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.
What a coincidence that we too have just moved, but from a large home in Vancouver to a condo in Victoria and are looking for a couch and armchairs as well. It would be much appreciated if you would you share what you found that you love so much?
How lovely! We love Victoria. We ordered the farmhouse swivel chairs from Pottery Barn and the couch is from a company in Vancouver called Cross. They have a website.
Thank you Jennifer. Iām a new subscriber and I really enjoy your posts. ā¤ļø
Great urban views, Jennifer! As others, sorry to hear about the couch. Think we’ve all been here at some point?
What a fantastic view! I love the color of the cushions you were holding of the sofa you had to return. I hope that the new one will fit through your door without problems. We had to wait for 4 months for our powered loveseat for our family room last year. It was hard to find one comfortable for my 5ā2ā short legs. Brent is only 7ā taller so not as bad of a height difference. One of my grandsons is 6ā3ā tall and I come to his armpit! I purchased the striped sweater you are wearing from your link. I did buy the medium because I like it loose over shirts or sweaters. Iām also 42ā in the bust. It is those Swedish genes from my mother. I love the length of your hair now as well. You look very sharp in a column of black with that striped sweater.
Thanks, Sydney. It’s a perfect little sweater. My grandson will tower over me very soon!
What a beautiful view! How lovely to be close to family and adopting a new decor style! Good luck with purchases/deliveries but enjoy the process. It will turn out wonderfully!
Love Murchie’s seasonal tea with maple in it. I usually make a day trip from Seattle to stock up.
We bought a box of their Sugar Maple…it’s so good!
Oh dear, about the big couch. Sounds like you made lemonade though. I am enjoying reading of your adventures in Canada.
Sorry to hear your dream couch didn’t fit. You will probably like the shorter version much better anyway. Keep us posted on what else you find for your new apartment. Have a wonderful week!
I will keep everyone posted.
So much fun to decorate and furnish ! Too bad the couch didnt fit š you will have a comfy nest in short time ! The comfy chair conundrum is tricky . We are 5ā2ā and 6ā2ā. I get it !
i learned quickly that my cute jackets and tops didnt cut it if they didnt have a hood ! and some rain resistance ! in coastal oregon .. šas rain is always present at sometime in fall and winter . Love the outfits tho and a scarf often saves my hair when it sprinkles ,
I love resale shops. You can find some unique pieces and at a really good price. Facebook marketplace is another treasure. I recently found a wood and upholstered headboard in like new condition for only $150. It looks perfect and updates my guest room. Happy hunting Jennifer!
How frustrating for you. Finding the right scale furniture for modern small condos can be a challenge.
Love your striped cardigan you found on Amazon. Would you please tell me what size you are wearing?
Thanks Jennifer and good luck with the furniture hunting!
I am wearing a small. The medium fit too but I wanted it a bit more streamlined.
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 donāt 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 tooā¦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 adventureā¦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 šØš¦. Donāt 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!
Thatās hilarious! Iām not overly patient so waiting is frustrating but Iāll be so glad when itās 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.
Iām so sorry about your sofa. But OMG – those glass walls!! the incredible views!! I think youāre going to be very happy in your new apartment. š
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?
Iām 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! Itās so exciting to put together a new place. Good luck!š
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!