The big and expensive part of shopping for our new apartment is almost over. Today we bought a TV, fridge and a washing machine. In Australia, you have to bring your own washing machine and fridge when you rent a place. Local custom, I guess.
We decided to get a bottom freezer fridge, as this is something we had in Canada and had really liked it. It just makes sense to have the fridge part on top since you use the fridge side most of the time. The freezer is on the bottom, so there is a lot less daily bending over. When you are 6 feet tall (183 cm) you want to minimize how often you have to bend over. It is really not good for my back.
The second expensive shopping trip will take place this Saturday. We will go to IKEA and buy a bed, sofa, chest of drawers, and a few other things. I found several nice furniture stores in Sydney so we are debating whether to go cheap and buy IKEA furniture or to spend a bit more and buy quality items. I think we will end up buying most of the items at IKEA, but select few will be purchased elsewhere.
I am having a heck of a time finding cutlery that we like. Cutlery sets are really different here. Most cutlery sets that I have seen here have 8 different serving items. Three forks, three spoons and two knives. There is a dessert fork, a dinner fork and a fruit fork, then dessert and dinner knives, and three more spoons of varying sizes! I did find a few sets with only a spoon, fork, knife and teaspoon, but the fork and a spoon were way too big. For some reason, standard cutlery size here is HUGE. I am going to a specialty cutlery/dishes/pots store tomorrow with hope that I will find something more to our liking.
I know, I know. It seems that I have been really picky choosing not just cutlery, but most of the items for the house. I think I am being so picky because I finally know what IS and what IS NOT important to us. I also know what I like and don't like. This time around, I want to setup our place as close as possible to what we want (within the budget, of course).
I do think that we will stay in Sydney/Australia for a while and I want that experience to be enjoyable. Life is too short not to enjoy every day.
1 comment:
Although it would be tempting to do ALL the shopping at once, consider committing to only the necessities on the first go-round. Even if one goes shopping, armed with all the measurements and colour schemes, there are always surprises at the end of the day. Consider getting only the fridge, washer, mattress, some bedding, and plastic plates/cups/cutlery for Day 1 in your new place. After one sleep (two?), you might see your new home in a different light (or not!), and either be assured of the choices you'd been making, or ready to make some changes. You would be able to better visualize yourselves in your new home!
Post a Comment