Let There Be (a new) Light (fixture)

Earlier this week we received notification that the maintenance crew would be coming in to replace some light fixtures in the apartment. I didn't really have high hopes because this isn't the most glamorous apartment complex in the neighborhood, but it turns out I'm pleasantly surprised by what they updated.

Lovely lamp in the hallway

First they replaced the ballast in the overhead light in the kitchen. Apparently it was making an obnoxious noise that only my boyfriend could hear cared about; now no more noise. It would be nice to have something a little less industrial looking, but that is out of my control. Oh well.

The prettiest of the new light fixtures is in our hallway, and is it me or does it look a touch out of place?

It's actually a very pretty fixture and even matches the light switch plate we purchased ourselves from Home Depot. Okay I was looking for photos of it to visually reference and apparently I never blogged about them... So weird. In fact I can't even find any on my laptop. Oop. I will have to get on that.

Next they replaced the two outside lights - one at our front door and one on the patio. They used to be standard orb lights that are very blah and not cute at all. But these are rather surprising!

Lantern on the terrace

 I forgot to turn on the light switch when I popped out onto the terrace to take a picture and it was still a bit light outside, so this isn't the greatest representation of what it looks like. Still, I do like the lantern style and it is a very fresh and updated look on what used to be there. The black metal contrasts nicely against the grey paint on the building and I think that combination is very chic.

The terrace is one "room" I'm kind of obsessed with. I want to do more with it than just have the dwarf citrus tree and a few plants (some of which are dead). I'm thinking twinkling lights will look great, especially around Christmas-time, and I'd love to incorporate more plants and flowers to add a touch of color.

Lantern at front door

The same lantern was installed outside our front door. It's very pretty when lit and contrasts very nicely. Again, big improvement over the globe/orb ball that used to be there. And actually, when we first moved in we accidentally broke ours and our neighbor's and had to replace them ourselves. They were very cheap... like $7.

It's difficult to imagine what these lights would look like on a blank canvas, meaning an empty apartment. We've included so many personal touches into our home with the paint and fixtures we bought ourselves, and I'd like to think that if I were also buying hallway lamps and outdoor lanterns that I would pick these same models that our apartment management picked.

It really is the nice little touches that can make even a not very glamorous apartment complex all the more homey. We likely won't be here this time next year, or even in Bakersfield for that matter, but it is always nice to see how a place changes and improves over time.

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Ikea Inspiration, Part 7: Terrace/Kitchen Storage

I wish my terrace looked like this:

Alas, we have about 25% of that amount of space. Space is an issue all around in our apartment (the exception being our enormous walk-in closet) so we're not able to do much on our terrace or in our kitchen/dining area. What little cabinet space we have is reserved for plates, cups and wine glasses, and we have no food pantry whatsoever. Instead, we employ a metal shelving unit we purchased at Target years ago and have embraced the open-view style it necessitates. While it makes grabbing dry and canned food easier, it's a bit of an eyesore.

This shelving unit is a slight step up from our current shelving unit, boasts cleaner lines and a nicer finish, and even looks a bit more organized. We could take our current shelf and put it outside on the terrace for plants and flowers (the grated shelves would be great for draining water!) and utilize this new piece for food and pan storage.

I admit I look forward to one day having a food panty of my very own. In the meantime, this will have to do!

Coming up next: Let there be light!

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Ikea Inspirations

When I first started Apartment 54 it was the Ikea catalog that inspired the first few posts and project ideas. While most of those didn't pan out because we never made it down to Burbank the ideas generated from that catalog have stayed with me, and with a catalog out I have many new ideas and inspirations!

I have a few different ideas and plans I'd like to tell you about, but first let's take a look back at some other great ideas inspired by the Ikea catalog!

---Part 1: Inexpensive pots for terrace gardening
---Part 2: A few kitchen updates
---Part 3: A splash of color in the bathroom

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Photo Post: Our Terrace Garden

Jeff getting ready to plant our new gardenia bush.

Our recent purchases: a dwarf lemon tree, gardenia bush, and these two planters. I am loving the large planter for the dwarf lemon. So beautiful!

I can't wait until this yields some fruit!

He's wondering why I'm taking pictures of him, lol.

Clearly he's doing all the work!

The daisy seeds I planted weeks ago are finally starting to sprout!

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Spring Planting

Back in January we bought fixings to start growing a small garden on our tiny little terrace. I think we may have missed the deadline to start planting stuff but I think if we can get it done this weekend we'll be okay. I don't have high hopes for things to grow in this climate anyway. But we'll see! It will sure be nice to have some green things growing out there to make the view a bit nicer.

Jeff's mom planted a bunch of seedlings in a big greenhouse starter kit and already many of them have sprouted up quite nicely. They have this perfect area in their kitchen where a small bay window juts out, allowing for sunlight and precipitation. They should look really nice when they are more grown. Jeff is so funny - every time we go to his parent's house he has to comment on the state of their gardening or the pond or some specific plant. I suppose since his emotional ties are stronger to his childhood home it makes sense.

I'm really looking forward to what Spring has to offer. I'm not looking forward to the 100 degree weather that is sure to cause misery, however. But since Jeff is off school for summer (not me, grr) perhaps we can spend a lot of of time at the pool, staying cool and getting tan. It's a nice thought at least!

In the meantime I'm firmly ensconced in finals and will be for the next two weeks. Joy is the life of graduate student!

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