Thinking Inside the Box, Part II ~ Crayons, Tape and Scissors

My friends who own the wine shop are away for six days in Ireland and I've been baby-sitting the store for them.   This makes for very long days but also time to play when there's a lull in the afternoons.

I decided that I'm going to build my Merida home here in New York...room by room.  The diorama I did showing how I'd like to see the kitchen and bath gave me a good feeling.  It fleshed out my ideas and I think it's do-able.

I've been perusing so many sites looking at color palettes.  I was fairly sure that I didn't want to go with whites and neutrals.  The house is small, there are very few  plumb walls, and I've always been happy with color.  I found a home on a Merida architects' side that had THE colors! Deep, vibrant greens, blues and yellows.  I'm not worried about whether or not my artwork will "go" with the palette. Thirty years ago I saw a bumper sticker that said:

"Good art doesn't have to match the furniture"

I've lived by that thought ever since.

The living room is fine the way it is with the exception of concrete furniture but I can have new cushions made and be happy.  The ceiling height is about 14 feet which makes me very happy.  That was the one feature I would not compromise on when looking for a home.

It's the "garage" that's had me thinking for weeks now.  It is only 6' wide with a lower ceiling, it's somewhat dark and the first thing you see when you walk into the house.  I thought skylights might work and considering that the roof needs to be resealed, now would be the time to make a change.

Then I got to thinking, why not make the space completely open?  I'll have a nice garden view from the kitchen and living room and still have a place to leave the bicycle.

With all that being said, below is my "mini vision".  Colors aren't quite right...I was limited on the selection of Crayolas. 



Wish I could move the concrete furniture



The garage doors are iron & glass which I think will be perfect for the new garden

I forgot how much fun is is to draw.

Thinking Inside the Box

I received my first quote for the repairs and renovations for mi nido and surprisingly they are not overwhelming.

While I knew a pool would not be in the budget right now, I was a bit disappointed that cedar doors are also not on the horizon. First lesson on living in Merida...have patience.

No matter how much effort was made and many translations offered, the first contractor insisted that a pergola is a fountain.   We'll work that one out later.  But the confusion got me thinking that in the end, it's my responsibility to get my vision across.

I want to remove a 3/4 wall that separates the kitchen and a bathroom.  The bath is larger than I'll ever need. Because the toilet and shower are separated by a door, and the sink is already where I want, I thought I'd incorporate the sink with a dressing area...opening up the entire back of the house.

I had a lot of time on my hands the other day. And scissors. And tape. And a ruler and marker.

I need to find two really tiny dogs to put in my diorama. 

It actually helped to flesh out the room.

I'm bringing my wee diorama with me in May.  It's collapsible so I'll throw it in the suitcase should I need a visual aide when speaking to the other contractors.    

I think my next project will be the courtyard and pergola.