The last month or so has been busy and my custom blind order was delayed. Since I knew I couldn't do a final installation until the blinds came, I think I subconsciously took a little vacation from thinking about the apartment - especially after the laborious endeavor of repainting the floors last month. Painting floors is pretty easy. Painting floors in a small apartment full of furniture, not so much. Well, the blinds have arrived and I guess I have no excuse now, aside from the fact that work is still keeping me fairly busy. Still, I am tryng to keep the ball rolling with little projects when I can. Here is a little update via (not-the-best) iphone photos. I had these white pots above that I picked up at IKEA ages ago. I finally planted some succulents in them. I was afraid they might not do well in the northern light, but they are doing great. It is also a good solution for this window sill because other plants did not get along with the radiator in winter, where as these succulents do not seem to mind a little heat.
There were little shelves here, which were fine, but I didn't really need them and wanted a spot for some art work. I finally took them down, patched and painted the wall and hung up this vintage painting. I found it last year while antiquing with my sisters and Mom in Virginia. It has really grown on me and I think it is quite cheery and bright in the kitchen. My sister made that vase holding the wooden utensils, it is really special to me and the carved bowl was a gift from a family friend. The two canisters are from a set I found on eBay. They had a real country vibe with roosters on them. Originally I just sanded off the finish - and roosters - and oiled them, but when I was painting the floor I had an impulse to paint the bottoms white and leave the lids natural. I experimented with just one at first, as I figured it would be easy to strip off if I didn't like it. I am happy with the look though, so now I have to do the rest.
The canisters come in handy because, aside from the large drawer on the pantry cabinet, I have no drawers. As you can see here, the under counter space is pretty simple. Under the sink are the appliances and under the rolling counter, behind the stools are shelves. I actually have enough storage, but I really want a drawer for the utensils. I was going to get a kitchen cart, but the one I found was on back order - which seems to be a theme with everything I want that is store bought. In preparation, I already removed the flip down table that I never really used. I am always at the counter or table in the other room. I said good bye to those lovely Plia chairs too. I really liked them, but just didn't need them for this space any more. So now I am considering a couple of options for that area. I also would like to have a more polished solution for the curtained off area - this is a quick fix with wire and muslin. The rug pictured above just came, but it may just be visiting. It is going for a cleaning and then I'll decide if it stays for the kitchen or is used to upholster a bench for a client.
I also added this tree awhile back and these brown baskets. My kitchen is also my entry (welcome to Manhattan!), so I want it to feel bright and welcoming and not-so-kitcheny. I know I am always preaching about what a large plant or tree can do for a room, but only because it is true people. Have you not added one to your space yet? Sure, they can sometimes be a little pricey, but if you think of it as both plant and sculpture, a bit of natural art, then maybe that will help. Although, granted, you could kill it, so maybe begin with something hardy and meduim priced. Try a money tree. This one I bought for a clients living room thrived in almost no direct sunlight. I was seriously amazed. My client was a busy lawyer who was not home a lot and probably not too diligent about raising the blinds and watering his plants - if he can keep this thing alive, so can you.
Okay, that's a wrap for this installment of Apartment 2.0.
