So I’m pretty pumped about my new place in Parkdale.  At first I was a little worried about moving out of Queen West… it really is an amazing neighbourhood, with a good mix of artiness and gentrification.  However, I’m starting to realize that Queen West is being infiltrated by condos and douchey people (not that I’m not kinda douchey sometimes… I realize this…).  When I was looking around for a place, I realized that there is this veritable HORNET’S NEST of condos being built behind Woolfit’s just off of Queen.  Like, it’s a frigging epidemic.  HUNDREDS of people will be moving there withing 12 months.  PLUS, there is only parking for about half of the condo residents, because the developers are stupid.  So that whole nest of douches is going to be parking their Audis all up and down Queen, pumping their LMFAO beats, going into the Beaconsfield to order Monster Energy drinks.  Boooooooooooooo.

Parkdale, on the other hand, is totally still skeezy, but is starting to get some really amazing new restaurants and stuff… so I think it has longer-term appeal.  It’s in the “infant” stage of gentrification… not the “irresponsible mid-twenties douchebag” stage of gentrification, which I fear is about to hit Queen West.  Of course, I could just be saying that because I’m sad that I’m moving away from my safe and comfortable ”multiple artisan coffee-shop” neighbourhood and into a less safe “methadone clinic” neighbourhood… but whatever.

The MAIN point here is that my new place is a fucking palace.  That’s what you get when you move into Parkdale.  Gorgeous, renovated Victorian houses that are available within my price range.  Let’s take a first sneak peek (the pics are kind of bad… and it needs a good clean since they are still renovating, but I’ll take better ones soon)!

This is the Master Bedroom.

Please note the original hardwood floors, as well as the door to private balcony overlooking the street with original stained glass.  Plus, it’s pretty huge.  The bedroom is the size of my entire kitchen + family room in my current place.  OH, and one more thing.  THE ENTIRE WALL IS A CLOSET:

Yeah.  That’s 17 feet of closet space, with shelves and cabinets and rods already installed.  At first I was unsure about the whole mirrored closet thing, but it’s actually a tinted mirror that has a very mid-century modern look.  So I like it.

Here is the 2nd bedroom:

This is a bad picture, but it is also a huge room with ANOTHER closet, French doors, original wall sconces… le sigh.

Here is the kitchen:

As you can see, they are still renovating, but all of the cabinetry is new, along with the appliances (they still have the blue plastic sticker thing on them!), tiled backsplash, track and spot lighting… pretty awesome.

This is weird, but my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE room is the bathroom:

Why?  Because they managed to retain many of the original details, while keeping it very useable and modern.  Check out the original mosaic tiling on the floor!

Orignal radiator with brand new wainscoting!

And the original tub, but with a brand new rainshower head!!!

Now, I’m sure you’re thinking “Wow Natalie, what a great place you’ve got there!”

BUT WAIT.  That’s just the DOWNSTAIRS.  There is a whole UP-FRIGGING-STAIRS!

YEAH.  The attic has been converted into a HUGE LOFT SPACE:

Sorry… are those original structural wood beams across the ceiling?  YES.  YES THEY ARE.  Gorgeous new hardwood floor with wood post nails?  YES.  YES IT IS.

OH, a functioning WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE?  YA, BOY!  (although that finial woodcut over in the mantle is awful… I’ll have to do something about that…)

Oh, what is that door, off in the distance, with stairs and a cute little window?

OH, that’s just the door to my 250 square foot private deck.  NO BIG FRIGGING DEAL.

As you can easily tell.  My brain is exploding with excitement about my new place.  I’m SO excited to start moving my stuff over and decorating… I’m sure you’ll hear all about it.