This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.
Hey hey! Did you see the fun post from Tuesday where Joel spilled the beans on what he thinks about all this DIY madness? His no holds barred take on me. He’s a keeper. 😉
And for the second week in a row I’ve got a video for you! Last week it was the little good-bye, for now, to the Key West house and today it’s the first walk through of this apartment in Aruba we now call home. The before, if you will. There are screws in the walls that need removing, holes that need patching, laundry that needs washing. Sorry ’bout that.
And sorry about the lighting at times. I guess if there’s one down side to having such a bright, sunny view …. but, let’s not start feeling bad for me. 😉
A few things to keep an eye out for:
- 56 seconds in you see the guest bedroom closet which would be super fun to update down the road with functional storage for crafts and projects. We’ll see if we get that far during our time here. 🙂
- 1:16 – We added the carpet runners along the tile in the hallways and in our bedroom. We know they don’t look awesome. We know they’re not for everyone. They’re for Mico. And that’s all that matters. That old gal isn’t as steady on her feet these days and we’ll do anything to make this place work for her, too. So they will stay. And we will love them. 🙂
- 1:30 – I would love to add shelving, maybe even build in the washer and dryer and create a lot of storage. It’s great having an actual laundry room, even if it doubles as a half bath, but functional storage would make it even better.
- 1:50 – One of my first projects will be painting all of the dark baseboards white and patching all of the holes in the walls and prepping for painting.
- 2:04 – The furniture is all hand me down, collected and gathered and it will definitely evolve over time with the look of the apartment.
- 2:10 – One of the most exciting changes we’re moving ahead with on an immediate status is moving the tv. It seems so silly to sit on a sofa facing away from the view. Right?!?! So we’re having someone run the wires and cables through the ceiling and putting the tv right in front of the windows. It will not only orient the whole room facing the true focal point, the view, but it will eliminate any glare on the tv. And down the line we’re thinking about built ins on the wall where the tv is now. Closed doors along the bottom for storage and maybe floating shelves up top.
- 2:19 – THE. VIEW.
- 2:47 – I do still take the girls for walks but we didn’t want them thinking they needed to wait around for us to take them out to go so we created two different mulch areas on our balconies and we’re thrilled the girls warmed up to them. Our highlights and low lights from our first week may have mainly revolved around the bodily functions of our girls. Just looking out for our old ladies. 🙂 (And as a side note, we have had no trouble with odor. We bag and put the #2 in a closed lid trash can immediately and the #1 dries pretty quickly. We did notice a few black flies around so we started spraying straight white vinegar around the mulch area and we have no complaints about turning part of our balcony into a bathroom for the girls.)
- 3:30 – “so much commented on” … “grammar not me thing”
- 5:40 – The first views of the bathrooms, they are in great shape and we have no plans to really change anything other than adding a second towel bar in the master bath.
I hope you enjoy! I’d love to hear all your thoughts on what you would do to update it!! (If you’re reading this in email or in a reader you will have to click over to the blog to see the video.)
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwXgY4mEXFU]
snap-schotts says
Karah, thank you for the tour! For what it’s worth, there are grassy “pads” for dogs to use indoors, or in your case, on the balcony. I’m sure your babies appreciate the convenience of having a place to go without having to wait for the elevator.
We got lucky with our house, because the previous owners had a small dog door installed. The house was built with Integra-block so cutting through concrete blocks to install a door would have to be left up to the professionals. All three dogs were quick to learn how to use it. In fact our Malchi, Harry tried to pull a blanket through the doorway and it got stuck. Yes, I got a picture of THAT!
Do you have any ideas how long you will be staying in Aruba? Oh, I noticed you had windows and patio doors opened. Do you need screens for bugs/insects buzzing around? We don’t have very many around here except the common housefly.
Karah says
The dog door is truly a life saver. Our girls have never lived without one and part of the reason why we are leaving the doors open. We do have two dog doors that work in sliding glass doors shipping down here with some of our things. But, I just always prefer fresh air to ac. We have noticed some flies and some mosquitoes at night. We’ll probably always leave the bedroom door closed, with a dog door in it, once the dog doors arrive, I’ll have the main living area doors open long term … can’t beat the sound of the sea in the back ground. And we really don’t know how long we’ll be here 3-4 years maybe … but we said that about Key West and it turned into 2. 🙂
Ms Hanson says
“We added the carpet runners along the tile in the hallways…” Cheaper than broken dog hips. We did likewise. Must try the mulch idea when I house sit next month…
Karah says
So much cheaper, and that old girl just hates slick tile. The mulch is working out so much better than we thought it would!
shirley@housepitalitydesigns says
I so love how you two and the girls adjust so well to wherever life takes you….I am so looking forward to your new journey…I would feel as though it was vacation day every day…Have a wonderful weekend Karah!…Loved seeing the girls!
Erin says
When you get done with that place, it will be awesome. I do have to correct you though, you called the extra two bedrooms, guest rooms. Now we know that they are supposed to be Erin’s room and her kids rooms. 😉 I’m tired of being jealous, I’m throwing in the towel & moving my family of five in with you. lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RUN, while you still have the chance. 😉
Cecelia says
I like your idea with the mulch for the dogs. How do keep it from falling over the edge of the balcony? Is there a raised lip?
Karah says
Hi Cecelia! We placed the tarp so it does lip up a bit and hold the mulch in, I’m getting a lot of questions about it so I’m going to do a whole separate post about it. It has really worked great for us!
Heidi @ Decor & More says
Lots of possibilities here, Karah! I know you’ll have fun with all that space!
xo Heidi
librown50 says
Love your new place. My only concern with your plan was in taking a foot of hallway away. Just make sure you can get your bedroom furniture in and out of the apartment! Can’t wait to see your finished post.
Karah says
that is such a great detail to keep in mind!!
Cathy Pelletier says
I accidentally found your blog. Love your adventure. Been to Aruba 8-9 times but never looked for an apartment (thinking we should) . Will b there in 2 weeks, can’t wait.
Karah says
Thanks so much for the comment, Cathy! Have fun when you are here!!