Costa Blanca Update

Oh my goodness. It seems an eternity since I sat my behind down to do some writing. To be fair, I’ve been sick for quite a few weeks with what is probably walking pneumonia. Still thinking it’s going to heal itself. Getting better every day, but oh-so-slowly.

Anyway, so much for my pity party, we postponed our winter trip to Spain partly because the construction is slightly behind schedule and partly because I simply wasn’t up for the drive. But last weekend, we packed the car to the hilt and peeled out of France like the Beverly Hillbillies. I could have packed at least two more car fulls! Brought artwork, new bedding and towels, light fixtures that couldn’t ship to Spain, extra decorative items, a rug that will work perfectly here, new flatware, and just the crap that you have to stuff in when you’re going to be gone for two months! We laughed at ourselves every time we needed something from the trunk, as breath had to be held as we slammed down the lid and crossed our fingers it would ‘catch.’ I had used some old Space Bags for the down comforters, the ones you suck the air out with the vacuum, then seal like a zip-lock bag into a condensed rock-hard chunk. We put them in the car, closed the doors, then laughed our asses off when the seals didn’t hold and they expanded where they could. A funny Kodak moment…!!!

Split the 10 hour drive this time into two days and spent the night halfway in lovely Zaragoza. Just missed a Mardi Gras parade, but the old town is lovely and deserves further consideration. It was very civilized to sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast and a little stroll around the neighborhood, and drive less hours per day. But I was chomping at the bit on Day 2 to get to the house and see the improvements.

We stepped through the doors and were absolutely delighted at the transformation! Opening up the kitchen just MAKES the house, even though the kitchen cabinets are still carcasses at this point.

The paint has made such an enormous difference and our contractors (obviously lovers of fine design) have applauded each of my choices. (pat pat on my back 😉) The workers had abandoned ship for a few days to give us time to settle in and we have made ourselves at home in the apartment on the pool level. Living vicariously in the Captain Hook beds left by the previous owners—a bad purchasing decision even 40 years ago! Anyhoo, design for the lower level is phase 2 after I get the main floor dialed in.

But it is slowly becoming a home. It’s been like Christmas for me unpacking the upholstered items we ordered on our last trip and opening the plethora of cartons of other furniture pieces I ordered online and had delivered here. Good thing we had assistance recycling all the cardboard and packing materials (almost a trailer full) — good helpers are always a welcome comfort.

We’ve spent today with the kitchen carpenter still hammering out details with the kitchen, as my ideas have changed a bit over time. SURPRISE!!! Not. Had to pick door handles, trick pull-out contraptions for the trash cans, under cabinet lighting, and last, but not least, the countertop material. And I did a 180°. Instead of black honed granite similar to what I have in France, I decided to go with a gray countertop (the cabinets are white). After viewing the pitiful selection of granite available and being told that yes, it HAS to be polished, I said ‘no thank you’ and decided on a matte textured ceramic slab. Talk about sticking my neck outside my comfort zone! Got home and researched the material and think I’ve just been out-of-the-loop and am way behind the times. It’s all the rage in Spain right now, so, well, when in Spain…

The other big reveal from our visit to the carpenter’s workshop was to view a big oak island countertop he had on display. I told him I wanted a wood counter for the long island we’re creating. And while he was showing it like a proud peacock, Theo and I were looking at it cross-eyed. To us it looked like a wide plank oak floor put on the top of a kitchen island (a beautifully done wide plank oak floor, but still!) Not our taste, but we are spoiled brats coming from the great land of oak trees, California.

Got home and started researching and found a company right in Valencia that do responsible olive wood products. And they make olive countertops. Wow, perfect! It’s not only in line with the region being in the middle of olive country, but they are stunning. Different. Modern looking, but with the wild striations of olive wood. I think I found my product! Now for enough time for a little field trip.

Okay, better publish this post, as I have tons more to compile. But very little time, as we’re still getting deliveries like crazy, the contractors are here with questions, we’re still working out the kinks with appliances, the non-wood countertop guy was here, the kitchen guys have been making some changes I requested, I’m trying now to sell the wardrobes that were in our bedroom (as they no longer fit due to my brainiac changes), still moving temporary furniture around so we can live more comfortably downstairs, bought and returned Theo’s TV already (oops, no satellite receiver in the first one), the electrician comes each evening at 6 and is working like mad to finish the suite on top of the house, and I’m still ordering sinks, faucets, ceiling fans, light fixtures, music speakers, mattress toppers, side tables, wallpaper, and last, but not least, wine glasses! Now for a nice tall pour of Crianza.