5/21/07
The Difficulties of Shopping For A Couch
Who knew that shopping for a couch would be so difficult. I've been trolling Craigs List and eBay; testing at Crate & Barrell, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie and Jennifer Convertibles; drooling at Natuzzi. I was told that they would be having a Memorial Day Weekend Sale and Fred the sales manager said that some floor samples would be 70% off. There was a gorgeous red leather sectional (too big I know but maybe in pieces), the Osaka...it was so comfortable. We'll have to wait and see.
5/13/07
Ambiance Antique Center
what would be your personal utopia? for friends of mine moving to a quaint town in Warren County just off Rt. 80W/Ex.12- Blairstown in North Jersey was the first step...They've since purchased and renovated a Victorian house in Belvidere and set up shop at their very own antique center, Ambiance.
If your interests lie in turn of the century decor Ambiance is the place to visit. Day trips to Warren County are heavily rewarded for antiquing aficionados, and it's a great side trip on a your way to the Poconos.
Bobby Hadrava, proprietor collects pieces at local estate sales and auctions. Stock photos can be seen www.belviderenj.com/ambiance.html.
Ambiance Antique Center
313 Mill Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-0032
Be sure to introduce yourself to Bobby and let him know that Andrea sent you.
If your interests lie in turn of the century decor Ambiance is the place to visit. Day trips to Warren County are heavily rewarded for antiquing aficionados, and it's a great side trip on a your way to the Poconos.
Bobby Hadrava, proprietor collects pieces at local estate sales and auctions. Stock photos can be seen www.belviderenj.com/ambiance.html.
Ambiance Antique Center
313 Mill Street
Belvidere, NJ 07823
(908) 475-0032
Be sure to introduce yourself to Bobby and let him know that Andrea sent you.
5/12/07
May Rolls in Like a Bull
Ah May, sweet sunny May waking to a birthday serenade. Today is Dad's 82nd birthday; it's also Katie's, my dad's grandniece birthday, she turns 10. She called long distance from VA and together they sang Happy Birthday. That was a treat for Dad and a great way to start the day. Kristin & Sharyl each called to wish him a happy birthday and then we celebrated with chocolate cupcakes from Chelsea's famed Billy's Bakery (www.billysbakerynyc.com) for breakfast. Later in the day, my brother and the kids called leaving a cheerful message of good wishes on the answering machine.
2007 has been a good year so far, filled with lots of change...after 4 years I exchanged one set of intials for another and find myself back in the land of online media and loving it. I get to write and edit content all day long. It's an amazing feeling when your work is innate, something you love. All that effort (for the job search) and endurance (nearly 6 months worth of looking) finally paid off. I couldn't be happier.
In the few weeks before starting my new job I concentrated on the apartment but also stole a few days for a quick jaunt to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Two friends of mine, Emily & Tina accompanied me...it was the most relaxing and fun vacation I've had in a long time. Sleep. Eat. Beach. was my mantra. Dinner at Parrot Cay and Dragonfly; Corona and Smirnoff Ice. We stumbled upon a branch of Luquillo Beach
reserved for surfers that was absolute paradise. There we met a glass blower who made jellyfish and turtle pendants...I'll have to post a photo of the turtle at a later date.
The summer is nearly here (finally!)...the weather has been sporadic...but there are lots of fun things in store this summer: Dominique is back from Morocco, Lori & Alex's baby arrives; Ingrid & Stu's overdue wedding reception; there's the 5th Annual Moonlight Soiree, Uncle Dom's 80th Birthday and Charlotte turns 2; Steph & John's Wedding in Montauk...the big 3-6 come October.
Progress Takes Time
The apartment renovation is moving along. Sparked by the apartment Therapy Cure but lasting far longer than the 8-week cure.
The most up to date photos can be found http://homepage.mac.com/agp13/PhotoAlbum31.html.
I think prior photos included the laminated walls and new layout. Since then Carl my contractor has built and installed the cabinets, painted the walls (Benjamin Moore Semolina), tiled the floor (great 13x13 riverbed-ish tiles from Weissman's Discount Center) and grouted the tiles. Today he is installing the backsplash. I decided in addition to the marble subway tiles Liz so generously donated to the kitchen cause I would include 4x4 tumbled Venetian stone in a sandy beige. Still looking for a countertop solution. I may have a lead thanks to Kristin for a remnant granite distributor. I had hoped to keep the cost for this major renovation under $10K but it looks like it will cost roughly $15K. upon completion I will post total itemized cost as a reference.
Great Resource for matching paint colors: www.colorcharts.org
The most up to date photos can be found http://homepage.mac.com/agp13/PhotoAlbum31.html.
I think prior photos included the laminated walls and new layout. Since then Carl my contractor has built and installed the cabinets, painted the walls (Benjamin Moore Semolina), tiled the floor (great 13x13 riverbed-ish tiles from Weissman's Discount Center) and grouted the tiles. Today he is installing the backsplash. I decided in addition to the marble subway tiles Liz so generously donated to the kitchen cause I would include 4x4 tumbled Venetian stone in a sandy beige. Still looking for a countertop solution. I may have a lead thanks to Kristin for a remnant granite distributor. I had hoped to keep the cost for this major renovation under $10K but it looks like it will cost roughly $15K. upon completion I will post total itemized cost as a reference.
Great Resource for matching paint colors: www.colorcharts.org
3/7/07
Apartment Therapy Cure: Favorites
In preparation for the Apartment Therapy 8-Step Cure I've just read through the first 50 or so pages. The last of which included an exercise whereby listing your favorites (from actress to designer) helps to determine your personal style guide.
Here are my answers (you are allotted up to (3) for each category):
Sandra Bullock, actress
Paul Newman/Bruce Willis/Daniel Craig, actor
Dali, artist
Dumas, author
World/Ambient/Jazz, music
Antica Venezia/Casablanca Tea Room, restaurant (NYC)
Volkswagen, automobile
LOST/N3mbers, television show
Elie Tahari, designer/clothing line
Here are my answers (you are allotted up to (3) for each category):
Sandra Bullock, actress
Paul Newman/Bruce Willis/Daniel Craig, actor
Dali, artist
Dumas, author
World/Ambient/Jazz, music
Antica Venezia/Casablanca Tea Room, restaurant (NYC)
Volkswagen, automobile
LOST/N3mbers, television show
Elie Tahari, designer/clothing line
Apartment Therapy: The Book
Book: Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure
Author: Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
Subject: Home Design
Maxwell's writing style is filled with real-life anecdotes and problem-solving tactics. His voice resonates and is synonymous to his blog. He encourages readers to view their home less as a structure, more like a body made up of four parts: Bones, Breath, Heart & Head. The Bones refer to the concrete structure: the floor, walls, ceiling and fixtures. The Breath refers to the arrangement of your living space and how it maximizes the flow. The Heart links to the emotional connection you have to your home, often defined by "color, shape, texture and scent", elements that breathe life into your space. The Head focuses what Maxwell calls the "purpose of your home...what you do in your home and where you do it".
(1/4 of the way through)
Author: Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan
Subject: Home Design
Maxwell's writing style is filled with real-life anecdotes and problem-solving tactics. His voice resonates and is synonymous to his blog. He encourages readers to view their home less as a structure, more like a body made up of four parts: Bones, Breath, Heart & Head. The Bones refer to the concrete structure: the floor, walls, ceiling and fixtures. The Breath refers to the arrangement of your living space and how it maximizes the flow. The Heart links to the emotional connection you have to your home, often defined by "color, shape, texture and scent", elements that breathe life into your space. The Head focuses what Maxwell calls the "purpose of your home...what you do in your home and where you do it".
(1/4 of the way through)
3/4/07
Apartment Comments (good for momentum)
These are comments from friends of mine:
I like your tile work, especially around the window. Very cool idea. Looks good too. I like the chandelier. Pretty nifty. - Maureen (New Mexico)
Wow the apartment is really coming along. How different it looks. I like all the colors of the paint you picked. I like the color that looks like pumpkin and the color on top of it (the one that looks a little mauve) The pumpkin color is really pretty. But if you waht to go with the Moroccan theme those two colors wpuld be out in my opion. The pastel yellow is nice beause it is airy and bright. I would not pick the blues for the living room. I love the color of the bedroom its its a nice refreshing color. - Lisa (Staten Island)
I see you have made lots of progress! and lots of hard work. I like the color scheme; cannot wait to see it when it is all done.
- Ingrid (Long Island)
It looks as though you have done a good amount of renovations already and that must feel good. Hopefully most of it will be done in the Spring so you can start enjoy your apartment.I can't wait to see it. - Dominique (Morocco)
Andrea, I looked at the work you did at the house! My gosh! What a change, and what great taste you have! I love it! My favourite part is where you listed all the colours. What fun - and a lot of work! I can't wait to see it when it is done! - Claudia (Zurich)
I like your tile work, especially around the window. Very cool idea. Looks good too. I like the chandelier. Pretty nifty. - Maureen (New Mexico)
Wow the apartment is really coming along. How different it looks. I like all the colors of the paint you picked. I like the color that looks like pumpkin and the color on top of it (the one that looks a little mauve) The pumpkin color is really pretty. But if you waht to go with the Moroccan theme those two colors wpuld be out in my opion. The pastel yellow is nice beause it is airy and bright. I would not pick the blues for the living room. I love the color of the bedroom its its a nice refreshing color. - Lisa (Staten Island)
I see you have made lots of progress! and lots of hard work. I like the color scheme; cannot wait to see it when it is all done.
- Ingrid (Long Island)
It looks as though you have done a good amount of renovations already and that must feel good. Hopefully most of it will be done in the Spring so you can start enjoy your apartment.I can't wait to see it. - Dominique (Morocco)
Andrea, I looked at the work you did at the house! My gosh! What a change, and what great taste you have! I love it! My favourite part is where you listed all the colours. What fun - and a lot of work! I can't wait to see it when it is done! - Claudia (Zurich)
Apartment Therapy Cure (3/5/07)
www.apartmenttherapy.com
A great reference tool. I've been reading through the archives and soaking in the progess of others who have participated in the Apartment Therapy 8-Week Cure. I plan to join the latest CURE, and am looking forward to reading the book this week.
A great reference tool. I've been reading through the archives and soaking in the progess of others who have participated in the Apartment Therapy 8-Week Cure. I plan to join the latest CURE, and am looking forward to reading the book this week.
Kitchen Progress
Carl, the contractor, returned this weekend. He and his team finished relaminating the walls of the kitchen, it's amazing how flat walls (vs. stucco and old tiles) can brighten and clean up a space. I'll be posting an update of photos later this week.
I chose the AKURUM ADEL Medium Brown cabinetry from IKEA. The kitchen cabinets are still in boxes strewn throughout the apartment but at least we're closer to a build date. Carl & I rehashed the design layout of the kitchen and realized I may need another base cabinet in addition to a dishwasher, ventilator hood and smaller wall cabinet. Another trip to IKEA, this time I think I'll load the stuff in my car, delivery charges are HEFTY.
Task List for the Kitchen:
- Shop around for apartment sized dishwasher
- Terracotta tiles for the floor
- Choosing a paint color
- Locating 54" wide bamboo shades for the window
- Moroccan chandelier for the dining area (will pick this up in Providence later this month)
I chose the AKURUM ADEL Medium Brown cabinetry from IKEA. The kitchen cabinets are still in boxes strewn throughout the apartment but at least we're closer to a build date. Carl & I rehashed the design layout of the kitchen and realized I may need another base cabinet in addition to a dishwasher, ventilator hood and smaller wall cabinet. Another trip to IKEA, this time I think I'll load the stuff in my car, delivery charges are HEFTY.
Task List for the Kitchen:
- Shop around for apartment sized dishwasher
- Terracotta tiles for the floor
- Choosing a paint color
- Locating 54" wide bamboo shades for the window
- Moroccan chandelier for the dining area (will pick this up in Providence later this month)
A Reading Nook Takes Shape
Over President's weekend, I made a trip to the Homegoods store in Staten Island. At the advisement of friends, I was armed with a list. The place is overwhelming but the deals to be had? Wow.
I picked up a few lamps. One, a baroque floor lamp with a linen shade. The shade is white with a fleur de lis-esque stencil on it in black. The base appears to be a lacquered acrylic. Perfect for the reading nook which also includes an IKEA leather chair and (2) MARKOR bookshelves.
The other find is a Tiffany-like tulip table lamp with cracked glass. Ideally I'd love to have a section of the living room that has a moroccan feel. This red lamp might help do the trick.
I picked up a few lamps. One, a baroque floor lamp with a linen shade. The shade is white with a fleur de lis-esque stencil on it in black. The base appears to be a lacquered acrylic. Perfect for the reading nook which also includes an IKEA leather chair and (2) MARKOR bookshelves.
The other find is a Tiffany-like tulip table lamp with cracked glass. Ideally I'd love to have a section of the living room that has a moroccan feel. This red lamp might help do the trick.
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