How sweet it is to be greeting the new year in my new home. Never mind the chaos of clutter and boxes lurking at the edges of the frame below, I’ll get to that soon enough. The important thing is that my move went off with nary a hitch on Friday thanks to the amazing Tome brothers, John and Joe who I’ve used for my past five moves. Lightning fast, the Tomes and their two young assistants showed up at 7:30 am and were on their way to their next job at 11:15 am. If you’re in the Toronto area and you need a mover I cannot recommend these guys more highly — totally reliable, totally professional (Tome Moving & Cartage, 416.802.8266).
One thing that helped a little this time around were the heavy duty casters my decorating buddy Kevin helped me install under my 1940s chinoiserie breakfront cabinet, below. Designed to hold up to 4,000 lbs, the wheels have made a formerly cumbersome one-piece unit into a smooth, swiveling dream. Thanks Kevin!
So how is the new apartment so far? Sad to say I’m having reservations already. The main living space is large and open if not bright but there’s some infuriating click/clack/bang noise in the bedroom that goes on all day and night. It sounds like pipe noise and if it wasn’t for my custom earplugs I wouldn’t have slept a wink. The good news is that this unit may be temporary: I’m in a dark, ground floor apartment and have asked to move upstairs into the first higher, brighter unit that becomes available. My fingers are crossed and I greet 2012 with hope and positivity.
The good news is that I’m in a great building in a fantastic neighbourhood — Toronto’s Annex — and I’m really looking forward to having so many amazing shops and restaurants on my doorstep. The buzz of Bloor Street West is half a block away and Kensington Market (vegetarian heaven!) is less than 15 minutes on foot.
I wish each of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2012! I may find myself with a bit more time on my hands this year and I hope that will allow me to devote more of myself to styleNorth. In the meantime, happy decorating!
January 1st, 2012 at 11:19 am
Wow! Hopefully today is your day of well deserved rest.
All the best in 2012 Chris!
xox
January 1st, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Your new digs look great…but then how could they not with your talent showing through all round! I am sure that once you live in the space a while and see how the light is you will be moving things and spashing a bit of paint around and before you know it…it will be a home. All the best in 2012 and thanks for all the helpful advice from 2011.
January 1st, 2012 at 3:21 pm
Congrats on the new place Chris. Wish you all the best in 2012… Happy New Year! Enjoy your blog all year long :)
Alison
P.S. Re. bedroom noise, if it’s an older building with a ‘boiler’ heating system, a rad or two may need to be ‘bled’? I think sometimes they get air in them and they can make funny noises like that. We’re in an old place, similar problem, and hubby did it.. worked like a charm :) Maybe the super could help you out? Just a thought!
January 1st, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Congratulations Chris. Happy New Year.
January 1st, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Oh CHRIS a new home at last. I do hate moving, but the end results are really nice…Lois of Happy New Year
January 1st, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Welcome to the neighbourhood! Sounds like we might even be on the same street (there aren’t that many buildings in the Annex…). I’m lucky enough to have a 12th-floor unit with gorgeous views of the city, but hopefully you’ll be moving on up soon enough. I can’t say enough about how great it is to live here–enjoy!
January 1st, 2012 at 11:27 pm
Congrats on the move, Chris! I have to say, I am utterly in awe (and profoundly jealous) of your unpacking and decorating abilities in a mere 48 hours!! Wishing you a fantastic 2012; all the best in the new year!
January 2nd, 2012 at 6:53 am
I’m looking forward with anticipation to the next few incarnations of Casa Christopher ;)
January 3rd, 2012 at 12:59 am
Love the Annex! I lived on Madison up until moving to Vancouver last August. Try Ezra’s Pound for coffee and Burrito Banditos for halibut burritos. And scones at Dish on DuPont.
January 3rd, 2012 at 10:44 am
Good luck and the best to you in the new year… Melis and I have discussed moving to Toronto on the many trips we made into the city this November/December. There is certainly no trying to compare Hamilton and Toronto – but with little kids, an affordable house and yard play an pretty important role in decision making… Anyway, have fun unpacking!
January 3rd, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Chris,
Lookin’ good already. I don’t know if it’s temporary or not but I really like your idiosyncratic arrangement of rugs.
Lin
January 5th, 2012 at 8:07 am
Sandra, we sing from the same hymn book, the tips you’ve kindly offered are some of my favorite things about the nabe. All the best to you on the Raincoast.
January 18th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Congrats on the new place. My you work quickly. My Sunday would be the same number of boxes with a sad expression.