in with the old
hello and happy monday! is the summer in full swing for you? i love the middle of august, it feels like we still have lots of time for friends and barbecues and all the good things that summertime brings.
i don’t feel quite ready to blog about my place yet but mom and dad want to see it and if i wait for perfection the day may never come.
so i’ll show it little by little, flaws and all. there’s a lot to do but it will be a work in progress.
overall it’s been pretty hectic making the move to transfer the office and apartment all at once.
no matter how much stuff i got rid of it seemed to be an endless process.
now that i’m out of the old and into the new it was worth the work. the old grand dame is somewhere right between ghetto and glamour.
an actress lived here for many years before me and it has that faded glory kind of vibe. it’s totally old school with great accents like the diamonds on the doors, a tiny knocker, and jalousie windows with cranks.
it’s all i could do to clean and get the place in working order, i haven’t touched the office or even my clothes but just being here feels like home. my friends are coming by and they say it feels like home, like we’ve always been here. they brought flowers and have been helping to make it cozy.
not that it’s set up quite right but having the tv and internet working is making it feel like home. when will we have a wireless world?!
i’m taking down the blinds to put up curtains, changing little things like the faucets and sprucing up the grout.
it’s more of a restoration than a renovation but if i’m going to stay here awhile i’d like to make a place my own even if i do it myself. in fact i’m going to attempt one DIY project a week.
the kitchen is pretty much hopeless but at least the doors leading in have potential!
of course it’s been fun to hit home depot, i wanted to rescue all the topiaries they had!
for now it’s cleaning the windows, attempting the bathroom grout and see what i can accomplish today. i do have to get something on the windows right away. that should probably be my first DIY. i’ll let you know how it goes. till then have a great august monday!
August 19, 2013. Decorating, Interiors, Life, Living.
Madeleine replied:
Looks like it has some great potential. Cant wait to see the space you create!
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August 19, 2013 at 7:25 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
hi madeline, thanks! i think i may divide the room with a curtain between the bed and rest of the room for starters.
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August 20, 2013 at 1:56 am. Permalink.
Jean replied:
Looks great!
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August 19, 2013 at 7:47 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
you have to come see it for yourself!
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August 20, 2013 at 1:56 am. Permalink.
à la parisienne replied:
Claudia,
I love all of the windows, natural light, and that view!
I can’t wait to see what you do with your new place and your balcony.
Back in February, I bought some myrtle topiaries just like yours, and had them on both sides of the kitchen sink in front of a big window. I loved the European feel they brought to the kitchen. Unfortunately, several months later they died (from scales–some sort of pest.) Just thought I’d pass the info on in case you ever notice your topiaries looking a bit sickly. If you catch it early on, you can treat them with a homemade insecticidal soap.
Mandy
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August 19, 2013 at 8:31 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
oooh goo to know! i will keep an eye on them like a mother hen!
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August 20, 2013 at 1:56 am. Permalink.
maison21 replied:
shame about that ocean view. ;-)
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August 19, 2013 at 8:42 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
yeah, that’s the only drawback…
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August 20, 2013 at 1:57 am. Permalink.
Cindy Potters replied:
LOVE your apartment Claudia. Lots of happiness!!!
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August 19, 2013 at 9:18 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
thank you for that cindy! come visit!
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August 20, 2013 at 1:57 am. Permalink.
MJH Design Arts replied:
The view! It’s gorgeous just the way it is.
Happy homecoming.
Mary
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August 19, 2013 at 10:04 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
i kind of like it minimal too :)
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August 20, 2013 at 1:57 am. Permalink.
DLP replied:
Beautiful!
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August 19, 2013 at 10:27 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
thanks DLP!
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August 20, 2013 at 2:02 am. Permalink.
Karena replied:
Dear Claudia, what a fab space, I love what you are doing, Can’t wait to see window coverings and the topiaries, great score!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
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August 19, 2013 at 11:59 pm. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
i turned it down at first, thinking it was too much, too big…now it feels just right.
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August 20, 2013 at 2:03 am. Permalink.
Dayle Brenner replied:
OMG Claudia, this is amazing!!!!!! Enjoy! Xo
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August 20, 2013 at 12:41 am. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
i think the last time you came to miami was 15 years ago…maybe now you’ll come back?
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August 20, 2013 at 2:03 am. Permalink.
Rhonda replied:
Claudia, your new place is amazing! You will be settled in – in no time.
I love anticipating the transformation. Enjoy!
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August 20, 2013 at 12:43 am. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
i’m going to shoot all my DIYs in real time for the transformations!
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August 20, 2013 at 2:04 am. Permalink.
Shelly Gregory replied:
A place I would love to transform into a haven!! Love the windows, view, details on the doors, white floors, etc etc etc!! Can’t wait to see what you do!!
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August 20, 2013 at 12:48 am. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
curtains curtains curtains for starters!
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August 20, 2013 at 2:05 am. Permalink.
Lisa replied:
I can see the potential. Very nice.
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August 20, 2013 at 1:17 am. Permalink.
The Paris Apartment replied:
thanks lisa, glad you came by!
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August 20, 2013 at 2:05 am. Permalink.
Clare replied:
I love it! Can’t wait to see your little changes along the way!
Clare x
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August 20, 2013 at 2:57 am. Permalink.
Peggy Braswell replied:
I know what a lot of work moving can be + it looks like a great home + can’t wait to see what you are going to do. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
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August 20, 2013 at 6:10 am. Permalink.
Mom replied:
It’s very pretty. I noticed the ocean, I like the doors and the retro feel of your new space. You will make it yours. Thanks for the peek!
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August 20, 2013 at 12:46 pm. Permalink.
Nikon replied:
What a fabulous apartment, Claudia! I love the first shot – everything is so bright and shiny. (How do you get a floor to look like that?)
Love the shot from the balcony, too – the coast & the tropical clouds.
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August 20, 2013 at 2:53 pm. Permalink.
Nancy Flemming replied:
I love the view Nd the light. The diamonds are great! I painted those on closet doors once!
Congratulations!
Nancy
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August 20, 2013 at 6:18 pm. Permalink.
Val replied:
Oh, it’s lovely just as it is! Congratulations! This is a beautiful space. Even in pictures, it looks like it has a good vibe. Someplaces just feel good from the get-go. I hope you’ll be very happy here. :)
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August 21, 2013 at 3:31 am. Permalink.
Cris replied:
Lovely! Of course, we cant really tell the layout from these pictures, but I’d be tempted to put the bed in the darker corner where the table is now. You can surround it with some curtains and reserve the gorgeous views / windows / large living space where the bed is now for your waking hours and reveries from the sofa or chaise lounge. And make it feel less like visitors have walked into your bedroom. But, for all I know this is the bedroom and there are other public spaces. Can’t wait to see the DIY efforts! I love that stuff – and more frequent posts!
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August 21, 2013 at 4:09 am. Permalink.
vickiarcher replied:
This apartment will be amazing Claudia… and that view…. heaven… Good luck getting settled… xv
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August 21, 2013 at 4:11 am. Permalink.
Rebecca Grace replied:
Wow, those views are fantastic! Instant serenity! I love your floors and the interesting diamond trim on the doors. Now that you’ve shown us your new digs — and its outdoor balcony space — I’m thinking back to your recent posts and nodding my head. I can’t wait to see you transform your new home and make it your own. Congratulations, Claudia!
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August 21, 2013 at 1:27 pm. Permalink.
Katie replied:
Wow what a beautiful apartment! I am thinking about moving either that I’ll redecorate my current home, this has given me inspiration! Enjoy your new home :)
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August 25, 2013 at 5:07 pm. Permalink.
Erin replied:
What a view! I think you can definitely make it work. If you’re still stuck on that bathroom grout, consider a Clorox Bleach Pen and/or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I use the latter for EVERYTHING and it never fails to make things perfectly clean and shiny. Love the new topiaries, too! Enjoy settling in and making it your own! xo
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August 28, 2013 at 4:55 pm. Permalink.
Style ManiacS replied:
That view! I would never get out of bed.
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August 29, 2013 at 12:27 am. Permalink.