I bought the Baker Building for what I thought was a bargain. I knew it was in terrible shape but I saw a fabulous design challenge; a way to test my skills designing, project managing, budget managing: test ideas about colour, texture and shape… Be my own client. Little did I know it would be a four year learning curve that challenged me on every level. But, as they say, what doesn’t kill you…… can come awfully close! I am so glad I had no idea what I would be up against.
The early days are not the time to start regretting the decision ……
So much to get rid of before getting to the starting line….
… does it take to get to clarity?
good thing i did not drive a truck or the loads would be even greater.
time to bring in more back up…..
Now every days was a battle of the alpha makes. And the only person who made a mistake was ‘the other guy’.
no time to loose.
but before we got here….
…and my favourite. The bank didnt want to increase the mortgage so i could pay for things until the unit was finished and rented. That was a bit of a problem!!!
Added a piece off hall way into the apartment.
My tippy resin bowls make more effective coat hooks.
what a story they tell.
.Using interior windows to let the light in.
Sunlight through the new Venetian blinds.
I found it at a consignment store deeply deeply discounted i and i could not leave it there unappreciated.
out of an IKEA counter.
I have a fondness for interior windows.
I love creating the floor pattern with the Azulej tiles.
…A glimpse of challenge ahead.
decided to move the studs back. smaller bedrooms. Bigger main space….
it seemed like we would never reach lift off.
Mid-century modern desk, Vintage apothecary stool, IKEA desk light and art by your truly. The shopping for bargains was fun and satisfying.
My favourite IKEA wall light, Ranarp, and an old butter crate as a bed side table.
Contractor used the wrong piping - aluminum.
Not the intended effect.
I used leather scraps and contact cement to create colourful totems. I always loved doing arts and crafts. Takes me back.
it was time to move on to the next challenge.
Because i could not afford to make them beautiful.
…and so another task begins.
replaced the terrace surface.
…rebuild the deck, move the stairs, instal a fence to stop the nightly uninvited visitors. Then paint!!
and had an old friend now landscaper, Matt Mackey, transform it.
Because everything that could go wrong did, I had a sage ceremony done to lift the curse. The day was sunny and now i could start to appreciate my commercial tenants below who were each making magic in their parts of The Baker Building.
Somedays I barely saw daylight….