Although I’ve been pretty quiet in the Apartment Therapy community the last year or two, I entered my place in the Small Cool 2011 contest last weekend. The contest has been running all month, and voting ends this week, so I’m a little late to the game, but it’s still really fun to see my place listed. :)

At 600 square feet, my place falls into the “Little” category, which is fairly massive compared to “Teeny-tiny” and “Tiny”. Makes me want to downsize!

Do you Apartment Therapy too?

According to my dear friend Martha (who likes to hide information in 20 page photo galleries and downloadable pdfs, of which I don’t have the patience for) the following items belong in your liquor collection. Also, after realizing that I know very little about alcohol, other than that gin tastes like juniper trees, I looked up each one on Wikipedia as I went, so it’s kind of like a 4th grade report, only more fun….

How to Stock a Home Bar

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Base Liquors:

• Bourbon: Bourbon is an American whiskey, a type of distilled spirit, made primarily from corn (maize) and named for Bourbon County, Kentucky. It has been produced since the 18th century. While it may be made anywhere in the United States, it is strongly associated with the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I purchased: Maker’s Mark. Drink of choice: Whiskey ginger.
• Gin Gin is a spirit whose predominant flavor is derived from juniper berries. Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, gin is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories: distilled gin and compound gin. Distilled gin is crafted in the traditional manner, by re-distilling neutral spirit of agricultural origin with juniper berries and other botanicals. There are several distinct styles of gin, with the most common style today being London dry gin, a type of distilled gin. I purchased: Beefeater London Dry Gin. Drink of choice: Pink Gin Fizz!
• Single malt Scotch or Irish whiskey Single Malt Scotch is a type of single malt whisky, distilled by a single distillery in a pot still, using malted barley as the only grain ingredient, in Scotland. Irish Whiskey is a whiskey made in Ireland. There are several types of whiskey common to Ireland: Single Malt, Single Grain, Pure Pot Still and Blended Whiskey. Most Irish whiskey is distilled three times while Scotch is distilled twice. I purchased: Bushmills Irish Whiskey.
• Tequila Tequila is a blue agave–based spirit made primarily in Tequila, Mexico. I purchased: Jose Cuervo Especial Gold. Drink of choice: Margarita.
• Vodka is a distilled beverage composed primarily of water and ethanol with traces of impurities and flavorings. Vodka is made from fermented substances like grain and potatoes. I purchased: Rain Organic Grain Vodka. Drink of choice: Vodka tonic.
• Rum Light rum is a dry, light-bodied rum, light in color and lightly sweet in flavor. It is produced from sugarcane juice and molasses, and normally has a short aging period. I purchased: Barcadi Light Rum Drink of choice: Mojito!

Other/Extras/Stuff I Wanted:

• Pastis Pastis is an anise-flavored liqueur and apéritif from France, typically containing 40–45% alcohol by volume.
• Kahlua Kahlúa is a well known Mexican coffee-flavored liqueur. It is dense and sweet, with a distinct taste of coffee, from which it is made. Kahlúa also contains sugar, corn syrup and vanilla bean.
• Baileys Irish Cream Baileys Irish Cream (the registered trademark omits the apostrophe shock!) is an Irish whiskey and cream based liqueur, made by Gilbeys of Ireland.
• Brandy Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine, the wine having first been produced by fermenting grapes. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink.
• Triple sec Triple Sec is a variety of Curaçao, an orange-flavored liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter oranges from the Caribbean. Triple sec, which is French for Triple Dry, is one-third as sweet as regular Curaçao.

Base Mixers:

• Angostura bitters often simply referred to as angostura, is a concentrated bitters made of water, 44.7% alcohol, gentian root, and vegetable flavoring extracts by House of Angostura in Trinidad and Tobago. They are typically used for flavoring beverages, or (less often) food.
• Cointreau
• Dry (white) vermouth
• Juices: orange, pomegranate, and grapefruit juices
• Seltzer (club soda)
• Tonic

Next up: declare a signature drink… other than Pastis mixed with water/ice. Also, I currently have an embarrassing amount of alcohol at my house, thanks to shopping on the Interwebz.

Step 1: IKEA. Warning: you know those charming IKEA employees who tell you that you can choose any of the tables/legs from the VIKA series and go to town? They’re wrong! VIKA CURRY legs ($4) + VIKA FAGERLID table leg with storage ($40) + VIKA AMON table top ($20) = unbalanced desk. Alas, after all that work, I ended up just taking the “lid” off the FAGERLID piece and putting extra sticker things under the CURRY legs. Voilla!

Step 2: make use of my lovely Target Liberty of London file box.

Step 3: finally unpacking my lime green wooden stacking trays from See Jane Work.

Step 4: Hanging random IKEA magnetic strip and bins.

Step 5: Moving the speakers that I bought for using with my laptop/TV to the desk, since I use the TV about once a month.

Step 5.5: Pandora

Step 6: Hanging my Strawberry Luna bicycle print.

Step 7: Stability ball desk chair, which people continually tell me is in no way, shape or form a desk chair. Whatever, your core is just jealous.

Step 8: Cat grass for kitteh. OK, I just added this one, since she’s always in the window, on the other side of my desk, lounging by her cat grass.

Step 9: Trying to find a quicker commute. *Thanks, I’ll be here all week… yeah, actually I will be…

The auction was a little intense, but still a fun experience. I had a few Excel spreadsheets pre-auction in full analysis paralysis style, so I didn’t have to worry about what I was going to bid on auction day. Also, did I mention that I tried to raise my own bid? True story. Also, did I mention that I flung my pen that was attached to my bidding card when I was trying to bid? Nobody expects the wild card.

So I’ve been in my place for one week, and so far kitteh loves the hardwood floors and climbing on the fridge, while I’m in love with the kitchen, and we both love the view. Anyway, so pleased to own my own 639 sq ft in the sky. :) I think I’m officially a grown-up.

Week 5 To Do List:

• Take care of repairs – hey remember when I crossed ‘fixing the wall’ off my list? I totally lied.
  
• Clean office area and related closets
• Vacuum, dust
• Declutter files – I did this last week so I could put stuff in my new Liberty of London file box
• Tackle the cord octopus – maybe next week
• Try a one-day media fast – this is definitely doable remotely…
• Buy fresh flowers – nope
• Choose at least one soft or hard thing to add or subtract from apartment – meh
• Cook three meals at home this week – nope
• Eat at home Sunday through Thursday – nope
• Get to bed early and read before sleep – does it count if I spend the entire day reading?

If I wasn’t already half-assing the cure, now I’m thinking about how awesome it will be to move in to my new place. :) Adios!

Week 4 To Do List:

• Clean up living room and related closets – closets? I wish!
• Declutter books and all media – did in 2007, and have since only added a lovely stack of travel guides. :)
  
• Cancel 75% of the catalogs you receive – I think the only catalogs I get are J.Crew and the occasional Crate & Barrel…
  
• Empty Outbox this week
• Confirm what you need to increase or decrease color in each room
• Identify what you need to increase or decrease softness in each room – bunnies?
• Cook three meals at home this week – does breakfast count?
• Send out your invitations

What I need to + / – on the color and softness scales in each room…

Area: color – to add (subtract)
Hallway/Entry:  warm – nope
Kitchen: warm – hang orange pan on wall?
Dining room: warm – make space for my “office” stuff, possibly get a desk
Living room: warm/cool – already perfect!
Bathroom: cool/warm – change the framed artwork
Bedroom: cool – remove red pillows

Week 4 is even easier than week 3. Oh and I bought a super bright Gerbera daisy this weekend. I think it might need a Liberty of London planter to go in… hmmm….

Cool colors (blues, greens, grays) are contracting and calming; warm colors (reds, yellows, oranges) are expansive and stimulating. Just as breathing is made up of contractions (the in breath) and expansion (the out breath), you want to feel this movement as you walk through your apartment. This is done by alternating warm and cool colors.

According to AT, here are the rooms that lend themselves to warm/cool…

Area:  movement – color { my apartment!}
Hallway/Entry:  contraction – cool {warm!}
Kitchen: expansion – warm {warm}
Dining room: expansion – warm {warm}
Living room: expansion – warm {cool and warm?}
Office: contraction – cool {what is this “office”}
Bathroom: contraction – cool {cool and warm?}
Bedroom: contraction – cool {cool}

So in applying the 80/20 rule, I think my living room is a good example: 80% base colors – brown couch, white rug, espresso accents, with 20% blues and brighter colors mixed in. My bedroom however, is 20% bright Mediterranean blue (only one wall), but I also have a bright painting and colorful planters, so I think it could use some direction. But I guess that’s for next week.

Week 3 To Do List Recap:

• Vacuum/dust
  
• Clean entryway and closet – the closet is my Outbox at the moment
• Declutter entrance
• Move all old mail, catalogs, magazines to the Outbox
• Look into what you would need to create a Landing Strip -  already done
• Cancel any unused subscriptions
• Identify cool rooms and warm rooms
• Apply the 80/20 color rule
• Cook two meals at home this week
• Design an invitation for your housewarming

on to week 4!

I got a new Love It or Leave It coat rack from Urban Outfitters, which I… love, and framed the Going To See My Baby bicycle print that I bought at Flatstock Seattle during Bumbershoot this year (by Strawberry Luna).

Week 3 To Do List:

• Vacuum/dust
• Clean entryway and closet
• Declutter entrance
• Move all old mail, catalogs, magazines to the Outbox
• Look into what you would need to create a Landing Strip –  I still have my 2 IKEA boxes
• Cancel any unused subscriptions
• Identify cool rooms and warm rooms
• Apply the 80/20 color rule
• Cook two meals at home this week
• Design an invitation for your housewarming

I do have a bit of decluttering to do though…

I also hadn’t finished the “style interview” from Week 0, in which you list a bunch of your favorites, and then try to recognize some kind of pattern in your style tray. Here are a few of my favorites…

Actress: Zooey Deschanel & Audrey Tautou
Actor: Matt Damon, Owen Wilson, Ewan McGregor, Gael García Bernal,  Brad Pitt
Artist: Matisse, ones I never remember the name of
Writer: JD Salinger, Hemingway, Ayn Rand
Music: Beck, Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, The Kinks, REM…
Restaurant: Petite Provence, a certain taco truck
Automobile: classic VW Beetles (specifically 1953-1957 oval windows) le sigh…
TV show: Flight of the Conchords, Arrested Development, Man vs Wild, 30 Rock, Parks & Rec, The Office
Clothing (designer or store): MIA shoes, J.Crew, Zara
How would you describe your style? eclectic, vintage-y, bright
Where have you lived? Pacific Northwest
Who would you consider a role model? Abraham Lincoln aahaha, sorry, private joke.
If your apartment could speak, what would it say? “Stop buying Liberty of London stuff at Target!”
What one thing would you like to do more of in your apartment? sleep
Eight weeks from now, when this project is complete, if friends came to visit, how would you like them to describe it? So pretty, so very, very pretty. :)

In determining my style, I’ve found it rather difficult to say that I’m either cool/warm. As a person, I identify more with the cool side — I’m a thinker and I don’t get too attached to people/things, but decor/style-wise, I identify more with DIY and excessiveness (*cough, my recent Liberty of London craze) that goes along with warm people. Sooo for now I’ll just say I’m a cool person with warm style? So to finish this up… last time I did the cure I ended up with a defined style of eclectic organic modern, because “organic modern” just didn’t quite describe me. And after finishing my style tray, I didn’t realize I had such a crush on the 60s/70s! I think I can blame my mom for this somehow?

Week 2 Follow-up:

• Fix one thing in your apartment – filled in the nail/screw holes from hanging curtains, pictures etc.
• Clean kitchen from top to bottom – AMAZING
• Water filter
• pretend your apartment is a whale – oh hai whale!
• Designate an Outbox area
• Clear one area using the Outbox
• Buy flowers
• Determine your style
• Find a new recipe and cook one meal at home
• Choose a date for your housewarming

On to week 3!

Week 2 To Do List:

• Fix one thing in your apartment – this will be filling in the nail/screw holes from hanging curtains.
• Clean kitchen from top to bottom – requires its own list…
• Water filter
• pretend your apartment is a whale – oh hai whale!
• Designate an Outbox area – my storage closet is already an “outbox” of sorts
• Clear one area using the Outbox – Use it? Love it? Need it?
• Buy flowers
• Determine your style
• Find a new recipe and cook one meal at home – I already try to cook/eat at home at least 3 nights a week
• Choose a date for your housewarming – in eight weeks you say?

Less blogging, more kitchen cleaning… I think I need to create a Ramones/Rancid station on Pandora first. Ciao!