Square One

Hope you had a good holiday...I had a nice one, myself.  I am sorry to have taken so long to get back. I'm actually feeling a bit shy about displaying my space in its state of not very pulled together, but unpacked.

I have distributed my belongings through the apartment, not entirely at random, but not far from it.  Nothing is very thought out- I've been primarily concerned with getting everything out of boxes, and respectable for Christmas Eve dinner and other festivities.  Which were lovely. And  I am very happy, and comfortable here,  looking forward to sorting things. In addition to getting my books and closets in a fairly coherent state. I want to suss out what needs to be done that can be done without much money, as well as what to plan for when I can get some more saved up.

What you see above in the bad flash photos (to be redone in the event the sun shines on Pittsburgh again) is my living room, hastily unpacked, pictures stacked in corners, with my paltry last minute efforts at holiday decoration on the mantle...a few pine cones, 3 children's miniature Christmas trees, and some berry branches. The  pictures are also au naturel,  I haven't plumped- or even straightened- the pillows, or anything else. The cylon action figure which came with my Gallactica XMas box set remains propped against the dictionaries.

I have hung very few pictures so far- I don't think I want as much on the walls as I've had lately- I'm enjoying the space between things a bit more these days..though I don't think I'd like anything truly spare for actual living in.I did pay special attention to hanging the picture over the mantle and over the row of cd storage thingies, and am pretty pleased with how they look in their respective places- I was missing looking at them every day, and am glad to have them up.

Among other things, I think I need 2 more substantial, but not huge  chairs to go on the right hand wall as you face the sofa. There should be some sort of table thing..or maybe that little stripey cube between them. The green chair should then be moved to the left of the coffee table (where there is more room than appears in the photo), opening up the entrance to the room from the hall. What do you think (besides "that woman has way too many books and they are messy", which I take as a given)? See the funny plugs on top of the mantle on either side?

Soon to follow- I'm working on a floor plan (I think I finally found the axis of the design in a long wall that runs through the place, Lynn...which is helping me see how the very odd layout was put together.) And a  bit with a plea for suggestions on eventually turning the worst room ( formerly the "maid's room") in the apartment into a viable second bath.

A very Happy New Year to you, and I hope you will be back to visit me here often in twenty-ten.

Comments

[Arlene]

What I see: Big windows, lots of bookcases, comfortable furniture, just the right amount of color and a fireplace. Very cozy.

The mantle does seem an odd place for the electrical outlets. I wonder what the original designer was thinking--lamps on the bookcases? Or maybe it's not unusual in buildings of that age and style. Adds a bit of eccentricity and that's a plus.

Really, I think you're very lucky to have this pleasant and comfortable home.

[Melynda]

Happy new year, glad your holidays were enjoyed. Moving is such work, but already your new digs seem comfortable. You have only just begun on making it "your own". Enjoy.

[BPMN,Australia]

THe furniture r so comfortable.....Lucky to have it in ur home...

[Sucar]

very cozy and nicely organized-for someone who had lived there a year, much less just moved in. I don't really think you can ever have to many books....as long as you love the ones that you have. One think I notice is that you have several colors that are competing slightly. Reds, browns, white, green, turquoise. I can tell that you have objects around that you love but I think you'd be able to see them more if the palette of the room was more unified. Maybe have the chairs redone in the same color?

[Jim looking for Cheap beach chairs]

I think that your apartment looks good compared with the people I now of *ehem* *ehem* but it would be great for you to reupholster the two chairs that you have near the fireplace as it does not really complement the color of the apartment. I think it is somewhat ghastly. It would look good if you put a chenitz fabric, not too much though as it would look overly done. I do understand that you have just move in, this are just some of the things that I think that your apartment needed. You can also add some cheap beach chairs if you have a porch or a balcony with it.

[Juicy Couture Bags]

where did u find the bird, does it not on the tree?