I have finished moving to my new apartment

[RetroLounge]

for now. More (larger) stuff will come over as we get the house ready for sale. I chose not to paint just yet, and will clean the carpets in the near future, but I had to get in and get situated and begin to make it a home for me and the 2 kids. It's not my overpriced-can't-really-afford-it 4 bedroom house in the suburbs, but it's okay for a rental flat, lots of character, and it's beginning to feel comfortable to be there. Starting over sucks, but I'm kinda excited to have my own place in a weird sort of way.

The kids stayed over for the first time this weekend and had a campout in the empty 2nd bedroom, and now they want to come over and stay every night. In a few months after the house sells, my future ex-wife will move into the flat upstairs, and the kids will walk up and down the back stairs on alternate nights. Well, at least that's the plan today.

Here's a few pics...

Livingroom with 1956 Heywood Wakefield Ashcraft furniture


Front Entrance


Livingroom wall with built-ins and fireplace


More livingroom


Diningroom built-ins with some of the 50's Tiki/Island collection


Diningroom wall


Diningroom looking toward kitchen and 3 bedrooms in back. I have a larger table to bring over at a later date.


Diningroom looking at livingroom


RL

[Shine]

1. Looks cozy and comfy, with plenty of character.

Onward and upward, RL, onward and upward....

:hug:

May your new home be a source of many happy memories and much love. :loveya:

Bright blessings to you, my friend.

[RetroLounge]

11. Onward and upward

I like the sound of that!

:hi:

RL

[greatauntoftriplets]

2. It looks real nice, RL.

You have some extremely nice built-ins and the fireplace is a nice touch. Good luck living there, with the kids going up and down stairs. It's a good arrangement for them.

[RetroLounge]

12. Thanks

I hope the arrangement works out...

RL

[no name no slogan]

3. Damn, you had some help decorating

or you have excellent taste. Your place looks a hell of a lot better than my humble batchelor pad did/does after I split with my ex.

I'm very impressed. It looks like a very comfortable place!

:thumbsup:

[RetroLounge]

13. Just excellent taste, that's all

:rofl:

RL

[fight4my3sons]

4. I think it looks great!

Also, if my parents had been able to have an arrangement where they rented apartments upstairs and downstairs from each other I would have been in Heaven! Wow, that is just incredible.

[RetroLounge]

15. Giving it a try

I guess since I'm the "hurt party" here, it will be up to me as to whether it will work out, jealousy and all...

RL

[fight4my3sons]

23. Even so,

I can't even tell you how much giving it a try would have meant to me. My parents still bicker about each other and I am 33. They divorced when I was 4. It still hurts me to this day when they talk shit about each other to me. I have a lot of respect for you for even trying it out. Your kids will definitely know that you both put them first. What an awesome feeling for them. They will live with that forever. Even if it doesn't work out you tried it and they will never forget that. Good for you and best of luck. You sound like an amazing father.

[RetroLounge]

24. Thank you for that.

it truly helps.

The people on DU just continue to blow me away...

:hug:

RL

[SeattleGirl]

5. I love the built-ins, RL.

Looks like you have things pretty much put away.

I wish you great blessings in your new home, to you and to all who enter.

[RetroLounge]

17. Thank you much

Love that I have a place for my books now...

:hi:

RL

[flamingyouth]

6. That's a fine-looking place

And again, my sincere best wishes to better days to you and all of your family. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

18. Thank you!

:hug:

RL

[lizziegrace]

7. You have extraodinary taste

and a terrific place to work with. The built-ins are beautiful. I agree with Shine. Onward to a new chapter in life.

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

19. extraodinary taste

at least in furniture.

Women? Not so much, apparently...

:rofl:

RL

[Deja Q]

8. Thanks for sharing, your decor is quite cool & easy on the eyes.

[RetroLounge]

22. quite cool & easy on the eyes

Just my Decor?

:D

RL

[Deja Q]

54. Oh, to sum it up,

it's the host who's got the most! :D

[RetroLounge]

66. Now you're talking!

:D

:hi:

RL

[miss_american_pie]

9. It's lovely, RL

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

10. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[LynzM]

14. Looks awesome, dude

That place has *great* character, and you have wonderful taste in decorations! :) Hope it really starts to feel like home for you soon! :hug:

[RetroLounge]

20. Thanks

My wife and I had been collecting 50's furnishings for 10 years, so I merely shopped around the house and took what we agreed upon...

:D

RL

[LynzM]

25. LOL

Must be nice when all the shopping is so 'close to home' ;) I have a friend I should link to this post, she adores 50s decor!

[RetroLounge]

27. Oh, we have SO much more too.

enough to decorate her and my flats, with some left over.

There are still 2 jukeboxes that have to go over to, one for each of us.

We have a 1964 Frigidaire Custom Flair electric range with double ovens in Pink. It weigh 325 pounds, is a monster, is in perfect condition, and cooks great! Well, Sunday I was driving to my apartment and what do I see by the curb? The same one, in perfect condition, only in white. I stopped and knocked on the door, and the people there had just put it out as they were updating their kitchen. They had just used it that morning! So one call, and my wife shows up in the minivan and now we have two, one for each of us!

:rofl:

RL

[LynzM]

37. Dude, that's awesome

I can't believe they just put that out to the curb!! Gah! Glad you snagged it!

I'd love to see the "before" pics of your house, if you have any you feel up for sharing. Some part of me really adores that era, though I couldn't have lived then. Too sassy, I am :evilgrin:

[bigwillq]

16. The place looks great!

:bounce: :hi: :hug:

[RetroLounge]

21. Thanks!

Good to see you!

:hi:

RL

[bigwillq]

26. Enjoy the new place.

It's a fresh start. I know I keep telling you that but it is. You can only go forward! :hi:

[RetroLounge]

28. I like your sig. Very apropos!

:hi:

RL

[bigwillq]

46. My sig

keeps me looking forward to another day! :hi: And to something new and exciting.

[Blue-Jay]

29. Nice digs, RL. You have good taste.

It looks "homey" already.

[RetroLounge]

32. Thanks!

:hi:

RL

[KitchenWitch]

30. Looks comfy!

I love the furnishings, they have character.

[RetroLounge]

34. Well, I've been called a character too...

so I guess it makes sense...

:D

:hi:

RL

[KitchenWitch]

41. I am a character as well

I think most of us friends of Bill are... :hi:

[khashka]

31. Wow!

Looks like you are alreading making a home for yourself and the kids!

Quick work! ( of course the 50's look has to go. Too retro. :) But then how should Retro not be retro?)


I wish you much happiness in your new home :)



Khash.

[RetroLounge]

35. Thanks Khash!

:hug:

RL

[Beaverhausen]

33. Beautiful place. Love the Tiki stuff

My boyfriend is on a Tiki kick but so far all I managed was a Tiki-themed Valentines present-involving tiki drinks!

Hope you can find lots of happiness and peace in your new home. :hug:

And can I just say the built-ins and woodwork in that apartment are just beautiful!

[RetroLounge]

36. Thanks!

I appreciate it...

:hug:

RL

[fishnfla]

38. RetroLounge: now I get it

if the handle fits....

[RetroLounge]

40. Exactly!

:hi:

RL

[Rowdyboy]

39. Looks really warm and welcoming.....

Great job! Having a nice place may help in this sad situation. I wish you all the best.

[RetroLounge]

42. Thanks Rowdyboy!

It does help...

:hi:

RL

[Scout1071]

43. Congratulations Retro. Glad to see things are working out. nt

[RetroLounge]

47. Thanks!

:hi:

RL

[swimboy]

44. Welcome to your new place, Retro!

It looks great and sounds like the kids are having fun. Cheers and all the best to you! :loveya:

[RetroLounge]

48. Hello my friend!

How have you been?

:hi:

RL

[WCGreen]

45. If the plan goes as planned....

(Couldn't resist)....

That's the best thing that could happen to your kids.....

[RetroLounge]

50. I agree

:hi:

RL

[merh]

49. I love the place, it has loads of character.

All of the build ins and the cabinets.

And your plans about living near by to each other so the kids can stay close sound like a great way to help them adjust to the changes.

I know starting over isn't easy, but for all of the fear that goes along with it, there is a type of excitement for the new. :hug:

You won't believe this, but the 1956 Heywood Wakefield Ashcraft furniture looks just like what I had in my sunroom (different cushions). Not only that, but that painting of the island man you have in the center on the dining room wall was almost identical to a painting I had on my sunroom wall.

It was sort of weird seeing these, but in a way, it was a neat reminder.

You and yours are in my prayers, to new beginnings! :toast:

Blessings to you and your new home. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

64. Thanks!

My starting over is nothing like yours. You have been an inspiration...

:hug:

RL

[yvr girl]

51. OMG, you have so much stuff

I can't believe how moved in you look. I've been in my place for 3 years and I'm not fully settled in yet. (Haven't put up pictures etc.)

I actually take a long time to settle in any place. I lived in Vancouver for 3 or 4 years before I opened a local bank account.

I hope it will be a happy home for you. :hug:

[RetroLounge]

65. I can't stand living out of boxes

Had to make it mine as soon as possible...

it will be a happy home... :hug:

RL

[RevCheesehead]

52. Are you still in Tosa?

That place looks a lot like my great aunt & uncle's place... even the furniture!

(no, they're both long gone - but even so...)

So you & Mrs. Retro are living in the same building? What an innovative solution! I hope it works out.

BTW - whatever happened to the mannequin collection from Halloween?

:hug::loveya:

[RetroLounge]

62. Yes, Still in Tosa...

MrsRetro will move upstairs eventually. They actually have a phrase for it, called "Upstairs/Downstairs Parenting."

The mannequins are still in the attic. They will move with us!

:hi:

RL

[NMDemDist2]

53. what a beautiful craftsman place

I hope it soothes your soul cuz it's certainly wonderful and you have your things about you (mostly)

:hug:

[RetroLounge]

67. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

55. My dear RetroLounge....

What a terrific home you have made for yourself, and your kids!

I love love love the Prairie style.....it's just beautiful!

Here's to new beginnings, my dear! Forward, ever forward goes your heart...

:hug: :loveya:

[RetroLounge]

68. Here's to new beginnings...

Thanks My Dear CP.

Onme from me and one from each of the kids

:hug::hug::hug:

RL

[Minnesota Libra]

56. COOL!!!!! that is just too cool!! nt

[RetroLounge]

69. Thanks!

:hi:

RL

[In_The_Wind]

57. It really looks great!

BTW It looks very neat for a bachelor's pad.














:hide:
very retro

[RetroLounge]

70. I like to keep a neat house...

since my life is messy...

:hi:

Retro indeed!

RL

[enigmatic]

58. That is fantastic

Wow, you've got a bad-ass place; I'm seriously jealous. Do you have any radios to go with the rest of the retro stuff? I collect SW radios from 1930 on, and I'd love to get some retro/art deco furniture to go into my studio/shack/hovel:)

[Radio_Lady]

59. Retro, I hope that you fill your little home with laughter and love.

Your children will help you do that, and who knows who you will meet now to enjoy your new life with you?

Maybe it came from "The Sound of Music" but I remember the line about "whenever God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." When I left my ex-husband in Florida in August, 1970 -- after he told me he didn't love me any more and was already spending most of his time with his new girlfriend -- I put my children (a little boy, age 1 and a little girl, just age 2) in the car, filled the trunk with our clothes and as many disposable diapers as possible), and left for the mountains of North Carolina where I had spent summers as a child.

I had only $80 in my pocket when I arrived. Somehow, I managed to convince the owner of one of the department stores in Hendersonville that I could do retail work. His name was Jack Schulman, and I thanked him for his compassion when I met up with him prior to his death much later.

I rented a little apartment in Flat Rock, NC (smaller than the one you are in, I'm sure), took a job as a cashier, and held my head up high while I worked in a fairly low-level job for the next several months.

My ex- and I tried another stab at life together (back to Florida that winter), but by Valentine's Day, February 14, 1971, it was all over and I asked him to leave the house for good. I took a radio job in Boston the following year. I lived in another apartment (two bedrooms and rented furniture) in Boston, before I met my current husband, whose wife had died of cancer at age 34.

Anyway, I wish you the best.

I don't really believe in a personal God, but if the door was closed in your life, somehow you've found an open window!

In peace, love and happiness,

Radio_Lady

[RetroLounge]

72. Thank you so much!

"whenever God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window."

Yes, I have heard this phrase a lot recently, and I tend to believe it.

THanks

:hi:

RL

[RetroLounge]

71. I have a 50's Telefunken radio

You can see it in one of the pics of the Dining Room.

Plays great. Love the tube sound.

RL

[XemaSab]

60. That's a stylin' pad!

Craftsman style, and very little beige in sight!

:toast:

[RetroLounge]

73. "very little beige in sight"

Exactly. I will be painting it some nice COLORS pretty soon.

I think a light gray for the frontroom, a silvery blue for the dining room.

:hi:

RL

[NMMNG]

61. Ooooooh, look at all the built-ins!

Very nice! And I love all of the natural wood too. :thumbsup:

[RetroLounge]

74. Yes, I love built-ins too!

This place is very much like the place my wife and I lived in when we got married, so we are comfortable with the layout...

Back to the Future...

RL

[Strong Atheist]

63. The place looks great, at least! Sorry about the reasons for

moving ...:-(

[RetroLounge]

75. Thanks...

:hug:

RL

[xchrom]

76. bust a bottle of wine over something!

and give it a good christening!

good luck! great looking old place -- love it!

[RetroLounge]

77. "bust a bottle of wine over something"

Yeah, but it would be a waste of alcohol...

:hi:

RL

[eyesroll]

78. Party at Retro's place!

:bounce: :bounce:

Seriously...looks good!

[RetroLounge]

79. Big Party!

Good Food. Loud music. Naked DU'ers!

:hi:

RL

[eyesroll]

80. I'll bring some pie.

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

91. Cottleston Cottleston Cottleston Pie

:D

RL

[WeRQ4U]

81. Love the built-ins.

Makes the place comfy.

[RetroLounge]

86. and also good places for my stuff!

:hi:

RL

[MissMillie]

82. Heywood Wakefield furniture is hard to come by

Keep it nice. It is already worth something, but as it ages its value only increases.

[RetroLounge]

87. Oh, and I have MUCH more

Whole bedroom set, dining set and lots of other pieces.

We've collected lots of it over the years...

RL

[LaraMN]

83. You unpack fast!

Some yummy woodwork in that place, too!
I've moved twice while pregnant- once, the weekend I was due, and I spent the subsequent days unpacking and moving furniture around like a whirling fiend, while people shook their heads at me. I can't stand having things in boxes- I don't feel "settled" and can't relax until I have fully infiltrated the space.

It looks fabulous, RL! I hope it becomes a haven for you and little ones, as a home should be.

[RetroLounge]

88. Thanks!

:hug:

RL

[SouthoftheBorderPaul]

84. Wow, you've got quite the design/decor flare!

Cool funiture. Here's to making the best of a tough situation!

[RetroLounge]

89. Not to mention that my Les Paul Custom

finally came out of the case!

:hi:

RL

[ronnykmarshall]

85. That's a groovy looking pad, Daddy-O!

You have some great stuff.

Mind if I come over, some loco weed and play my bongos?

<snap> <snap> <snap>


That's a great looking place.

[RetroLounge]

90. You my friend are welcome anytime

but I might not let you leave...

:hi:

RL