Let's Catch Up - Part 1

I'm embarking on the long journey of gut renovating my NYC apartment. So far, during this process, I started to realize that there were and are so many milestones that I want to have a record of. Like that time I had a total panic attack in the wallpaper shop. What better way to memorialize these moments then by putting them on the internet where they will haunt me forever. I also hope that for anyone that is thinking of renovating, you will find these posts helpful. For those currently renovating, well, we can cry and stress eat together for the next couple of months.

What will this blog be about? My renovation journey!

Everything from:

• How I found my new home
• Choosing my architect
• The Co-Op Board 
• Permits 
• Interior Decorators

What it won't be is a blog about how cute my dog is, those last extra 5 lbs. I can't seem to lose, my obsession with good pizza (which I guess explains the extra 5 lbs.) or anything too personal. Most importantly: I'm a lover not a writer. I'll do my best to proof my posts but when I start typing, watch out world.

Before I begin with the renovation posts, let's go back in time and find out how I got myself into this mess.

Let's catch up!

Amazing Views From The 60th Floor

The old place

For the last 10 years I lived in a Hell's Kitchen high rise. So many great memories were made there. Holidays, parties, breakups, makeups, and more.

I believe they started building it in 2004 and completed it in 2006. I purchased my unit pre-construction in 2005.

I can remember how excited I was to move in. I was going from a tiny 400 square foot Upper East Side studio to this palace in the sky. My first night was spent on a mattress on the floor with my ex-partner. I remember that first morning we woke up in complete awe of the view. I'll always remember that first morning, the ex, not so much.

The View From My Living Room

  My broker Deborah over at Halstead really outdid herself. It's like she knew that the apartment would be perfect for where I was in my life.

The building amenities included:

• A gym
• A pool
• Laundry in the building and the option for one in the unit which I got rid of. We'll discuss vent-less dryers and how much they suck another time.
• Sundeck
• Concierge
• Doorman
• Breakfast (Which thankfully they got rid of.)

All of these amenities and in a convenient location, too! The apartment building is right next to Port Authority (a pro and con), minutes to all the theaters (also a pro and con), and a ton of bars. Did I mention a ton of bars. Over the years, Hell's Kitchen went from really gay to really really gay, to slay-momma-yass-kween-gay or whatever the kids are saying these days. It has also gotten really crowded. Tourists who normally stayed on 8th Ave started to fill 9th Ave and now even 10th.  Needless to say, I had so much fun and really enjoyed my time there.

Why did I want to move? A few reasons.

• I wanted more space. I was tired of living between two rooms (living room and bedroom). 
• The neighborhood was only getting busier and busier. I wasn't appreciating it as much and I wanted something quieter.
• I wasn't using all the amenities. I almost never used the common room, the pool and hardly ever used the concierge for anything beyond receiving my packages. I will say, I miss the gym. There could be a blizzard and it was so nice to be able to just take the elevator downstairs. Convenience! 

In August of 2016, while living in Scotland for a few months, I wrote an email to Deborah my broker and said, "Let's sell the apartment."

So, upon my return in September, the hunt for my new home began.