Friday, June 22, 2012

FINISHED PRODUCT

...tile job complete...
 ...instead of using the typical brick or subway tile pattern we chose to have the tiles laid 'staggered' i.e. subsequent rows were offset by 1/3 the length of the previous row.  Love the results...


...also love how the contractor followed the curve of the railing - meant more cutting but much better orientation...
...time to make our outside sparkle...

...even our aging bistro set was given a face-lift...colour choice - 'paprika' - to add a splash...



 ...cart for our little WoodFlame BBQ...

...my herb garden...

 ...this year's balcony 'gift' - 3 aged zinc lanterns - we have 3 pillar candles - battery operated - on timers, that give us 5 hours of candle light in the evening...

...another 'gift' for outdoor living was this table-top terrazzo fire bowl - great for evening ambiance...

 ...our 3 year-round cedars...
 ...2 more globe cedars to flank our storage unit...



...let the summer dining begin...

...appetizer of crispy grilled scallops...

 ...grilled steak, green salad with fresh herbs, grilled tomatoes & eggplant with goat cheese & basil chiffonade...
 
 ...chicken, shrimp & beef brochette with shaved Brussels sprout salad with bacon, orange & Parmesan dressing...

...and what would a hot sunny day outdoors be without a refreshing drink...

Friday, June 15, 2012

TIME TO MOVE IT OUTDOORS


Since buying our little condo almost eight years ago (where has the time gone?), we have renovated all but two areas.  What remains of the original space - our little salle d'eau (powder room) and the balcony, our outdoor room. These spaces were projected to be finished long ago but so many other efforts, trips etc. have pushed them to the background. 


This is a fairly large space - just under 300 square feet -  with a great panoramic view - a place we spend a lot of time in from early spring until late fall.

We have over the years collected our balcony furnishings bit by bit but the one remaining issue was to find a suitable flooring having put up with old dusty bare concrete for several years. A few years ago we removed the green outdoor carpet from the balcony floor (no longer allowed because of the damage it causes to the concrete). 

The balcony ceiling has now been painted (long overdo) on all 64 units of our building giving a nice fresh finish. 

From the beginning there has also been a conflict of opinions (although very minor) about what we would like to see on the floor.  Francois saw the more traditional look of tile.  I saw sleek polished concrete (resurfacing and sealer required), a more modern industrial esthetic. 


...sigh...

Life as a couple is always a series of compromises (I guess you can see where this is going). I am very pleased though to say that although 'we' chose tile it is a choice that I really like.
12" x 24"  ivory porcelain

Having made the choice we now had to decide who was to do the job. Francois, my perfectionist, is quite capable of laying tiles himself but at what cost - both time and materials.  The best option in the end was to hire a reputable contractor.  Quote received, good price, availability good, plus the price included him picking up all the materials from our tile supplier.

We spent a day removing and stashed everything in our spare room.

The guys arrived with all their gear, packages of tile and grout - a beautiful sunny warm day.  A proposed two-day job.




I have been collecting some great looking summer recipes that I am eager to try. Can't wait to reassemble all our things, plant some flowers and herbs,set up the barbeque and start our summer outdoors...assuming we can stay home long enough to enjoy it.  

Nothing pending so far - a short trip to the east coast and some sailing - but nothing work-related 
(I hope)....


...next post - the finished product...





Friday, June 8, 2012

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME

So what has happened? 

Well...

We have disappeared (virtually) since the return from our big African adventure. In our defense, it took us a surprisingly long time to adjust emotionally. 

When we did finally settle in there were many things to address...lots of catching up for Francois on the work and condo front.  Social events to attend which I could have blogged about (and still may) but even though my body was back home my head was still back in Africa.


Eventually I had to stop dreaming  about travel adventures and begin focusing on matters at home.... the first of which was to complete our 'outdoor' room.


Spring is a great time to put winter things and thoughts away and dust off all the good things that make warmer weather enjoyable.


...next post - balcony renovation...

Sunday, June 3, 2012

AFRICAN SAFARI: VISITNG THE MAASAI


Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Village



Jameson Travel Ltd
Kenya

Saturday, June 2, 2012

AFRICAN SAFARI: MAASAI MARA (part 2)


Maasai Mara National Reserve



Jameson Travel Ltd
Kenya

Friday, June 1, 2012

AFRICAN SAFARI: MAASAI MARA (part 1)


Maasai Mara National Reserve
Sarova Mara Game Camp


Jameson Travel Ltd
Kenya