Thursday, November 02, 2006

A Virtual Welcome

Finally, I can post pictures of my apartment. I am going to give everyone a semi-virtual tour because I am only semi-computer literate.


Supposedly my building is one of the oldest in the neighborhood. I love it because it is all very old fashioned, but I am just beginning to realize "old" means cold.


This is my hallway outside my apartment. I love the red tiles everywhere (I have them inside my apartment as well), but they are also very cold.


This is my "hallway" inside my apartment. I loved my door until I realized that it is paper thin and every bit of cold air and noise comes right into my apartment. The toilet is on the left and the shower is on the right. I know my decorations are a little cheesy, but I am poor.


My bed and some artwork from my friend, Dan. Funny story about the mattress. When I moved in, I slept on the mattress for about 30 minutes before I figured out there was no way I was going to be able to spend a year on it, so I bought a mattress from a fellow expat. But because I have no car, I had to trick a friend into helping me lug it about 10 blocks.

Notice the beams in the ceiling. They are old as dirt and add to the charm of the apartment. I love them! They are UNESCO protected.

This is my huge kitchen. Please don't judge me! I know it is messy, but when there is such a small place, it is hard to be really tidy.












My very large table and a huge mirror. Nice idea, I can watch myself eat.













Finally, my view. I have to say this is the only major downside to this apartment. I have no view and I am very close to my neighbors. Also, because the buildings are so close, no air circulates.

Well, that's about it. There isn't much to show because it is only 20 square meters (all that I could afford), but trust me, it is a huge improvement to what I had last year.

20 comments:

Unknown said...

oh ange - I love it. It is beautiful and charming. And although it might be small, it makes up for it in beauty and charm. I guess you just have to warm yourself up with tea and the hot water kettle...

But trust me, if I could, I think I'd love doing what you are still doing too...

Lotus Reads said...

Hi, Angela!

It so much fun to be able to tour your lovely apartment, thank you! I've always wished my ceilings could have beams - they add so much charm to the place. Someone told me one time I should have a mirror on one of the walls of my dining room -apparently it's good feng shui, but don't quote me because I've never bothered to consult a fengshui book to see if she was right.

Enjoy your apartment, it's lovely!

Anonymous said...

You have a great apartment! Lots of interesting and charming detail and a real kitchen which while little is very cute.

Just me said...

Your apartment looks really cool! Quite spacious, and pretty clean if you ask me!

Anonymous said...

Charming,delightful apt! Might want to consider "area rugs" and a space heater to ward off some of the chill of tile flooring? Maybe put some sort of insulation around the door...something simple... Can see why you were/are so happy to have found this little number.

Jennifer said...

Your apartment looks really charming!

Anonymous said...

Hi,

That looks great! Don't have time to comment on the other post about Carrefour but I AGREE. BIG TIME. The best thing is, there is no alternative. Monop is just as bad, and the tiny ed places etc are even worse.

Agh, don't get me started

Anonymous said...

oh, by the way, that was rebecca

Elizabeth Tarney said...

It may be small, but it's cute and it's all yours! Enjoy.

hellomelissa said...

way cool apartment... both literally and figuratively.

savvycityfarmer said...

I am charmed by your posts and your name...I named a daughter Angela...found you at run around paris...stop in for a chat soon...

http://savycityfarmer.blogspot.com

Pardon My French said...

I love the beams and think the apartment looks really nice -- the hall, too. You learn to appreciate little things like that...I have family members in Paris who live in a decent apartment but the hall and stairs are rickety, old, scary, and smell like pee. I'm guessing your hall definitely does not smell like that.

I'm giggling at the thought of you and a friend carrying a mattress 10 blocks through Paris. And you mean to say that no sketchy men made any comments to you about that?! I also have a hunch that I probably could use a mirror next to my table because I'm sure I haven't mastered the art of nice table manners. I think I clearly fall into the category of "You can take her out of the country but you can't take the country out of her" so probably could use a little help.

Jo said...

It looks absolutely lovely. I envy you. Paris is my favorite city in the whole world. How wonderful to be living there. Your apartment looks very cozy and homey.

Unknown said...

LOL - thanks ang for the lifeboat, want to come over and rescue me??

Geggie said...

Your place looks lovely! I just came across your site doing research for traveling to France in the spring. I've been to Paris once before. It's a wonderful place!!

blueVicar said...

Cool pad! Just think of the stories of the folks who have lived there over the years...could make a great fiction.

Thanks for the "Virtual Welcome." Well done! I love to see where other's live. I've just read a French proverb about home..."A chaque oiseau, son nid est beau. Meaning… To every bird, its own nest is beautiful." This came from Mama Lisa's World Blog. And, in your case, to other's your nest is beautiful as well!

"Mama Lisa" also describes the "party called 'pendre la crémaillère,' literally 'to hang the trammel.” In the Middle Ages, the trammel was the last thing fixed in the house, so when it was hung [in the fireplace], people could cook a meal to thank whoever had helped with the building of the house." Do you know this custom?

Now, what we do when we don't have a fireplace, I don't know. Guess we have to adapt those customs from the Middle Ages.

Thanks for sharing.

Meilleurs vœux!

Anonymous said...

It's a really charming apartment :o)

I've just had a look to your old post about Carrefour lol. I'm french but to be honest I'm not proud of all these people being so rude.
Next time tell her to f*** off! At least she won't say bad things about Americans without a reason!

admin said...

Came across your blog on a search for France...I've carried my belongings many blocks when I moved around in NYC, so I can relate to that story. Your apartment looks fantastic, even if it is cold and small :)

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Found you via my moms (savvy city) blog - I was and Ang in Paris two years ago in an apartment very much like yours. I willl enjoy catching up on your former posts!
I have a blog but am going to create one about my 30 days there in my little 17 m carre apartment and based on your comments about standing in line at the grocery store I am sure you will find it entertaining.
Keep an eye out for it if you want at ParisienneFarmgirl.

Run Around Paris said...

I love your apartment, and the most important and lovely detail about it is that it's IN Paris. What more can you ask for? ;)