Much.

Much has happened in the last few weeks. I've reconnected with my brother after a long stretch of silence and that has been wonderful - in fact he came to visit, which was even more wonderful. There have been many visits with cousins and family and friends; long walks around the neighborhood; pets lost and found and lost and found again (thankfully). The boys planted tomatoes, carrots, sunflowers and corn in the backyard while I recovered from a cold. It got really, really hot and then got chilly again, and now it goes back and forth, between brisk mornings and sultry afternoons. The flowers are in bloom and the trees exploded in a huge collective sneeze of pollen that covered everything in yellow dust and gave us all scratchy throats and watery eyes for a while.

Life, my friends, has been eventful and intense and beautiful, and we've been busy living it. But here I am, my dears. To let you know I haven't forgotten about my little space here. Or you. I've just been...well, quiet, is all.

We're still thinking about downsizing, and although we wouldn't be looking to swap our house for anything this small, I immediately fell in love with this Swedish apartment - for its generous use of white, the pops of wallpaper in just the right amounts and on just the right spots, the fantastic use of space, and the apparent ease with which choices were made to make it look so effortlessly lived-in and well-designed at the same time... I think if I had to live in 500 square feet, I'd try to make it look something like this.




At any rate, my friends... I hope this post finds you all well. More soon, eventually.

(images: via apartment therapy)

Comments

  1. Hello :) I always love to find a new post from you. That kitchen pictured above is wonderful and sultry afternoons sound soooo nice.

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  2. I love the two-tone wall in the kitchen. pets lost and found and lost and found again? oh boy. At least it ended in found again. Happy to hear you are enjoying the quiet life right now. Have a great week!

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  3. It is so nice to hear from you again. So much going on in your life...but that's natural, I guess. Sorry about the lost (and found) pets, that would freak me out! Our weather has been much of the same. Not too extreme, just different.

    I LOVE this apartment. It has all of the key components you mentioned and space well apportioned. Very cute.

    Glad to hear you are doing well! Take care! :-)

    xoxo
    Jane

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  4. Glad you took some down time! It's those moments that matter! Oh, and I love that wallpaper!
    ~kristin

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  5. what a gorgeous apartment! i used to despise white walls but they've definitely been growing on me. along as there are some pops of color in the room.

    glad life has been so rich for you. that's wonderful that you've reconnected with your brother.. family is oh so important.

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  6. yay for reconnections. those are beautiful things. xo

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  7. I'm so glad you've had time to reconnect with important people in your life, and happy happy birthday to your little man!

    I really love this apartment. It makes me wonder what we're doing with the 1000 more feet we have in our home. The color scheme and orderliness is nearly divine!

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  8. It seems you are handling all of your ups and downs in perfect stride. Excellent!

    I cannot believe that lovely kitchen is part of such a small space. It is so pretty and peaceful.

    I hope the sun is shining for you today and you are finding some time to stroll in it.

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  9. Qué lindo !! están pensando en mudarse? me alegro por lo de tu hermano. Besos

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  10. Hi there! I'm very happy for you, reconnecting with your brother. I rarely see or talk to my only sister and I hate that.
    I love that apartment. It looks so cozy.

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  11. glad to know all is well, maria! take good care and enjoy the spring with your family.

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  12. I'm happy to hear about your reconnecting with your brother. I love the apartment photos you've posted. I love Swedish designs. I wish I used more white in my apartment. Maybe when we have more disposable income...

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  13. It's so important to stay connected to loved ones! I'm glad you had the opportunity. I love the apartment organization and all the fun photos!

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  14. Your life is certainly very hectic at the moment. How nice to reconnect with your brother I hope you never lose touch again.
    I just wanted to let you know Ive mentioned you on my blog.
    ~Sam

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  15. Life has been very, very full for you! I'm glad to hear that you're well and thriving :)

    By the way, this little space has such character--deliciously so!

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  16. So many ideas, I love them all! We live in a little 900 sq foot house, so I may have to use a few ideas here.
    I've nominated you for the Sunshine Award over at my blog, so stop on over and claim it!
    Hope it brightens your day!
    Melissa

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  17. There you are sweet Maria!

    You reconnecting with your brother made my day!

    And that apartment is wonderful. How smartly done. Look at all the details and all the design touches. Yeah for the Swedes! (:

    Cyber hug to you my friend,

    Mon

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  18. Here you are! So happy to hear that you've been enjoying your life. It is hard to sit at a computer when the sun is shining and the weeds are growing. And yet, here we all are. Hope you're enjoying a delicious dinner. We just did.
    xxoo Jane

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  19. Hooray, you're back! It sounds like you've had the time you needed, I'm so happy for you. That little apartment is just delightful... I love going to Ikea and seeing their tiny little set-ups of apartments, like the 350 sq ft ones. SO DARLING! I'm so glad for your reconnecting, siblings are the best friends to have. I've missed your words here!

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  20. what a perfect little space! :)

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  21. so glad you have been having, such beautiful connections. : ) and this space, is just glorious.
    xoxo

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  22. I really like living in a small space. If I was to expand, I'd want outdoor rather than indoor space. I'm glad you're well and got the chance to reconnect with your brother!

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  23. Your words have such a calming effect over me. How DO you manage such a soothing tone? :)
    Beautiful images that set my imagination soaring.
    Here is a link that will get you to that little charmer I posted about today. www.harrisonpearson.com/commercialold/availprops/brochures/1313%20Kenwood.pdf

    It obviously needs some work, but isn't that half the fun of finding a vintage home? Only 996 sq.ft. Oh how I wish we could buy it...



    Sending you sunshine and cupcakes,
    Bonnie

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  24. Hi Maria - thanks for sharing such a stylish apartment. I like how the wallpaper seems to blend seamlessly with the rest of the décor even though it's quite a bold print - maybe because it's in a neutral tone. It's a great way to add visual interest to a small space.

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  25. nice to have you back sweet friend. We all need to stop and step away from time to time. Life can take over and blogging really needs to come in second.

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  26. love this space and you too! i totally understand time away from "the space". glad you are feeling better and thanks for stopping by this morning sweet girl. If i had 500 square feet you'd be coming over to help!!

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  27. maria-

    your words are so beautiful and full of hope. connecting with your brother again sounds amazing. the found pets and garden planted...well it sounds like a flurry of activity followed by welcome relief. maybe you'll show us some corn and sunflower pictures this summer? i hope so.

    wishing you a happy, quiet weekend.

    allison

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  28. quiet, i understand. it's funny how we apologize for being silent. when it's a really nice way to be, you know?

    i love it when you're here. i love thinking that you're living well, though, too. away from here. does that make sense?

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  29. I found your blog some how and I'm glad I did. My daughter's name is Maria and I'm your neighbor, I'm Brazilian. oi tudo bem?

    This tiny home is my dream. No joke. I'm convinced that I need to move in to a smaller house so I'll have less things to clean.

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  30. so glad to hear you've reconnected with your brother. and as always, so nice to see a new post from you. thanks so much for your note about my own quiet time. xo.

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  31. Hi sweet Maria. It is so wonderful to hear that life has been beautifully busy for you. Hope you are feeling better after your cold! The vegie garden sounds awesome - Noah's own mini farm, I love that! I love the pics of the apartment you posted, especially the way the bookshelves are extended over the door, that would be one of my dream items in any home:) Wishing you a wonderfully quiet week my friend~ Tina xx

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  32. I so agree with you about downsizing. While we don't live in a big house right now I think it is just the right size for us. Too much junk in here that's for sure and that's where I'm focusing on my downsizing, doing a full clean sweep this spring in the household it's all gotta go. :)

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  33. I'm always waiting for more, soon, eventually from you, Maria. In the meantime, I'm glad to hear everyone is well and you are celebrating life. And I'm thrilled to hear that you have reconnected with your brother. Now that is a gift to cherish.

    A beautiful home, a beautiful post, from a beautiful you!

    xx-nelya

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  34. Hola Marìa, me encantò tu casa, la vi en el blog de Marcela "deco&design". Tu blog es muy inspirador, desde ahora te sigo.
    Cariños desde Chile,
    Maria Cecilia

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  35. I saw that Apartment Therapy post as well and I LOVE it. Living in a smaller space means less to clean!

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  36. Es coqueto apartamento sin muy, precioso.

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  37. I think my comment just got lost in blogland, so I start again. I completely relate to being so caught up with life that there isn't enough time for blogging--which is why I'm a bit late to visit yours! It sounds like you have been busy, happy, and enjoying life which is great! Hoping you're having a wonderful Monday Maria!
    xo Mary Jo

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  38. Hi Maria! Life gets in the way of blogging sometimes, doesn't it??! :) I love the apt. you featured!! I think I am the only one in my subdivision who wouldn't move to a bigger house in a heartbeat...while our house is not small at 2500 sq ft, it's not huge either...but I wouldn't want anything bigger, smaller is just cozier and homier to me!

    Hugs to you ~

    :) T

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  39. That's a lot of living you're doing there, and the blogging can wait. Sometimes, speaking of downsizing, I reckon we should all move to smaller blogs. All these comments! But all individually a joy. May you have many hours of happy conversation with your brother.

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  40. hello maria, and thank you for your lovely comment, the idea of down-sizing fills me with horror, what would i do with everything??
    re wallpaper quilt I found once you choose paper sample that are in and around the same colour and in my case that have a floral motif, they blend themselves without much thought ,thereby becoming very suitable for ocd types ( i include myself in that too) ;0)

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  41. Maria!!

    I got to tour the little storybook cottage!! (now who is hyperventilating??!!) I have more pictures over at my blog if you have time to check it out.

    *deep breath*

    Hope you are doing well! :)

    xoxo,
    Bonnie

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  42. I'm glad you've had time to spend with your family and friends and pets :) those are the most important things. I love stopping by and this sweet apartment reminds me of an ex who had his space in NY designed like that with the bed on the opposite side of the wall, it actually works really nicely. Hope you are enjoying your week Maria!
    xo Mary Jo

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  43. Entrá a mi blog y a jugar !!! espero que te guste ! Besos

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  44. Congratulations on reconnecting with your brother. Family is so important!

    It sounds like your garden is also flourishing. How wonderful Spring is - I miss it already as we sink deeper into Autumn here. Winter will officially hit in just a month and I am not ready for that at all! Yikes!

    It was lovely to hear from you (as always). I am so moved by the fact that you have that rocking chair. xx

    Chat soon ok.

    x Charlotta

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  45. I'm glad I scrolled back through my blog reader to catch this post. I always enjoy catching up with you, Maria. :-)

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  46. one of the most thoughtful bloggers i know...really and truly. perhaps if you down-size i could just move to your perfect, current abode...i wouldn't change a thing. actually, if we could just figure out a way to move it out this way, that would be perfect. xo t

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  47. look who's late to the party...

    oh gosh, i'm embarrassingly behind on my blog reading, please forgive me. i'm elated to hear you reconnected with your brother, and PLEASE post pictures of that garden. it sounds absolutely divine!

    xoxox

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  48. That's such wonderful news about your brother, I'm so pleased for you.

    I've been quiet too, sometimes it's needed. xx

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