This is the first of many weekly posts that will be called: Love At First Gasp. Refers to items, photos, rooms, decor, furniture, accessories & such that “had me at hello” – 2nd Jerry Maguire movie reference in the history of this blog! LOL! These Love At First Gasp occurrences happen quite regularly for me. A gasp is the default reaction, but sometimes these lovely finds cause me to do a double-take, my eyes widen, mouth drops & the word “WOW” comes out of my mouth – sometimes with a bit of drool (just kidding on the droll). These Love At First Gasp finds are things that sometimes will be out of my means because of price, distance, space limitations, you get the idea, but a girl can always dream!
The photo featured in this post was taken by David Serra. I got it off of his flicker photostream. It’s one of his most popular photos. It’s of his uncle’s apartment. David titled it: Culture Overflowing. I love this photo. Yes, it received it’s deserved gasp from me! Look at those wood floors! They’re beautifully worn & have that lived-in look that we all crave! And the old red hexagon tiles, just gorgeous! Very old farmhouse to me. My grandma had those same tiles in her farmhouse in Brazil – beautiful memories. Mustn’t forget to mention the spiral staircase, of course. Of all the people I know & in whose homes I’ve personally been in, I’ve only come across one spiral staircase! They are a rare breed in my book. The railing in this featured one is so delicate & timeless. I love the two wood tones – shows off the spiral’s lovely curves. Now to my favorite part… the books! How smart to use each staircase step as a little bookshelf. I love books! They’re my favorite thing to decorate with in my home. I’m inspired to recreate this in my staircase, but get second thoughts when I remember our busy toddler. Will keep this idea on the back burner then.
The other thing that gets me is that this is in a apartment. What? I’m actually tempted to trade in my townhome to live there too! What character, culture (as David put it) this apartment has! I’m so impressed. I take it the apartment is in France as most of David’s photos are. You don’t know what the word “France” does to my veins… it’s like instant adrenaline rush! I dream of going there some day. I’m scared that when I do go to France that I won’t want to come back to Florida! Well, will cross that bridge when I get to it. Thanks David for sharing your photo with us. Your uncle’s apartment staircase is stunning! I’m delighted to be featuring it here.
Its funny what you say about France, I live in France in a small apartement that looks just like this picture……but everyday I read blogs like your lovely one and see all of the huge houses and large living spaces and gasp at first site LOL
I want space and big green gardens!!!!
LOL! Maybe we can swap sometime like in “The Holiday” movie
I think we both have “the grass looks greener on the other side” syndrome!
Only if I can go with you Fern.
Deal!
Love that phrase you made up — “love at first gasp” — so appropriate!
Thanks Valerie
Glad you like it!
Never ever would it have occured to me to do this! What a brilliant idea!!!
Thanks Fern!
I love seeing all of those books. I don’t have much time to read, but I love to have piles of books around me anyway.
I imagine running away to France everyday. These pictures are amazing! Great post!
It reminds me of a fabulous 2nd hand book store here in Melbourne Australia.
That is so amazing! Happy New Year to you as well!
If I lived there, I think I’d actually spend time just sitting on the steps! They’re lovely, and the books add such a magic and warmth!
Happy New Year!! May 2010 bring you many, many loves at first gasps!!
If I had a stair case like that. I would spend my weekends sitting there with a hot cup of coffee, make that a pot
Oh my! That is a lot of books! Hubby would have a fit though if I put all my books on the stairs
I love the picture and your description,,like what everyone else said I would just sit on the steps and a cup of tea,,thank you for sharing with us..
LOVE this… oh, YES! Dream arrangement of books…*sigh* Hi there…and Happy New Year! We’re just back from our trip and catching up with you here… Feeling jet-lagged and heart-fuzzy after a sweet Christmas, good to be home and back in blogland. Very much enjoying checking in with your recent postings goings on–delish! Looking forward to sharing another creative year with you. Wishing you & yours all the very best of love, peace & joy in 2010!
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Welcome back! Looking forward to this year with you too
That’s awesome! I wish the stuff piled on my stairs looked so good…maybe it has to do with the wood and the spiral…mine are straight and carpeted.
Truly incredible!!! I love how you write about it, too! It makes it seem even better. Hope you had a wonderful Florida Christmas, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Awww… Thanks!
Lovely photo! I read all the time everything I can grab. I am always glad when there is a welfare collection for a flea market so I get rid of some books or somebody wants them on ebay. If this wouldn’t be the case then I think it would be possible that my stairs look like the one on the picture (when kid and dog would allow that). I only keep books I really love. My friend has the same book taste and so we change books and sometimes she buys a couple and sometimes I find some.
I have a hard time parting with books! The more the merrier
Oh & I feel you on the kid & dog restrictions 
How perfect of you to select this picture! Books + Fern = HAPPY! Plus all the other great things you pointed out: wood floors, staircase, etc…
A very neat idea. I keep telling myself that I need to go to Goodwill to buy books…and I may just finally do it. Only problem is I could use your help with decorating it around my house. 
I’d be happy to help! The iPhone is a useful little tool isn’t it
Wish I had a staircase like that for all of my books! Love it.
Lovely photo indeed!
Very inspiring! I am a bibliophile from way back and am always in search of new ways to manage them. Love this!
LOVE these. What a place! and i love the idea for these posts- i’m all about celebrating eye candy!!
That looks fantastic! Hmmm.. maybe I don’t have to get rid of my extra books at all… just have to install a cool spiral staircase for them.. heehee. Love it!