La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
When we lived in Seville, our friend Tere asked me to describe my mother’s apartment in Brooklyn. We had moved there before I turned 11. I began by saying there was a small entry hall and then a large foyer. We spoke Spanish. The word “foyer” is borrowed from French, so I pronounced it the French way (the posh American way) thinking Tere would know the word. She did not. “The what?” she asked through her laughter. I repeated the word and told her what it meant. “Well, in Spanish it means something else.” It turns out my posh foyer (follé in Spanish) means “I fucked.” And that leads us to the first photo below. The foyer, not the follé.
The apartment looks much better in person. It’s not grand like our apartment in Sevilla, and you can’t see the Mediterranean Sea like we can from our apartment here in Fuengirola, but it’s light and airy and welcoming. The layout is fun. And it feels warm and inviting. I can’t wait to show you what it looks like once we’ve had at it. The floors are lighter in tone than most of the photos suggest.
I’m working on the floor plans. I used to draw them by hand on graph paper each time we moved. Then I used QuarkXPress and then Adobe InDesign. I no longer have those apps, and Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Excel just don’t cut it. So, I’ve willed myself to take pencil to paper again and use a ruler. Like in “the old days.”
I just returned from my monthly lab work and I see the specialist again Tuesday. I’m hoping for more good news. I think I’ll come back to Málaga for my November appointments. I have to find a new nephrologist in Córdoba. Maybe I can get a recommendation. I was in the taxi this morning for about a minute when I was startled by San Geraldo’s special ringtone and immediately realized I had left my 3 litres of pee on the table. Saved by San Geraldo. When I got to the hospital I realized I didn’t have my paperwork. That was easily resolved by the person at the desk who looked it up and printed a new copy, but what a start to the day. I think I may be a bit distracted.
Cuando vivíamos en Sevilla, nuestra amiga Tere me pidió que describiera el apartamento de mi madre en Brooklyn. Nos habíamos mudado allí antes de que yo cumpliera 11 años. Empecé diciendo que había un pequeño recibidor y luego un gran vestíbulo. La palabra “foyer” es un préstamo del francés, así que la pronuncié a la manera francesa (la elegante manera estadounidense) pensando que Tere conocería la palabra. No la conocía y no podía parar de reír. “El qué”, preguntó. Repetí la palabra y le dije lo que significaba. “Bueno, en español significa otra cosa”. Follé. Y eso nos lleva a la primera foto de abajo.
El apartamento se ve mucho mejor en persona. No es grandioso como nuestro apartamento en Sevilla, y no se puede ver el mar Mediterráneo como podemos desde nuestro apartamento aquí en Fuengirola, pero es luminoso, espacioso, y acogedor. La distribución es divertida. Y se siente cálido y acogedor. No veo la hora de mostrarles cómo se ve una vez que lo hayamos probado. Los suelos tienen un tono más claro de lo que sugieren la mayoría de las fotos.
Estoy trabajando en los planos. Solía dibujarlos a mano en papel cuadriculado cada vez que nos mudábamos. Luego usé QuarkXPress y luego Adobe InDesign. Ya no tengo esas aplicaciones, y Adobe Photoshop y Microsoft Excel simplemente no sirven. Entonces, me he obligado a tomar lápiz y papel y usar una regla. Como en “los viejos tiempos”.
Acabo de regresar de mi análisis de laboratorio mensual y veré al especialista nuevamente el martes. Espero más buenas noticias. Creo que volveré a Málaga para mis citas de noviembre. Tengo que encontrar un nuevo nefrólogo en Córdoba. Tal vez pueda obtener una recomendación. Estuve en el taxi esta mañana durante aproximadamente un minuto cuando me sobresalté por el tono de llamada especial de San Geraldo e inmediatamente me di cuenta de que había dejado mis 3 litros de orina en la mesa. Salvado por San Geraldo. Cuando llegué al hospital, me di cuenta de que no tenía mi papeleo. Esto fue fácilmente resuelto por la persona en el mostrador, que lo buscó e imprimió una nueva copia, pero qué comienzo de día.
• El foyer, no follé. Yo estaba de pie con la puerta de entrada a mi derecha. La puerta que está justo delante a la derecha conduce al primer dormitorio y baño que será mi oficina.
• Mi oficina. Quitaremos el árbol. Afortunadamente, no tendremos que quitar un tocón.
• A continuación viene el lavadero, con una gatera.
• El suelo de la cocina está mucho mejor en persona. Es de baldosas de porcelana. Agregaremos una isla de cocina (¿península?) y un mueble de pared (que ya tenemos).
• Volviendo al foyer (no follé). Puertas de acordeón para cerrar la cocina (y ocultar el desorden de San Geraldo cuando tenemos invitados a cenar).
• El salón. Más grande en persona. (Parece más pequeño en la parte de atrás). Y el piano, por el que todavía podríamos pagar a los transportistas para que se lo lleven. La terraza es pequeña, pero lo suficientemente grande para nuestra mesa y sillas, y por supuesto algunas plantas. La puerta que está más allá del piano conduce al segundo dormitorio (la oficina de SG), el dormitorio principal, y el baño grande.
• Oficina de SG. El verde y las pegatinas desaparecerán.
• Dormitorio principal con mueble de pared hecho a medida. Misma vista que la terraza.
• Armario hecho a medida. Almacenamiento bien diseñado.
This is looking light filled and very large! I think you’re going to like it here. Boud.
Boud:
I think so, too.
Nice space, how exciting.
David:
We’ll have fun there.
The apartment looks really big and airy. I am so excited for you. SG saved the day with your pee! That would have been not so great getting to the doctor without your specimen! And I learned a new word in Spanish today!
Michael:
It really is a very pleasant space. We look forward to making it ours. It’s a 17 to 20 euro taxi ride to the medical centre which makes forgotten pee even more aggravating.
Oh! Thank goodness SG noticed!
Looks great. Can’t wait to see how things looks like when you all put your own touches on it.
Like you, I’ve always made floor plans on graph paper or in excel before moving into a new place so I would know ahead of time what the furniture layout should be on moving day. I can see why excel wouldn’t work for you this time with all the nooks and crannies in this apartment. But planning is half the fun! Best of luck with the move. X
Mary:
I used to have an envelope filled with shapes of to-scale furniture. But we don’t have most of that furniture anymore anyway. I’ve got my work “cut out” for me.
The new place looks great! I like that unique flooring in the kitchen. Yes, I’d get rid of that piano while you’ve got hydraulics in place for the move anyway. In Canada, we always pronounce “foyer” the French way. The first time I heard the non-posh American pronunciation, I thought “WTF are those crazy Yanks saying?”
Debra:
Yeah, neither of us are sold on the piano. I wonder how much more it will cost us to have it removed.
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The place does appear to have a nice layout and how can you not love the views. I had to view the previous post as it didn’t line up in my reader. I love the kitchen floor!!!! I don’t know about the accordion, knowing me they would drive me nuts. I have never seen that before. I can’t wait to see your stamp on the place, and just imagine the boys first exploration of the place. Will they dive in, or will they be quite and hide at first? I guess if treats are involved………
Mistress Borghese:
I’m sure we won’t use the accordion doors much, if it all. But they’re a fun touch. However, I suppose they would make for a better backdrop for photos at dinner than seeing the kitchen. Dudo and Moose will definitely hide. Probably for hours. Dudo will be worse than Moose, I think.
I like the new place. Seems very nice and bright, and I love the idea of an open kitchen but then being able to close it off when you have a bit of a mess going on.
I think The Boys will have lots of fun exploring their new home, too!
Bob^^^
Bob:
I think once all the furniture is moved in and the boys have a night to explore, they’ll have some fun. It’s a great space for running.
I do love those floors, especially the kitchen floors. I think you guys are going to be very comfortable here. And there is the piano. You could just use it as a place for pictures and plants that require lower light. Like- a regular piece of furniture that should anyone get the urge, could play some tunes upon.
Probably not? Oh well.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moonsigh:
Your thoughts on the piano are mine, as well. But I have a feeling we’ll be paying the movers extra to take it away. I wonder if they will if we don’t have someplace for them to take it. I wouldn’t have chosen the floors but they’ll be easy to get used to. The kitchen floor is kind of playful and happy. It works with the black and white cabinets and counters.
Oh, boy! I can’t wait to see it with your touch. I love the look of that kitchen floor, especially now knowing that it is porcelain tile. Very cool.
Judy C:
Yes, the look of the kitchen floor has grown on me. I’m ready to go!
Looks like a good size for a flat! I’d have to do something to disguise those floors, though…
The top photo foxed me a little, then I realised it’s the view from the Fuengirola apartment (as as that is the Mediterranean), reflected in the glass of the window! I imagine the view over Cordoba, even though it’s a nice city, may not be quite as fabulous… Jx
Jon:
The floors wouldn’t be my first choice but they’ll be fine. The view of the Mediterranean is hard to top.
I love the floors and the piano is gorgeous! The wall “art” needs to go. That tree is hideous. You and SG will put your own personal stank on the place and it will be fabulous! I’ve had a folle’ experience or to in a foyer.
Deedles:
I’m so glad you like the floors… and the piano. It just takes up so much space! Don’t tell my parents but follé in the foyer with my college freshman year girlfriend.
Mine was always with Balder Half. Hmm, I seem to have forgotten how to spell two, too 🙂
Too much foyer folle’ can do that to a person I suppose.
Deedles:
It’s tu … or tú. You and BH in the foyer??? I’m proud of you!
Looks perfect!…..roomy and bright. And the foyer……always the French pronunciation here .
Jim:
I wonder how many visiting Spaniards have gotten a chuckle out of your foyers.
Oooo I love seeing all this! I’m excited for all of you, cats included. (though they might be oblivious, unless your cleaning out and packing has them stressed)
The kitchen floor is really different and I like it. The piano takes up a lot of space.
Kelly:
I’m surprised how quickly I developed a liking for the kitchen floor. Yes, the piano takes up a lot of space. The jury is still out. The cats seem mostly unaware. The terrace has been emptied of all plants but enough time has gone by that they’ve adjusted to that I think. The activity and mess in my office has them on edge. These next weeks will make it clear.
It looks great! Judging by some of the artwork on the walls, I take it the former residents had kids. Or maybe they were just young at heart.
Kirk:
The owner was the previous tenant. One son who has outgrown the art. I think one was his bedroom and one was his playroom.
Your new place is a great, light-filled blank canvas! LOVE the kitchen and your plan for a work island that will make it more functional — assuming there’s a dining area close by. I’m not crazy about the green closet doors or the green backsplash behind the stove hood either, so I’d be getting rid of those along with that piano too.
Looking forward to seeing the “after” photos and the boys’ reactions to their new home…
Tundra Bunny:
The salon is a combination living room/dining room. Green closet doors and the tree wall are easily resolved. I’m not a huge fan of the wall behind the cooktop, but we’ll get used to it. It’s at least tasteful. Not worth the expense to replace. And, yeah, the piano! The cats will hide for a bit, but they’ll love running the length of the apartment. It will be fun to see.
New home. Improved health. Sounds like things are really looking up for you, my friend, and I couldn’t be happier for you!
Sassybear:
Keeping fingers crossed for all this month. Hope things are going smoothly for you guys.
I love the kitchen and, yes, the colorful kitchen floor! I guess from the tree and animal stickers that whoever lived there before had kids. (Let’s hope!) It looks like a nice, spacious, airy place.
Steve:
The owner bought it 8 years ago. Her son is now 10. I think two rooms were dedicated to him. We met him and he immediately started to play the piano. I asked him if he would play for our dinner parties. He said, “no.”
It looks lovely. Wishing you both happiness in your new space!
It looks lovely. The kitchen floor is unusual. Don’t think I’ve ever seen one like it. Wishing you both so much happiness in your new home!
Carole:
Thanks so much.
It looks very spacious and I love the floors, especially the kitchen. Shame that there will no longer be sea views and gorgeous men exercising but is that mountains in the distance ? They will have to do!!
Frances.
Frances:
Yes, I’ll miss the sea views and the sounds of the sea. But there are parks everywhere. I expect to see gorgeous men exercising.
May it be marvelous for you!
Urspo:
SO excited about the move and new adventure.
I’m catching up on posts. I like the windows in the apartment. The kitchen looks nice, although I don’t see a refrigerator. I’m glad SG didn’t pick up your pee by accident and take a sip.
Love,
Janie