Workshop in Sepia

Feeling a little monochromatic today.

{images from G's workshop}

Better Than Bought: Home-Roasted Coffee

About a month ago, G's world almost came crashing down--his friend who had been supplying him with his home-roasted coffee for years now was taking a break. This was a serious, serious dilemma, I tell you. G isn't the type of drinker who calls the stuff from Starbucks "coffee". If there's one thing I learned from G, it's that coffee does not come in a coffee chain cup, nor from beans bought at the supermarket, or powdered, or instant, or decaffeinated. It's not about the foam, it's the crema. It's not about the brand, it's the roast date, and it's not about the price, it's the machine. 

So, with the last few hundred grams of beans left in the airtight jar, he had a (ridiculous) idea of making his own coffee roaster. 

Me: What?!?

G: But you can roast chickens in it!

Me: Oh, okay.

A few weeks passed and a load of raw coffee beans arrived on our doorstep, and not long after, G was on a roll purchasing stainless sheets, a perforated drum, a motor, some tubes, and in the process of taking down an old shawarma cart to salvage its heating hobs. 

Yeah, our gas tanks are that big!

This is how G's hands look EVERY weekend.

Though he tried to show me the design he was working on, and updating me on his project, I didn't really pay much attention, except on the fact that it was cheaper his way than to buy a ready-made one. And that it could roast chickens.

A couple of weeks passed, and...tadaaah!! A roaster in the flesh! 

I must say, I'm quite impressed (as usual). Although, it took a few tries, flames, and scorched beans, G now has gotten the hang of roasting, and his morning brew is uh-mazing. 

Smooth, rich, wonderful aroma, and thick crema--everything they advertise on television, only this is not a commercial, this is every morning!

I didn't have time to clean the cups. Too excited to taste it.

And the chickens are quite good, too.

Narrow Table (One of Many)

G is obsessed with wood. Especially old, second-hand, thick wood planks from resellers who salvage them from demolished old houses. Not only do they have much more character, buying second-hand w saves trees and money! Since most old houses used hardwood, they've already done most of their expansion over the years, and these days, most wood are no longer manufactured in thick cuts.

The lot our house stands on used to have, what seemed to me, a house built in the '60s (but I'm no expert in design trends so even I wouldn't take my word for it), and a lot of the wood from the floor, doors, and jambs were saved after demolition. This is the wood G reuses to make furniture for the house--he designs and finishes them. I guess it's therapeutic for him, but for me, I'll gladly have his work around the house because I think they're gorj and handiwork like his with the material he uses would cost a fortune if we bought it elsewhere.

I especially love this long table he made for our hallway.

Children's Bathroom

Our architect was right. We didn't need to tile our whole bathroom. Unlike many houses built pre-millenium, he suggested not to tile the walls from top to bottom since, outside of the shower enclosure, water won't really splatter on them, and it would save a lot on the budget. But what we did end up with were boring white walls. During my nesting period in my 3rd trimester, G was also going through the same, and was inspired by the talented artists behind WeWillDoodle to create his own graffiti on what would be A's bathroom.

I suggested the "Under the Sea" theme so he wouldn't run out of creatures and details to include in his artwork (he had three walls to cover!), and we could teach A about different sea animals as she grew older.

Isn't it so cute?

Wooden Storage Boxes

Before our daughter was born, the nursery was almost empty save for the crib, a table, a playpen, a few baby necessities, and an extra bed to fill in the space. Being new parents, we didn't really know what to purchase for our little bundle until she actually came along. In the first few weeks at home, A's things multiplied, and, suddenly, we ran out of places to put them in. Her closet was full of clothes from Mamita and her shelves were in disarray. I asked G to make a few storage boxes made of retaso wood he had at his workshop to put A's stuff in, and after a few days, he whipped these up!

About G (& G)

Hello, my name is Georgia, I'm 29, a wife, and a new mother of one. I've always dreamt of being a full-time housewife--cooking for my family, spending time with my daughter--it's easy to say that my dream has come true. I have a home-based baking and catering business that's been running for three years now, and I also write a column for a fitness magazine on the side. In between those and my household duties, I partner with my husband (the other "G") in whatever project he has for his line of work...or I go shopping...or I go online.

I put up this blog/selling site because I love to shop for my house. Unfortunately, not everything that catches my fancy actually matches or fits our modern mediterranean abode and lifestyle. Goodbye kitschy accessories, so long shabby chic lace tablecloths, and farewell funny stainless steel hook that only works as a banana hanger. As much as I want all this stuff in my house, in my real world, I don't have the budget or counter space. Or a husband who will appreciate them.

As you will see, I have a few pieces that have been collecting dust in our bodega since I married, never seeing the light of day that they obviously deserve. These items I have loved very much and, although difficult to part with, I must let go to make room for the walker my daughter has outgrown or the crib she never sleeps in. Others are wonderful items I find while on my shopping trips, and cannot go home without that I want to share with you.

Thank you for dropping by and hope you enjoy shopping with me.

Love, G.