Thursday 26 June 2008

Our new apartment - before shots

I can't believe I'm actually posting these photos on the internet. I must be crazy...and if not, at the very least, you'll think I am! Our new apartment is bigger and cheaper than our previous apartment (a pretty mean feat in the current HK property market), which is why I agreed to move into this cesspool of grossness. The reasons for this downgrade will later be revealed....in the meantime, I will share with you the DIY project I've been whining about for the last month or so, and reveal what kind of evil nastiness a few coats of paint can cover up!

These two view is from the entrance, looking through the living room into the dining/kitchen. As you can see its a very long rectangular living space, not as open as I would prefer. It has no real redeeming features architecturally speaking, and the ceilings are too low for my liking. The vinyl wallpaper is (or was) incredibly ugly, along with the light fittings which are beyond ugly, and the massive black speakers which draw your eye upwards to them... and its full of very very ugly furniture which I assure you is not mine.

The Living room, looking back towards the front door and the second bedroom. The apartment is actually in a mezzanine above an old shop, hence the step up to the front bedroom (and the low ceilings).

Opposite end of the living space, in the dining room, from our bedroom doorway looking back into the living room. Don't you just love that penguin shaped plastic bin? When we asked them to take all the furniture out they kindly left that for us (they were originally hoping to lease it fully furnished, but I said they'd have to pay me to live in it in that condition...)


Dining/Kitchen (kitchen part of which is a bit old and too small, but will have to do) looking back towards the bedroom and bathroom. Note the lovely grey tiles. And more ugly wallpaper....bleurghh...


This is the front bedroom...full of someone else's crap. Nothing nice about this at all!

The more I look at these 'before' photos the more I wonder why I decided to live here at all...but stay tuned til later today for the 'after' shots (that is, if you ever choose the read the blog of a crazy woman again) after which I will hear your audible "WOW's"all the way over here in Hong Kong ;)

*UPDATE* The pics will be up next week once I've moved and found my camera's USB cord. So please, hang in there. I know it's ugly, but trust me, the after shots are better. In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves...

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

ouch!! its almost unbearable!!

columnist said...

Wow indeed!! Can't wait to see the "after"......!

Suzy said...

Yes, it is quite unbearable indeed...thanks Anon!

Columnist, it's not quite the Wow I was hoping for, but the after shots will hopefully redeem me. They are unfortunately not going to be up tomorrow afterall, so you'll all just have to stare in disbelief at this ugly apartment for the next week while I move and find the USB cord to my camera so I can upload the pics. I PROMISE they are better than the before shots...

The Peak of Chic said...

I have complete confidence in you Suzy! I know that the "after" is going to truly wow us! (Thank goodness they took their furniture with them.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzy! I feel your pain. I am in NYC helping my daughter move into her first place of her very own...it's a 250 sq/ft studio in Brooklyn and it looks about as ugly as your place. We are working on turning it into a glamouros boudoir much like the one seen in the movie Miss Pettigrew. We shall see.

Fifi Flowers said...

How exciting... I can't wait to see the after! Anticipation!

TIG said...

Suzy--so looking forward to the afer shots--know you'll do an amazing job.

columnist said...

How tantalising!

Unknown said...

Oh, you have a lot of work ahead of you dont you? Hope no major big problems! Good Luck and can't wait to see the after photos!

Anonymous said...

Suzy, you are hilarious!

Looks like a great place to practice your bowling ;-)

Looking forward to the 'after' shot
Jane

driftwood shack said...

Thank goodness someone else out their has to put up with this kind of stuff we have sliding doors (not the movie) wall lights, pebble dash walls inside our conservatory (if you don't know what these are don't try to find out!) and rotting windows sill all in a 17th century farmhouse! Crazy! I can't wait to see how yours turns out......you are brave posting these photos!

Suzy said...

I think I'm either brave or stupid...and I'm thiking the later at the moment, with these before photos up and still no after shots to share. Thanks for having faith in me! I hope the after photos are worth the wait!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see the after shots either. I'm in the process of gutting my own place and constantly trawling the internet for inspiration ...I know you will have done a beautiful job so really looking forward to seeing it. No pressure, hee.

Unknown said...

Good luck, Suzy and thank you for the hint to Rees Roberts. I think his gardenroom in his portfolio Janestreet is the absolute best. Thank you.
Gina from Germany looking forward to your pics.

blah said...

Suzy - you know I can relate!

Suzy said...

Thanks Felicity - I'm sure you can! ;)