Small Apartment Decorating--Washington Heights

Moving in a blizzard is quite the experience.  That is how we spent last weekend--moving our daughter from the financial district in New York to Washington Heights.  I know what you are thinking, but the rent is much cheaper, and they actually have a slightly bigger apartment.

Parking was a nightmare--especially since the forecast was snow.  We were driving a SUV, which made it worse, but we somehow managed, even though the pocketbook was a lot lighter when we got home.

Thought I would share some of pictures of her apartment.  We had fun decorating, and enjoyed being together.

We just threw everything in because of the snow and cold, and it was difficult to get around.  But we were on a mission to get everything put away and organized.  Luckily, work and activities were cancelled, so we just stayed in and got it all done!

After, the apartment turned out pretty cute.  Using most of the furniture that was in her old apartment, we made it work.  The floors were really pretty!

Using her Marilyn Monroe pictures, we did a collage on the side wall on a diagonal.  The window wall was painted a dark charcoal gray and was a great accent to the room.  The door you see leads to her bedroom. If you are wondering why there are no candles in the sconces, it is because the one on the other side was over a radiator and it kept melting.  I am sending battery operated plastic taper candles for these!

We again used her bar table, club chairs, and media center from the old apartment.  To see the decor from apartment one, click here.

TV, side chair, and coat rack.  Unfortunately, this was the only place we could find to put the coat rack, but it was really ok.

We brought them this recliner from home.  The Marilyn, Bacall, and Bogart picture is above the recliner.

We found a spot for a small bistro table and two chairs in the kitchen.

I found this set at my local Tuesday Morning.  Love that store!

Since there isn't a lot of counter space, we put her cute little red table in the kitchen, and turned it into a coffee bar.

All set up to grab a cup of joe on busy mornings.

Kitchen was nice, except there was no drawer.  So we purchased a flatware caddy and set it on the counter with the toaster oven and the all-important Nutri-bullet.  

We painted the bedroom a soft gray, Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers.  It looked great with the soft pinks, ivorys, blacks, and whites we used in the room.

Comfy bed!

The space in the bedroom was tight, as you can see, but it is functional, and looks nice.

From another angle--she uses this old sewing machine table as a vanity/desk.

We hung the "South" sign above the dresser, as a reminder!

This is what you see when you first enter the apartment.  To the immediate right, is the roommate's bedroom.  Down the hall is the bathroom, and two closets, then the kitchen, living room, and the back bedroom.  Not a bad setup!

Thanks for stopping by!  To read more on our moving adventure, visit www.seeingstarsinmyeyes.blogspot.com!

Christmas Breakfast Setting

Now that Christmas has come and gone, I have more time to play.  Lots of time.  More time than I want or need.  The kids have gone, the hubby's hunting, and I'm hanging out with my little buddy, Scout.  But enough of the January blues, I'll have plenty of time for that, let's get these Christmas pictures out before Easter gets here.

We did not host a Christmas party this year.  I have to say, I felt a lot less stress, even though I enjoy seeing my friends and it's my little way of saying Merry Christmas to them.  Instead we had a few people over at different times and that way, I was able to spend more time visiting with them individually.  We did have Christmas Eve dinner with my brother-in-law and the kids, Christmas breakfast which included my brother and niece, and a family get-together Christmas night, with about 30 of my cousins.  It was an enjoyable time, especially the one-on-one times I had with my kids.  Since I don't get to see them as much now, I like to be able to focus on them when they do get home.

Below are pictures of the Christmas breakfast table in the kitchen.

Last year I used antler candelabras from Pottery Barn, but I found these silver ones at Tuesday Morning and had to bring them home.

I used woodland themed plates that most people use at Thanksgiving, paired with a paisley runner and napkins from Pottery Barn.

Down the center of the table, I used greenery decorated with bittersweet, feathers, and iced stick thingeys.

Grapes, pinecones and gilded fruit were also used here and there, as well as small clear ornament balls.

I hung greenery, icicles, and glass ornaments from my chandelier.

In the center, I used my bowl which is on a silver stem and has silver arms which hold candles.  I hung greenery from it and placed a large glass red ornament in the bowl.

Lots of red tapers were used.

I like using this set of glasses for breakfast because they feel substantial and they are just the right size for juice and water or milk.  We had coffee earlier in the morning.

This sherbet is the perfect size for yogurt parfait.

A close-up of the centerpiece and the red tapers.

We eat pretty unhealthy Christmas morning, but hey it's just once a year.  Our menu consisted of fried oysters, sausage, bacon, monkey bread, biscuits, Breakfast Before Casserole and yogurt parfait.  I actually didn't feel so great after eating all that!

The red chargers with a little bling worked well with the red votive holders.

I try to put something on the small table outside, because the sliding door is right in view from the table.

My little buddy, Scout, before he got his Christmas haircut.

Hope your Christmas was special!  Thanks for visiting me today, look forward to seeing what you've been up to!--Betsy

A Setting for the Fourth

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.--John F. Kennedy, January 20, 1961

So, I know I have not tablescaped in a while.  But I put together a little fourth of July 'scape inside--mainly because Arthur is supposed to be paying us a visit later this evening, tonight, and tomorrow morning.  I will move this party outside tomorrow afternoon, but for now, we are getting in the spirit of things, and waiting for our daughter to arrive from New York.  We are having a little cookout tomorrow evening, nothing big, just another couple and the three of us.  So without further ado, here goes!

 

I found this cute little centerpiece bowl and candleholder at an estate sale.  It was in rough shape, so I sanded it a bit, and painted it white.  Love it now!

Plates are Ralph Lauren, and charger is from Tuesday morning.  

Can't remember where I purchased the napkin rings, probably Tuesday morning as well.

Used my bandana glasses and cobalt blue wines.

The 15" candles give the table some heighth and drama--

For the centerpiece arrangement, I used knock-out roses, white carnations, and those little blue flowers out of my yard (don't know their name).  I also used Camellia greenery, which I love using in arrangements because the stems are substantial.

Had to add little pails of fireworks and lots of red, white, and blue votives.

 I added red and blue toothpicks to small vases of white carnations.

America is best described by one word-freedom.--Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 9, 1958

Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.--Francis Scott Key

I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death.--Patrick Henry

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.--Pledge of Allegiance

One last one, 

May I never wake up from the American dream.--Carrie Latet

Happy Fourth!!