Entries in new apartment (5)

Monday
Jul182011

our city living space

Finally settling in here in our new apartment.  It is hard to believe we have been here a month and a half already!  I wanted to share some before and after shots with you!

Living room before and afters:

The heart picture collage was all my talented hubby.  We had the collage up at the old house and it kind of almost looked like a heart we decided once.  So I went to work one day and came home to Christian's masterpiece. Love it. Love him.  All furniture seen here was stuff we had at the old place.  I would like to eventually replace the dining table with something that expands so we can fit more guests.  For now it works, though!  We have this indent thing in the living room and the bedroom which makes centering things really weird if not impossible.  We could have put the TV stand in there but then our couch chaiselong would be on the wrong side so we just decided to forget it and work with it the best we can.


Because we didn't move our old bookcases with us, we needed some storage system desperately.  We had the TV stand already and decided to spring for the shelving unit here in the same series.  Christian is worried it makes the room feel smaller, and it could be true but it works for now and we can always move pieces around.  Now I just need to work on the organization within the shelves and of course the mess on top. :)  However our ceilings are high so this piece and the one you'll see in the bedroom create instant storage which is good.

PS we get Jon Steward every day at 6:15 pm. :D

Bedroom before and afters:

 

Closets are not standard in Copenhagen apartments.  So it is really no surprise that IKEAs most expensive furniture are their closet systems.  Luckily we got this piece as a wedding present from Christian's dad and Ann.  It fills out our bedroom divet quite nicely.  To the right is the desk and to the left is my giant princess mirror.  On the wall to the left is a pile of boxes and a work in progress.  I hope to replace our tiny dresser there with this piece.  I really want to do the bedroom in a chocolate brown and whites.  The walls of the closet unit are a chocolate brown but you can't really see it.  Slowly on the way.

Here we have the bed with a very wrinkly duvet thanks to our psycho dryer (more on that some other time).  I am not in love with the piece in the corner but it it works for now.  The bedroom window faces the courtyard and even the lowest of conversations echoes straight back into the room.  Christian struggles with it more than I do during the night.  I think I am just used to noises... or just sleep like a bear no matter what.  Maybe I should get him some ear plugs... sexy... haha.

Kitchen before and after:

Just one small pic of the kitchen because it is not that exciting.  We have zero counter space so we are trying to get creative about how to store things in the kitchen.  The curtains cost $8 so it doesn't matter if I can't pull off the polka dots in there after all.  I want to do rich blues in the kitchen but really at the moment there is nothing to decorate, haha.  Hopefully more to come on that.

Where we live:

Thought it was important to give you a view of our street.  The building across from us is really cool looking.  It's not what the outside of our building looks like but its our view that matters more, right? 

The street is relatively quiet.  We are in a very young and diverse neighborhood but in a nicer part of it. It is a 15 minute bike ride into work each day and there are loads of shops within a 2-3 minute walk. We also live really close to friends which is great.

So, now all you need to do is come visit to experience it first hand!  I know it took me forever to post this, or post in general.  Life has a funny way of getting in the way of itself here and there.  :)

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Tuesday
Jun072011

and just like that

In just three weeks my life has changed dramatically here in Denmark.  Some milestones, important visitors, a new home, a new life style.  Things change quickly!

My grandparents were here to visit and we had a great time showing them some sights as well as introducing them to the Als family.  It was great to spend some time with them and show them why I find this country a little quirky but how I am also able to call it home!

Speaking of calling Denmark home...  I have done just that for exactly one year as of last Wednesday, June 1st.  Wow a whole year... really?! Oh but how to celebrate???

How about a new apartment in the city?  YAY.  City girl lives again!  This time on a bicycle and not on the Green Line.  Watch out Copenhagen!

Living Room / Dining Room

Many more pictures and anecdotes to come!

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Thursday
Aug202009

a face lift

You may notice that the header of the website is different. I think it’s taking this website to the next level. That and it’s very me. Blue and butterflies. Anyway, I hope you like it.

I was inspired by a friend’s blog I saw yesterday – domestiKatedlife.com. Check it out. Super clean and lots of colorful images. From what I can tell, Kate blogs about design and fashion in different ways. This week has been dedicated to back to school and the looks that will keep you looking fresh this year. If I miss one thing about school it’s definitely back to school shopping. Thumbs up, Kate!

Maybe domestiKatedlife can help me spice up my new space. I am renting a room in an apartment in Coolidge Corner now and the room is furnished (for the most part) but has red and gold fabric draping over boxes all over the place. NEED to do something about this. The closet needs serious organization as well. In a dream world my closet would look like this from WestElm.com:

While the room is “furnished” there is no dresser. Thinking I need one, for sure.  Gail just got this dresser from Ikea in light wood.  I might get it in dark. $40 – can’t beat it. Though, I might need two.

Or the likely story is that I will be living out of suitcases for the next six months. :P Help me!!

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Thursday
Jul302009

QT with family is important

Because I doubt all my readers care about wedding planning I am going to attempt to blog about it separately, which could very well be recipe for disaster.

I was thinking that blogging specifically about the wedding is almost a digital scrapbook. But it's hard enough to keep up O-M-G with "frequent" posts. I will try, even if no one ever reads the wedding blog!

So, my cousin Haley is up in New Foundland visiting my grandparents where they spend their summers. While cold summer weather, wildlife and nature in general are not my thing, I am a little jealous. I think my grandfather's story about Haley patiently walking a 3 mi hike with him really struck me. I would love to do that with him, even if I'd complain about bugs the whole time.

Where does the time go? I used to spend a lot of time with my grandparents as a kid. My grandpa had me developing photos in the dark room when I was 8 years old. He taught me how to use a bandsaw to make furniture for my doll house. Pretty darn cool. Then I got older and now I'm lucky to share a martini and dinner with them.

Today's lesson would be to cherish all the time you get to spend with your family, or at least be able to look back and remember all the good and not the bad.

Enough cheese. I haven't gone soft, don't worry. In fact, I am on my way to work and all I can think is how busy I am there and how Sarah is going to have to hold me back from jumping off the 19th floor today! Wish me (her) luck!

Oh! I got an apt yayyyy! But my old one hasn't rented yet boooooo! Please let me know if you know anyone looking for a one bedroom apartment in the Boston area!

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Monday
May112009

a place to call home

Things are looking up. Yesterday I put first month's rent down on an apartment in Brighton Center. Assuming all goes well today when the landlord reads my application, it's mine.


The apartment has its pro's and con's as all apartments do when you're on a budget. Check out the listing here.  Craigslist may take down the ad soon, though. 

Pro's:
- Modern kitchen & bathroom
- Hardwood floors
- Laundry in building
- One block from 501 express bus into town
- In heart of Brighton Center, close to everything we need

Con's
- It's small
- It's on top a store front
- It's not in Brookline :(
- It's far (relatively) from my Brookline family

Despite the con's, I truly think Christian and I can make it our little home! We promise to host dinner and game parties even if it's no mansion. I can't wait to go "Ikea crazy" on the place, haha
However, that will have to wait as it is costing me $4k to move in so I'm broke for awhile, argh

What do you think? Is it cute? :)

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