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TOUR OF OUR FRENCH APARTMENT

Leslie

We live in an apartment. In the US, it would be called a condominium but regardless of ownership, in France they are called apartments. Would you like a tour?

Lets go!

ENTRANCE HALL

SHOTGUN VIEW

Apartment at a glance.

Yep, you can see clear through to the end of the apartment! First on the right is the living room and hidden is the kitchen. Further down, off to the left are our WC and shower room, and to the right, our bedroom.

Our apartment is tiny by American standards, about 43 square meters or 463 square feet. However, the French measure differently than is done in the States. Only livable space is included. Not the room taken up by your kitchen cabinets or appliances. So, our apartment reads more like 600 -700 square feet. It’s a one bedroom, with open concept living room/kitchen area and a private outdoor area just, as if not bigger, than the apartment itself.

KITCHEN

A small galley with all the amenities. Oven, cook-top, dishwasher, extra-large fridge by European standards and microwave plus more than adequate storage. No disposal. Not a thing here!

KITCHEN FAVS

NESPRESSO NOOK

My favorite art placement in our home. The Coffee Cup was my first “real art” purchase in my 20’s and alas, the Nespresso machine came without George Clooney.

KITCHEN LIGHT FIXTURE

Armed with Russ’s directive to make sure he had sufficient light to cook, I found this fabulously fun piece at Keria, a lighting store our friend Sandy introduced us to. Sandy and her husband Phil are also to thank for our wonderful light blue wall color – we “borrowed” (with permission) it straight off their apartment walls.

EAT-IN ISLAND

Just enough room for two and where we start and end our days. Who needs the table for 10 we used to have?

LIVING ROOM/SALON

“Salon” is the French term and our living room contains some of my personal treasures. Russ and I came to France with four suitcases, two backpacks, two Shih Tzus and shipped two boxes. Those boxes contained art, a few Christmas ornaments, personal photos and private mementos from over the years.

Russ was far better at downsizing than I was. We fought a bit about it, mainly because I was pretty stubborn about hanging on to things instead of seeing the big picture of a future in France. Ultimately, I was able to bring enough to satisfy my need for keeping touchstones to the past while opening up room for our new life.

MY STUFF

LIVING ROOM TREASURES

LINCOLN BOOKENDS

My dad’s favorite president was Lincoln and these are Jim’s bookends. Daddy read voraciously, and had an immense collection of civil war books. This is the essence of him.

CARDS

Russ found “the love of my life” card after I had given him the Eiffel Tower one. It was and is the most wonderful card I ever shall receive.

MOM’S HANDIWORK

We had schnauzers when I was a kid and Mom did this piece in the 70’s. I found it when she had Alzheimer’s and had it made into a pillow for her. For me, priceless.

BATHROOM SUITE

Now for the truly glamorous part of our tour – the bathroom suite. Ha! In other words, our toilet is in a separate room from our sink and shower, an arrangement prized in France. And we have found it handy.

WC LIGHTING

You really didn’t think I was going to show you a picture of the toilet, did you?

SHOWER ROOM

We’ve quickly become accustomed to separate rooms for the bath functions.

Our bedroom, though small by AMERICAN standards, is efficient and works for us. Russ has a built-in closet and there was room for two IKEA armoires for me. I have plenty of space and that Swedish sense of place has me very organized! Note: we even had room for bedside tables.

OVERHEAD FAN/LIGHT

This fixture was something I had not seen until moving here and it’s pretty cool. The light has the fan inside it so no blades are exposed to possible human contact and everything runs on a remote. Speed the fan up, dim the light. Yes, I am easily amused!

ART, NOT HEAD BOARDS

Note the two pieces of art above the bed. Presents to my parents for their wedding in their original frames, something I’ve looked at for my entire existence. And wonderfully suited to mimic the presence of a headboard without taking up the space.

TA DA!

And there you have it – the grand tour. Next blog up – the great outdoors!

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34 Comments

  1. Hi
    I loved the tour. We just moved into a summer apartment in Narragansett Rhode Island. Also getting used to size and finding art.
    All the best!
    Julia

    Reply

    2. What a wonderful dream made true, Leslie! Your space is amazing and I bet you are still pinching yourself!

      Reply

      1. Jane,
        It does seem a bit like a fairy tale! Every time I get on a tram to go somewhere instead of having to drive I think of how lucky I am! Thank you for reading!!!
        Leslie

        Reply

  2. Oui oui! Style AND function…so compact AND chic! Love love love!

    Thanks for sharing Leslie….I love seeing your progress and where your journey has taken you….such a lovely home!

    See you in 2026! Best as always!

    Wanda

    Reply

  3. FUN! I’m so impressed by your two boxes! In my big downsizing and move to NYC I ended up with one for me, one of Mom stuff, and one of Dad stuff! I love the light/fan – had one of those in my tiny row house in Cincinnati – they seem very rare here. ❤️

    Reply

    1. Margy,
      So wonderful to hear from you and thank you for introducing me to Raji! I loved your tiny row house and I’m sure your NYC abode is equally spectacular!
      Leslie

      Reply

  4. Thank you for the tour, Leslie I love the balance of form and function. Simple, elegant and intentional. Your beautiful heart shines through.

    Reply

  5. I love this tour! It is so much more heartfelt than the House Hunters International tours. You and Russ chose just the right mementos to make your house a home! Keep sharing your adventures! You are helping me create my retirement bucket list!

    Reply

  6. Leslie,
    I’ve loved this apartment since you 1st showed me the realty listing! It’s just perfect with your art pieces, and furnishings! I adore that you’ve incorporated those pieces from your mom and dad, as that makes it truly home.
    Hugs from Trish

    Reply

    1. Lee Ann,
      The fan/light definitely gets my geek on – it even has a function to change the hue of the light!
      Thank you for following the blog – greatly appreciated!!!
      Leslie

      Reply

  11. Shoot, I’ve been waiting for this Leslie. The front hall didn’t come through but everything else satisfied my curiosity. It already looks like home. I’m looking forward to the outdoor tour because that space really seemed to rock! So happy for you both.

    Reply

    1. Hi Peg,
      Usually the templates I use transfer well to mobile phones but I can’t get the picture of the hall to show! It does if you’re on a computer. Just don’t imagine Versailles! Starting work on the post with the great outdoors!!!
      Leslie

      Reply

  12. I love it. Reminds me of my trip to Paris!!!
    I especially love the cards… so very thoughtful.
    Glad you’re enjoying your new home! 🩷

    Reply

    1. Thank you Bonnie! The cards are important – I cried when I realized they made it here without being damaged!!!
      Much thanks for reading the blog,
      Leslie

      Reply

  13. Absolutely lovely. As I get older, I am learning to appreciate the “less is more” concept. You have perfected it! Looking forward to reading more!

    Reply

  14. It’s beautiful Leslie! I love that you kept the items that really meant something to you and are attached to great memories of your family and childhood. Glad to see that you have settled in and that you are doing well. I think your new place looks like the cool homes on Apartment Therapy!

    Reply

    1. Molly,
      Thank you so much for your kind words! We are having the adventure of a lifetime and having a functional and fun space adds to the joy.
      Leslie

      Reply

  15. I didn’t get a chance to read this one earlier, but what a wonderful tour! Downsizing will be the great challenge of my life someday.

    Reply

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