A jumble of snow-covered bicycles, Monday night, Amsterdam.
David and I have been in the Netherlands, searching for a place to live. We looked at properties as big as Amsterdam canal houses: strange mazes of odd-shaped rooms spread over three floors, accessed by narrow twisting stairways. These curious abodes would hold all our furniture, with an abundance of empty space remaining. We viewed a city loft-type space, with too many large windows overlooking neighbours' windows and backyards. We saw exposed timber beams painted over by clueless developers.
We viewed an apartment with original stained glass windows, but basic modern design and tiny box-like rooms. Its main attraction was its sprawling rooftop terrace. We spent two hours with Samira - our wonderful estate agent - in a massive traffic jam in evening snow, in what should have been a ten-minute drive. In the estate agents' office, we drank tea and laughed ourselves silly over amusing translations from Dutch to English.
The third place we visited was a charming maisonette, in a beautiful location. It had huge windows, with splendid views of a church. It featured fantastic architectural elements that meant probably a third of our furniture would have to remain in France. But I found myself wistfully gazing out those wide windows at the snow falling and passersby laughing - and just for a moment, daring to wish the magic could last.
The sign on the window would have made me chuckle! Hi. Just checking in when I realized I hadn't seen you post on FB in ages. Life is so busy and we're all spread so thin these days. I'm so behind on blogging and blog visits. I like the new look you have. You must be moving soon.
Posted by: Laume | 18 December 2010 at 23:51
Oh! Hold out for the best!
How lovely!!
Posted by: Chris | 17 December 2010 at 21:10
Well I don't know which home you'll get, but I do know that you need to enter the first photo (the snow covered bikes) in a New York Times or National Geographic photo contest. Really. It's that good.
Posted by: Diogenes | 04 December 2010 at 03:52
The view. Because you can live without a third of your stuff. Really you can.
But views don't grow on trees.
Hope the magic lasted and will continue to last for you dear one!
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian | 03 December 2010 at 05:09
Did you get it? I'd love to see photos of them all...can't wait to see what you picked.
sorry it's so f*%^%&king COLD outside!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | 03 December 2010 at 02:48
Love the photos in this post. They made me appreciate the beauty of the snow outside instead of thinking about how cold the weather is getting. Thanks for the little reminder! Good luck house hunting!
Posted by: Linds | 02 December 2010 at 21:45
what a magical post. beautiful images and i could really see you spending a snowy evening searching. i know wherever you end up will be beautiful...because you'll make it uniquely yours.
Posted by: Marilyn | 02 December 2010 at 20:10
Oooh, I'm so jealous. What a wonderful time, cracked up over your description of "Dutch translations". :)
Posted by: Natalie | 02 December 2010 at 20:04
Really nice blog!
Christmas is close!
Posted by: Anna | 02 December 2010 at 18:17
My vote goes to the maisonette with the lovely view! What enticing pictures - I wish you happy house hunting in lovely Amsterdam. Greetings from a snowy and equally freezing London ...
Posted by: Karen at Pas Grand-Chose | 02 December 2010 at 10:30
You will find the right home to hold your current (and future!) treasures!
Wonderful photos!
Love,
Deb
Posted by: JP/deb | 02 December 2010 at 00:14
Listen to your heart Tara, I love that you felt so much joy looking out those windows. The whole place seems so magical decorated for the holidays.
Posted by: Yoli | 01 December 2010 at 19:52
Good luck with this important decision. I've been away too long - I love seeing these glimpses of A'dam! It looks "bibberend" cold there!
Posted by: dutchbaby | 01 December 2010 at 16:54
Good luck with finding the perfect for you place. I know it will be extra special. Love seeing the pictures, especially chuckled at the window sign, but the copper pots for mulled wine were beautiful.
Posted by: Marilyn Miller | 01 December 2010 at 16:11
Have you got anything then???? Hope all is well with you, there is 3 feet of snow outside my cottage and its still falling. I am now officially stir crazy. It's been snowing since last Thursday. Give my love to Paris
xx
Posted by: Di Overton | 01 December 2010 at 16:07
I cannot imagine how you go about deciding which place is for you. You've got apple and oranges and rutabagas there! I look forward to learning about where you choose to live-- and why.
Posted by: ally bean | 01 December 2010 at 13:36
This is like an episode of House Hunters International! Which will they choose? Except for the traffic jam, all your options sound wonderful--can't wait to hear what you chose.
Posted by: RD | 01 December 2010 at 13:30