We are renting a nice home in a cul de sac development called Tanglewood. The homes in this neighborhood are all ranch-style homes built on slabs. Based on the design and the development of mature landscaping, my wife tells me it was more than likely started in the 1980s. Some of them are rentals like ours, but the neighbors right around us are long-term owners, so there is a balance.
Note the garage space.
In this area, it is not unusual to see garage spaces used as additional living spaces. In our case, the driveway serves as off-street parking for guests and us. (It could hold four cars). The 18' x 18' space that would be the garage is Maria's long-sought-after studio/emergency guest room. We have two bedrooms, and my office can be set up to use as a guest room. The additional feature that makes this space so useful is a side entrance. This means business guests do not have to negotiate the private living space to enter.
Here are some before and afters to give you an idea of what Maria has been able to accomplish in the short 3 weeks we've been here.
The chair in the foreground actually sits next to the woodbox in the background. I use it to watch TV. We are waiting for another chair to go on sale at a local resale/consignment shop.
This dining area is always full of light and a great place for any meal or lingers with guests after a meal.
The doorway in the background is the entrance to "The Studio." There is a French Door that can be closed to gain some separation. The couple in the before shot are our longtime friends from this area, Linda and Danny Chauvin (Show van). Those of you who were at our wedding will remember Linda as Maria's maid of honor.
This is where all the work I do takes place. I'm seeking clients who might need my developed skill as an editor. Thankfully, I maintain my connections to Eastside Community Council, MetroGo, and TSAC.
None of these shots show that there is an awning built out over about a third of the deck. Sadly, with daily high temperatures in the mid to high nineties, we haven't sat out on the deck except for brief periods in the morning or after dark. I'm assured that this will end. Hard to believe when the forecast for the next ten days shows the only relief being the high temperatures sliding down to the low nineties
I haven't shown a picture of our shed, which is attractive and spacious and full of lawn and garden tools. As the picture hints at, we have a nice backyard that is fenced in for Lucy.
The bedroom is big enough for our new king-sized bed. The alcove seen on the right side is an entrance to a dressing table, two separate walk-in closets (Mine is the one behind the folding door), the shower stall, commode, and double sink. Lucy, as usual, sleeps under the bed. The window brings us morning sun.
Generally, we are falling into a routine here. We've found our hamburger place. I haven't found my coffee shop, although I could do worse than the Cafe du Monde. But in that case, it's the Beignets, not the coffee, that is attractive.
We had breakfast at a "dutsey" little place just down the road. It's inexpensive, and the food was good, I think. I haven't been able to establish a standard for grits. In the end, even if it was only fair as a rating, you gotta love the name.
Next: I hope to give you a look at Mandeville.
Very nice!
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