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Friday, July 17, 2009

Passing Muster and Moving In

That's the front of the building, just few doors up from Hoboken's favorite clam house. It's been painted, the interiors renovated, and this morning I met with the inspector to get approval on the condo on the first floor.
A neighbor told me that my apartment used to be occupied by a sweet old couple, who had outdoor furniture out here where they could sit every evening and greet neighbors passing by. It wouldn't take much to put a few plants, cover the garbage cans, put a chair or two or a bench, and set up shop as the neighborhood chatterbox, keeping an eye on the comings and goings.

I'm not moved in yet. But I confess that the kitchen was what won me over to the tiny, 625-sq.-ft. apartment. It may have once been a commercial venture, a little mom-and-pop storefront, but whoever did the renovation knew just what would appeal to me. The whole place centers on that kitchen, not overdone but brought completely up to date, with enough workspace, storage, and all the appliances I could use except maybe for a wine fridge and one of those spiffy new coffeemakers, both of which I can gift to myself as a moving-in present. I admit I've never been a fan of granite countertops, particularly the multicolored, mottled, and always dirty-looking kind, but these are black, and let's face it, you can whack meat with your meat mallet, open jars by slamming them top down (I once broke a jar that way, but never mind), and there are other uses for granite. I can get used to it. I can put a couple of stools at that counter and visitors will have a place to watch me at work.
It's a pleasant little place, with lots of natural light and access to a space in the back yard. Here we're looking out the front way, from the bedroom. The building inspector gave it high marks, so if all goes well I'll close before the end of next month and move in. Wait til you see it with my furniture in it!

14 comments:

italianconnie said...

Years ago, in the '50's, your condo was a candy store. A family of friends and schoolmates lived on the 1st floor above the store.

Many of our old friends grew up on Madison St., including John Amato's (Fiore's) wife, Josephine, who lived in 319. At least 10 of our old friends lived on that block, including my sister and her family who lived in 307. St. Francis Convent at 303 Madison St. housed the nuns who taught in St. Francis School around the corner on 3rd St. And, of course, Biggie's which is still there and going strong!!!

Thought you'd like some nostalgia. Wishing you good luck and happiness in your new home.

mr mop said...

well done ML..it looks great...home sweet home at last...baby come back.

yr sister said...

I hadn't realized what your building looks like, the kitchen photos looked like a big fancy condo, but actually it's just the sort of place where people sit outside (usually with little swans on the railings filled with petunias, and a "God Bless Our Home" stuck somewhere.)

It cries out for you to put a comfortable chair out there. I wonder if you could have an umbrella or some sort of awning for a little shade.

You can get flowerboxes & put on railings and also on ground, with vines, which will crawl all over railings and make it more green, also plants in containers, and get one of those hoses that attaches to sink & water from window if it's easier. If you want more green you can stick a taller trellis at narrow side of railings & the vines will screen that side & give shade. Or a little tree, but you have to bring those things in for winter, so don't want heavy pots.

I don't think you will have any trouble making a comfortable & inviting place to sit, maybe 2 chairs...iced tea...Tennessee whatever it was, that drink with ice tea and bourbon...O those were the days...

It looks like your bedroom faces the street & the little sitting area/garden? which is nice if not too noisy. Too bad you don't have your own door to walk right out.

It will be fun, you can get big tall bamboo in a pot, for screen and shade, & a couple of rocks & a severe umbrella and be japanese, or go italian with lots of swans and pots and vines & grow tomatoes & eggplant & a photo of the holy family stuck on the wall behind... or something more Martha Stewart with brocade pillows!

Mary Lois said...

It's nice to have a few suggestions, but this is getting ridiculous. At least I know my sister doesn't care if I really do any of the things she tells me to.

Anybody else want to chime in?

Hoboken Kid said...

Ya sista said, do this, do that, BUT isn't she in for a suprise ML...your gate will be the envy of the block ...can't wait to see the pictures.

Mary Lois said...

I'd be the most surprised if I were to do half of what she suggests. But it's nice to dream.

Irene said...

it is a great gate..and a great block for hanging out. wouldnt take much to get it ready. All ya really need is a chair....all set!

Mary Lois said...

I gotta admit I never heard the word gate used the way y'all (you guys) use it. I gotta lot to loin!

irene said...

my Mom even invented the word "Gate Sale" (or at least that's what she told me). about 35 years ago, she wanted to sell stuff and didnt have a garage or a yard....so...she had a "gate sale".

Unknown said...

Ya might as well go ALL Hoboken & get plastic vines. You wouldn't have to take them in during the cold. Then you could buy outrageously colored flowers...the kind God NEVER invented. Baby blue roses in summer. Lipstick red Pointsettia at Christmas. Must absolutely adhere to plastic.
Good luck, the photos are great. I tried to peek into your window this afternoon.

Hoboken Kid said...

Carolyn wants you to put--WHAT? fake flowers? Is she nuts> I forgot she's a downtown chick...uptown we used real flowers (if it were me) I would get two lions, like Sinatra's dad on his stoop on Hudson Street ...now that's classy...and it would scare away da PEEPING TOMATOES that were peeking in your window today. Also I would get a DUMMY, dress him up, sit him at da window...so it looks like somebody is always home...that's what I would do.

Mary Lois said...

Kid, I think Carolyn might have been pulling our leg. I'll think about lions and the scarecrow in the window as time goes by. Glad to see everybody is so interested. I'll let you know what I've done and why as soon as I own the place. It'll be weeks before I close the deal.

gigdog dad said...

hey you're getting more comments over here than I am. Maybe I should start writing about furniture and interior design.

Although you do seem to have a pretty good idea of what you're talking about. Is that a prerequisite for a blog?

Unknown said...

OMG!!! First, if you do lions, I will NEVER speak to you again and second the plastic flowers would be a pre-requiste to the lions.
Jeez, Slezak.....freakin' lions???