Bits about Renovating: The Fun Part

Renovating Paris Apartment

We came back to Paris to do the details and decorating in our apartment. But first we had to clean it. Dust, wash windows, dust, wash the floors, dust, touch up paint…dust. Our good friends Vlad and Denise, took a day off from their holiday in Paris to help us. What generous friends indeed. Denise added a hem to the shower curtain, she knows I know how to sew, but don't like doing it. After Denise whipped the hem into place she sprang up the ladder, and sang as she shined-up the crystals. 

Where does she come from?

 

 

Renovating the paris apartment- hanging frames

 

Vlad and Yann added twenty hooks for the Paris map. They calculated, and recalculated and laughed and joked. At times I wondered why they were having so much fun? If I were the one helping Yann… it would not have been such a joyous occassion.

 

French antique table

 

Back in March my Belle-Mere and I painted some furniture for the apartment. At last I was able to put one of the tables into place. It is in the entrance and fits under the window. 

 

Paris apartment

An overview of the main room.

On the left of our friend Vlad is the kitchen.

On the left of the table is the bathroom.

Our friend is heading in the direction of the entrance and bedroom.

On the wall behind him we hope to find an armoire.

 

Antiquing a chair.

 

One of a pair of 1800s Provencal chairs that I painted.

 

French antique Paris map

 

The Paris map in twenty frames.

Twenty frames. 

One by one.

It was thrilling to see it becaming a reality. 

 

Paris map antique

Done…

well one wall that is.

 

Sacha and vlad

Sacha came over and talked physics with Vlad over a paint bucket.

 

Friends came to help

Chelsea came over after work. 

It had been since April that we hadn't all been together as one.

I lapped up every minute.

I noticed Chelsea had a shirt pof mine on… I don't know about you, but when my daughter wears my clothes they become her clothes, because after I see her in them, they never look the same on me.

 

French antique headboard painted black

This is where I am going to sleep, oh a real bed in our apartment!

Sweet Dreams!

 

 



Comments

35 responses to “Bits about Renovating: The Fun Part”

  1. Yay for friends who help!
    Things are really looking up. Thanks for the sneak peek.
    Wishing you a Wonderful weekend. 🙂

  2. The chandelier looks magnifique! Thank goodness for wonderful friends who help and make you laugh.
    Bonne nuit, dormir serré, ne laissez pas les punaises piquent

  3. It is gorgeous!
    Love the maps, the bed, the everything.
    Love that friends sing when they help you.

  4. Looks just wonderful. I love the Paris map wall, the bed, the chandelier, the table, the chairs….

  5. sweet dreams sweet corey…it all looks a dream! A WONDERFULLY BEAUTIFUL DREAM COME TRUE!

  6. Everything looks so good. I truly wish I, we, my husband and I could be there to help. My husband is just like FH – I decide to hang pictures, etc, and walk around with hammer & brad. Sometimes the result is good. Sometimes not, thank goodness he is always behind me to fix. Oh, my poor walls.
    You have done an absolute fabulous job . . . the apt looks dreamy. So sleep, and please keep sharing. Your positive spirit is a blessing in my life.

  7. It is becoming! So gorgeous.

  8. Fabulous to witness the finishing touches phase and to see family and friends all together in this beautiful new space created in Paris!

  9. WOW, fantastic, I have used that same color paint you choose in my rental bungalow…..love the window treatments, the painted 1800’s chair pic., love love love it…….the headboard is devine….and chrispy sheets, yummie ~ so much fun watching this and those maps, oh la la I love that look so much ~ XO

  10. Oh, it looks absolutely gorgeous Corey! I absolutely love the map of Paris! Was the map one large one and then you divided it? It is fabulous!

  11. Teresa Young

    I can just hear Denise singing now! You are doing a spectacular job on the place.

  12. Shelley Noble

    Simplement sensationnel ! ohlala~

  13. I love the detail on the Provencal chair. And the map in sections is fabulous! Looks like you are all having fun and that’s the way life should be!

  14. 24/7 in France

    Especially love the map wall – everything looks lovely!

  15. Looking superbe Corey!

  16. It’s going to be wonderful. I would love to stay in it if I can get to Paris next year. Lyn

  17. So beautiful!
    I covet that map!

  18. It sounds like a weekend that will be remembered. i can hear the laughter, the singing and the tinkling of the prisms while being cleaned. your photos evoke such liveliness ,i want to be there too! and i love the decor and furniture you have chosen. who wouldn’t have a great nights sleep in the bed, it looks wonderfully comfortable. so glad Sacha and Chelsea were in the pics too! xox jody in florida

  19. So much fun!!
    Is Vlad short for Vladimir? (Is he Czech? A Czech-Canadian physicist?)
    The map of Paris looks amazing; would love to see it in situ.
    All the peeks and glimpses look so enticing… oh that bed! Are those antique French linens? (Can you use antique French linens to make a duvet cover for a king size duvet, I wonder…?)
    What joy to have family and friends all around!

  20. Oh, I would be signing too, if I were in that apartment. So beautiful and coming together nicely.

  21. I meant singing…I shouldn’t comment before coffee.

  22. Amylia Grace Yeaman

    What wonderful friends, kids, and living space! Oh how blessed I feel to be one of the very lucky ones to have won a stay there! I am so excited I can’t even tell you! It looks so wonderful!!!

  23. Love everything about this post!

  24. You’re right, it DOES become more fun the close you get to finishing, because with each step the apartment starts to look more like the way it’ll finally be. Bonne chance!

  25. Country French Judi

    OK Suzanna save me a hunt. I love the paint color so tell me what it is please?

  26. That map of Paris is killing me, Corey. KILLING ME. Seriously to die for. And how lovely that you and Yann finally can spend the night in the apartment after all your hard work. Blessings to you both!

  27. That map is amazing. What vision you must have to have pictured it there in your apartment. It looks like a lovely refuge in Paris, or a launching pad for the excitement of Paris.

  28. La Contessa

    It is looking GORGEOUS!When does the chandelier on the broom come back?

  29. Brenda, Walker, LA

    The maps are a Gorgeous find for this apartment….comfy bed….watch out! You may want to live there and rent your other place!!

  30. Love the bed.. beautiful.

  31. sandy austin

    Love Love Love…It’s all about family and friends!

  32. Trés jolie, Corey! Looking forward to more and more reveal!

  33. I adore it!! So beautiful everything.

  34. Looks great Corey, I ‘specially like the chairs you painted…… beautiful detailing!!

  35. Patti Lloyd

    the colors are so my colors

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