A Moving Experience

[bixaorellana]

Jazz! How wonderful to see you here & to get your input. Thank you for the suggestions, although I had to laugh at:

Apr 2, 2013 2:43:22 GMT Jazz said:

Another of my design thoughts is to simply take your time.

and

Apr 2, 2013 8:12:01 GMT bjd said:

You don't need to do everything at once

You girls obviously don't realize that my pelt grows a luxuriant coat of green moss as I move languidly through my life and tasks. ;D (but thank you both for your helpful & supportive remarks )

Re: the hanging lamp ~~ it's been worming its way into my affections, especially when I realized how very dirty it is, meaning there's hope for improvement. I really need to get a taller ladder for this house.

As for Kerouac's concern about the thing being a hazard in an earthquake ~~ it's held up by a sturdy, shiny, thick chain & a hawser-like electrical cable.

Speaking of lamps, I saw something really cool the other day. There's a shop nearby that sells nothing but orchids & a few lovely cache-pots. It's one large room painted white & beautifully but sparingly appointed. It's quite elegant, but has the enormously witty grace note of an elaborate chandelier completely spray-painted bright silver -- including the strands of what must be crystals.

Apr 1, 2013 17:22:26 GMT kerouac2 said:

could you post a map of Oaxaca showing your approximate location compared to all of stunning features of the city that you have shown us? Naturally, you should not show your exact location because we know how many pervs are on this site.

Well, I'm not worried about you pervs, but we know that over time many people see these threads. Actually, using a map & looking at my photos plus their captions. you can pretty much pinpoint where I am. That said, here is a map & some comments I lifted from my Navidad 2011 thread:

When I refer to "the downtown market", I mean Mercado Juárez, clearly marked on the map. What is not marked is that it's really two market buildings, with another (the 20 de Noviembre market) directly south of the Juárez market. It occupies that block that says San Juan de Dios. The green square just north of those markets is the zócalo -- the city's main plaza. It's flanked on the south side by the Governmental Palace, which shows up in many of my pictures of the zócalo. Immediately north of the zócalo is the cathedral, indicated by a red rectangle with a cross in it. That whole big space in front of it -- where the word "cathedral" is on the map -- is the Alameda, a big open plaza plus some parklike area. On the back side of the cathedral, you'll see a street marked Valdivieso. That street changes its name to Álcala a couple of blocks past the cathedral. This is the pedestrian street to which I refer so often. Going up Álcala, we'll come to the church of Santo Domingo & its plaza, clearly marked on the map. The big green rectangle northeast of Sto. Domingo is Parque El Llano, with the church of Guadalupe on the north end of it. "Saturday Market" in the lower left of the map is the Abastos market.

There is also a nice market quite close to me, the Sanchez Pascuas market. Locate Quetzacoatl street on the map (just nw of Carmen Alto church). The market is in the space just above the tzaco in the street name, bordered by Porfirio Díaz & Tinoco y Palacios.

In other house news, yesterday I bought an objet d'art so the new house could have something new.

[Deleted]

I simply love your new space and what you have done thus far. It appears much older than reported.
I'm really glad that you are back downtown within walking distance of so many points of interest and desire.
I was initially a wee bit worried about the noise factor when you reported that you would be downtown but, it looks to be tucked away just enough to be away from the center of major activity and noise.

[Deleted]

Reminds me of a Moroccan riad -- so there should be a tinkling fountain in the patio.

[bixaorellana]

Thanks, Casimira!

I just measured some of the walls. The thickness of the arch in the living room is 26.5", of the one in the bedroom, 25.5. Measuring from the inside to the outside of the living room window, 23.5. It's hard for noise to penetrate! What I like about my area is that it's just on the funky side of the cusp between funky and "discovered". It's definitely not chichi, but what's nearby guarantees it will not go downhill, either.

That's a lovely & also logical comparison, Kerouac -- the Almoravids introduced that concept to Spain, from whence it was eventually brought to the new world.

Even though I can almost hear the rug & upholstery fading in the sunlight, it sure is pretty & provides lots of basking opportunities ~

I bragged earlier about the burglar guard functioning nicely as a doggy door.
It's also a source of traffic jams ~

[htmb]

Lovely! And the picture of the dogs jamming up at the door is priceless.

[mossie]

I had a quiet chuckle at the traffic jam ;D

[lagatta]

;)Wouldn't one large dog be more effective against burglars than three small ones?

[mich64]

Oh Bixa, your puppies made me smile and laugh this morning! Are they adjusting well to their new surroundings?

What a nice jug on the table, what is it made of?

[Deleted]

Oh what great pics!!
That first one really captures the ambiance of the whole place.
Great light and fabulous curves and angles.
I'm envious.

[bixaorellana]

;D Dogs are rude!

LaGatta, you should see me going down the hill near my house, leaning backward because I'm being towed by a total of 40 pounds of enthusiastic energy. Also, small dogs can't bark as loudly, but they could sure irritate a burglar into going away.

Mich, they love it. They get to go to parks and pedestrian streets & meet new people and dogs. I took them to Plaza de la Danza the other day, which is a huge open space, & they went crazy running loops and up and down the bleachers.

The jug is clay. It's from the nearby village of Atzompa.

Thanks, Casimira. I have to say ~~ this place is you.

Here are some pretty bad photos, but they show how hanging just a couple more things helped. Still a ways to go!
                     



Now, what I really need is to get a taller ladder

That way I could put this ~


on this space ~


so that it would look like this (but better, of course) ~


There are quite a few other tasks in this place that call for the taller ladder.

[bixaorellana]

          

It looks as though I've chased everyone off with excessive posting of living room pics. No matter, I solved a problem today & am very pleased with the results. Unfortunately I thought I had "before" photos, but don't.

Anyway, there is a space in the hall that must have been part of the old chimney area. You can see that hood/chimney in the top right of the first picture above and where it continues around the corner in the left of the second picture.

It's a deep, brick-lined area with a cabinet below it, and the perfect spot to become a messy catch-all. Worse, it's stained and blackened where someone tried building a fire.

I had a fabric remnant bought to cover that blue lampshade, but replaced the shade instead. The light bulb went off in my head, & here's what I did with the remnant plus a runner woven in the state of Mexico:

The idea was to give me a space to display some (mostly) pre-columbian pieces along with finding a a good dedicated use for the chimney space. I'm very pleased with the result and with myself.

[htmb]

Oh, bixa! Very nice use of the space. A perfect display niche!

Where do you plan to hang your gorgeous glass spirally light fixture

BTW....you havent run any of us off. I'm in awe of how quickly you are getting settled into your new home.

[bixaorellana]

Thanks, Htmb!

The glass object will replace my despised living room hanging lamp. And I'd better get cracking on fixing up the loft room since you'll be camped up there with your hot eyes staring down at me for the whole six months that spiral glass thingy is mine, all mine. ;D

[htmb]

Nope. I've decided your plan to obtain ownership is so brilliant that I've decided to defer to you. Your creativity trumps my closer proximity. Visitation to bask in its splendor, once you have reached settlement stage, will be much appreciated. ;D

[bixaorellana]

So gracious! Okay ~~ cracking, cracking on the loft to prepare it for basking visitation.

[bjd]

Good use of the space to display your artwork, Bixa.

I don't have any tchotckes myself, but can appreciate them when they look like yours.

[mossie]

Congratulations on your refurbishment. Hurry up and get it finished, and rush over here and sort my dump out. PLEASE ;D

[mich64]

Bixa what a great idea for the remnant and runner. We would never have known why you placed it there if you did not inform us because it does look like a design element for the display of those beautiful objects. And I am enjoying your thread and hoping for more of inside and out!

[htmb]

Bixa, before you head off to redecorate Mossie's Ipswich abode, I'd love to hear more about your art pieces and collections. (Perhaps you've already got a report somewhere on the pre-columbian pieces?)

[lagatta]

I simply had nothing to say. Very much enjoying these design solutions - and the cute backsides of cute little dogs ganging up to check out the patio.

[tod2]

I don't know how I missed the first half of this report.....but have caught up at last! Bixa, you are amazing. Moving and sorting out all your household goods, treasures and animals is a task I can't even contemplate. Your last house was lovely but this new place has a character all of it's own!
That enormous hood with what looks like a timber surround is fantastic!
I am astounded that you sorted yourself out ( probably with very little help) so quickly and beautifully.
I shake your hand and pat you on the back for all the effort! It all looks so wonderful now.
I looked for your car......will you have to park it in the street?

Heartiest congratulations on your move - well done you!

[bixaorellana]

Thank you so much, all of you!

Bjd, really? No things?! Wow. I got rid of a ton of my bric-a-brac when I moved, but am having no problem finding items to fill up surfaces, nooks, etc. I even bought something just so this house could have something new of its very own. (1st & 2nd pics in #39 above: the little street urchin crouched on the chair sucking on a cigarette. It's a naive wood carving from the state of Guerrero.)

Mossie, I doubt seriously it's a dump, but it would be fun to have free rein with someone elses accumulations.

Mich, we never know when inspiration will strike, right? Your home shows what thought & imagination can produce.

Htmb, no report on those pieces, which I acquired in an odd way. A woman I knew slightly died in her sleep. As luck would have it, her son was visiting at the time. The poor guy had to figure out what to do with her five dogs & her household goods. I was eager to get the Barcelona chair bases, so made a bid on all the stuff. When I picked it up, he told me to be extra careful with one box, because he was giving me a surprise. I asked for a hint, & he said, "All I'll tell you is to not try to leave the country with it." His mother was an amateur archeologist & used to go back & forth between Oaxaca & the Yucatán. Most of it I prize just because of its antiquity, but I really love the beige vase right in the middle. The head has an interesting history. Apparently the lady had a lover who was highly placed either at a museum or in INAH. The bust I have is of Pakal, & is one of the first two or three copies made for distribution to museums. I don't know anything for certain about the other pieces. The baby, if he's authentic, might be Olmec. The bowls are probably Mayan.
note: The link to Pakal will take you to what is hands-down the best-written, best researched blog about Mexico.

I told them what you said, & they wagged those little backsides for you, LaGatta.

Ah, music to my essentially lazy ears, Tod ~~ thanks! Believe me, there are pockets of undealt-with mess & clutter all over the place. For instance, I can't use the drawers in the bedroom cabinet because I can't find the drawer pulls.
I sold my car a few months ago, thank goodness. Finding parking downtown is hell & I don't really need a car anyway.

[htmb]

Wow, bixa. You have your own mini museum.

[Deleted]

I certainly am not tiring of seeing what you've done with your new digs Bixa.

I love the story of how you acquired the archaeological treasures. Very cool.

Like Tod, I'm super impressed with how quickly you have put the place together.

I believe I recognize some of the other art work.

And, I can't believe you no longer have that car!!!!
You certainly got some miles and then some from having it all these years.

[bjd]

How you got the pre-columbian artefacts makes them all the more interesting, Bixa.

Personally, I am of the "less is more" school of decoration, but that doesn't mean I don't have clutter hidden away. But I just have horrible memories of having to dust tchotchkes my mother had (not many in fact but enough) that I hate the idea of having things that gather dust. I dislike housekeeping too.

Now my mother lives in a small place and has thrown out most of her stuff, I try not to accumulate (except for books, which are a weak point), and my daughter throws things out regularly. It must be genetic.

This does not mean that I can't appreciate other people's decoration -- your place looks warm and welcoming, unlike the minimalist, white rooms in some magazines. And I do like colour.

[Deleted]

I finally made it back to this thread and am quite impressed with the developments.

I am always torn between the idea of having a lot of nice things to display and the fact that I have no maid service to keep off the dust.

Can the dogs squeeze through the ironwork on the door if they get too excited about something?

[lagatta]

Can you rent a car, if you want to do excursions in the countryside? Or is there a good bus service?

I try to be minimal, but I like odd little objects, and plants. We aren't even speaking of the eight bookcases...

[Deleted]

Didn't you use to have a car?

[Kimby]

I am speechless with admiration and envy, Bixa. Thank you for sharing your homecoming with us. The place has a lot of character (like its mistress). Tiene su casa un nombre?

[lagatta]

Whom are you asking if she (or he) used to have a car?

If it's me, no, I've never owned a car, nor driven one. Obviously bixa used to own a car.