Decorating Time

I have an amazing friend who can turn any squalid studio into a chic urban loft. Jade is the type of chick who paints, faux finishes, and treats the walls of her rented space, just because she has to live there.* It's a trait that is nothing short of awesome. She has a million different service pieces, holiday gear, wall art, dishes, glasses, centerpieces, you name it! After a gathering at her space, I'm always inspired to go do something grand.

I, however, am not a decorating guru. I always find it difficult to muster up the excitement or motivation to turn my single gal's home into a festive space for holidays. When I go to department stores, the floor displays are always so well put together. The displays scream "Buy Me! Buy Me! If you do you will have fabulous dinner parties where people have a ripping good time and engage in all kinds of tomfoolery!!" They whisper to me about my hostess skills, the dinners I'll cook, the desserts I'll bake! Everything coming together and my guests being thoroughly wowed. There are displays for spring, summer, autumn, winter, and all the holidays that fall in those seasons. Visions of seasonally appropriate menus begin to dance in my head. But, I know full well that I have no such dinner parties. My cooking skills, while not sad, are not epic. There is no long guest list of people beating down my door to get invited to a shindig. And frankly, I don't have enough seating for a huge gathering. Where do these displays think I live? The 'burbs? HA! There is no good reason for me to run about buying autumn paraphernalia if I'm the only one who is going to be looking at it!

Ironically, I have oodles of willpower when it comes to home fashion trends, despite their inherent practicality. I have no such strength when it comes to the changing fashions. Could it be true that I am only motivated to participate in important trends if I think other people are looking? I should hope not! I am of the belief that you should (and your home!!) look good even if no one is looking!

Ok people, let's get it together. *Clap Clap!* Hence forth, all areas of our lives shall exude fabulous -- not just when the potential for seeing someone is high. Let's do it. Ready.....Break!

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*I like to think she does to her home what Stacy London does to casual outfits. Just because it's cas' doesn't mean it shouldn't be fabulous!

Learning about design

One of the most awesome things about owning my own place is the ability to put my own mark on the furniture and walls. There are those who rent who are willing to attack the walls with paint rollers, nail guns, and drills, but then they run the risk of getting dinged on their security deposit OR having to undo whatever it is they did. I've never been one to get into that. When I was renting, I just lived with my white or ecru walls, knowing that someday I'd have my own place and I'd be able to do whatever I wanted to it.

Now that I'm a big girl, I've been having a blast doing just that. I decided to go room by room, as I'm not actually independently wealthy. I've turned the previously cream walls into all manners of shades of turquoise, aqua, and brown. I've made plans to stick some tile to the wall (aka a backsplash), change the light fixture, and drill some serious holes in the wall for wall hangings. And, of course, I also made some room for rather awesome electronics (note the grown-ass man tv that's been mounted on a full-range of motion wall mount. Eat your heart out, boys). Throughout this process, I've absolutely used the advice of experts. Designers, tech-heads, and painters have all been tapped for their knowledge. You know what I've learned? Designing takes for freaking ever.

First, there's the process of choosing what you want. With such a big decision, I can't take it too lightly. Changing my mind is far too costly. So, it takes time to decide what you want, and what my muse or inspiration is going to be. (In my living room, I went with peacocks). And then, there's getting that inspiration translated into something that DOESN'T end up on the home equivalent of "What Not to Wear." (This is where having a friend who is a fabulous professional designer comes in!!). And then, there's scheduling the install of these things. (When it comes to this piece, it is SUPER hard not to do what my clients do to me -- failing to realize that you're NOT the only client.) Finally, there's realizing that having champagne will ultimately require waiting a lot longer to gather the money to bring your (designer's) vision to life. It's a work in progress, but when it's all done, it will TOTALLY be worth it.

Who knew redecorating a home would turn into a life lesson? What we've learned in the last year is patience. It may not get done right away, but eventually I'll be done. And really -- what's 18 months among friends? (Although, let's be real. If it takes 18 months to finish this, I may not make it to the end...patience is a virtue, and I? I'm not a virtuous woman.)

Things they forgot to mention...

I made my first mortgage payment today. It may have been the biggest check I’ve ever written. Truthfully? I did not find that particular part of the home ownership process enjoyable. In fact, it was the opposite of enjoyable. But, I guess it’s part of joining the club of adulthood. Boo!

I’ve also discovered a new problem with this condo. The elements that are most desirable when condo shopping turn out to be the biggest pain in the arse in real life. For instance, let’s discuss the floors. Home buyers get so excited when they see the phrase “hdwd thru-out.” Do you know how much more maintenance a hardwood floor requires? A ton! With carpet, you’ve got 15 minutes with a vacuum cleaner, vroom vroom, you’re done. Hardwood floors? Not so much. They attract dust like magnets. And even once you sweep, you still have to go behind with a wet mop. Booo!
Another bit of happy? Granite countertops. Verrrry purty. And again, impossible to clean! You can’t just use plain old cleaner. Oh no. You need special granite cleaner. Pfft. What? Too good for 409?!

In other news, the closet is still a work in progress. I have a furniture designer who is drawing up plans to trick it out. I’ve already stressed the importance of shoe and accessory storage. Let’s hope he understands the importance of a shoe collection!

Soft Launch

This weekend I held a soft launch at the Manor. I figured, if a swanky resto can have a pre-official opening party, then why shouldn't I?! Since my dad was making massive amounts of bbq, I decided that this weekend would be the perfect time to host that party. (As a side note, did I ever mention that my dad is an awesome grillmaster? Because he is. Just sayin').

Anyway, I decided to host this Saturday party on Wednesday. This is very very bad for someone who suffers from party panic. By Thursday, I was ready to cancel because I didn't have enough time to properly plan for the party. I didn't have time to plan the menu, map out the space, properly consider the guest list. It felt very much thrown together, which is not really conducive to throwing the best party ever. NOT! Despite my panic (and likely thanks to good friends talking me off a ledge), the party went off without incident. I was really impressed with the guy/girl ratio...although the guys were mostly part of a couple. I had been aiming for a better mix of singles and couples, but the guy singles all bailed on me. (Jerks!). I did do a fine job of having a diverse crowd -- age, race, career. It felt good knowing that I had a wide variety of friends, AND they all got along really well.

All in all, I'd say it was my first adult party, and it went pretty well. Now, to set the grand opening. I'm thinking about a year from now? :)

Nomad Chic

I have been advised, on more than one occasion, not to rush into buying furniture. As my one friend put it “don’t rush into buying stuff just to fill the space. You’re bound to move, and there’s no way to tell whether the things you buy will fit in the space you move to. Better to find stuff you love instead.”

Ok, so this is a valid point. I rushed to fill the space at my last apartment because I had no furniture at all. But this time around, I do have some form of furniture. So, I have no excuse to go out willy-nilly buying furniture.

For me though, the whole place just feels unfinished. It feels like I haven’t fully moved in yet, or fully made it mine. I want to start adding elements that make it me. Fortunately, I haven’t figured out what that means yet, so I guess it hardly matters that I’m not out buying things. No sense going shopping if you haven’t decided on a theme yet. Although, heads up…the theme for the front room is going to be peacock feathers. Everyone who’s excited to see it come to life raise your hand!

One Man Short

There’s something to be said about having a man around the house. As I begin mapping out the things that need to be done in my place, some of them require the height or the brawn of a man. Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves and start revoking our independence or taking back the sexual revolution or anything. But, seriously, there are some things that just require a man.

For example, I have tall ceilings. Connected to those are walls which need to be painted. I’m only 5’2” (on a good day). Even on my newly purchased 3-step ladder, I’m not going to reach anywhere near the top of the painting surface. So who, may I ask, is going to handle that? And let’s talk about the soon to be beautiful closet. In order to install it, someone’s going to have to hold the top shelf and brackets against the wall. Those suckers are heavy! Cue music for my own personal superman here.

Ah well, such is the life of a (short) female homeowner.

The Price of Fashion

I went to Home Depot, and I saw bliss. I saw everything that my closet should be, and more. There were shelves, rods, valet rods, belt racks, drawers, shoe shelves! Everything a fashionista like me could want to appropriately display the fabulousness that is her wardrobe. And it was soooooo much cheaper than California Closets – the platinum standard of all closets. I went home happy.

But then, I whipped out the calculator, and my nightmare began. Because Martha Stewart so slyly sells each component individually, there were a lot of numbers to add up. Plus, I would prefer to have all matching hangers, which is another expense (although I did just find some on clearance for $29.95 for 50 plus 15% off). Plus, I have to pay my professional organizer friend to put it all up. And that’s when the dark clouds began to form.

Despite all this expense (and the overall feeling that I’m just bleeding money right now), I really really want a nice closet. It was going to be the best part about owning this particular condo. I was going to trick out the closet like the fashion diva that I am. And doggone it, why can’t I?! Oh right. Because I don’t have fashion diva money. When I started this process, I decided the closet was a priority. I guess I will just have to suck up the sticker shock, and go ahead and start shelling out some cash. *sigh*. Donations will be accepted beginning immediately :).

Confessions of a New Home Owner

Well, I have spent the last 3 nights and 3 days in my new condo, and frankly, I am still baffled by the whole thing. I can’t believe that I actually own a home. I. Own. A. Condo. Say what?! How did this happen?

It was about 10 months ago, that I got the grand idea to start looking for a condo. I knew I wanted 2 bedrooms – I just didn’t see the point in purchasing a one bedroom. And I knew I had to have a parking space included, a washer/dryer in unit, and a dishwasher. I was going to live in LP, LV, or downtown. And, I wasn’t going to raise my monthly payment by an obnoxious amount. 10 months later, I am sitting in a penthouse unit in LS, with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a ridiculously-huge-by-comparison kitchen. Not only do I have a parking spot, but that spot is in an attached garage. I, am in real estate heaven. Truly there is a God, and I am blessed.

But, I am also baffled. When I first got in (after much trials and tribulations) on Thursday night, my unit resembled a refugee camp. Now, it’s more nomad chic. I don’t have nearly enough furniture, and the walls are soooooo boring. But, it’s mine, all mine! Squee!

Now, down to business. How do homeowners decide what to deal with first? Honestly! I can’t stand the sinks in the bathrooms, the neutral cream whiles have got to go, the floors need to be sanded and refinished, I need an alarm system, I’d love to change the hardware on the kitchen cabinets, and, did I mention I need new furniture? No one told me that on top of standard repairs, I’d begin to see things that need changing which I didn’t see when I first made an offer. I mean seriously! All the changes that need to be made seriously require a rich benefactor. Anyone got any ideas on when I might get one of those?

Short of robbing a bank, I wonder where to start after the paint color? Thus began my journey…how do I prioritize the changes I want to make?

The Beginning, Delayed

After a complete fiasco in the financing arena (as in, the banker I hired failed to complete any of the tasks he was hired to do), I was finally ready to close. My side of the loan approval went through without a hitch, and I was ready to go a week earlier than anticipated. Naturally, that was far too easy. The underwriter wanted to know about the status of the condo association dues. And, of course, there were units who were behind. As a result, I couldn’t close. Excuse me while I panic. My loan is being held up because two people not at all related to me are unable to can’t pay their effen HOA dues on time. GRRR!!!

But, time is of the essence, as I have to be out of my apartment by June 30. Does that make the condo association president move any faster? Of course not. It’s not his problem, so evidently he fails to see the urgency of the situation. A fact that becomes all to clear when he sends an email ON THE DAY OF CLOSE that he won’t be able to get the appropriate paperwork showing proof of payment to my (new) banker until that afternoon. Is he kidding?! Nope, he sure isn’t. That means I can, make my down-payment, move all of my worldly possessions into the condo, but I can’t have any keys. Nice.

I proceed to be homeless for 7 days. Literally, I am sleeping on couches and moving around gigantic suitcases for 7 days, until the bank can see proof that the condo dues have been paid by the errant homeowners, and underwriting can sign off, and the seller can get his money. It’s Thursday night, around 9:30 before I get my keys…I meet the association president (AP), and he says that the banker was a complete pain in the arse. Is he kidding? Really?! We are not off to a good start as neighbors. There should be a way to interview the other homeowners in a condo, and the HOA leadership. I’m starting to feel apprehensive about living with such a dense donkey. But alas, after sleeping on a futon for 5 days, and travelling back and forth to Milwaukee for 2 days, and wearing the same shoes to work everyday for 4 days, I’m just glad to be inside my own place. Will it be worth all the trouble? Stay tuned…