Every project starts somewhere...An inexcusable dangling bare bulb where a chandelier will soon hang

If the work I've been posting recently feels overly lofty, you'll be happy to hear about my new feature, simply titled Projects. I'll be chronicling my own design projects, from their very earliest inklings to full realization. You'll get a glimpse of what goes into conceptualizing a truly beautiful space, the refinement of a design, sourcing of furniture and supplies, and the process of installation. If you can't be bothered with the nuts and bolts, worry not as I'll still be posting beautiful spaces.

So we'll start with something nearly hopeless: my own rental apartment. I just moved into this place and as clichéd as it may sound, it really is a blank canvas. Its strengths are excellent light, a terasse with views of some lovely 19th C. buildings, good room volumes, tall ceilings, and a few bits and pieces of the original late 19th C. finishes. On the downside, the parquet floors vary in design and color from room to room, most of the original mouldings have been removed, and all of the rooms have just a single, dreadful modern window.

Significant construction, such as replacing the windows or staining the floors, is out-of-scope as this is a rental. So I am working with the apartment's fundamentals and am looking forward to a glorious and challenging project.