Saturday, July 26, 2008

I'm moving on up ...

In the immortal words of George Jefferson, I AM moving on up -- up the street, in fact, to a new neighborhood (more neighbors, fewer murders) and a new "southern front porch" way of life (I've mastered mint juleps but still can't stomach sweet tea). Its hard to quantify how much happeir I am here -- its just so great to see people out walking around the neighborhood, to be able to walk down the street to a park, restaurant, or bank, and just generally to have outdoor space. My neighbor loaned me her pool pass last week, for goodness sake!!

Let's take a tour, shall we?

Walking up the steps -- the landscaping looked better before 2 solid years of outdoor watering restrictions, I'm sure....


And the front porch. Ferns were the first thing I bought for the new place, and they're not even dead yet. Whoo hoo! A whomping big ceiling fan keeps bugs at bay (and me busy, relighting candles).
Walking in the living room, with the front door at my back. Each room has a fireplace, though none of them work any more.
And another view of the living room, now facing the front door. I need a bigger couch -- that's my mini white couch, with the ottoman next to it.
The big room -- or party room, as its been monikered by someone who likes to race cars down the length of it. Sorry the picture is so dark -- I tried at a couple times of day and couldn't get a better one. The walls are a really cool olive green. This is probably a dining room, but used now mostly as an office space. I didn't take a picture of the desk -- you just don't need to see that!
The red room, entered by taking a hard right from the front door. A very cozy place to sit and watch TV -- and listen to the neighbors non-stop "sitting on the porch, smoking and listening to Phil Collins" groove. Boy, they love their Phil Collins. But at least they're not killing each other. Gotta keep things in perspective. My hope is to buy a leather couch for this room, and move the red couch out of the red room sometime soon. Because all that red makes my brain hurt a little!
The kitchen, all the way in the back of the house. You can get here from the party room on the lefthand side OR by walking down the hallway on the right hand side. From the vantage point of this picture, if you turned left you'd be back in the hallway, near the 2nd bedroom and the bathroom (coming up next). If you turned right, you'd be on the back porch, exiting to the backyard and driveway.
The second bedroom. I need help with this one, kids. The walls are painted with a kind of stucco paint. The ideal position for the bed is against the wall, but the paint would be too scratchy to sleep against. I need a good idea for a more "cozy" wall covering. I had this grand thought of hanging felt, and then cutting out stick up shapes (a la tommy tooth, mom)... Things like roads, trees, and trucks. Think that would work? Other thoughts??

Exiting this bedroom, and walking back up the hallway toward the front door, we go past the bathroom (claw foot tub) -- its really hard to take a good picture of a bathroom.
And then the big bedroom. I still need a dresser -- suitcases of various clothing types were kicked out of the way of this shot.

So that's it! What do you think???

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

ohhhh! It's just lovely. Believe it or not it is exactly as I pictured the front porch being. It is so YOU.

Could you try the little bed kitty corner with the head up against the 2 walls and the foot sticking out?

I love it and feel so much better about where you are living. I will show dad as soon as he gets home from palying quick draw.

Anonymous said...

I could try the bed that way, but ideally I'd like to get it against the wall -- you know, so there's only one side to fall out on!

I'm glad you like it. I really feels like home.

I can't wait for you all to see it in person. Girls weekend in ATL (zack's invited too, of course!)

Anonymous said...

Hmmm...Murder or Phil Collins? Drugs or Phil Collins?.....

Oh, wow, this place looks amazing! And most importantly, it looks like you. Lovely! I'd be on the front porch all the time. I love the rug--where's that from?

You need some really cushy quilts or thinner pillows (like bumpers) along the walls. There's got to be great examples on the web...I'll ponder that today.

I'd love to come visit!

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I have to confess--I love sweet tea!

Anonymous said...

very nice,kristen. the kitchen looks great, nice and updated. is that a red room or a maroon room? so zack is invited, what about your nephew???

sorry about the anonymous. i forget my password, to sign in. it's been too long.
amy

Anonymous said...

As the newest person on the planet, Zack is about the only one who doesn't yet know that no special invitation is needed for a trip to my house!

Anonymous said...

amy said...

oh, i got you. we will put oliver on the next flight. i'm sure he would love to play on that nice porch.

Anonymous said...

I know what I forgot to ask--did you paint, K, or did you luck out with all the great wall colors?

Anonymous said...

house was already painted those colors. Cool, huh?