Recently I moved into an awesome loft style home with my Boyfriend. Before that I was living in an apartment building in Capitol Hill, which I LOVED. I loved the area, the neighborhood, the old houses, and the view of the capitol and The City. I loved being close to work, Memory Grove, and overall being downtown. I would definitely consider myself a 'city girl,' but one thing you have to understand is that Salt Lake City isn't really 'A CITY.' We aren't talking NYC, San Fran, Chicago people. We are talking about a city that is not well diversed and cultured and that is spread out over several blocks. I miss being able to walk around downtown. You know, get a bite to eat at an amazing hole in the wall restaurant, shop till 11 pm, grab a martini and sit on the cobblestone sidewalk people watching, and overall the diversity of people. I will give Utah it's beauty. A desert that snows! The mountains are breathtaking and they are something I appreciate every day. They are truly picturesque. Also, for the most part it's a safe city (however people will steal your kid in a heart beat). You don't get a lot of gang violence and trash that you see in other cities. The gangs here are pretty much "wanna be's." I want to tell them to take a hike to LA or NYC then tell me you're big and bad. Utah is also central to some very cool places. Southern Utah is a site to see, Vegas is a 45 minute flight, 5 hour car ride. Phoenix, AZ is a 1.5 hour flight, San Diego a 1.5 hour flight and San Fran is also a 1.5 hour flight. Needless to say you can take a direct flight from Salt Lake City to Paris (which I have yet to take advantage of but will!) A few things I would do without - the influence of religion over the state. It's a little overboard. And please don't get me wrong, I grew up in a religious surrounding but it wasn't something that was a "do or die" mentality. The religion here pretty much controls EVERYTHING and it feels as though they try to make laws and boundaries for people to follow that is among their beliefs and views. Oddly enough, from living here for the past five years, I've become somewhat desensitized to it. However, I do love that 'breath of fresh air' feeling I get when travel outside of the city and have time to clear my brain and gain some normalcy. Another thing I would take away is the fakeness many of the girls and guys carry around here. The fake boobs, lip injections, and the size 2's running around. Has anyone seen a runway model with big fake boobies and an orange tan? If you have, please tell me where. I am very interested in seeing it. One thing I miss from the east coast is the realness. People are honest, to the point, there are naturally beautiful people, who value education. Very few of the people I know in Utah have a college education whereas all of my friends back east at least have a college degree. Most of my friends have independent careers from their significant others and they are all childless. Much of the mentality is career focused and independence.
Okay so back to the house situation - I moved from Capitol Hill more south, which really isn't that south. I'm still "downtown" but not in the heart of downtown. I mean, I didn't even move into Sugar House area. A few things I LOVE about having a house is the backyard, the wide open space we have to entertain, privacy, having a washer and dryer, and most importantly decorating!!! :) I come from a family of Italians that are amazing cooks and big on entertaining dozens of people. Eventually and hopefully I will follow in their footsteps. I have learned to cook for 4 to 6 people. Anything more than that gives me MAJOR anxiety. I've learned all about crock pots and food processors. Anyways, it's been great and I'm going to share some pictures with everyone and hopefully, maybe, most of you reading this will have the opportunity to enjoy some fine cooking and wine at my place!
This is the sitting room to the left when you first walk in
What you see when you walk in and look to your right
Open kitchen space - great for entertaining b/c you can be a part of the action and not closed off in a separate room:)
Spiral staircase that leads to the upstairs loft
Walking towards the back of the house
Bathroom - ya think!? ;)
Laundry room - exit to the back yard
Computer space located in the back of the house
Upstairs loft #1
Upstairs loft #2
**One thing I am very proud of is that when Bryant and I first moved in together we both sold a lot of our stuff and bought a lot of new stuff together. We did it together, 50/50 - a partnership.
Bedroom with exposed brick wall.
**The only reason why the bed is not fully made is because I took a nap before I took these pictures. I cannot leave my house without making my bed and cleaning up. It brings peace to me to come home to a clean house :)
View from loft # 1
View from loft #2
Right now Bryant and I are renting. One thing I would do if I owned this house is paint the hell out of it! The white walls give the house no depth or character. But hey, what do you do? I'm happy living here and it's one step at a time.
