Apartment Overview and Introduction
Apartment Introduction: Location, History, and Cost
My name's Yanica, and I'm thrilled to give you a peek into our Leiden apartment! We've called this place home for three years now, nestled right in the heart of the city. The street is surprisingly quiet, lined with charming shops – a yarn store, a tea shop, you name it. A grocery store is practically our next-door neighbor, and a beautiful city park is a mere five-minute stroll away. It's the perfect blend of urban convenience and peaceful living.
Our apartment itself is located on the second floor of a truly historic building – an 18th-century Dutch house! Apparently, it was once a weaver's house, and its age is reflected in its protected monument status. You can't even tear it down! It's quite something to live in a piece of history. The apartment itself is 55 square meters. For the first two years, rent was €1200, and in the third year, it rose slightly to €1250. That includes water and electricity, which is a significant bonus.
Shared Entrance and Hallway
Entering the building, you immediately step into a spacious shared hallway. It's a charmingly old-fashioned space, echoing the building's history. Think high ceilings and that wonderful sense of aged wood and plaster – a far cry from the sterile hallways of a modern apartment block.
We share this hallway with just one other apartment. It's surprisingly convenient, actually. There's a shared storage room tucked away – currently a bit of a chaotic mess, I confess – and plenty of space for bikes. This is a huge plus in a city like Leiden, where cycling is the preferred mode of transportation.
The hallway itself is also quite a pleasant space. It’s a calm, quiet area, a welcome buffer between the bustling city streets and the peace of our apartment. A peaceful transition, if you will.
Apartment Entrance and Entryway Design
Stepping inside our apartment isn't exactly like walking into a grand foyer. There's no dedicated entrance hall, just a direct transition from the shared hallway into the living space. A bit unconventional, perhaps, but it works!
To create a functional entryway, we cleverly repurposed an IKEA clothing rack. It's a simple solution, yet surprisingly effective for hanging coats and storing shoes. It keeps things tidy and prevents that inevitable pile-up of outerwear that tends to take over the living space.
We also have a small cabinet from IKEA, which, I must admit, has seen better days. It's prone to breaking down, requiring the occasional (and rather unsightly) screw repair. It’s a testament to our resourcefulness, if nothing else! It serves its purpose, though – storing everyday essentials – so it stays.