Decorating Ideas for the White Walled (Cell) Apartment

In Germany, one of those things you learn is that at the end of your lease you are required to paint. Not a big deal. You are allowed to paint your apartment, and so at the end of your lease you are responsible for painting it back. Well, you have to paint even if you didn't change the wall color, and if you choose to hire someone, the job could cost you between 1200 and 2400 Euro. That's right. I said, Euro. I made an agreement with my landlord that I would not change the color of the apartment, I would pay a small bit extra each month, but I would not have to paint at the end. This way my security deposit would be virtually secure, and when I left, I wouldn't have an additional worry. I thought this was quite clever and fair.

Unfortunately, recently I've been looking at these white walls as those of a cell. The picture rail molding is gorgeous. The molding on the ceilings is even more so. The hinges and locks are something I could not have even imagined. The detailing of the wooden flooring - crosses of different woods and grains - shocks me still each day coming home. Those high ceilings leave me in awe. But the white walls. I can't stand it any more.

So, here is what I've resolved: to invest in art and a bit more furniture.

First the living room and bedroom, since I haven't moved to the office yet. It's still too cold and I haven't hung up curtains.

This week I'm hoping to go to Moemax to buy this dining set that I've been looked at for a while. Fantastic black hinges, the furniture itself made of solid pine. I'm hoping to get a table, four chairs, a bench, and a sideboard. That would complete my living room/dining room set up. If I can afford it, I'd also like to get a wine holder, but I don't really need one of those. Would just be a nice thing to grow into.

I just bought some Blik iron grates for my "headboard". I am not too crazy about having railings and such. I'll keep my bed on the floor and be quite happy to do so. Besides, with the mattress and box spring, it's at the perfect height for me to use a chair as a desktop, which is where I am typing this little blog right now. I can sit cross-legged and comfortable right here.

I also ordered 10 yards of gold satin from Joann's Fabric. I'm planning on draping the fabric over my dresser and then placing a print (which I'll have to frame) in the center. I ordered the print I wanted from Amazon.

I also ordered paper from Paper Source. They've got some fantastic prints and for less than 5 bucks a sheet, you really can't beat the price.

I'm also planning on getting a Cheryl Paswater woodcut/relief print soon. I met her this summer at Vermont Studio Center, and we've kept in touch through the mysteries of Facebook. I'm looking forward to hanging the piece over the sideboard I think, someplace where I can admire it all the time.

I also exchanged an email with Thomas Sayers Ellis about some of his photos. I'm hoping to work with him about getting a series of three prints in February. In addition to his work as a poet, he is an amazingly talented photographer. I'd like to get some of that work up by the summer when I'll be working in the office. Talk about inspiration. Check out some of the photos from his Go-Go Book slide show on his website.

In addition to all this, I just received a few black and white photographs of my family, mostly deceased, from my mother. I had put together a collage of sorts, but I think I'm going to separate them into smaller frames and put them on the wall ... somewhere. I'm not sure where, though. Maybe in my bedroom with a swirl of that fabric. We'll see. I still have to find a really tall ladder. :)

The one thing that I really want is a Harlan Mack chandelier for my living room. That would be just that final flourish. I've been trying to get an update on that as I believe I first expressed interest in September, but I haven't received any news. It's been a few weeks since the last email. I'm hoping that he'll be able to craft it for me. I have such respect for him and his work. I met Harlan at VSC this past summer, too. If not - I know he has a long list of other customers right now - I'll price some chandeliers in Venice. I kind of doubt that I'll purchase anything there, but a friend here has been telling me that there are some remarkable pieces there. I didn't ask how much remarkable costs. If anything, I may get a better idea of what I want.

All of this for 800 bucks or less. It will smart a little for a while - and set me back on that whole child goal - but hey, I'm in a nesting stage. Gotta delight in that. Won't last for long...

And now to go out - do I really have to leave the house - to go get the supplies for a gluten free birthday dessert.

:)