When we were house hunting, our goal was to minimize work and maximize play so we shopped with eventual retirement and personal entertainment in mind looking for a level entry unit with enough square footage to live comfortably, spaces for our children and future grandchildren to visit, a den for Howard, a studio for me, and way less yard work - plus a double garage - which narrowed the possibilities significantly since most condos in our area have single garages.
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We moved here a year ago this past weekend and as you know, it's been an interesting move. Howard was happy right away. He was so done with the yard and loves coming home from work to dinner and relaxation. For me, the little garden in the front is just enough to be pretty without overwhelming and the house is easy to maintain and even so, the move has been hard because my studio space wasn't what I was used to nor what we'd planned for. I spend the majority of my time in the studio. It needs to be a good fit. It wasn't. If you've been reading the blog for the last year, you know that I've moved spaces three times - actually - make that four because...
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...a week ago, we did it again only the painting, shelves, doors, and a few other things weren't finished yet so I've spent a week keeping the surprise. The French doors just went up yesterday and it's WONDERFUL. Here's what happened...
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In February, I was happily working in the studio with the blinds nicely tipped for privacy while enjoying the sunshine when my neighbour walked by and waved. That was so nice of him but it meant the blinds were not actually nicely tipped for privacy and that whenever I'd thought I was invisible, I was actually quite visible which is why...
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... shortly after when I needed a good cry, I sat on the floor in the dark because if I turned the lights on, I would have had to close the blinds and closing the blinds would have made me feel trapped and trapped and crying are not a good combo. Howard thought that was both hilariously funny and not good at all so we had a state of our union discussion and decided that a studio was more important than a family room and shuffled everything around again.
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It sounds like I'm constantly gushing about my husband lately but I am so thankful that he was willing to redistribute funds from another goal to finish this space for me and that he and his friend Dave and our boys were willing to move and set up my studio yet, still, once again. I baked a big batch of butter tarts for them even though it's not December ! ! !
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Now the guest room is where the guest room was supposed to be, Howard's den is where Howard's den was supposed to be, and my studio is where my studio was supposed to be - with a few changes - like a stash closet, doors, and vinyl flooring. The room is 12' x 20' with a jog out of the one end by the exterior door which I'll paint purple like the closet doors once the weather warms up. Things will be coming in and out through that door occasionally and any time we barbeque, it's on the deck just outside BUT...
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... that's a small inconvenience for such a wonderful space. I've spent a lot of time this past week on my curl-up couch and it is so fabulous to have that resting place in the studio again.
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This is the view from the couch. Perfect for studing, journal writing, knitting, reading, and even a good cry if needed - VBG. There are still more things to finish but they're little and it's functional now. I'm looking forward to putting up art work, and settling in further and I'm REALLY looking forward to sewing.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - a studio that feels like home
We moved here a year ago this past weekend and as you know, it's been an interesting move. Howard was happy right away. He was so done with the yard and loves coming home from work to dinner and relaxation. For me, the little garden in the front is just enough to be pretty without overwhelming and the house is easy to maintain and even so, the move has been hard because my studio space wasn't what I was used to nor what we'd planned for. I spend the majority of my time in the studio. It needs to be a good fit. It wasn't. If you've been reading the blog for the last year, you know that I've moved spaces three times - actually - make that four because...
...a week ago, we did it again only the painting, shelves, doors, and a few other things weren't finished yet so I've spent a week keeping the surprise. The French doors just went up yesterday and it's WONDERFUL. Here's what happened...
In February, I was happily working in the studio with the blinds nicely tipped for privacy while enjoying the sunshine when my neighbour walked by and waved. That was so nice of him but it meant the blinds were not actually nicely tipped for privacy and that whenever I'd thought I was invisible, I was actually quite visible which is why...
... shortly after when I needed a good cry, I sat on the floor in the dark because if I turned the lights on, I would have had to close the blinds and closing the blinds would have made me feel trapped and trapped and crying are not a good combo. Howard thought that was both hilariously funny and not good at all so we had a state of our union discussion and decided that a studio was more important than a family room and shuffled everything around again.
It sounds like I'm constantly gushing about my husband lately but I am so thankful that he was willing to redistribute funds from another goal to finish this space for me and that he and his friend Dave and our boys were willing to move and set up my studio yet, still, once again. I baked a big batch of butter tarts for them even though it's not December ! ! !
Now the guest room is where the guest room was supposed to be, Howard's den is where Howard's den was supposed to be, and my studio is where my studio was supposed to be - with a few changes - like a stash closet, doors, and vinyl flooring. The room is 12' x 20' with a jog out of the one end by the exterior door which I'll paint purple like the closet doors once the weather warms up. Things will be coming in and out through that door occasionally and any time we barbeque, it's on the deck just outside BUT...
... that's a small inconvenience for such a wonderful space. I've spent a lot of time this past week on my curl-up couch and it is so fabulous to have that resting place in the studio again.
This is the view from the couch. Perfect for studing, journal writing, knitting, reading, and even a good cry if needed - VBG. There are still more things to finish but they're little and it's functional now. I'm looking forward to putting up art work, and settling in further and I'm REALLY looking forward to sewing.
Talk soon - Myrna
Grateful - a studio that feels like home