Monday Musings: Urban Camping in the City
Furniture shopping has been a marathon event for us this weekend. As you know, our new apartment only has a bed and some kitchen chairs that Vanessa lent us, so we are “urban camping.” It’s sort of exciting to furnish a new place from scratch, but it’s also a challenge.
Our home in California is a mix of modern with some antiques we’ve owned for forty+ years. This new place is much smaller, so we have an opportunity to try some different looks that fit with our city surroundings.
We found the most fabulous couch for our new apartment, and the best news is that they sold us the (brand new) floor model. I love that it’s a Canadian-designed and locally-made couch that’s also incredibly comfortable. The color, shape, and fabric are exactly what we were looking for, so we paid extra to have to have it delivered immediately…which did not go as planned. We ran into a tiny detail called a smoke detector that would not budge.
The delivery men tried for over an hour to shoehorn that beast around a corner and into our apartment. They virtually dismantled the couch to try different angles, but it just would not fit. We made such a racket our new neighbor came out to see what was happening and offered her advice…but in the end…it was a no-go.
I was sad to see the gorgeous, comfy, soft cushions go, but we paid for them to be delivered back to the store, and I ordered a shorter version that won’t be ready for 8-12 weeks.
That night, we attended Louis Armstrong & Friends with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre. They don’t allow photos while the performance is going on, which is pretty standard, but Vanessa grabbed this one before we went in.
By the time we left the theatre, it was pouring rain, which had me rethinking my trench coat in favor of foul-weather gear.
The next day, we went hunting for easy chairs. I am 5’4′, and Mr. AWSL is 6’4″, so our idea of what constitutes a comfortable chair varies widely. We finally agreed on one in the perfect scale for an apartment (I’m learning), but it won’t be ready until the end of March, so we have lots of time to wait.
The day turned around when we detoured into Indigo Books and Murchies Tea. These are two of my happy places because a great tea shop and a well-stocked bookstore can always save my day!
We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to have this second home near our daughter and my brothers. To be perfectly honest, I’d be thrilled to have this place with just a blow-up mattress and a kettle to make my tea. I hope to make it a cozy, well-loved spot for us to spend the summers and lots of time in between. Tomorrow, we hit Ikea and a few local resale shops for unique pieces.
When my husband and I retired, we downsized from a house with an acre of land in a small northern community to a townhouse in the city of Victoria. It felt wonderful to have less furniture and belongings to take care of. We still have flower beds off our patio and we don’t miss all the yard work. Now we have easy access and more freedom to travel and do what we want without the responsibility of caring for a house. Downsizing was a positive experience for us,
A great location and fabulous view! Ah, the joys of buying a sofa and chairs … my husband is only 10 inches taller than I, but we have the same chair depth issue you do. It’s a challenge. Books and great tea on a dismal day – perfect. Going to duplicate your outfit except … can you comment on the boots? I walk a lot (once my broken ankle is healed) and wonder about wear and comfort.
I’ve had these Munro’s for 5-8 years and find them very comfy. They were an investment but my dolloar per wear is low because I get so much wear out of the. Buy very supportive, flat boots for your por ankle!
Welcome to Vancouver! And Happy Thanksgiving!
Leslie Alexander
How exciting and what a gorgeous view. I love decorating, this would be so fun. Sorry about the couch and all the delays. I love that sweater jacket!
That is so disappointing about the couch! I hope you keep us posted about your shopping and choosing pieces from Ikea and resale/thrift/consignment shops. Don’t forget to check out Home Sense too. I’m sure it feels a bit overwhelming, but I hope it is also fun! It would be fun for me to read about your shopping adventures for things you need/want in your apartment. Whatever the furniture and decor, it will be very nice to be closer to family, for sure. And you look great!
Those views! Wow! LOL I was reminded of the Friends episode when they tried to get a couch up the stairs to their apartment. “Pivot! Pivot!”
Welcome back!
Those views are amazing! Sorry to hear about the couch but the smaller one should work too…we love IKEA
Hope that you have fun shopping and good luck!!
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
Hi Jennifer,
I love hearing how you are furnishing your new place, sorry about the couch. I am loving your hair, great length on you. The symphony sounds so fun!
I am not a fan of the mannequin posts, usually skip over them.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving.
How exciting to have this new adventure, bumps in the road and all. Enjoy!
Love the view from your apartment. Sorry the sofa didn’t fit , but sounds like you will get exactly the right one by ordering .
I have that exact striped cardigan from Amazon , looks good, and the price is great. I didn’t want to buy an expensive version of this, because it gets warm here in Texas, and not sure how much I would wear it.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving
Lovely pictures!! I am so happy for you all being close together and having this adventure…trying out new things, how exciting! Love Vancouver; l would walk in Stanley Park every day if l could. Happy Thanksgiving Jennifer xo
Thank you Francesca! Same to you xo
Love having you back in 🇨🇦. Don’t forget to share your Canadian finds!
What a beautiful view! You won’t need much furniture when you have that to look at! How wonderful that you can live in both places to spend your time with family. Enjoy!
Your apartment is in Vancouver? right? what a view from the windows! I am sure you will be happy with your shorter sofa! I have a delivery story for you: we ordered a leather sofa in October a few years ago for our home in Florida. it was supposed to be delivered in December. Well, the one in warehouse “disappeared” so one was being shipped from China. (always China!) delivery now in January. well, the salesperson called and said ” the boat arrived from China, but your sofa was not on it”. We ended up getting delivery in late March, one week before we were returning to Boston! I hope the next delivery goes smoothly!
That’s hilarious! I’m not overly patient so waiting is frustrating but I’ll be so glad when it’s here.
What a weekend!
Oh how disappointing about the couch, bit what fun to be decorating from scratch. I hope that the rest of your purchasing goes smoothly. And that is a gorgeous view of downtown Vancouver!
It is fun! I get to be creative.
I’m so sorry about your sofa. But OMG – those glass walls!! the incredible views!! I think you’re going to be very happy in your new apartment. 😍
We were so lucky to find this place on Craigs List!
Ooooh I am sorry about that comfy couch not fitting. Disappointing ok I’m sure. But as you say, find some comfy chairs and your new tea kettle until the couch is ready to be delivered. You’ll have it all! Btw- you look aglow through it all! Bravo!
Thanks Paulette
Hello Jennifer, love your striped black and white cardigan and wondered how you found the fit and sizing?
I’m wearing a small. The medium fit too but was more slouchy so I kept this one.
Thank you so much for your feedback. I have just received my sweater purchase and it fits great! Just the smart cardigan/jacket look I was going for.
Wow! What a view! It’s so exciting to put together a new place. Good luck!😊
Thanks Jo
Your post has inspired and uplifted me today. We are in the process of getting ready to sell our very large home. Our next place is going to be much smaller and simpler lifestyle. At times it’s overwhelming and frankly depressing to realize one is winding down. Your upbeat attitude about taking pleasure from just being closer to those you love is what it’s all about. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Editing what you own to move to a smaller place can bring on melancholy for sure. Hang in there!