So today, I scrubbed down the last bits of the kitchen to photograph and share. The kitchen is probably what sold us on this apartment. Granted, we are only renting, and it is probably a good thing because an Ikea kitchen may not be the best clencher for buying property.. Still, I love the clean surfaces and the fact that this simple cabinetry hides (from the right to the left in photo below) a refridgerator, freezer, dishwasher, ventillation hood and lots of cabinet and drawer space. I'll admit that most of those top cabinets are empty because I cannot reach them, but it is good to know the space is there if needed.
The table is something we threw together on the cheap with some legs and a desktop from Ikea. I stained and sealed the wood top myself and the piece has become a huge part of our lives in this apartment. Asides from a dining table, we use the space for food prep in the evenings, Rolf irons his shirts there in the morning and it is my office desk the rest day. It is rare that the table is so empty, but it looks nice when it is. I'll admit that I tossed my reading and sketchbook over to the couch to take these photos this morning.
The windows and painted hardwood floors were other major attractions when we first saw this apartment. It is not a great view out into the courtyard, but we get a great deal of sunlight coming in during the day. Enough sun that I've managed to keep a few plants alive. It is still early in the season, but we have a chilli plant from last year (one surviving from 4 originally seeded) with a couple peppers nearly ripe on it, plus some grocery store bought rosemary and an orchid that Rolf gave me as a gift our first summer together (almost three years ago if you can believe it!). Last year we had a basil plant that grew and produced far beyond my expectations, so we may consider starting one of those again after Easter.
We leave tomorrow to stay at Rolf's parents' for a week. Where they live (by the arctic circle), winter has not yet ended. While we've had 50-60 degree (F) days and sunshine in Oslo, they've acquired another foot or more of fresh snow. So we'll be hoping for sun, in order to partake in the Norwegian Easter traditions of cabin visits, skiing in teeshirts and sun worshipping in the snow, eating oranges and "Kvikk Lunsj" chocolate, plus sausages and coffee made over a fire. Happy Spring to all!
