Men at Work

Street views Collage

As our apartment is on a corner we have windows on two sides. The advantage is a steady stream of light. On one corner is a bakery with a nineteen century hand painted glass ceiling. On the other corner Ton Ton, a neighborhood cafe that we frequent for drinks, it also serves lunch and dinner. Its speciality is tartares, it is packed out every evening. Hence, we rarely have meals there.

On the other corner is an Italian restaurant: Il Gallo Nero, that is delicious: Spinach pine nut pesto is one of my favorites.

Under our apartment is a well known butcher. Across the street there is a laundromat, a tailor, a handmade gift / dress shop, a bar, a bistro, a pharmacy, a couple of flower shops, several grocers, a fish monger, a post office, a puzzle maker, a key-smith, you might say our neighborhood is lively, authentic, hasn't changed much.

 

A room with a view paris

While the work is going on we are staying in a hotel, two minutes away by foot, from the apartment that has a view of a courtyard. A rarity in Paris. Though in the 14 eme, the area of Paris that the neighborhood we live in, there are plenty of side streets and court yards. 

Inexpensive, clean, unprentenious hotels: Under 90 dollars a night for two people.

We are staying at Hotel Pernety. 

 

Admiring paris

 

Admiring Paris.

Nannister asked me in the comment section:

"How do the neighbors deal with all this?"

On the ground floor there is a butcher, he doesn't mind. On the second floor the neighbor works during the day, so she doesn't mind. Above us the neighbor's are on vacation, so they don't mind. 

Annie asked me:

"What will you do about storage and closet space, Corey?" 

Good question. Armoires. Dressers. Cupboards. Hooks.

Pack light, live with less?

 

Preparing to hang a door

 

Preparing the stone wall to hang a door. The stone wall will be covered with plaster board. 

 

At work

 

Chiseling.

 

Without a shirt

The workers do not mind me taking photos.

They work while I take photos without them knowing of it most of the time.

 

 

Power in Paris

Such a hard job I have.

 

 

French Mason

 

Today I had to go find and buy flexible metal corner tape, because we ran out of it. I went to the neighborhood plumber shop where I bought a plastic pipe piece the other day, and asked him where I could find the tape. Amazingly, the flexible metal corner tape was at a painting/plastering shop next door. All within five minutes of the apartment.

 

Window in Paris

 

The man at the Painting/Plastering counter teased, "I love how you say flexible metal corner tape in French, your accent is charming." I said, "I can say it with a Marseillaise accent too?" He laughed out loud. Flirting in France is fun. 

Taking photos is even more fun.

 

As soon as I can figure out how to show the floor plan I will show it. If you have any questions regarding the project I will try my best to answer them.

 

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Comments

23 responses to “Men at Work”

  1. What a dream you have living in France speaking French and flirting with the local french men Ahhhhhhhh

  2. Jeannie

    A word of advice: My husband and I were helping our neighbor remodel and paint his house. His wife was a member of “I don’t want to break a (finger)nail” crowd. We were running out of paint and roofing nails. She volunteered to go get them. She had a list and the address to the shop that is 1/2 mile away. Four hours later she arrived with the needed supplies. Angry workmen? OMG! The guys were so angry they were seeing red.
    The moral of the story – when the workmen need supplies, pick the most direct route! 🙂

  3. It is amazing to me that so many diverse small shops (for plumbing and such) are within such a short distance from you apartment–wonderful!
    Absolutely love the ironwork in the last photo. Thank you so much for all the details you are sharing.

  4. Diogenes

    I vote for an armoire for clothes. It will be used for what it was intended for. With flat screen TVs, no one uses them to hide a deep TV screen anymore, and they almost give them away here. And many of them are beautiful.
    The restaurants in your “hood” sound amazing.

  5. Peggy R

    How do you say ‘flexible metal corner tape’ en français? I’m sure my attempt would simply be in franglais. Loving these posts!

  6. bears879@aol.com

    I love the Parisian neighborhoods, each with its butchers, bakeries, and plumbing supply people (?) It is one of the many things that makes Paris so charming. I am so envious of your adventure. Can’t wait to see how it all comes out.

  7. Sounds charming in the midst of the chisels and pounding. The male body views make for an interesting day. Everything is right there, two doors this way or that way. How exciting it is to watch . . .

  8. You are learning so much about remodeling an old building. And all with a view!

  9. Another reason to love Paris . . . Half naked construction dudes. YES, now I definitely want to rehab an apartment there. Hehe

  10. Why are the builders not wearing t shirts? Is one flimsy cotton t shirt or tank top that much hotter to wear…
    I think they are topless because they think it’s more manly to build construction w/o a shirt on!

  11. Linda C.

    I am watching these renovating posts with great interest. I think tradesmen working on Parisien apartments must be the most skilled, flexible and innovative of their kind. I don’t think it would be easy at all working within the confines of the space, and, regulations re old buildings. I think you and Yan are lucky to have a such a team of workers.

  12. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Wow I’m really getting jazzed about your apt reading the daily reports! Do u still plan to rent it out to travelers such as your bloggers? I’m ready to make a reservation!
    Franco!

  13. Kathleen (OR)

    I love how you seem to be settling in, claiming this is the neighborhood where you live, not just a rental property. You seem to love getting reacquainted with Paris, and it seems you are experiencing more joy this time around (at least from what I gleaned from previous post you have written about living in Paris).
    Can’t wait to see the finished apartment.

  14. Your neighborhood is amazing, Corey. Staying there will be like living in a village within a city.

  15. christine

    You make hard work sound such fun Corey, I could do with you around here at the moment !! Btw, thank you so much for the rental info – our plans have changed due various reasons ( in particular the influence this hot weather is having on the vineyards ), but one day I’ll make it to meet you !! Love those muscly men 😉 xx

  16. Adore seeing how the apt is coming along. Can’t wait to see the finish product. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

  17. Rebecca from the pacific northwest

    No gloves while chiselling! And his fingers look intact too. Surprising/ impressive.
    What does French Husband (I know, Yann; I just like the nickname) do during the day: his usual daily work to bring in money to pay for this construction? I recall seeing him pictured in construction on day, early on.
    Just love all the individual shops within a stone’s throw. Or a walk, for the most part. I’d love that arrangement.

  18. YOU are doing a great job at picture taking!KEEP GOING!The neighborhood is adorable……..everything one could possible want within walking distance!KEEP THE PHOTOS A COMING!!!!!!!!
    XXX

  19. What a wonderful adventure…Can’t wait till the next group of photos, and the rest of the “story” It is so romantic!!!!

  20. Kathie B

    Will the armoire have hangers? Those of us who travel very light (just carry-on luggage) will have badly wrinkled clothes that will need the benefits of gravity to smooth them out.
    BTW, does the building have an elevator, to accommodate those unable to climb multiple flights of stairs easily? I’ve seen no mention of one thus far, although I can imagine that all that dusty, dirty stuff you’ve been hauling in/out wouldn’t be appreciated in a people-elevator.
    Also, last night I saw the weather forecast for Paris — hot Hot HOT. Not that it hasn’t insufferably hot/muggy here in the Eastern US all week (gasp!).

  21. Have you thought about turning your Men at Work photos into a calendar? I would buy them for gifts (and one for me of course). I think my friends would get a kick out of them. You could donate the proceeds to some neighborhood charity, or maybe there is a home somewhere for construction workers en retrait.

  22. This sounds very intriguing! A perfect first time visit to France, the Apartment would be pivotal to so many aspects, you could arrange visits to everywhere around it, a capsule of France!

  23. opps, looks like gold wedding bands on the shirtless guys, well as they say, we never go blind! ha ha ha

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