Making a place to make things

This might be first post I've made here that is really truly relavent to the name.

There's an alcove in my apartment, about three feet across and two feet deep. For a couple weeks I had a little table there, but it didn't fit very well and things just piled up on it, because it was not a nice place to work.

Then I fixed this problem.

First I tried to find an appropriate desk or bookshelf--it didn't happen. So I took the sensible course of action, and roped my dad into helping me build something.

I made the basic workplan, and then my dad and I put it together. When I told him, then, that I was going to cover it in wallpaper, I think he was skeptical.
But he need not have been skeptical.


Progress!
It's not even real wallpaper, I think it was supposed to be wrapping paper, maybe?


And the finished product:


Nothing could fit more perfectly into this little space, and it all came together for about $60--way less than a pre-fab desk OR bookshelf.

So now I have a place to make valentines! And as soon as I get a sewing machine... so excited.
Now this is a making-place.

Fridays at home in Madison

My new apartment, featuring my lovely (non-functional) fireplace, and, along the left side... pocket doors! I love pocket doors, especially with fancy handles and pretty moulding.

A Month Without Internet Access

Well, it's not quite true. I have internet access at work, and when I go to my parents' house, but when I'm at these places it's usually because I have things to do... Things that are not blogging.

But oh, have I ever been doing things worth blogging about! And if Mal's going to get back into it, then I suppose I can, too.

At the end of December I started moving into my new apartment. I've been having tons of fun setting things up, decorating, putting my kitchen utensils in appropriate drawers and so on. With everything just about in order (for now), I threw a little housewarming party last weekend to garner some compliments and give myself an excuse to cook excessive amounts of appetizers.

The Menu
Pita chips with hummus and almond-eggplant dip
Stuffed mushrooms
Broiled polenta rounds with tomato-bean sauce
Corn & feta filo purses
Felafel stuffed with goat cheddar

Reasons Why I'm a Fool
1. Forgot to take any photos
2. Completely forgot to fry and serve the felafel

...So in addition to a housewarming party, I also had a lovely felafel dinner earlier this week with zero prep.


The point: Without internet access I've been (a) wildly productive on cooking, decorating, and making things. But (b) terribly incapable of blogging.
The goal: Continue part (a); rectify part (b).

Now That's Apartment Therapy!

It's no great secret that I'm not loving my internship these days. But I've got a secret weapon that always cheers me up during slow hours of folding, stapling and xeroxing: interior design blogs.

I love a good craft blog, and there's nothing like Simply Breakfast to lift my spirits, but lately I've been really into anything involving wallpaper, paint or ripping out carpet.

There's a reason for this. I'll be coming back to the states at the end of December and moving into a little one-bedroom with hardwood floors and high ceilings. I can't imagine my landlord will let me paint or wallpaper, but I can certainly imagine what I'd do if I could!

Anyway, I've been dreaming about dove gray pocket doors, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired wall decals, and silk-screened tea towels, but it's all very concrete inspiration (thanks, Google Reader!).

This weekend, though, I was strolling through the royal chambers of the castle in Warsaw, when I came across some remarkably charming inlaid wood floors. The one pictured above is striking and beautiful, but this one below -- this pattern I want somewhere in my apartment. Maybe not on the floor, ok, but what about just one little wall?


Dear Landlord,

How about it?