no idea that people would find it as a slur. I guess because I’ve used it to usually describe myself, or something done randomly.
I do enjoy your blog. It has to be hard to constantly put yourself “out there”, but I hope you know that there are a lot of us who do not take ourselves too seriously. 🙂
I also, didn’t know about the damask pronunciation. HA! See you teach us more than decorating! Keep up the lovely work!
Victoria Stahley
March 13, 2013 at 6:00 AMActually everything is beautiful but the sofa is gorgeous, the one with the black and white – damask,right? that would look nice on my living room 🙂
Leather lounges
Victoria Stahley
March 13, 2013 at 6:02 AMThis comment has been removed by the author.
jackie jade
March 13, 2013 at 2:00 PMoooh i love how both of these turned out! so fabulous. and that stinks that the spammers have won – ugh!
— jackiejade.blogspot.com
Lekalia Interiors
March 13, 2013 at 2:31 PMLindsey! xoxo to you! Thank you for featuring my chairs! Love your blog! Have a happy happy day today and always!
goosefairy
March 13, 2013 at 3:12 PMHmm. I always pronounced it DAmask (short a). Learn something new every day!
Abby
March 13, 2013 at 3:35 PMStinking spammers! I get an inbox full everyday so Im gonna have to give it up and do the same thing. Looove that sofa! So pretty!
stephbo93
March 14, 2013 at 2:11 AMOMG I am in love with that settee!!!! I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a cheap one I can redo, but so far, no luck.
stephbo93
March 14, 2013 at 2:13 AMOMG I am in love with that settee!!!! I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a cheap one I can redo, but so far, no luck.
stephbo93
March 14, 2013 at 2:13 AMOMG I am in love with that settee!!!! I’ve been keeping my eyes open for a cheap one I can redo, but so far, no luck.
Carolyn
March 14, 2013 at 3:15 AMI LOVE that settee!
CanvasPics {Interior HeART still life}
March 14, 2013 at 4:34 PMHi, I’m new to your blog and love what I see…great ideas and tips. Will be back 🙂 have a great week