Sandy's New Condo - Part 2

This posting is about the custom made glass bar I had installed in the condo.  I fell in love with it, and was willing to blow my budget on it (which luckily I didn't have to).  It changes colors with LED lights.

When the bar was delivered, they smashed it into my new dining room table, which shattered.  It took weeks to get rid of all the shards of glass.  But the artist/glass designer replaced the dining room table, and fixed the small chip in the bar.  I usually keep the lights on every night.

You need to visit to really appreciate the bar.

Here are various other pictures of the bar.

Sandy's New Condo - Part 1

I purchased my new condo in September 2010.  It has taken over six months to finalize everything, but I think it was worth the wait.  Let me know what you think.

Everything from the existing unit was gutted and I started from scratch - floor, painting, cabinets, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting fixtures, closet and furniture.

Kitchen - I have almost floor to ceiling black wood cabinets with stainless pulls.  The appliances are Fisher Paykel, except for the refrigerator which is Kitchen Aide.  The dishwasher is a double drawer model, with cabinet panels covering the drawers.  The faucet is almost three feet high and with the push of a button, it automatically washes everything.

Living Room - The furniture is almost all new.  The TV is a 3D 59" HDTV.  I haven't figured out how to use the 3D part yet.

Dining Room - The dining room table is all glass, and the original one shattered when my bar was being delivered.  But it was replaced and everything is as good as new (see the separate posting to see the bar).

Study - In my old unit, this was the dining room, but the new unit has a wall separating the room from the rest of the unit.  As usual, my desk is a mess.

Bedroom - I was going to use my old bedroom set, but my cousin Sara talked me into buying new.  It really didn't take much convincing.  Everything else in the unit is new, so why not the bedroom.   The dressers are modular and can be staggered anyway you want.  The wall of men is behind my bed.

Loft - There was no way to move my old sleeper couch down from the old loft, so this is my Ikea room.  Everything was super easy to assemble.  This will be my painting loft.  Yes I will get back to painting soon.  The table below was made from leftover granite from my kitchen and two pedestals that I got from Goodwill - probably my first purchase there.

Balcony - The corner balcony has a great view and lots of beautiful flowers.

Master Bath - I expanded the master closet so the master bath is smaller then my old one.  The mirror is lined with the same glass tile that is my kitchen backsplash.

Guest Bath - The table for the sink was made by the same artist who built my bar.  The painting was moved from my old unit.  It covers shelves, which sit on the bathtub.

London - May 11, 2012

On my final day in London, I took the train into town to see what musical I could see in the afternoon.  Most of the matinees are on Thursday in London, but there are some on Wednesday.  There was nothing really exciting at the TKTS booth, so I checked some of the other ticket booths.  I was surprised to get a really cheap seat to Wicked.  I saw it in NYC a few years ago and really liked it, so that's what I'll do this afternoon.

After checking out the restaurant we would have dinner at - Rules, London's oldest restaurant, I decided to walk to the theatre.  I walked along the Thames and got to see all the tourist sites and attractions.

The London Eye

Big Ben and Me

Westminster Abbey

Telephone Booth

The production of Wicked was amazing.  One witch was better then the other.  I have been playing the CD since coming home.  My seat was in the 8th row, just left of center.

Wicked

After the show, I joined Norman and Ann, and their two friends Jon and Manuela.  It was a fantastic meal and a great ending to a beautiful week.

Rules

Rules was established by Thomas Rule in 1798 making it the oldest restaurant in London. It serves traditional British food, specialising in classic game cookery, oysters, pies and puddings.

After dinner, Norman and I walked a few miles to work off our food.  We passed this famous building, which survived the Great London Fire of 1666.

Surviving Building from London Fire

The following morning Norman and I headed to the airport.  This was not an adventure to be repeated.  We took the back roads since there was an accident on the motorway.  I think I got to the airport about 40 minutes before my flight was leaving.  I was sure they had already closed the check in counter, but I was the last person to check in.  I rushed to the gate, and enjoyed my business class seat to Miami.



Brighton, England - May 10, 2011

I took a train to Brighton today.  It is on the southern coast of England, about a two hour train ride from Elstree.

First of all, I loved the train station.  This one is even painting material - when I figure out where my paints are.  The lighting was beautiful through the glass ceiling.  I think the pictures in the afternoon were even better.  I've posted four, two in the morning and two in the afternoon.

I walked into town and then to the Brighton Pavilion.  I will have to read up on the architecture and why it was built here.

I then went to the Brighton Museum, which had some interesting furniture and clothing exhibits.

Then it was off to the Brighton Pier.  It reminded me of Atlantic City or Coney Island.  There were lots of games to play and rides to enjoy.  Not Disneyworld, but you could probably spend as much on the rides.  The wild mouse was about $4 each ride.

I walked along the beach - no sand, just rocks.  There were people sunbathing, even though it was only 65-70 degrees.  I had fish and chips at a restaurant which was previously used to sell the day's catch.  The waiter was super cute, who cared if the fish was good or bad.

I then went to an art gallery and bought a painting of two London buses.  The artist had just quit his day job about six months ago to concentrate on his art.  I told him I painted and one of the best compliments an artist can receive is when another artist buys his work.

I then walked through The Lanes, with all the upper end shops.  There were a few kitchen shops that I really liked, but passed on the bargains.  I did find a sports clothing shop where I bought a few shirts.  Believe me, there are no bargains in London.

I then walked up and down the shop filled streets, finally ending up at the train station.

The ride home went quickly, and now I'm writing this blog before heading out for Chinese food at The East.  Norman and Ann are at a gallery in London, so I'm on my own.