What I want if I’d buy a house #2

January 25th, 2011

In Switzerland the rental apartments already are equipped with kitchens. Unlike in Germany. In Germany the people buy their kitchens by themselves and move with them from apartment to apartment. If the kitchen fits in the room. I like to browse real estates websites just to get some inside views in apartments even if I’m not planning to move. This way I get not only a peek into the rooms I also can see how the flats in my neighborhood look from inside. I give special attention to kitchens when doing this because besides the bathroom the kitchen enjoys the same importance for me. There are many apartments which still are equipped with old and worn kitchens. But that doesn’t show in the rent. Striking is also that many homes have installed the same type . As well as mine. I wouldn’t bother to move and to get the same model. It’s timeless and nice to look at. But what I don’t like in general are many cabinets. It looks  overloaded. Often the room seems vanishingly small. But what would I want if I’d buy a house? Probably I would be swamped about the huge selection. And therefore needed time to learn what would be important for me. But one thing I already do know. I don’t want a room which is filled with cabinets over cabinets. It would kill me. Nothing against cabinets. But the standard cupboard really can be boring. So what could be a solution? Sufficient storage space, maybe a little color but no standard? Right, it’s the refrigerator! Well, of course not for holding the cups but for the fresh food. If I’d buy a house I would buy a Smeg refrigerator.

desire to inspire, French by DesignDenise At Home,

Dialogue #11

December 27th, 2010

Three Wise Monkeys

S: I’ve read in a forum that women want to change their men. Am I one of these women? Am I trying to change you?

H: Nooo, not you..

S: Sometimes, I think sometimes.. You must defend yourself if I was exaggerating!

H: Do I have to?

S: They say the man would loose his appeal. I don’t want you to loose your attraction. That’s why you must stay strong.

H: But I answer back. Don’t I?

S: Do you?

H: I never switch off the bathroom light even though you hate this behavior!

What I want if I’d buy a house #1

December 20th, 2010

First question in my first post of a series: why on earth should I buy a house? The answer to this question is not that simple. I remember 15 years ago when friends and family members started doing the same. They married, bought a house and, of course what else, became parents. Without exception they did all the same. Well, there was one exception. Me! Neither did I get married, didn’t buy a house nor did I become a mother. But the situation brought up one essential question. What is wrong with me? It took me quite a long time until I knew only because I don’t have the same needs doesn’t mean something is wrong with me. So it came that I went my very own way without a man, from whom I couldn’t think of the future father of my children. And I didn’t want to live in a house, having a family, but being emotionally very unhappy. And today? What has changed? The people around me started again buying houses! But compared to the past these people are not that young any more. They have worked many years. They have saved their money and now they want to settle down. And what about me? I’m still on my very own way. But I’m not alone anymore. I’m in love with a man who accompanies me on my journey. And in return he takes me on his’. And I think here can be found the answer to the question ‘why on earth should I buy a house’. Because I feel emotionally happy.

But before I’ll buy a house I want to live out step one. Dreaming. I want to dream about things like how should it look like? What kitchen would I like to have? What color should have the bathroom tiles? What about the floor? Wood or stone? Oh boy, so many questions. Since I’m not that much interested in heating systems, isolation and stuff like that I’m going to start with the interior decoration.

I’m totally in love with lamps. And that’s why the first thing I want is a lamp. What else! Since in the phase of dreaming money doesn’t matter I want a lamp by Lindsey Adelman Studio! They produce stunning lamps. All handmade by themselves. No mass products.

This week #1

December 11th, 2010

Three Wise Monkeys

This week I enjoyed watching the movie The  Switch. It’s not only that Jennifer Aniston plays wonderfully out the stigma she got from some people because her husband left her and got a bunch of kids with another woman. It’s also the great acting of Jason Bateman, who plays a sweet and loving guy who reminds me sometimes on my own super cute man. “These ice creams are for the living room. One of the children got a milk allergy. But I have no idea which one”, says Aniston as the female main character at the end of the movie. An end, funny and amusing like the whole movie.

Worth reading, even worth reading a second time is the story The Scold’s Bridle written by Minette Walters. Yesterday I finished the excellent written criminal novel which is about a elderly brutally murdered woman. I read this book a second time because I couldn’t remember the murder. The author created different individuals which you follow deeper and deeper in their desperate lives. Lives, you don’t want to be part of it I can assure.

Next, as I decided a couple of days ago, I want to read Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama – by Daniel Goleman. The question “How can we overcome them” sounds too promising to me.

Dialogue #10

November 27th, 2010

Three Wise Monkeys

It is a magnificent piece of furniture. Tenderly she touches the beautiful crafted wood. She wants to own this fine furniture but knows well he wouldn’t help her. She can almost hear him saying that they do not need any further furniture. But if she wants it she has to organize the transport to the fourth floor because he wouldn’t help her. Except she would pay him. And this wouldn’t be cheap. Since this is out of discussion for her she returns a third time to the thrift store. The furniture is still there. It seems to wait for her. It’s her intention to negotiate with the store manager. He is a nice gay. Attractive too. Maybe in her age. She likes self-sufficient and unobtrusive people. Presumably he would make her a good price including the transportation. But when she stands there starring at the cabinet she just keeps starring and rethinks her approach. She won’t negotiate. Because she needs his blessing. Only if he says she should buy the furniture and he will help her carrying it feels right. Anything else would be funny and wouldn’t feel right. And finally, he must also live with the furniture. And indeed, he goes with her the following Saturday to the store.

H: Mmh..

S: Sigh..

H: Nice wood..

S: The quality, it’s just.. sigh..

H: Lots of drawers..

S: You like drawers..

H: It’s big!

S: Room enough for all our laundry!

H: Mmh..

S: Well, it’s really big.

H: It is. But if you want it you can have it. And I will help you!

S: Really? You make  me so happy with this!

H: I like this furniture too.

S: You know what? I’m fine the way it is. I don’t need this cabinet. The very fact I could have had it makes me very happy.

Dialogue #9

November 9th, 2010

Three Wise Monkeys

S: I don’t like anymore our book case. I’m sick of it. And somehow it doesn’t fit here. What do you think?

H: I think it sounds like hard work. Reason enough to change anything.

S: You’re the man in the house. It’s your job to carry heavy objects.

H: In principle I don’t carry heavy objects.

S: You would do it for me.

H: What are you doing for me?

S: I always make your coffee.

H: If so I’d like some coffee.

S: Right now I’m not in the mood to make coffee.