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.
I enjoy your posts so much. I’m in process of buying eye glasses for first time so I’ll be using your advice when I go in store. I’d also love to know more about where to stay in Victoria. I traveled there about 15 years ago and fell in love with the area. Wasn’t able to stay but just a day or two. We will be celebrating our 50th in December and thought visiting in the Spring would be a nice time.
Late spring will still be cool and possibly rainy but gorgeous. We stay at the Magnolia Boutique Hotel when we go. It’s so lovely and walking distance to everything.
Hi, what a view…….it looks wonderful. You’ll have such fun decorating the place and I hope you keep all
of us updated as to your progress.
Family is very important and I hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving !
Good Morning, I’m a day late in commenting, but what a gorgeous view!!! I feel for the sofa issue, my condo is limited in space and as much as I want a sectional,,it won’t work, but with your style sense I’m sure your new home away from home will be spectacular. I do love the stripped cardigan also.. Happy Thanksgiving….
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Oh, I’m so envious of your move to Canada. We used to live across the Ambassador Bridge in Michigan and traveled a lot through Canada. Currently in California (45 years) and have traveled to Vancouver and Victoria. Be sure to go for Tea at the Empress Hotel for high tea.
I hope your apt. Brings you so much joy. Our 2 story 4 bed. 4 bath is difficult when you are in your 70’s. You made the move at the right time..
I have always loved Canada and consider myself a. Canadian at heart.
This will just be a second home for us. It’s actually quite small. Our daughter lives here and our son is in California so we will go back and forth.
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. I’m a new subscriber and I really enjoy your posts. ❤️
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 5’2” short legs. Brent is only 7” taller so not as bad of a height difference. One of my grandsons is 6’3” 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. I’m also 42” 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 😘 you will have a comfy nest in short time ! The comfy chair conundrum is tricky . We are 5’2” and 6’2”. 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 .. 😌as 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.