August 8, 2008 - Our New Apartment -- Unpacked & Cluttered
So many of you commented on how big the new apartment is and how "clean" and "uncluttered" it is.
Was.
Now it's not so uncluttered or so big after we filled it with our things. But on the bright side, now it's "home" and not just an apartment. So it's all good.
First on the tour, the homeschool hallway. This is what you first see upon opening our front door.
I don't mind that our homeschool things are out in the open. I think it sets a good tone for our family. We are all about learning. And being in the middle of the house has turned out to be super convenient.
The office is just off to the left. See the map of North & South America? It's over there, behind the bookcases.
This is our view of the front door when we're sitting at the homeschool table. I'm using that little bit of top wall for hanging schoolwork.
Here's the dining room.
We cannot drink the tap water, so we buy these 5 gallon water bottles. They are delivered to our home within ten minutes of our call. Each one costs about $1.50. Worth every penny when the alternative is boiling all your water. I had the stand custom built for this particular spot. It's some sort of pressboard laminate, I guess. Not very fancy, but it's sturdy and very affordable.
The door to the right of the water machine leads to the squatty. But before the actual squatty is this room. Yep, that's my fancy washing machine. I love it. It heats the water so you can wash with warm water! That's quite a luxury here.
The living room.
The office-- my desk in particular.
The craft cabinet beside my desk.
The guest bedroom. We do have a guest right now.
Off of the guest bedroom is where we hang our laundry. Remember, we're on the second floor. So we use the balcony area for both drying clothes and for storage.
And I'm sure you're wondering how we get the clothes up there? Do we use the ladder? No. It's just there for storage. We use this nifty tool. You may have seen or used one in a clothing retailer.
You put the hanger (right below the hook part) into the grooves at the top of this tool and lift it up to the rack suspended from the ceiling. Sprite thinks this is great fun, so I try to enlist her help everytime I hang up and take down laundry.
These racks below are wonderful for unmentionables, dish towels, and socks.
I'll explore the kitchen for you in its own post. Until next time.
More from this Series on Our New Apartment #1 The Real Estate Agent, #2 The Complex, #3 The Inside, #4 Answers to Your Questions, #5 The Squatty Potty, #6 Unpacked and Cluttered, #7 The Kitchen.
Comments
August 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Alexandra
Hey, it *still* looks neat and uncluttered! ; ) I love the way you organize things, especially the homeschool area. I love the light from above in there, so cheerful. It looks as though you've got a skylight. Those book cases are fab as well. I am partial to light woods like pine and maple. I've been looking for some cases just like yours. Right now we have homemade ones from cheapy pine limber. They work, but someday I'd like something a little more esthetically pleasing.
We had to drink bottled water when I was a child. Mostly in Latin America, except Panama. They have safe tap water. I miss those stone floors and concrete buildings; they are so cooling in a hot climate. We need them here in S.E. Va. - it's so hot!
You've inspired me to go clean up our book shelves! LOL...they are a big cluttered mess with books and toys all jumbled together. My son has not figured out how to put his books away vertically.
http://happyheartsathome.blogspot.com/
August 8, 2008 - Neato!
Posted by deedeeuk
I still think it looks spacious! LOL! But I actually like it better now. It was a little too minimalistic for me before. Hehehe!
August 8, 2008 - Oh, Wow!
Posted by DreweLlyn
I LOVE your apartment!!! It has character and looks so inviting! (I wish I could come use your guest room some time!!!!)
August 8, 2008 - beautiful!
Posted by amada
Good work! You've been busy! Great job! I think it looks like a great fit for you guys. I didn't comment on your squatty/potty talk ;) but I am all TOO familiar with that kind of toilet. Although, I must say that since living in the big city I have seen VERY few. We're spoiled here. We can even get lots of imported foods now at our grocery store (it's even equipped with shopping carts!). How's your grocery shopping in the new place? Well, I just wanted to say that I LOVE my washing machine that heats the water too. I just plain LOVE my washer! Yours looks fancier than mine and lots bigger, but mine was the best I could find at the time I bought it - fully worth the investment, don't you agree? Maybe someday when my washer kicks the bucket, the stores here will have updated their stock to include something like your awesome piece of machinery!
Amy
Trujillo, Peru
August 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Robinlyn
Thanks for sharing all the pictures. It has been interesting to watch your apartment come to life. It looks so sweet and homey now. I am so glad that you have been able to get settled in somewhere and not to be traveling so much. I got quite a chuckle out of your Squidoo page on the squatty potty. Ha. I have been re-organizing our homeschool area and craft area and you have inspired me to keep at it. Those areas look so fresh and organized. I know it is possible!!
May you have a blessed day!
~Robin
August 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
LOL I feel like such a stalker!
Hey, the thingy holding the potholders... I love it! We have one like it but it's an octopus and holds all our wet swimsuits on the back patio. Handy-dandy-indeedy!
August 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
Your school room is incredible! I love meeting another crazy book lover. (uh, not that you're crazy...)
And I agree that keeping things in the open encourages learning.
emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
August 9, 2008 - Love your blog!
Posted by Anonymous
I stumbled across your blog last night and have looked at it about 10 times since then. Your lapbooks are beautiful! You inspired us to do a music one. I think we might study China a bit this year as well.
Tracie
August 9, 2008 - Love it!
Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi
It looks very homey.
Is that your purse hanging beside your craft cabinet? It's so cute. I want one!
August 10, 2008 - It's Great!
Posted by ichuzchrist
I love the apartment. You have it arranged so nicely. I love the idea of a drain in the kitchen & bathroom. Wish we had that here in our house!
August 10, 2008 - adorable!
Posted by keeperathome44
I just love the glimpses into your life...and your apartment!
Thank you for sharing. Can't wait to see the rest.
Are you near any of the olympics?
August 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by kimalita
What a cute place! Love the school room........
and woo hoo on that washing machine!!! Now everytime I look at one of those long poles with the hook on the end at a store, I'll think of you!!!
Thanks for letting us peek in on your life! Oh I love your table too.....very stylish!
