Sunday, October 28, 2007

around here

I really enjoyed Rachel's photos of their new diggs. I thought it was about time I posted a few of my own. So here they are. It's not exactly art and likely to be one of those posts that only my family reads but that's fine by me. Here's the nickel tour. Come on in.

You reach our place through a lovely little wooden gate. But it's raining today and the pictures didn't do it justice so we'll just start at the front door.Just inside the front door to the right is our makeshift hall closet. The one thing with this place is that the only closets are in the bedrooms. So we had to improvise a place for coats and shoes. Kendra and I built the shelf with hooks and now we have a row of impalas standing sentry by the front door.To the left of the entryway is the office. Kendra and I have a lot of books and whittling the collection down to seven bookcases was hard enough. We decided to put a couple of the shelves to work as walls to create the office space. The plan is to back these with cork board so they'll be more functional and also prettier. Every office needs a place to pin things up. You can't really see it well in this photo, but to the right of the desk is set of photos of New York. You have to be able to dream a little too :)This is what you'd see straight ahead of you when you walk in. Living room to the left, kitchen to the right.If you stand in the living room and spin counter clockwise you'll see this. We didn't originally set out to do all international photos in the living room but it worked out that way. First with Paris in the Fall over the couch . . .Then Chester at the turn of the century over by the bookcase. . .And then the black and whites of New York visible form the office. (And, I just realized not visible at all in this photo.)Next stop is the kitchen.The kitchen was one of the features we loved about this place. It's huge. You can have four of five people bustling around in there cooking dinner. (And isn't that one of the best ways to get dinner on the table with a bunch of cooks all doing their thing?)There's a dishwasher at the end of the counter and full laundry in what looks like a cupboard right beside the pantry. The kitchen is also home to my newest piece of art. It started out as a poster of a painting looking out the window of a Parisian cafe. Gord took it to China to get it framed and it came back this beautiful, immense piece of art. I love it.I'm convinced there are a thousand stories in this painting. Who are these people standing out in the street? Are they waiting for the man with the red umbrella or watching him walk away? Was it good news? Bad? Is he being strong for her or is she lending him her strength with such a tight grip on his arm?

At the end of the kitchen there's a bathroom. And to the right of that the hallway leading to the bedrooms.Outside the front door there's a little patio. It's a little cold to sit out here now with a freshly brewed latte, but the sun will remember us eventually.The table is Kendra's own creation and the result of many summers' ambition. Can you believe she free-handed the whole thing? (I helped a little too.) So we've got the perfect spot for a cup of tea. When are you coming over?

10 comments:

Unknown said...

I LOVE the clock you chose! It's perfect! And all the little IKEA touches (cool baskets in the bathroom). Your place is looking so homey and cosy, I've just got to come over sometime soon! There, you see? Not just family (although you're pretty much an adopted cousin, at least, so I don't know if I really count as not-family).

Amanda said...

how's tomorrow for tea???

(Love the place by the way...and LOVE having you guys out here....and your pictures are very artsy and lovely)

Darcy and Sharon said...

Hey, how 'bout that - three people have commented and none are actually related to you! (And you thought only family would look!)

Your place looks great! Those new couches make a huge difference! Love it!

kelly ens said...

looks like you've found a nice little place and that you've made it quite homey. i hope you enjoy it!!! :)

Mom Colvin said...

Well we are family and it looks fabulous. Now we'll have to smarten our place just to keep up with the family standard.

Seriously Claire it looks great and very inviting. Please say "Hi" to whoever comes over.

Lots of love
Mom and Dad

DAve and JAnie said...

Claire, I love the layout and the feel! Very resourceful sectioning off the office space. To me it makes the room seem bigger, intentional and oh-so organized! I envy your kitchen space! Wow, to avoid bum bumping is a dream I have for our future kitchen. Everything coordinates so well and feels light, fresh and roomy. This move has really turned into a wonderful change for you, or at least it looks that way from the photos!

Marco said...

Not before August. Maybe not even then. But who knows?? :)

Beck's Bulletin said...

Your place looks absolutely fabulous Claire!!! I love the way you have used your space and all the little touches and artwork are amazing! Want to come have a go at my house now? There's lots of room and lots of room for improvement! I too love the couches.

dr riptide said...

Thanks for the tour. Looks like a great place you have!

-Rachel

derek salmon said...

wow! i love your new place. i really love the impalas. thanks for the tour!