We continue to work on our new home - one bit at a time. Then again. . . . that is what makes this an adventure. Maybe we will finish - but I hope not too soon.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The tale of Trade Winds and TP
As new residents here in paradise, we learn something new just about every day. For example . . . Our apartment is on a pretty high floor of our building. The trade winds keep our place pleasant just about every day. The winds can be pretty strong. Recently we came to the realization that when the wind blew it not only kept us cool, it also unrolled our toilet paper. In both bathrooms we found the complete roll on the floor! Thus you see a photo of our "new" TP holders. Thank heaven for the WEB!
We continue to work on our new home - one bit at a time. Then again. . . . that is what makes this an adventure. Maybe we will finish - but I hope not too soon.
We continue to work on our new home - one bit at a time. Then again. . . . that is what makes this an adventure. Maybe we will finish - but I hope not too soon.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What do we do in Paradise?
You put furniture together! Yes people, haven't made it to the beach yet but we're working on it.
A small put-it-together yourself cabinet. It was in pieces but so heavy we had to take it out of the box in the parking deck and tote it in by parts. Here is John working his fingers to the bone. It wound up taking the two of us to complete it together.
When living in a small apartment - space is at a premium. On the left side of the MBR closet John installed two stacked sets of drawers. He now has 10 drawers to use inside of the closet that otherwise would have been unused space.
My wonderful, patient spouse then put together a drawer unit on the right side of the closet so I have 6 drawers to use for my stuff as well as two open shelves. (Notice my lovely orange night stand with a lamp on it to the right - an upside down paint bucket.)
Stay tuned for exciting updates. ;-)
A small put-it-together yourself cabinet. It was in pieces but so heavy we had to take it out of the box in the parking deck and tote it in by parts. Here is John working his fingers to the bone. It wound up taking the two of us to complete it together.
When living in a small apartment - space is at a premium. On the left side of the MBR closet John installed two stacked sets of drawers. He now has 10 drawers to use inside of the closet that otherwise would have been unused space.
My wonderful, patient spouse then put together a drawer unit on the right side of the closet so I have 6 drawers to use for my stuff as well as two open shelves. (Notice my lovely orange night stand with a lamp on it to the right - an upside down paint bucket.)
Stay tuned for exciting updates. ;-)
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
A Little Bit of Organization
It is amazing what some furniture can do to a formerly empty space.
Furniture delivery here on the island tends to be item by item. We seem to still be missing a love seat, some night stands, a mattress and box spring, a bedframe, a LR table, countertops, a sink, etc. But here you can see that we at least have somewhere to sit and watch TV. The futon in the photo will be moved into the 2nd BR and used for guests once we get a bed for ourselves.
The dining table was scheduled to arrive in September and the chairs in middle August. We were pleasantly surprised when the entire set showed up late last week. As you can see, John has figured out the table is a good place to set up a laptop. We move forward!
One interesting aspect was to find out that we do not live in the United States. Trying to order anything from the WEB has proven to be a real challenge. Many, many sites offer "free shipping". However, when I would place an order (for the bed headboard for example) it goes through just fine. Then several hours or a day later an email pops up telling me the order has been cancelled. I call the toll free number and learn that I do not live in the United States so no free shipping. "OK" says me. . . I will pay for shipping. Answer: "No, you do not live in the United States and we do not ship overseas." I offered that I am a registered voter and have a US passport but they were not impressed. One site brags they deliver to Canada but consider Hawaii overseas. Thank heaven Google helped us find a web page called "shiptohawaii.com". We get the "free shipping" to a warehouse in California that then puts your order on a boat to Hawaii. Although the second phase involves a fee it is so worth it to us.
Furniture delivery here on the island tends to be item by item. We seem to still be missing a love seat, some night stands, a mattress and box spring, a bedframe, a LR table, countertops, a sink, etc. But here you can see that we at least have somewhere to sit and watch TV. The futon in the photo will be moved into the 2nd BR and used for guests once we get a bed for ourselves.
The dining table was scheduled to arrive in September and the chairs in middle August. We were pleasantly surprised when the entire set showed up late last week. As you can see, John has figured out the table is a good place to set up a laptop. We move forward!
One interesting aspect was to find out that we do not live in the United States. Trying to order anything from the WEB has proven to be a real challenge. Many, many sites offer "free shipping". However, when I would place an order (for the bed headboard for example) it goes through just fine. Then several hours or a day later an email pops up telling me the order has been cancelled. I call the toll free number and learn that I do not live in the United States so no free shipping. "OK" says me. . . I will pay for shipping. Answer: "No, you do not live in the United States and we do not ship overseas." I offered that I am a registered voter and have a US passport but they were not impressed. One site brags they deliver to Canada but consider Hawaii overseas. Thank heaven Google helped us find a web page called "shiptohawaii.com". We get the "free shipping" to a warehouse in California that then puts your order on a boat to Hawaii. Although the second phase involves a fee it is so worth it to us.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Our First Dizzying Month in Paradise
It has taken a long time and we have travelled a long, circuitous route, but we finally arrived in Hawaii and began to settle down. Settle down? Is that what this July has been? That's a new definition in my book! Settling down means relaxing, taking it easy for awhile, getting into the swing of things in the local area, playing a little golf. Sorry, it wasn't in the cards.
It is almost too hard to believe! We started our new adventure unburdening ourselves and getting down to just two suitcases each - mostly clothes and meds. Now first, we needed wheels. Transportation for the last 18 months has been walking, bicycles, and busses, but here as in most of the country we had to get back into the groove of having a CAR. On this first day of having a rental car the stars alined and we found a new Toyota Prius. Now I can tell you, driving at fifty-one MPG is soooo satisfying.
The first two weeks were filled with one errand after another in preparation for setting up housekeeping as well as for making choices for remodeling a 25-year old apartment. Then, on July 13th, the Dynamic Duo hit Honolulu. Suddenly, life took off like it was in a whirlwind. Their names are John and Terri. Ever watch one of those home makeover shows on the Home channel? John and Terri put them to shame.
We were greeted by this, our first rainbow, since arriving.
Here they are just before they went home to Atlanta. This is actually at the end of their stay. They are both a bit like Bat Man. They look like Bruce Wayne, but turn into the masked crusaders of apartment renovation. John designs and builds fantastic contemporary luxury homes in the Atlanta, Ga. area. Terri is at his side the entire way. They graciously offered to come in and help us do magic on our apartment.
Nope! This is not our place in Paradise! It's someone else's 6000 sqft. tease on the other side of the globe; it is an interior shot of one of John's works in Atlanta. He designs them right down to the ornate scrollwork on the bannister and front door. The next two photos were also taken in homes by John and Terri. What more can I say?
Every house they build has a uniquely designed swimming pool.
The wall-to-wall carpeting in the two bedrooms, living room, and dining room (seen here under the "wood pile") was torn out, cut into manageable rectangles, and disposed of. This stack of materials portends 5 to 7 days of hands and knees labor to put in the new flooring. Getting it early allows it to acclimatize for several days prior to installation.
The two Johns hard at work installing the floor.
He looks handsome even when wearing knee pads.
How do you do a complete apartment renovation when you have virtually no tools? You have to improvise! An upside down bucket becomes a workbench. A person becomes the counterweight needed to saw wood to the desired length. Have you ever seen a happier counterweight?
Terri paints like a pro. I tried to keep up with her, but it was difficult to impossible. The light fixture seen here is one of three new ones that John installed. They are all of the same design but large, medium and small.
The second bedroom is directly off the living room. When visitors come we plan to provide privacy via a pair of new sliding French doors (seen here). Terri spray painted the inside white and I stained the outside to match the new floor. A lot easier said than done. Terri also spray painted a new louver door for the bath as well as four bifold doors in all. She is amazing!
John routed cable through the walls then mounted two TVs - the one shown in the living room and the other in the master bedroom.
The early stages of the kitchen demolition. Those cabinets are in the first stage of "going, going, gone." We designed and ordered them while in NYC back in the spring.
The original tile in the foyer and kitchen. We believe it was installed in 1983.
After chipping out the white tile it took my sweetie and Terri 3 days to chisel all of the thinset off of the concrete floor. Then John began his installation of the new porcelain tile.
The new cabinets are maple. John installed them too!
We promise more photos as the apartment develops. Before she left Terri helped pick out furniture, lamps, accessories, etc. She has quite an eye!
It is almost too hard to believe! We started our new adventure unburdening ourselves and getting down to just two suitcases each - mostly clothes and meds. Now first, we needed wheels. Transportation for the last 18 months has been walking, bicycles, and busses, but here as in most of the country we had to get back into the groove of having a CAR. On this first day of having a rental car the stars alined and we found a new Toyota Prius. Now I can tell you, driving at fifty-one MPG is soooo satisfying.
The first two weeks were filled with one errand after another in preparation for setting up housekeeping as well as for making choices for remodeling a 25-year old apartment. Then, on July 13th, the Dynamic Duo hit Honolulu. Suddenly, life took off like it was in a whirlwind. Their names are John and Terri. Ever watch one of those home makeover shows on the Home channel? John and Terri put them to shame.
We were greeted by this, our first rainbow, since arriving.
Here they are just before they went home to Atlanta. This is actually at the end of their stay. They are both a bit like Bat Man. They look like Bruce Wayne, but turn into the masked crusaders of apartment renovation. John designs and builds fantastic contemporary luxury homes in the Atlanta, Ga. area. Terri is at his side the entire way. They graciously offered to come in and help us do magic on our apartment.
Nope! This is not our place in Paradise! It's someone else's 6000 sqft. tease on the other side of the globe; it is an interior shot of one of John's works in Atlanta. He designs them right down to the ornate scrollwork on the bannister and front door. The next two photos were also taken in homes by John and Terri. What more can I say?
Every house they build has a uniquely designed swimming pool.
The wall-to-wall carpeting in the two bedrooms, living room, and dining room (seen here under the "wood pile") was torn out, cut into manageable rectangles, and disposed of. This stack of materials portends 5 to 7 days of hands and knees labor to put in the new flooring. Getting it early allows it to acclimatize for several days prior to installation.
The two Johns hard at work installing the floor.
He looks handsome even when wearing knee pads.
How do you do a complete apartment renovation when you have virtually no tools? You have to improvise! An upside down bucket becomes a workbench. A person becomes the counterweight needed to saw wood to the desired length. Have you ever seen a happier counterweight?
Terri paints like a pro. I tried to keep up with her, but it was difficult to impossible. The light fixture seen here is one of three new ones that John installed. They are all of the same design but large, medium and small.
The second bedroom is directly off the living room. When visitors come we plan to provide privacy via a pair of new sliding French doors (seen here). Terri spray painted the inside white and I stained the outside to match the new floor. A lot easier said than done. Terri also spray painted a new louver door for the bath as well as four bifold doors in all. She is amazing!
John routed cable through the walls then mounted two TVs - the one shown in the living room and the other in the master bedroom.
The early stages of the kitchen demolition. Those cabinets are in the first stage of "going, going, gone." We designed and ordered them while in NYC back in the spring.
The original tile in the foyer and kitchen. We believe it was installed in 1983.
After chipping out the white tile it took my sweetie and Terri 3 days to chisel all of the thinset off of the concrete floor. Then John began his installation of the new porcelain tile.
The new cabinets are maple. John installed them too!
We promise more photos as the apartment develops. Before she left Terri helped pick out furniture, lamps, accessories, etc. She has quite an eye!
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