I didn’t want to jinx it by talking about it before it happened, but I finally found an apartment. I know I said I had found one a while back, but the Landlord decided to be a huge douche and said I was “too young” to have that particular space as my own. I was really, really bitter (still kind of am - can you tell?) but I had no choice but to move forward. And so I kept looking. And looking. Aaaannnndd loooking…
I picked up the keys to my own little bachelor apartment last night. It’s nothing big, but I can afford it and It’s in a good location; just around the corner from my current place. It just so happened that this apartment actually found me after I placed a wanted ad on Kijiji. My new landlord (Murray) contacted me saying he had a small bachelor flat; good price, good location. So I had to have a look.
Needless to say I was ready to write the place off as soon as I got inside. There are about 2387 layers of old ugly wallpaper covering the walls, dust, dirt in weird places, burn marks and holes on the floor (hardwood!) and the moldings are painted peach (crown moldings!). The kitchen is about the size of a small walk-in closet and the fridge is a bar-sized one.
What sold me was Murray. He asked me what I thought of the place (the first landlord to do that). I was honest with him and said it needed work, but had a lot of potential. First off it has a fireplace (!!). It’s not working, but it is old with a mantle, full of character and not covered in brick, which is a plus. The moldings, as mentioned, are also quite old and lovely - if not for the peach paint. The “kitchen” and bathroom have cool black and white tiled floors, and there is a nice big closet. The basement also has lots of dry storage and a non-coin operated new washer and dryer. Plus the location. Closer to work and all the fun stuff I love than I am now. Aaaannd he came in $50/month under budget.
Then he tells me that he will supply all the materials I need to spruce the place up to my liking. Including some new, three pronged electrical outlets, a new fridge, new and more secure door locks, and even sanding and re-varnishing the hardwood! I have Carte Blanche when it comes to decorating (except painting with black,etc) and I can start pretty much immediately since the place is unoccupied.
I’m finally done my search and I love home reno/decorating, so this is so perfect for me!
I am thinking about starting a blog, one that tells the story of my little apartment and how I take it from being neglected to perfect for me in the next few months. It would include lots of photos, my struggles, my triumphs and perhaps a few DIYs.
Would you read it?
