a parisian gift for you

by Sharon Santoni
Here is a pretty thing to dream about …………..
You receive a letter from a notary in France,  how mysterious ……….
a cousin of your father has passed away, leaving no children, no wife,
and has bequeathed to you a property in Paris ………..
“in need of renovation” warns the notary’s letter ……….

“has not been maintained for years” ….

“high ceilings, the heating alone will be astronomical” ………..
undeterred by the dour notary, you jump on a plane and set out to find the address, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris ….
you follow instructions to find the concierge to the building, and with your  high school  French, manage to make her understand that you need help swinging open the heavy door to the appartment…
“mais madame,  that apartment is completely empty for years now” …..

she walks in with you and pulls back the dusty curtains, and opens the shutters to let the light stream in revealing bare plaster walls, acres of beautiful wooden floor boards, and the occasional chair ……

you hand her a folded note, generous but not ridiculous,  to thank her for her kindness and assure yourself of her assistance in the future , and accompany her back to the door.   As she leaves, you push the door too… and swing round to squeal for joy ….all this is yours!
so tell me where do you start?
do you move in straight away and start buying furniture?  is this the longed for
opportunity for a new start in life?
do you play safe;  furnish it a little and hand it over to an agent to rent it out for you,
 then take the first plane home?
do you invite everyone you know for a party in this beautiful and empty space?
do you call in an interior designer, or would you have your own ideas on decorating?
come on now, let your imagination run riot, tell me please, what would you do?
all photos found here , this flat is available for photo shoots

83 comments

Elizabeth Eiffel February 7, 2013 - 9:56 am

Don't leave me hanging here…………….your reality or fantasy?
Unfortunately for me there is no way it could possibly be a reality. My parents were only children whose parents remarried once their spouses died so we were bequeathed nothing – except for their wonderful genes (as well as a few rouge ones) and a great work ethic. What more could I ask for? Bisous

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 9:58 am

No Elizabeth, this is not my reality, I just thought it was fun to dream a little, it's so unusual to see photos of an apartment like this, just waiting to be saved …

xx

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Pam February 7, 2013 - 10:14 am

ok this got my heart racing. and inspired me to get going on my own paris flat..(ok, not really MINE, we rent 🙂 but i feel a bit stuck. i can't paint. most of the furniture here is the owners…we've left all of our own "stuff" back in the states while we are here. for the first time in my life i feel paralyzed when it comes to decorating!

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Barbara Lilian February 7, 2013 - 10:40 am

Dreams! what would life be if we didn't dream about things like this. Since we've lived in France My other half & I spend so many hours dreaming of what if's !!
At the moment I am too occupied buying paint & moving furniture around my own diner/salon to think about re-decorating a huge Mansion. Love the pictures.
Those huge high ceiling rooms, seems to have made my abode seem like a match box.
I'll be back later to read what everyone else would like to do with them. Lovely post as always Sharon.

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libraryeducator February 7, 2013 - 10:56 am

Sharon
This is a fantasy I have over and over again! Saving a beautiful space like this – usually an older home in the country, but the Paris dream spot still works for me! I would change my life for a chance like this, so I know I would stay. I would bask in the emptiness and sunshine on those beautiful floors as I decided what to do and how to do it so far from my home in Virginia! Then, I always start with the walls and floors before I would move to the furnishings. But my heart would also be racing with excitement and I would probably never sleep again! I will dream of this fantasy tonight! Isn't t there an Audrey Hepburn movie when she returns to such a Parisian apartment. I cannot believe you call spaces this large and gorgeous apartments! I have always thought you could write for a living – children stories with Ghetto and Gibson, and grown-up romances with your wonderful musings on life and people around you. You spot has become so much more than being about decorating and bronc antes. Thank you!
Karen

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 11:57 am

maybe you could still have fun buying some french stuff to take back home with you one day 🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 11:58 am

dreams are absolutely vital, and yes those high ceilings are pretty inspiring
xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 11:59 am

Hi Karen

so glad I am feeding your existing fantasy! 🙂
thank you for your kind words about the writing, you are very generous

Sharon
xx

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French Heart February 7, 2013 - 12:13 pm

My apt in San Francisco was not on this grand a scale, but with the same architectural style and details. I was a designer (commercial) for 20 years, and so would start with the outdoor views. In San Francisco it was the Bay and I want colors to relate to the exterior so there is a cohesive flow. I like clean, not severe lines, but simple elegant, no frou-frou. And I prefer the same colors throughout, so nothing is jarring. This would be too large for me…but I'd go with very fresh, young, lots of white (I know that's a primer, but I love white) lots of fresh flowers, books, large comfortable pieces. I can see hunter green velvet sofas, rose, and creamy white, trellis print rugs…Am ready to draw it up on vellum right now!

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Dianne February 7, 2013 - 12:29 pm

A suprise gift indeed Sharon … I would move in straight away …there would be no interior decorator for me just a fulfillment of dreams … of decorating this gift in the Belle Epoque style with deep mahogany furniture, etched golden framed mirrors, brass coat-hooks and doorknobs and the richest fabrics and tapestries that money could buy. If only!!

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Kim February 7, 2013 - 1:00 pm

Oh … did you set my mind imagining and reeling this morning over my tea!! I am THERE … would pack up, get all things settled here and start the adventure in Paris … hitting all the flea markets and slowly let the space speak to me and tell me what it needed … then LIVE and if this was all a reality, the heating costs wouldn't even bother me!! xo

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Anonymous February 7, 2013 - 1:32 pm

Sorry Sharon

I know you're playing a fantasy game but this sounds rather like a variation of one of those Nigerian scams. The kind where all you need to do is supply your bank account details and everything will be yours! Not. So I can't take to this even as a fantasy. Best wishes, Pamela

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Down Raspberry Lane February 7, 2013 - 1:42 pm

Who hasn't had this dream? In my fantasy I would keep it as a pied-à-terre to come to on my monthly shopping trips to Paris (from my own french country house – also a dream!). I would fill it with my brocante finds, bit by bit, and also with all of the city-clothes that I would only need for my Paris life. I love the light and space, and would not overcrowd it with too many furnishings, just enough simple, beautiful, and of course, old things. And perhaps I would sit at a lovely old writing table that sits before a window in the mornings, and write my memoirs.

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Karen (Back Road Journal) February 7, 2013 - 1:43 pm

I've always been a dreamer. My mother used to tell me "if wishes were horses, you would have a stable full". There is no doubt that I would stay. I would live in it just like it is to get to know its quirks and surprises. I would then come visit you for an afternoon to find where to search for all the little treasures to turn the apartment into my own special dream come true. Karen

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Anonymous February 7, 2013 - 1:50 pm

First I would wander around for days, looking, falling in love, discovering every detail, taking it in, trying to catch my breath… Then I would invite everyone over for a big, joyous party! After that it would be decorated slowly, lovingly… Letting my imagination fully take over and pretending I have no obligations in other places, I know that reason would tell me to rent it out, but my heart would tell me to stay… and these days, I am following my heart with wild abandon…

Dorene

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Katey February 7, 2013 - 2:58 pm

I would move it right then and there sleeping on the couch if I must enjoying my good fortune and then start filling it with treasures from all the awesome flea markets. It would be a dream!!! How fun it would be.

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CiciBianca February 7, 2013 - 2:58 pm

Oh my Gosh! What fun – We all need dreams and you have put us in the middle of a beautiful one. Thank you.

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Amy February 7, 2013 - 2:59 pm

What heaven! I have a nagging practical streak, so I'd have to know what I was in for in terms of restoring the place properly. If I were so fortunate as to receive a gift like this, I'd be desperate to be a good steward of it. But once I got the essentials repaired, I'd hit the flea markets and decorate bit by bit, making sure every piece I brought home was a special find, perhaps with some interesting history behind it. And finally, I'd bring friends over from across the pond and share my outrageous good fortune; we'd Velib our way from patisserie to patisserie and take delight in that beautiful city. Cheers for giving me a great daydream to help me through the laundry and cleaning today!

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angiemanzi February 7, 2013 - 3:04 pm

Buy a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, a tin of beluga caviar, wrap myself in a Kenzo shawl sit in the chair near the sun drenched space and have a private celebration. Thank God for my good fortune. Worry about the repairs tomorrow. That's what I would do.

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Rosaria Amorim February 7, 2013 - 3:16 pm

Eu nem sei se ia acreditar, primeiro eu ia verificar se era verdade ou se não estaria sonhando,como a minha família é sem nada e sem esta perspectiva, com certeza eu ia acordar é toda urinada. kkkkkk. Desculpe a brincadeira, seu post é lindo. UM BJ NO SEU CORAÇÃO.

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Lady of the Woods February 7, 2013 - 3:20 pm

well, I would have no choice but to stay awhile because it would take a while to catch my breath and begin breathing again! and then! once I did that, begin to dance and squeal all over all those acres! while trying to contain the plethora of fantasies I've had for something like this from coming all at once……but at the same time be intent on manifesting at least two of them! and figure out which ones and how………LOL….cant go any further than that and why would I want to? lol

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Nantucket Daffodil February 7, 2013 - 4:16 pm

A dream! I would host a large gathering, then paint/repair and rent out for weeks at a time to my blogging friends! Then it would still be available for me when I wanted it, and I'd have income to pay for the heat, and to decorate with a found treasure now and again. Lovely scenario!

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The White Pear Tree February 7, 2013 - 4:16 pm

I would move in. Instantly. And imagining I have a nice bake account to go with it, I would head to the St-Ouen Flea Market and brocantes, and buy gorgeous antiques to furnish it. And then of course, invite my family and friends to share in this wonderful dream.

Thank you, now I will be walking in lala-land all day, lol!

Nicole
xx

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Anonymous February 7, 2013 - 4:24 pm

if such a letter came my way, i would think that things happen for a reason- the time is right to start a new lifestyle. Forget the heating cost – i would install woodburning stoves, contact my designer friends for fabric discounts, decorate the place & start living large…

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Wild Oak Designs February 7, 2013 - 4:28 pm

Enjoy it and take it all in. Run from room to room and squeal. Call my Hubby and have him come (if he hadn't already) and we would take the vacation we never had. Then, we would keep it and enjoy. Probably as a vacation spot from which to enjoy all of France (and the rest of Europe). I get in touch with you, Sharon, to help me find the treasures I would need and have at least one party a year.
This is a fantastic apartment you are showing us, and it is the kind that dreams are made of.
Nancy
wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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Morvan Muse February 7, 2013 - 5:17 pm

Wow oh Wow! What a beautiful fantasy….far more exciting than Fifty Shades of Grey. I am currently reading it and what a disappointment …anyway….love this apartment. A bottle of Champagne to celebrate and then I would dance through every room…then a decision…for my heart is in the French countryside so would I live in Paris Monday – Friday and then go to the country for weekends or ….save Paris for the weekends…ooooh I don't know. https://moncoeurestdanslacampagne.blospot.com

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Sheree February 7, 2013 - 5:26 pm

It's a little bit like the book A Good Year.

Thanks for posting the amazing pictures.

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hostess of the humble bungalow February 7, 2013 - 5:35 pm

Oh what a dream apartment!
I'd go to the Flea Markets and Brocantes and collect a variety of wares that spoke to me. Linens silver paintings furniture. Wonderful to be able to start fresh.
Tell me is this place yours or a friends?
Lovely bones and age look at that patina!!!

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МаринаОсень February 7, 2013 - 5:36 pm

omg. WHAT would I do? Yes, you are right – in order to have dreams like that you need to think about WHAT will you do with all this hapinness… i lack my words, Sharon. But I WILL THINK… thank you fos this post!

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Splenderosa February 7, 2013 - 5:54 pm

Ohhhh to dream….

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Lora Childers February 7, 2013 - 6:14 pm

Perhaps write to a Fabulous blogger I know of who hails from England, lives in Normandy, and frequents brocantes and ask her if she would like a Paris show room for her wares. I’d also wonder how a family of hillbillies from the Ozarks spawned a member who wandered so far afield geographically and economically. But primarily I would be euphoric for a years.

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Debra February 7, 2013 - 6:33 pm

After the initial shock wore off and care was arranged for my two teenage boys, I would head out to Dulles for the next Air France flight. After much anticipation my arrival at that heavy door in the 16th would most certainly be surreal – a dream since 3rd grade entry level French class. If the door opened to the above pictured surroundings one would find me spread out on the floor – shock and awe would have overtaken. No, I would not change a single thing – this apartment is my idea of heaven. After I inhaled every single inch of every room I would go to the market for fresh cut flowers. Then, try to figure out a way to share my good fortune with my francophile friends:)
Wow, Sharon, thanks for posting such incredible pictures!

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:50 pm

hope you're busy drawing, have fun!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:51 pm

Sounds like you're already there Dianne!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:51 pm

this is the stuff of dreams and adventures Kim

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:52 pm

no Pamela, not a scam just a dream … but if you want to give us your bank details, please feel free 🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:53 pm

You sound to me like a very organised lady, this is maybe a bit big for a monthly pied à terre!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:54 pm

It's a date Karen, would be such fun!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:54 pm

glad to hear that your heart is ruling your life Dorene, can I come to the party? 🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:55 pm

it would indeed be great fun

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:55 pm

the sort of dream to tuck away in the back of your mind, and bring out to play with as you sit in traffic etc …

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:56 pm

Hey Amy, in Paris you'd still have the laundry and the cleaning, but I'm happy you enjoyed this daydream

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:57 pm

I'm with you all the way angie, except that I think that caviar and champagne taste better shared 🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 6:59 pm

of course you'd believe it was true Rosario, and your family would love to come and help you enjoy your good luck

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:00 pm

intriguing !!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:00 pm

very clever thinking, lucky blogger friends !

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:01 pm

nothing wrong with a little la-la now and again Nicole

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:01 pm

and what fun that would be !!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:02 pm

Hi Nancy , well! I am honoured to figure in your dream solution and of course I'd love to help you find all those special pieces you'd need to furnish a place like this

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:03 pm

of all the reactions I'd hoped for, I never thought this flat would be compared to 50 shades !!!

so glad you enjoyed it

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:04 pm

🙂

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:05 pm

Neither mine, nor a friends actually. Simply a place I found that is available to rent for films/photo shoots etc

you're right about the bones

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:05 pm

have fun thinking

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:06 pm

it's good for us Marsha to have the occasional daydream

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:06 pm

You are too sweet Lora, now that would be some showroom!!

xx

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sharon santoni at my french country home February 7, 2013 - 7:07 pm

Come on debra, there must be room for your boys in there, the place is huge!! It would eb fun though wouldn't it?!

xx

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Brandi at desertpastoral.blogspot.com February 7, 2013 - 8:13 pm

I would consider it a sign that now is the time to break away and live life as a new adventure in a new place! I'd figure out all the paperwork (how do you move to another country?), sell my stuff in the U.S., pack up my favorite and most beloved possessions, book the hubbie and the doggie passage, and buy a French dictionary!

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Lorrie February 7, 2013 - 8:28 pm

First, I'd pack my prettiest dress and shoes and order in a beautiful dinner for two (my husband would come along to see this wonderful inheritance). We'd eat in front of the window, the room lit only by candlelight, and our gazes would alternate from the outside world of Paris by night to the mysterious spaces filled with ghosts of the past. Then, we'd dance, slowly, from room to room, twirling until the candlelight split into a million shards.

The next night, we'd invite all of our friends and family who could make it, along with bloggers from Europe, including Sharon, Tish, Vicki, Maggie, and throw a huge party. (because you know, the inheritance would include a substantial amount of cash for such things). Guests who watched carefully might catch a glimpse of ethereal beings from the past dancing quietly in the corners, watching the empty spaces come to life, smiling.

Then, I'd rent out our home here for at least a year, and begin decorating, with the help of a certain blogger from Normandy. After a year in Paris, who knows?

Oh what a fun interlude this has been. Thanks, Sharon!

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Amy February 7, 2013 - 9:02 pm

1. Sell my house in Minnesota.
2. Get shots for my cats.
3. Book a one-way ticket for me, the cats and the harps.
4. Ship over my bed, desk, couch, Fire King Jadeite collection and books.
5. Move in.
6. Rent out the rooms to people I like to pay for the heating.
7. Never, ever, ever look back.

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vicki archer February 7, 2013 - 10:23 pm

I'd move straight in… and worry about the rest later…;) xv

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Genie -- Paris and Beyond February 7, 2013 - 10:46 pm

Are you kidding? I would send for a few things, and never leave! Party tonight!

Bises,
Genie

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Amelia February 7, 2013 - 10:51 pm

First, I'm not hopping on a plane to claim my inheritance without taking a whole month to check it out. Then here it goes:

1. Buy a bed and make the bedroom liveable, where I'll camp for the whole month.
2. Checked out the new arrondissement, 16th of course…:)
3. Assess what renovations need to be done.
4. Draw up a budget, e-mail it to hubby in the U.S. Have him worry about the logistics.
5. Mama Mia is enjoying a whole month of Paris time, and the rest can wait.

Sharon, you sure know how to make day dreaming fun.

xx

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Linda February 7, 2013 - 11:25 pm

Move in Straight Away!!!
Day one: Fall in Love. Then buy a new mattress and basics for the kitchen and bath
Day two: Fall in Love, again. then, Explore Every. Single. Inch.
Day three: fall in love for the 3rd day in a row.
Repeat Day #3 and begin searching Brocantes.

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The enchanted home February 7, 2013 - 11:51 pm

Oh you are cruel! Imagine such a surprise…jump on plane to go home? Not even a chance….and leave that gorgeous apt. that is begging to be brought back to life again…I would begin immediately! Hos absolutely gorgeous…even would sleep on the floor just knowing its all mine:)

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Anonymous February 8, 2013 - 12:02 am

Dear Sharon

Have just come in from watering the garden and picking some beautiful sweet cherry tomatoes before the heat builds up – 35C forecast for today.

It worries me that so many people fantasise about being given their dream, pretty much on a plate. My parents taught me from childhood to achieve my dreams by working hard at school and university and by making intelligent choices in career and life. We brought up our son to do the same. While he was at university doing a commerce and financial management (accountancy) degree we gave him some money as a birthday present to invest in the stock market – not a great deal, but enough to thrill him and give him a sense of responsibility for his financial choices. He also began saving all he could from his part time job so he could invest more. He's smart and studied the market carefully with my husband's assistance. But essentially his choices were his own. Before the tech share boom he bought into cheap floats and other good low priced stocks and then when they were at their peak before the crash he sold, making huge capital gains – for which he paid tax of course. It gave him enough money to make a really large downpayment on his first house. He quickly paid that off and bought a bigger house for his growing family. Now paid off as well so he has no mortgage and runs and owns two successful businesses. So he has succeeded by his own intelligence and very hard work in achieving his own dream. We helped a little but didn't hand him everything on a plate as so many people hope for.
My dream from childhood, apart from the usual girl's hopes for a happy marriage, family and home, was more for experiences rather than de luxe ownership (my father was a keen traveller and started my first subscription to the National Geographic when I was 10). I wanted to walk on the Great Wall, take a gondola on a canal in Venice, travel through France and Italy, attend the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Kirov in St Petersburg, the opera in Vienna and at Glyndebourne, see the original works by my favourite artists in the galleries of the world, climb a mountain, wander through brocantes in rural France and many more experiences. Because of the life choices we've made we've been able to achieve these dreams and more. But I never expected or hoped that it would all come true through being given all I wanted as a gift. Best wishes, Pamela

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Karina Russell February 8, 2013 - 2:23 am

I agree with Linda: buy the essentials so I could camp out in the house, get the feel of it and stock up on magazines and french decorating books to browse through at night and scavenge the flea markets during the day for antiques. What fun!

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Fi.P February 8, 2013 - 3:00 am

Hi Sharon,

I have just read through all the comments and some of the dreams are just lovely!! I second them all. I don't always get to see you post but when I do they are a delight, especially the ones when we get to dream. We all work hard for what we have but it's so nice to stop in the middle of the day and fantasise just for the pure fun of it!

Thank you for the dream!

Fiona

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thebalancedapproach February 8, 2013 - 3:21 am

OMG Thank you for my beautiful appartment!

Once I knew the realtor had seriously left the building I would squeal again and probably until I could squeal no more! I would then take one of the dusty chairs to the centre of the living room, sit, and allow myself to submerge my entire being into relilshing the new path in life I had just found myself on.

Slowly in my imagination I would bring the appartment back to it's former glory…polish it's floors, paint it's wall, choose furniture pieces for each room that are classic yet simple and understated. I would never crowd the rooms as these rooms each have their own story to tell.

Night would fall and reluctantly I would leave the aparttment, the large key held securely in my hand, knowing that tomorrow I would be back and my dreaming would become a reality!

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mandy roberts February 8, 2013 - 10:57 am

Pamela
Your reply to this made me feel incredibly sad for you!
I cant understand how you have so completely missed the point of the Post.
It has nothing to do with being handed everything on a plate, but is to do with DREAMS, ESCAPISM … Not everyone, however successful, or Educated, can fulfil all their dreams.Yes, you are fortunate enough to have been able to do this, as you say, by your own, and presumably your husbands hard work, but there are many many of us who also work extremely hard, make good choices, etc. but still have our dreams of doing and achieving what we know may remain DREAMS.
I suspect that, if you are truly honest …. you, too, have dreams.
Dreams that you could not bring yourself to share, maybe. Very sad.

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mandy roberts February 8, 2013 - 12:28 pm

Pamela
Your reply to this made me feel incredibly sad for you!
I cant understand how you have so completely missed the point of the Post.
It has nothing to do with being handed everything on a plate, but is to do with DREAMS, ESCAPISM … Not everyone, however successful, or Educated, can fulfil all their dreams.Yes, you are fortunate enough to have been able to do this, as you say, by your own, and presumably your husbands hard work, but there are many many of us who also work extremely hard, make good choices, etc. but still have our dreams of doing and achieving what we know may remain DREAMS.
I suspect that, if you are truly honest …. you, too, have dreams.
Dreams that you could not bring yourself to share, maybe. Very sad.

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Anonymous February 8, 2013 - 1:11 pm

Of course! 🙂

Dorene

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Anonymous February 8, 2013 - 1:58 pm

Dear Mandy

I think it's an age thin. Probably I'm much older than you and I've already lived quite a long and interesting life. My husband and I have been happily married for well over 40 years and we've both had challenging and fulfilling careers, involving a lot of travel, that we've enjoyed. We have a good caring son and daughter-in-law and two beautiful little grand-daughters and lots of friends. My dream at this time in my life is not for material things at all – my dream is to live long enough to see our beautiful grand-daughters grow up to be happy, fulfilled, confident and secure young women. We're very close and they know how much they're adored.

Over quite a long life together we've lost a number of dear ones, family and friends, including a child long ago to an incurable illness. So having come through all the pain of these losses to our present age and current lives we're grateful for the blessings we have and don't dream of castles in Spain or luxury apartments in Paris.

What worries me is that people who fantasise impossible dreams, that are way beyond the bounds of possibility for their personal circumstances, are likely to end up feeling unhappy, discontented, resentful and perhaps envious of others who have fared better in life. Dream yes, and work for the dreams, but too much time spent in unrealisable fantasy is not really beneficial.

So don't feel sad for me. I'm happy and though retired still lead a very full and interesting life, including voluntary charity work. My husband and I love to travel and a great treat every two years is an extended holiday in Europe. I wish you all the best in your own life and hope your dreams come true, Pamela

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Anonymous February 8, 2013 - 2:18 pm

Dear Sharon

Have just come in from watering the garden and picking some beautiful sweet cherry tomatoes before the heat builds up – 35C forecast for today.

It worries me that so many people fantasise about being given their dream, pretty much on a plate. My parents taught me from childhood to achieve my dreams by working hard at school and university and by making intelligent choices in career and life. We brought up our son to do the same. While he was at university doing a commerce and financial management (accountancy) degree we gave him some money as a birthday present to invest in the stock market – not a great deal, but enough to thrill him and give him a sense of responsibility for his financial choices. He also began saving all he could from his part time job so he could invest more. He's smart and studied the market carefully with my husband's assistance. But essentially his choices were his own. Before the tech share boom he bought into cheap floats and other good low priced stocks and then when they were at their peak before the crash he sold, making huge capital gains – for which he paid tax of course. It gave him enough money to make a really large downpayment on his first house. He quickly paid that off and bought a bigger house for his growing family. Now paid off as well so he has no mortgage and runs and owns two successful businesses. So he has succeeded by his own intelligence and very hard work in achieving his own dream. We helped a little but didn't hand him everything on a plate as so many people hope for.
My dream from childhood, apart from the usual girl's hopes for a happy marriage, family and home, was more for experiences rather than de luxe ownership (my father was a keen traveller and started my first subscription to the National Geographic when I was 10). I wanted to walk on the Great Wall, take a gondola on a canal in Venice, travel through France and Italy, attend the Bolshoi in Moscow and the Kirov in St Petersburg, the opera in Vienna and at Glyndebourne, see the original works by my favourite artists in the galleries of the world, climb a mountain, wander through brocantes in rural France and many more experiences. Because of the life choices we've made we've been able to achieve these dreams and more. But I never expected or hoped that it would all come true through being given all I wanted as a gift. Best wishes, Pamela

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Amelia February 8, 2013 - 7:55 pm

This is suppose to be a fun post. In the spirit of fun…a piped dream, nothing real here, unless someone is delusional, and I don't think any of us are.

Please go with the flow! Have fun. Ease up. Each of us here are accomplished in our own ways and in whatever fields we choose to be in. Preaching to the peanut gallery is a futile and wasted effort.

With regards in the spirit of friendship and love.

Amelia

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Nantucket Daffodil February 9, 2013 - 1:50 am

Pamela, I think your bookshelves must be lined with non-fiction. I prefer a bit of fiction in my life…which is what this post was. It was no different than reading a romantic novel of an era gone by, and shadowing the heroine, of dreaming a little dream …. I did not find it malicious or offensive in any way. I, like you, have lived a wonderfully full life, and have used the knowledge I have gained to understand that this and a Nigerian bank scam hold absolutely no parallels.

I do enjoy the fact Pamela that you cherish time in your garden. Thanks to YOUR words, I was able to conjure a vision of my own summer garden, as we are in the midst of a blizzard. Thanks for allowing me to dream a bit tonight….

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Meredith February 9, 2013 - 5:29 am

I did not read the other comments. What I would do was try and get an idea of the ceiling size in each room and start drawing. Then I would hire a mural artist to paint the ceilings from my sketches. My ceiling murals would all have the human form in one way or another in them, I can see flowing gowns. Think Venetian paintings. I loved everything I saw at Pompeii almost 20 years ago now so that would be additional inspiration. I would work from ceiling down.

Maybe wallpaper the walls only on the plaster. Some rooms might not need wallpaper just paint that either added to the celling murals or I would pull the ceiling murals to the top of the walls. Maybe in the center of the wall or the corners of each room. I love large designs on wallpaper and a lot of the antique reproduction wallpaper would look fantastic. I would leave all the original woodwork, paint it maybe. The floors look lovely to me and I would leave them alone or add another coat of varnish. Proper Oriental rugs for the area would be an early choice. to mark off area for furniture not the entire floor. It might be neat to have lighter meaning not wool rugs for summer and spring in a cream or white?

Maybe one or more large gold gilded mirror on the wallpapered walls. I can see it in my head, one that even the mirror has aged. Antique mirror glass look.

Furniture would be next, than any window treatments, I love shutters so if they were there they would stay. Textiles add so much to a room. However they are used, window treatments, pillows, upholstery, bedding. Being a quilter that would be fun to have antique and new quilts in the home. A Few Quality antique smaller items throughout would be some of the things I would pick up as I went along with the project. Pull colors off a few antique oyster plates, a piece of Majolica depending on its size could also influence the palette of a room. I would also like to add Meissen porcelain to the decorative items. They have some great antique soup tureen. Plus I would bring over my Stieff silverware and silver.

The photos show rooms that can open on one another so I would want there to be a sufficient flow from room to room. I love color so I would want it all over. The bedroom and master bath I would use calm colors that were not as warm as the rest of the house. That is all of the top of my head. Thanks for letting me dream.

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Nel February 9, 2013 - 12:40 pm

What a dream! I would just enjoy the beauty of the space before I did anything. Then slowly buy bits and pieces of furniture as I see things that look like they belong. I'd rather wait than just rush out to fill it up. How beautiful!!

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Eleanor February 9, 2013 - 1:45 pm

I would make a trip home to gather my belongings and forge full steam ahead into this new magical life that dropped right into my lap!
Oh, how the imagination is spinning now!!!!

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Anonymous February 9, 2013 - 2:43 pm

I'd faint dead-away…..nothing ever happens to me like that, gorgeous apartment…suek

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Naperville Now February 10, 2013 - 3:01 am

I would move in and revel. then buy furniture. fab dream prompt.
Sue

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Anonymous February 12, 2013 - 4:07 am

I'd also pass right out onto the floor. When I came to, I'd order in champagne and call all my friends over and we would all squeal and do jumpy claps 'til dawn!

Missing Paris-
Jennifer

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