ensuenos's Profile

Most actual Parisians I know shop at the outdoor market once a week and get the rest of their groceries delivered. By motorbike from Monoprix, the big supermarket. They do go to the bakery at least once a day for bread, though.
The romantic ideal of daily shopping isn't a reality for working professionals in France any more than it is in the US. Professional Parisians tend to work until at least 7 or 8pm...who is at home to do this daily shopping? This also explains the hyper-popularity of Piccard, the high end frozen food chain. there are always lines of mothers picking up prepared frozen soups or other convenience foods.
If you really want to find this romantic ideal of daily shopping you need to look to the smaller cities or villages where the cost of life is less expensive and people don't work as many hours.

In a bright, cheerful voice, say "It was such a pleasure see you tonight. Thanks so much for coming - I know you all have a busy schedule! We will have to do this soon."
Sit up very straight on the edge of your chair. Chances are, at least one guest is dying to leave, but doesn't want to be rude and will use this opportunity to start the goodbye ritual.

Keep the books, ditch the girlfriend.

just kidding, but I do distrust anyone who has no books in their apartment. I sold several hundred in my last move, but I kept the copies that have great sentimental value. I sold anything I did not enjoy or would never read again. (if I ever read Aristotle again, I will buy a new addition). When I look at my books, I see an evolution of my interests and life...I even have a shelf with my books from childhood. cull, be selective, but keep the books that have special meaning for you....

This is the most uncluttered home of a 10 month old I have ever seen! Where are you keeping all of the toys and equipment??

As a fellow grad student, I have to ask, don't you have a million books hidden somewhere? That's my main decorating challenge.
I like the open shelf as a room divider. I think you could use the covered backs facing the bed to display art work or you could cover them with interesting patterned paper or fabric to make the piece look unique.
Great decorating job with limited resources!

Bravo - love everything and especially the blue paint and transparant bookcases. I'm not so sure about the leaning-towers of books, though. In eathquake country, they would make me nervous and they don't look very space-efficient. Have you considered a more substantial book-shelf system that would have more space?

Very quirky - not really my style, but I appreciate that you carried it through. Do you actually leave small stuffed dogs all over your rug, or was that just for the photo?

Not sure I'd want to wake up with Mao every morning, but I like the bright, airy feeling of this tiny studio.

I love the furniture but I think painting one green accent wall and leaving the other walls neutral would have made the other green and orange colors stand out.
Great sofa.

This looks pretty when the stools are pushed in, but it might be a little awkward when people are actually sitting at the table. Don't they end up kicking the lamp? Those Ikea paper lamps tear really easily. I agree that undercounter lighting might be a better long-term solution. Good idea, though.