apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

It's Ursula! What a treat!

My, she's adorable.
Glad I'm not alone in these wee dark hours before the world stirs. I was up at 5:15 am local time--and I am here to report that I have a coat of primer on the last project of the cure. Well, OK, they're shelves, and as I've only one side done, I haven't technically got the primer all the way on, but I've started the end, and that's what counts.

As this cure involved a lot of painting, many days were like this: get the first coat on early in the morning, the second in the evening. I have to say I'm mighty sick of my painting T-shirt!

Egads, is that Ursula cute. My kid is fifteen months old and I am just loving the blossoming personality as he can do more and more and more. Unfortunately because he can do more, I feel like I can do less. But I am proud of myself for what I have accomplished on this cure. My Outbox was nice and full and I got rid of a bunch of stuff. I helped my husband learn how to separate himself from things he thought he was attached to but were dragging us down into the morass. Bit by bit we're getting it together.

Cute baby

I agree with all of you, she is really cute.

I woke up early this morning just to make sur I have enough time to clean once more and go to the market to get what I need for tonight (couldn't do it yesterday). I took the time to look at my clean kitchen cabinets and counters and it reminded me that my life is easier now that I don't have all that clutter in my way... and it felt GREAT!

As for tonight, I'm having a wine and cheese party with a few friends. I am about to go buy wines, cheeses, baguettes, fresh olives, pesto and dark chocolates (to go with the porto).

I can't wait to show all I've done and hear the comments of the people who know how it was before.

Have a nice end of cure everyone,

What a cutie!

The multi-city Cure form was absolutely worth trying, regardless of whether you tweak it or abandon it. It's part of the larger question of whether the regional AT sites help form regional design communities or are just large gangs of people who want coverage of our local shops or what.

Hallooo Ursula! I got up bright and early to make my final trip to Ikea to return some things I didn't wind up using in the Cure. Now that my apartmentis so pared down, I found that I really don't want anything else hanging around unless I'm using it! My outbox is FINALLY empty - I had a wardrobe that was waiting to be picked up and now with that gone I am SO enjoying my apartment! I am going to take pics to post b/c I still can't believe it.

As for the rest of the day, will finish shopping for the big breakfast with the family here tomorrow and cleaning... that's it. Though, I have to admit, laying on my couch with my cat is a lot more appealing than cleaning, moving, painting, staining, fixing or building one more thing - the Cure has tuckered me out!

Miss Ursula has such BLUE eyes! The sheepskin could make a nice warm place for her to play on the floor. Maxwell, I didn't think you did impulse buys!

I want to babysit tonight! She's growing up so fast.

I love the approach you're taking in today's psot. Maxwell. A Day in the life of a cured apartment and a party!

I just scored a beautiful vintage curtain panel with the colours I'd been playing around with all summer--orange, green and yellow. I discovered from the curtain they look best with a grey, black and white.

Now, if I can only find curtain rings which take pleat prongs! I've looked in fabric shops, the Big Box stores, Ikea, even a department store...everything is a ring with clip. I don't know where to look anymore.

Great psot indeed, atmospheric pictures, and what a lovely New Yorky market. Thanks for the inspiration, Max! You rock!

Woke up this morning, put a pull on my entertainment nook door.

Went to storage to find a few things we could pull out and bring home.

Now I'm at work again.

Love the pictures of the market. New York is such a cool place. I've always wanted to live there. Maybe in another lifetime.

I hope you have an enjoyable meal.

I wonder if that particular farm ships their sheepskins? We've been wanting one to use as a dog bed.

Hi Maxwell. Can you please tell me about your kitchen. Im in the beginning stages of kitchen renovation and love the color of your cabinents. I also love how your dishes are at your fingertips. If you could tell me any details about your kitchen I would be much appreciative!! Thanks!!

bohinks,

All posts containing information on Maxwell's whole apartment, including the custom cabinets, can be found in the Archives section under the title 9 Month Cure.

I, too, love the day in the life thing. It makes blogs so relevant.
MM

Ursula is such a sweetheart!!! (Yes, that definitely deserved three exclamation points.)

The food looks fantastic, and so does that market. Oh to have access to all those incredible tomatoes...

(and I find myself coveting your red chairs. I love any color as long as it's red.)

If you haven't seen Chicago's Week* Before and after slideshow yet, you simply must!
I'll make it easy for you:
http://chicago.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/at-book/fall-cure-week-eight-before-and-after-035534#comments

Congrats everyone!

ahem, that should say,

"Chicago's Week 8 before and after....

Although I'm officially a part of the Chicago Cure, not the New York, I wanted to let y'all know that my Before and After Slideshow is now available, and you're all invited to drop in and see it. Although I didn't get everything done that I had wanted to get done, putting together the slideshow illustrated to me that I did accomplish quite a lot. Celebrate with me!

http://flickr.com/photos/84796198@N00/sets/72157602892117506/

This may be off topic, but what is your freezer situation? We have a similar setup with a half fridge and are looking to have more freezer space (And if you know where the link is to the rest of the apartment photos......).

Refering to the very top picture: I would very much like to know how the sliding doors (are they?) to the bathroom are installed. I've been trying to figure out the same contraption for my own tiny bathroom!

Paulinet: go to the archives and look up "Nine Month Cure." That's where MGR disusses everything. As well, you might want to look for their House Tour to see their place all at once--and there's more info. Those sliding doors are actually made of felt, and I don't believe they slide at all--though you could do something, I bet, with Ikea's rail system.
Good luck.

PS: Did anyone else forget about switching the clocks back this morning? We showed up to Church early this morning--and so wasted our chance to sleep in.

We're taking our final photos right now. I'm so excited to show everyone! The study looks like a completely different room, and the kitchen has perked up nicely.

Oh my goodness, she's beautiful!

I think you duplicated my favorite way to spend a Saturday morning. I love making my way to the Farmer's Market by 9am and get such a thrill when I am able to prepare the entire meal with my findings. That man and his father at Elk Farms rock! Everything I have ever purchased from them has been amazing, I especially love the stew meats.

The place looks great. The colors are inspiring.

Hey, I wanted to let you all know about Wardrobe Therapy.

Wende in phoenix is translating MGR's concept to the wardrobes of the fit and fashion challenged everywhere.

We're into week two already--but week one can be done quite quickly. Here's a link to her blog: http://anotherdayanothercure.blogspot.com/

I bought the Apple Airport Extreme router today and made big strides in clearing up the wire clutter. It's wonderful to only have the power cord to tether me, even in this small space! It was a post on AT that helped me decide which router to get, I'm already very happy with it -- it works with my Macbook Pro computer and HP printer right away.

I also signed up for ebills and online bill pay for all my bills -- that should help the paper clutter.

Well, a breaker has blown a fuse and that means more than half the house is in the dark. Hopefully we have someone coming to help us replace the fuse. (Wiring is ancient. We are NOT tackling it ourselves.)
It's put a bit of a crimp in finalizing the Cure....but I will post pictures as soon as I have enough light to take them!

Looks like all that work on the lamp was worth it. Lovely.

Art said:

"Woke up this morning, put a pull on my entertainment nook door."

Art, I thought you were about to sing a Blues song.

When is the final post going up? I'm still clearing away dust and DIY junk ready to take my final pics. I have learned how to use my camera properly this week (well, I read the instruction manual) so hopefully I'll be able to get some half-decent shots.

Maxwell,

I've looked through other posts from the Cure, trying to find a source for your lovely round dining table. I haven't had any luck. Can you tell me more about this piece? It seems just about right for my new apartment. Thank you.

i am finalizing for tomorrow night's party!! i think i am ready. just some final touches.

i will post some pics tonight, i hope!

i love the fellow from Elk Trails meats.

help!

(again, I know, but I'm a-l-m-o-s-t done.) I need some advice about what to do with the base of this table.

http://prairiehometherapy.blogspot.com/

Thanks.

I've taken some pics of my kitchen and created a before and after set. The only time I had to do it was this evening, so it's all under artifical light, but I think they came out OK:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/zooza/sets/72157594565099286/

It's not finished yet, but I'm almost there. I can't begin to explain how thoroughly sick I am of DIY...

I'll try and get some photos of the changes in the sitting room, too.

my photos are up!!

and i am ready for the party.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9566101@N06/sets/72157601935270229/

i have to admit that my bedroom didn't make the cut, but i plan on making it next weekends project.

I'll be taking photos tomorrow. Our party is on Saturday night, and I'll have photos then too. It'll be more of a party party and less of a sit down and eat party, although there will be plenty of food available. :)

I will *hopefully* be posting some "after" pictures in the comment section of the next post. I'm trying my hardest to be done with everything by next weekend. And then I think... will I ever really be "done?" I'm really enjoying the fact that decorating and curing this apartment has taken on such a organic, long term aspect for me! It seems like I look for something or a solution to a problem for days and get end up getting really frustrated. Then, out of no where the solution is right in front of my face or Voila, I'm able to find the perfect lamps I've been looking for for 4 weeks. I think this is why it has taken me so long (It takes me a long time to decide on most things!) but as long as I'm having fun, why not?

I was going to do a final pick-up/finish-up last night and today before posting picture, but alas, I have come down with a terrible cold, and all I want to do is snuggle up in bed with a hot cup of tea and my box of tissues. I'm working at an elementary school this year, and I predict that this will be the first of many many colds this winter - little kids just seem to be havens for germs...(Did get my flu shot, so hopefully it'll JUST be colds). Anyway, depending on how I'm feeling this weekend, pictures may go up later...
I had some friends stay with me last weekend, and they pronounced my aparment "so cute!" Which wasn't totally what I was going for, but I think "cute" is the full extent of their design vocabulary, so I'll take it as a good thing!

Rosie--I'm sure that when you get your pictures posted, the comments will be a bit more varied than "cute." Rest up.

AmanadaC--I'm glad for you--not that you get frustrated--but it seems a switch in your brain has been flipped and you're more concious about your surroundings. Good for you.