The house survey…

DO YOU LIVE IN A HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT?
A house.

WOULD YOU SAY IT IS BIG OR SMALL?
It’s about 5,700 sq. ft., so definitely on the larger side.  More space than 2 people actually need.  There are two bedrooms and a bathroom that I am fairly certain I haven’t set foot in for at least 3-4 years.

DO YOU HAVE A WELCOME MAT?
It’s not a welcome mat, as it says, “Go Away”.

DOES IT SAY SOMETHING?
See above.

DO YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER OR DO YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR DISHES BY HAND?
Dishwasher, but some pieces, like the wine glasses, knives, etc. are done by hand.

HOW MANY PLANTS DO YOU HAVE INSIDE?
About a dozen, mostly culinary herbs and a few orchids.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE THAT YOU PUT YOUR KEYS?
Yes, there is a key basket on the desk in the kitchen.

IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR STOCKED WITH ANYTHING?
Cheeses, some cured meats, fruits and vegetables, milk, butter, fresh meats, and usually some duck fat, baking yeast, etc.

WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR BREAD?
Usually in a cabinet in the kitchen.  Sometimes wrapped on a cutting board.

IS YOUR BATHROOM CLEAN?
Yes, I’m a bit of a fanatic about cleanliness, so they are kept pretty sanitary.

WHAT IS YOUR BATHROOM’S THEME?
All are in Italian themes, with Tuscan, Amalfi and Venetian tile used for decoration.

HOW MANY RUGS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR DWELLING SPACE?
Five of the rooms are carpeted, with about 8 area rugs, throw rugs or runners throughout the house.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS?
The house sits in the middle of 50 acres, so I really don’t have neighbors.  I know a few people in town nearby, but only as nodding acquaintences.

ARE THERE ANY STRAY CATS AROUND?
Over the years we’ve had a few strays show up, and they became permanent members of the family.

DO YOU HAVE A DVD PLAYER IN YOUR BEDROOM?
No.

WHICH ROOM WOULD YOU SAY YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME IN?
Divide most of my day between the library, conservatory and kitchen.

DO YOU HAVE A POOL OR JACUZZI WHERE YOU LIVE?
No pool, but a Jacuzzi tub in the master bath (rarely used) and an 8-person spa tub off the deck (also rarely used).

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DVD THAT YOU OWN?
I don’t think I own any.

HOW ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE CD THAT YOU OWN?
Complete works of Mozart by Herbert von Karajan.  It’s a 100+ CD set.

WHERE IS YOUR STEREO OR RADIO LOCATED IN YOUR HOME?
There is one in the library, a Bose radio/CD player in the kitchen, and another in the conservatory.

DO YOU HAVE A COFFEE MAKER?
Being Italian, we have several.  There are two Nespresso machines, and two Bialetti pots, one stovetop, one French Press.

DO YOU HAVE AN AREA DESIGNATED FOR ALCOHOL?
There is a bar in the conservatory, a large wine cellar, and a 96-bottle wine cooler in the pantry.

HOW MANY TELEVISIONS DO YOU HAVE?
One.  It’s rarely used, to be honest.

DO YOU HAVE STAIRS?
Yes, and wish everything was on one level.

WHAT KIND OF STUFF DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR WALLS?
Oil paintings, watercolors, photographs, a few shadow-boxed awards, some wall sconces, objets d’art.

WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR TOOTHPASTE?
In the medicine cabinet.

DO YOU HAVE A DEN OR AN OFFICE?
The library serves as my office.

DO YOU LIVE CLOSE TO ANY STORES?
There is a convenience store about 1 mile away in town.  For any real shopping, it’s a good 30 minute drive.

DO YOU HAVE A WALK IN CLOSET AND IF NOT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE ONE?
I have two, and love them.  Wish they were larger.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING HANGING FROM THE CEILING?
Some Venetian chandeliers, ceiling fans and a few assorted light fixtures.

DOES YOUR KITCHEN HAVE A THEME?
Tuscan Terra Cotta walls, parchment cabinets and terrazzo flooring.

IS IT A PAIN TO DUST YOUR LIVING SPACE?
I’m sure it is for the cleaning lady.

WHAT’S UNDER YOUR BED?
Nothing.

DO YOU HAVE A GAME SYSTEM?
No.

HOW MANY TELEPHONES ARE IN YOUR HOME?
4 landline extensions and our 2 cellphones.

DO YOU HAVE A FIREPLACE AND IF SO DO YOU USE IT OFTEN?
4 gas fireplaces.  Had them all converted to eliminate soot.

WHAT KIND OF MICROWAVE DO YOU HAVE?
Don’t own a microwave.  Completely useless appliance.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FIGURINES OF ANGELS AROUND?
Not a figurine, but I do own a Second Empire French candlestick of an angel.  There are also a few pair of polychrome painted and gilded figural papier-mache angels from Italy that occasionally make an appearance around the holidays.

DO YOU LIKE TO OPEN THE BLINDS OR CURTAINS OR KEEP THEM SHUT?
I love natural light, so let as much into the house as possible.

HOW MANY COMPUTERS ARE IN YOUR DWELLING SPACE?
1 laptop, a tablet and a Kindle.  There is also a “hard-wired” workstation with a high-speed connection for diagnostic images.

WHAT COMPANY DO YOU USE FOR INTERNET ACCESS AND HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Mediacom.  I know it’s a lot of money because of the high-speed connection, but I don’t pay the bill, so not sure what it costs.