Roof Over Deck - Part 2: The Construction

Last time I posted pictures of our old trellis roof and its demolition.  The story continues with photos of the new roof being built. 

The structure is almost done.

Shades of Green

I took this picture at a Lanikai house. Check out all the different shades of green, from the plants to the furniture and pots. Very relaxing, isn't it? 

Raising the Roof - Part 1: The Old "Roof" and the Demolition

This spring we finally got to tackle a project that has been on "the list" for a few years now. You know that unwritten list of things that have to get done, but lack of time and/or funding just keeps pushing it back.

Well, this project is not getting delayed any more. In fact, it is completed! But first, let's look at what it looked like before:

A Tropical Kahala Garden

Visited this lovely garden a few weeks ago. It was designed by the same company who did our pool and back yard, DeBiasi Pacific. The property is made private with the creative use of rock and plantings.

Renovating the Budapest Apartment: Winter Progress

 

As the weather turned colder, work in the apartment slowed. We had to wait for the walls to completely dry out. After the holidays, the wood floors were installed. I picked a light ash wood, to go with the overall bright and airy theme. We also started purchasing light fixtures. The one you see below is an antique found on the internet. It will hang in the dining area.

I was trying to decide between a more Gustavian crystal style chandelier, possibly whitewashed, and a modern wrought iron one, when I happened upon this beauty at an online auction place.  Even though I have not seen it in person yet, I think it will look great in the dining area.

Renovating the Budapest Apartment: More Fall Progress

Continuing the story of our place in the beautiful Buda hills, here are more pictures of the apartment slowly taking shape. The original apartment was very dark and we reoriented the whole place towards the garden, to let the light in. The garden is so lovely and the place is much brighter than it was before. If you look at the pictures of my first post, taken after demolition, you can tell the difference in the amount of natural light. 

The walls are now painted and the terrace outside is built. 

(I thought I had a photo of that too, but right now I can't find it).

Dinner, Dress-up and Murder- Or How To Throw a Murder Mystery Party, Downton Abbey Style

Last Saturday we hosted a party very special to me, a combination of two things I always wanted to do: a fancy sit-down dinner out on the front lawn, and a murder mystery. Preparations started a few weeks before. Pick the theme. Search the web for a suitable script.  Ponder the guest list. In the end, it was fifteen of us, as you can see in the picture below.