I’ve been in my condo about 2 months. Besides the work I am having done by others, my time was originally spent unpacking and organizing. I shared before that I hurt my back carrying a heavy box. It was getting better until I re-injured it. I have spent weeks trying to relax my back and let the soft tissue injury heal. Last Thursday I was worse than ever as I started having RA (rheumatoid arthritis) flashing pain in various places on my body. I have RA episodes when I’m stressed and I’ve been stressed. I went to see my primary doctor, and he helped. I got a shot and 2 prescriptions to help ease the pain and relax the muscles. Needless to say those boxes left on the balcony will continue to wait.


When I closed on the condo, I immediately had the old verticals and filthy pinch pleated drapes removed. The sliding glass doors were cleaned. The walls throughout the condo including closets were painted creamy off-white. Then I had modern rods installed and patio curtains installed in the dining area. The weave of material lets in light but offers privacy.
The pinch pleated drapes looked like they had been hung when the building was first built in the 1970’s. The old hanging lamp in the before photo was removed and thrown away. It looked like an ancient light from the 1960’s to me. It had a long cord over to the wall and down to the outlet next to the floor. The bedrooms, dining area and living area had no electricity on the ceiling. All rooms had fans or light with long cords to the outlet on the wall. I hated it. I had all of those fans removed and had electricity run to the ceiling in the master bedroom and the dining area. Both required moving furniture and draping and cleaning after the lamps were connected.

Above you’ll notice in the photo an antique table from my maternal grandmother on the left wall before the dining area. I hung my print based on a classic illustration from John Gould’s 7 volumes of “Birds of Australia” (1848). Then I added a bunny and flowers. See below.


The vintage dining table is newer for me. My old dining table had a water stain last December that went deep into the wood. The gentleman who was refinishing the table found that even after sanding, there was the light spot. Therefore, I started looking for a vintage table to replace it. By the time I moved, I had found a vintage table I liked and new cream chairs to complete the new look. I bought a new cream rug for the dining area after I moved in. Today’s centerpiece is based on my duck from Ross for Less last year.


I bought this new chandelier from someone who bought it on clearance at Home Depot and didn’t use it. It was still new in the box and I got it for $35.00. The lamp has silver rings hanging down in various lengths. The light makes them sparkle. It’s beautiful at night.

What’s happening now?
Boxes of supplies from Home Depot have been sitting between the small living area and the dining area for weeks. I’m taking some back to the store for credit. I’m really sick of the boxes. The vanity in the master bath was plumbed. Last Saturday the walls beside the new vanity were patched and painted. Next Saturday the smaller vanity in the second bathroom will be removed. That leaves installing the new vanity which gets a large box out of the living area. I’ll have photos of the vanities soon. Then next month I am having the walk in shower re-done. I’m almost finished in the bathrooms except for new tile floors. The master bath will be retiled after the new shower goes in.

I’m hoping that life will be easier in a few weeks when both vanities are installed and there are no boxes in the living area. I still have updates to do in the kitchen. The gentleman who lived here before me was 6 feet 1 inch. He installed the beautiful cabinets higher than the normal height. I’ve already removed the microwave over the stove. I’m 5 feet 3 inches high, and my back hurt everytime I opened the microwave door. I really needed to use a step stool. My handyman will lower the cabinets for me after we finish with bathrooms. I love the cabinets, but I don’t really like the backsplash. The backsplash and granite counter are too dark for my taste. I’m not sure if I want to start making those changes; I’m kind of tired of people including me making a mess in my home.

Thanks for dropping by. Have a great day.

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I also get tired of people making a mess in my home, but what you have done so far looks wonderful and you will appreciate it in the long run. Take it slowly with your back though!
thanks – I’m trying to protect it.
Looks really comfy and nice, Carol. I love your grandma’s side table.
You make me tired just reading about all of this work. I truly hope it ends soon and you can enjoy the pleasure of living in your new place not just the work of transforming it.
I’m feeling better and taking it easy today. Have a great week.
I think it’s shaping up beautifully, Carol. I’m just sorry to hear you’ve had so many physical problems along the way. That always makes resettling/unpacking/moving things about far more challenging. I love the pieces you shared and the centerpiece. You have a lot coming up on your plate but I know you’ll love being here once that is done. Don’t overdo, my friend. Not that your body will let you but just remember that!
My body does indeed yell at me sometimes to get my attention!
LOVE the new look! Feel well soon.
Oh Carol I got tired just reading this post — what a lot of stress (mental and physical). But the results are definitely going to be worth it. Only be careful with those high reaches and heavy boxes so that you can survive in one piece to enjoy those results. Sallie
Oh it can be so hard to live through renovations like these but the dining room does look so lovely and light!
thanks Joanne – have a lovely week
Oh no! I hope you feel better soon, make sure you have plenty of rest.
It looks like you are settling in well, I like what you have done so far.
thanks Kim – I’m taking it easy and feeling better.
Carol, I love the new updated look. The chandelier is so pretty. Take it easy and feel better soon.
How exciting to read about your condo renovations Carol! No matter how prepared you think you are, moving is stressful. Take care of that back injury and I’m looking forward to hearing more about your new place!
That is so true. I’m working on my back right now with heat. I’ve got my fingers crossed it gets better fast.
Wow Carol. I am so sorry your back is acting up. Especially while you are trying to get your new home in order. But the condo is coming along beautifully. I am so excited for you and I know you will have the condo in order as soon as you are feeling better. The dining srea is lookinh really good. I love the light fixture and the table and chairs.
Take care of yourself first. I am really excited to go on the decor journey wit you, but I want you to feel better first. Take care.
Oh no, I’m so sorry about your back and arthritis, just what you don’t need when moving into a new place. I really love your new/old dining table and light shade though. I’m sure everything will be just perfect in the end, it’s just the getting there. I have a photo of my home when we moved in with boxes everywhere and I didn’t know where I was going to start, it’s hard work. (And I was fit and healthy back then, but did have three little ones to look after too!) p.s. I love the duck too!
I am so sorry your back and RA have been playing up, Carol! I hope you feel much better very soon. Your new condo is looking wonderful. What a pretty chandelier, and I love your table and chairs. What a sweet little duck decoration as well. Thank you so much for sharing!
I’m so sorry you’ve been suffering with a bad back and RA, I bet that has been very painful. Take it easy and I hope you are feeling better real soon.
I love what you have done so far to your lovely home. The walls look so much brighter and airy in white and I think your grandmother’s side table looks right at home. x
It is already looking very comfy and welcoming, specially with your grandmother’s side table.
-Soma
Hello Carol! I just found your blog, and wanted to say hello! Your new condo looks amazing, you have done wonders with it! I’m sorry you’ve hurt your back, and I pray you find healing quickly! Many blessings to you 🙂
Hi Marilyn – welcome! It’s so nice to exchange words with you. Thank you for taking the time to write a message. I am over the soft tissue injury; thank you for asking. My primary doctor put me on an anti-inflammatory for 2 weeks and it worked great. I am slowly increasing my activities to strengthen my muscles. When you’re a senior citizen and stop doing much for a couple of months, you lose muscles. Or at least I did. I appreciate your kind words about the condo. I should have my new walk-in shower installed in the next week. Then that floor gets new tile. The second bathroom’s old vanity was taken out on Saturday. I hope to have that bathroom finished in the next 3 weeks. Yeah! I hope to talk to you again.
Carol