Home Sweet Home: January Blogging Meme

[owlmoose]

pete_thomas asked me to describe my ideal living space.

First, this ideal living space would be located in a city, within easy walking distance to excellent public transportation, restaurants, a fabulous bookstore, a park/public plaza/other outdoor space, and coffee shops with wifi, and within an easy drive to a major freeway. I'm not sure any place like this exists in the SF Bay Area (which I am unlikely to ever leave because of family, friends, and climate), but we're talking ideal, right? ;)

Okay, now the inside. I don't need a big place -- our current condo is about 1400 sq. ft., and it's enough for us. I like homes with mostly open, interconnected spaces, not a whole lot of doors. However, our current place is a loft, and although it's mostly fine, there are times when it would be nice to have a bedroom door that we could close. I really love the double-height ceiling in the living room, though, so that can stay. My ideal home would have a somewhat larger kitchen with lots of cupboards, a gas stove (I'm so tired of electric, but we can't put gas in here), and plenty of counter space. Lots of windows looking out on a nice view, but also good quality curtains or shades to help with heating and cooling. A library! How much do I want a library? I need at least three more bookshelves, and right now I have nowhere to put them. A library, with shelves on every wall, a comfy chair, a desk for my computer, some way to listen to music, and a fireplace. That would be perfect.

Finally, my ideal living space would have a patio or a small yard (the other main thing our current home is lacking). Just big enough for a small table, a few chairs, and a grill. Some shade, and some nice landscaping that is really easy to take care of (I have a black thumb). Yep, that would be just the ticket.

Comments

[pete_thomas]

Haha yes, this was your chance to go nuts, whether or not this place truly exists.

When you say us; is this friends/family/SO? I'm just curious as to the amount "us" represents. :)

You and I have a lot of similarities in an ideal space. I'm still on the fence about city life or rural life. I love both equally for different reasons on each, so I can't really say about my preference, but if I did live in the city, I would need all of those amenities, plus an electronics store of some sort nearby.

Interior, I also don't need a big space, but the double height ceiling sounds pretty fantastic. I don't think I've ever lived in a space like that. Library is an absolute must, and I'm not picky on closed vs. open spaces. Big kitchen is also a necessity as I like to cook, and gas appliances always. I want in one of my windows one of those little alcoves (I forget the technical name) that jut out a bit with windows all around it and a little daybed inside. Perfect space for reading.

Outside (and why I'm torn on city vs. rural) is that I want a huge chunk of land. I like gardening, and I never was into landscaping, but I'd love to try it out. I'd want to try and build one of those natural looking swimming pools that has a waterfall pouring down from an elevated space. Gardening for me is slightly therapeutic, so the maintenance isn't an issue. Also, hell yes to a grill. Grilled everything is amazing.

I've always said if everything really fell into place, and I could afford it, I would love to recreate the mansion from Resident Evil above all else. :)

[owlmoose]

The "we" in question is myself and my husband, T. (And, when applicable, our two cats.) He comes up here from time to time, so if you ever see me talking about T, now you know who that is. :)

And yes, the reading nook, I totally forgot the reading nook. The library needs one of those, too.

[pete_thomas]

Ah! Yes, I do remember seeing that initial come up now and again; I wasn't sure of the relation, so that helps. Thank you. :)