Peinture

peinture (Fr.)/ paint (Eng.) noun: a mixture of pigment and a suitable liquid to form a closely adherent coating when spread on a surface in a thin coat.

(Before: the choices)

Welcome to my own personal version of 50 Shades of Grey. So it seems only fitting that I went with the color that is situated between S and M, "Gres Naturel". I do love the drama of P, and will use that for the WC.

(after)

(the mantel before)

(the mantel after)

(before, although at this point, I had already painted the bottom half white. It was margarine before, just like the wall)

(after)

In order to take a proper after photo of the living room, I need a few main items:

1. Credenza- inspiration: like the wood one in the far right hand corner of this photo:

 Or, in enamel like the one on the right hand side of this photo:

2. Coffee table- inspiration: like the white enamel one in this photo below, with a place to store things. Ideally, one with wheels so I can move it around. That is so key for small spaces:

or acrylic, like this one from Muji, with a space for magazines:

Or maybe a wood coffee table, if I can find one that I love. And with wheels.

3. Chair(s): tbd
4. Standing lamp: tbd
5. Some sort of storage for extra blankets and pillows: tbd

Limboland

(new pad in the 11th)

I've been in Limboland for a while now. This is the place where an air plant, such as myself resides when it has no home of its own. No place to establish my own root growth. And always able to pick up and bail at a moments notice.

Par contre, I have been actively searching for a house to buy in Bourgogne. So I have hesitated to search out a new place of my own to rent in Paris so that my options remained open.  I've been renting my friend's apartment in Paris the past couple of years, which means living among all of their stuff. It was never really my space, Not really able to fully unpack my bags, settle in, and create an environment that suits my lifestyle.

It has been such a HUGE blessing to have this opportunity... a readied apartment with all the things I needed. Internet. Phone. Fantastic location. No contract, and the ability to move quickly on a Bourgogne house purchase, when and if that happens. 

But I am ready for more in Paris.

I want my own space. I want to create my own aethetic. I want comfort. I want a level of legitimacy in my residence here. As much as I would have loved to stay in Limboland while I figure the Bourgogne house purchase out, these other needs are more pressing.  I can't wait it out anymore.

New living area (with too much furniture and dingy walls)

They say that finding an apartment in Paris is more difficult than finding a soulmate. Virtually impossible, they say. So when this opportunity fell into my lap I felt like I needed to jump all over it. I am happy to report that I now have an apartment of my own in a new neighborhood. It has more room, working fireplace, a long balcony, and my favorite feature, a bathtub! And the proprietere is giving me (measured) permission to give it a makeover.

View of the current kitchen (taken from balcony)

Bathroom (with large ship tile art from Portugal, apparently)

I am doing the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy thing right now by completely refreshing the place. New paint, new curtains, new furniture, new art, herbs in hanging baskets, olive trees for privacy, and a new kitchen. As much hard work as this requires, it has revived my creativity ten fold. It also helps that I have a fabulous friend who is as excited about this makeover as I am. In fact, he may have single-handedly turned this into a really fun project.

Here are some before shots, and I will definitely post the after photos when I have them.

This kitchen is going bye bye (new kitchen will be installed next month)

Living space with too much (granny) wicker furniture