OH the furnishings!

Fabulous.

I 'invested' / I bought my first couch that is not from Ikea!! Although I do enjoy Ikea, just not on saturdays unless I'm sporting sneakers and elbow pads. And, I decided long before I even signed my lease, that when I have my own place, I will decorate it with non-turfing materials. And by that I mean, not just going out and purchasing the cheapest thing just because they are cheap. But buying only what I need, and ensuring it is sustainable, and will be loved for years.

And so I purchased a slightly traditional tuxedo sofa, from EQ3. See photo. Ha. Note the photo is not the colour I chose. It's the "Solo" (disregarding the notion that I'm single and my couch is solo, har har), and its deep seats with a high back. Just lovely.

I was having issues with choosing colours, especially to "COORDINATE" (my new 'decorating' word) with my gorgeous gold chairs. My great friend Megan, (who has admitted she in fact does not read my blog - she's a lawyer, almost, I'll forgive her) came into town this weekend and helped me "COORDINATE" a colour scheme, and material selection. Initially, I was scoping out the lowest priced microsuede, to get the best value. However, Megan reminded me that I like things to look neat. Not always fabulously clean, but just neat. And thus the microsuede will always look messy to me. I upped the anti and got a fabric, in "Slate", which is a really dark grey with black and perhaps a blue woven in. I love love love it. It's masculine, it's sharp, and it's going to arrive in two friggen months. That's what I get I guess.

EQ3 was the best shopping experience ever. The general manager, a girl just slightly older than me who had a similar taste, sat down with me and talked about what I wanted in a living room; what I wanted it to feel like. I've never had that type of experience before. I hate to say it, but it was probably like being treated like an actual adult.. maybe. Almost. Anyhow, I got to choose the colour (out of at least 40 shades), and the type/colour of legs. And when it's ordered it's basically custom made for me, in Canada no less. Winnipeg!

I'm used to Ikea. You go in, you write it all down, and someone puts an order in an computer and you pay for it. However, with Ikea you do get it within a few days at least. Not 7 weeks at the least. Sigh. Good things come to those who wait.

It's T-exactly seven days until I get the keys to my new place. And T-nine days until I have a vacation. Which comes at the exactly perfect time as I've banked approximately 30 hours in overtime since last Wednesday. Its driving me a little batty. I am taking wednesday off though. yay!

One week.........

Blogging..

Well, I'm going to attempt to take it up a notch. There may be some weird additions to my blog like tickers and other applications, so bare with me while I work out details.

The first pieces of furniture

Well, today was fun.

It's not every day when your mother encourages you to spend your hard earned cash on two pretty chairs for an apartment you can hardly remember.

I had thought I decided on buying a matching sofa, chair, and ottoman by Cindy Crawford Home. You can only imagine the jokes of 'hanging out with Cindy'. However! Once more I made a visit to Pier 1, and found some pieces that will be a wonderful 'check' on my quest to complete my 'grown up' apartment. And yes, I do realize that this quest will continue for years and years. I love that fact.

The chairs will match whatever sofa I choose. I purchased two of the Gold Damask Dining Chair, coplete with a beautiful gold paisley back. Gorgeous. I plan on finding a tiny side table to place in between them with a cute little lamp. I'm sitting in one now, in my parents living room. It matches their stuff perfectly... which makes my mother jealous. ha. I believe I am well on my way for having a grown up apartment if my mother is jealous of my furniture.

Anyhow - Back to how I dont remember the apartment. It's hard to visualize where to put furniture in a place I was in only once, for maybe 15 minutes. Long enough to judge the cleanliness, and stability, and generally deciding if the place was me-worthy. It apparently was, although I can no longer remember the colour of the living room! I know the kitchen is white. And I know the bathroom has ample storage. And I believe the bedrooms are painted a beigey/teracotta. But other than that, I have no idea what it looks like.

Time will tell. I will hold off on buying any other furniture until I actually move in.

Off to sit-around...

N.

New House Means New Decor

Well it's been a while since I last posted. Work has upped the anti, so to speak.

However! An update is definitely required as I have big news (well, it's big to me) and then also fun for blogging about.

I have for quite some time, wanted to try living alone. So after months and months of searching for my very own special place, I finally found it. I signed a lease today for a 2 bedroom apartment, on the second floor of an old heritage home downtown. I am thrilled!

Needless to say I'm also thrilled to decorate! I sold my couch, in hopes of being able to buy 'adult' matchy furniture. I admit, I'm not the best at decorating.. I like things. I can pick out pretty things, however, putting it all together doesn't come that easy for me. I have a sister who is fabulous at decorating, on a budget, and a good friend who is an aspiring (and proved) decorator.

After signing my lease today, and sipping my peach italian soda, I went off to some home stores. Just for fun. I ended up buying this pretty (useful, and cheap) kitchen ulility ceramic canister, complete with all little utilities like wooden spoons, spatulas, and various other measuring thingies and tools. I also bought, for my fabulous espresso machine, 2 adorable black espresso cups and saucers. Just big enough for a teaspoon of foam.

Then - off to Pier 1. My dream store. Seriously, if I could, I'd buy it all. I can't at this point, so I bought my 'starting point' for decorating.

See picture.

Large. Square. Frilly purple tafetta pillow. I love it! It's by far the most girly thing I could buy in terms of decor (or that I would buy). We'll see where go from here.

I am however, quite freaked out about how much stuff I actually require. It makes me think I should throw a 'I married myself' party, or can I actually have a housewarming party and have a registry? at Pier 1? (or in reality, loblaws?). I need cookware, plates, a toaster, and a microwave! Not to mention cleaning products, oh my! amongst a living room set, and decor! I feel sick. No more shoe shopping for me.

Ack.

I may write again.. or I may sell my computer in order to cook food.

Wait and see.

N