And it was wonderful. Not gonna lie - I've been going around bitching to people about how fricking small 580 sq ft is. But now that I've seen the apartment again, it's a lot larger than I remembered, and totally awesome.
Man, I really wish my camera had gotten here yesterday so I'd have pictures to share.
I have a remaining week in corporate housing, so the moving process will be slow and gradual. And by that, I mean I'll move about 6 things for the next couple of days, and panic next weekend.
It also just struck me how incredibly nicely dressed the people in my neighborhood are. I just might be the only person in Chicago wearing a Dropbox sweatshirt... Declassing the Gold Coast, one unkempt morning at a time!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
I'm gettting the keys tomorrow or Saturday.
And I just ordered a Nikon Coolpix S3000 from Amazon. Hopefully I get lucky, and it's been forward deployed already so that I can get it tomorrow. Otherwise, I won't get it until Monday, since I had it sent to work (because I don't trust the receiving room downstairs). There will be new apartment pictures soon!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Preparashun. I wants it.
So this morning, I finally took some time and figured out the dimensions of the (very expensive) stuff I bought from Crate and Barrel this weekend.
The Preston desk is 65w x 29d x 30h.
The Camden sofa is 69w x 33d x 35h.
There were more than a few moments of panic when I realized I didn't know the dimensions of either the elevator or my front door.
Thankfully, I was able to call the building, and as it turns out, everything fits. Got lucky that time. I will be sure to always look at measurements in the future, and to that end, have purchased a tape measure thing from Amazon.
The Preston desk is 65w x 29d x 30h.
The Camden sofa is 69w x 33d x 35h.
There were more than a few moments of panic when I realized I didn't know the dimensions of either the elevator or my front door.
Thankfully, I was able to call the building, and as it turns out, everything fits. Got lucky that time. I will be sure to always look at measurements in the future, and to that end, have purchased a tape measure thing from Amazon.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
It's only somewhat silly...
...to post pictures of rooms whose furniture contents are completely different from what I have purchased. But I kind of like this room, and it's a neat idea to keep the sofa in front of bookcases.
Well, I feel like kind of an idiot.
Two days ago, I openly proclaimed which specific desk I was getting, narrowed down to two colors. And I wasn't screwing around or anything. Like, I really believed and intended to buy that desk. But of course - the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men/Gang aft agley...
While wandering around Crate and Barrel testing sofas, I spotted this big honking desk hidden by a pillar and the sales associate station. It was a floor model of this discontinued desk that was on sale. I've always tended wildly towards unorganization and sprawl, so the giant size (I didn't write down the dimensions since I assumed they could be found online. Wrong!!) and the built-in storage are great for me.
Also, deals are awesome. It's probably entirely nonsensical, but I believe furniture that retails for significantly more is necessarily superior to furniture that retails for less, and this, I am more willing to spend for furniture whose MSRP is higher. Also, HOW VERY DON DRAPER. I have nothing more to say.
Crate and Barrel Preston Desk
$449, marked down from $999
While wandering around Crate and Barrel testing sofas, I spotted this big honking desk hidden by a pillar and the sales associate station. It was a floor model of this discontinued desk that was on sale. I've always tended wildly towards unorganization and sprawl, so the giant size (I didn't write down the dimensions since I assumed they could be found online. Wrong!!) and the built-in storage are great for me.
Also, deals are awesome. It's probably entirely nonsensical, but I believe furniture that retails for significantly more is necessarily superior to furniture that retails for less, and this, I am more willing to spend for furniture whose MSRP is higher. Also, HOW VERY DON DRAPER. I have nothing more to say.
Crate and Barrel Preston Desk$449, marked down from $999
The cherry finish is actually this lovely, rich, medium brown, and so I'm hoping that it matches the walnut finish on my Expedit coffee table. Not gonna lie, there's a couple scratches in the finish (since it's a floor model), but I don't really care. Given something that comes pre-crapped, I feel that much less remorse for the inevitable spills.
So awesome, I have a sofa and a desk to add to the acquired category. Now all I need are two barstools, several lamps, and food receptacles.
So awesome, I have a sofa and a desk to add to the acquired category. Now all I need are two barstools, several lamps, and food receptacles.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Crate and Barrel Sofa reviews
I was pretty sure I was going to purchase the Room and Board Andre sofa, and this afternoon I was going to walk over to sit on it one last time before pulling the trigger. Unfortunately, the Room and Board store had flooded in Friday's torrential rains, so I went to the Crate & Barrel instead, to check out the Petrie sofa.
As it turns out, the Petrie sofa kind of sucks massively. Like, the cushions are pretty squishy and understuffed (in my opinion), so once you've sat down, you sink into the sofa a lot, and there's pretty much no back support.
I also checked out the Vaughn sofa, and it wasn't that much better. The fabric is this absolutely wonderful shade of gray, but the cushions are similarly understuffed, and the depth of the seat is such that the length of my legs make it impossible for me to comfortably sit on the Vaughn.
The Hennessy sofa is kind of nice in that it is squishy without giving up back support, but the colors that it's offered in are quite nasty. They look ok online, but in person, they're really quite terribly.
The Cameron sofa was quite firm, which was nice, but unfortunately, the depth of the seat was too large, and it was impossible for me to simultaneously lean against the back and bend my knees. Legs - useful for walking and filtering sofa choices.
And this is the sofa I got. The Crate and Barrel Camden Sofa, in Azure. It's incredibly firm, with a seat that's not too deep, and the blue color is really pretty in real life. I bought the 69 inch one instead of the 80 inch one, since my studio is itty-bitty. Also, this sofa can comfortably fit 3.
I'm a bit worried about the legs, since they don't screw off like many of the other C&B sofas, and I read somewhere that the legs sometimes make it impossible for the sofa to fit into the elevator or through your apartment door. We shall see.
Also, the legs are this kind of really dark brown/black, and I don't think it'll match anything else in the apartment. Oh well. We're talking about four bits of colored wood underneath the sofa. What are the chances that anyone will notice??
As it turns out, the Petrie sofa kind of sucks massively. Like, the cushions are pretty squishy and understuffed (in my opinion), so once you've sat down, you sink into the sofa a lot, and there's pretty much no back support.
I also checked out the Vaughn sofa, and it wasn't that much better. The fabric is this absolutely wonderful shade of gray, but the cushions are similarly understuffed, and the depth of the seat is such that the length of my legs make it impossible for me to comfortably sit on the Vaughn.
The Cameron sofa was quite firm, which was nice, but unfortunately, the depth of the seat was too large, and it was impossible for me to simultaneously lean against the back and bend my knees. Legs - useful for walking and filtering sofa choices.
And this is the sofa I got. The Crate and Barrel Camden Sofa, in Azure. It's incredibly firm, with a seat that's not too deep, and the blue color is really pretty in real life. I bought the 69 inch one instead of the 80 inch one, since my studio is itty-bitty. Also, this sofa can comfortably fit 3.
I'm a bit worried about the legs, since they don't screw off like many of the other C&B sofas, and I read somewhere that the legs sometimes make it impossible for the sofa to fit into the elevator or through your apartment door. We shall see.Also, the legs are this kind of really dark brown/black, and I don't think it'll match anything else in the apartment. Oh well. We're talking about four bits of colored wood underneath the sofa. What are the chances that anyone will notice??
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Most of my furniture shopping is done.
Fred drove me to the Bolingbrook IKEA last weekend, and I wandered around throwing crap in a cart. I have purchased a coffee table, two bookshelves, a Poang chair, two wine racks, a shoe rack, a stepstool, 3 trash cans, a sheepskin rug, a giant swedish alphabet print, two dozen clotheshangers, and various organizing boxes. From Macy's I bought my mattress, box spring, and bed frame.
All I lack now is a couch, two barstools, lots of lighting, a file cabinet or two, possibly a TV, and definitely a desk.
This is the desk I want. I was sure to check the dimensions of awesome looking (but very expensive desks) at Room and Board, and this is definitely big enough.
Just look at that awesome. I also really want the mini-desk or the end table.
Can't really decide between black and white, though I think white is currently winning.
All I lack now is a couch, two barstools, lots of lighting, a file cabinet or two, possibly a TV, and definitely a desk.
This is the desk I want. I was sure to check the dimensions of awesome looking (but very expensive desks) at Room and Board, and this is definitely big enough.
Just look at that awesome. I also really want the mini-desk or the end table.
Can't really decide between black and white, though I think white is currently winning.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Shia LaBeouf ruins everything.
Think about it. Transformers. Indiana Jones. Wall Street. For every media franchise I have ever loved, Shia has acted shittily in at least one movie.
Transformers 3 has been filming in Chicago for about the last week, and they've shut down several of the main roads. There are huge piles of fake rubble (destroyed buildings, overturned buses, etc.) lying around, in addition to THE CAR!
The sum total of all this: my morning commute is a giant bitch. I hate you, Shia LaBeouf.
Transformers 3 has been filming in Chicago for about the last week, and they've shut down several of the main roads. There are huge piles of fake rubble (destroyed buildings, overturned buses, etc.) lying around, in addition to THE CAR!
The sum total of all this: my morning commute is a giant bitch. I hate you, Shia LaBeouf.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I am less tired today...
So I guess I'm staying up past my bedtime. I've always adored the Crate and Barrel Petrie Sofa (in colors Snow, Graphite, Ivory, Ebony, Blueberry, and Ink). This is an apartment remodel I found off Design Sponge that features the Petrie. Awesome.
Ah, now if only my apartment weren't the size of this living room.
Ah, now if only my apartment weren't the size of this living room.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
I have an apartment!!
Also, this bench would look perfect in an entryway. Now, I have to go to sleep.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Procrastination.
It is because I absolutely abhor packing that I am currently awake, looking at pictures of fabrics online. Instead of something useful, like sleeping! Or packing for my flight tomorrow.
I haven't really looked into fabric retailers, so I can't really comment on the prices of Lewis and Sheron, but their selection is huge. A word to the wise - don't click on the "View All" button. It's too intimidating.
Here are some of my picks for this shade/miniblind DIY.
Document, $16.98/yd
I haven't really looked into fabric retailers, so I can't really comment on the prices of Lewis and Sheron, but their selection is huge. A word to the wise - don't click on the "View All" button. It's too intimidating.
Here are some of my picks for this shade/miniblind DIY.
Document, $16.98/ydOk, this would make a fairly stupid curtain. ...or would it? I can't decide, maybe a lampshade or an ottoman would be pretty awesome.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Books!
If books weren't so heavy, I would purchase so many more of them.
Penguin Classics
It's like the Bunny Suicides, only super old-school!
Penguin ClassicsWith illustrations by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Unfortunately, only a couple are available on Amazon at the moment.
How freaking beautiful
This living room is by David Greer and Andrew Halliday. I tried google-stalking them, hoping to find more pictures on their company website, but unfortunately, these people are the less famous pair with the same names.
Also, I want that dog.
Also, I want that dog.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Wow.
Futurama only finished downloading last night. It only took all of ... 2.5 days. In that time, I also finished sorting out (and deleting) the pictures of decor I didn't like. I believe this one is by Nate Berkus...
I'm not so fond of the rug, but I really like that the juxtaposition of the (more) simple sofa with the (more) ornate chairs. Also, that bus roll is really cool. There are some real ones for sale on etsy, but there's not much selection and they're really expensive. The fake ones are both more numerous and more affordable, so I may just go for one of those...
I'm not so fond of the rug, but I really like that the juxtaposition of the (more) simple sofa with the (more) ornate chairs. Also, that bus roll is really cool. There are some real ones for sale on etsy, but there's not much selection and they're really expensive. The fake ones are both more numerous and more affordable, so I may just go for one of those...
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mac users are ridiculously artsy
This one worked their computer monitor into their wall of prints... Also, is that a Parsons desk with a reupholstered IKEA desk chair?
Matched Mismatched Stuff
I think the juxtaposition of the wallpapers is pretty cool, what with them having (sort of) opposite color schemes.
And here I really like the matched lamps in blue and black.
The sofa cushions in this picture come in pairs of yellow/red and circular/square, but the pairings are reversed. Awesome.
And here I really like the matched lamps in blue and black.
The sofa cushions in this picture come in pairs of yellow/red and circular/square, but the pairings are reversed. Awesome.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Is that pepper in your pants?
Or are you happy to see me?
This is so cool - the salt dispenser (the little dude) wears the pepper dispenser (his pants). This is from Artful Goods, which has quite a selection of prints in the style of UO, but I think some of the coolest things they carry are the salt & pepper shakers...
Shake Me, $28
Designed by Ray and Charles Eames! This is really expensive for a wallet.
Shake Me, $28It's Alice! With the house on her head! Truth be told, it's been so long since I've thought about that book that I probably wouldn't have recognized it without the rabbit.
Designed by Ray and Charles Eames! This is really expensive for a wallet.
Look at this!
I absolutely adore everything there is to love about this picture...
The Eames Lounge Chair, the sheepskin rug, the combo of white/wood/black, and Russian stuff. I adore Russian stuff! And by that, I mean the idea of blood candy and Cheburashka. Unfortunately, the only Cheburashka posters I can find are not only pretty small but also Japanese.
The Eames Lounge Chair, the sheepskin rug, the combo of white/wood/black, and Russian stuff. I adore Russian stuff! And by that, I mean the idea of blood candy and Cheburashka. Unfortunately, the only Cheburashka posters I can find are not only pretty small but also Japanese.
Wall hangings
How can you tell whether art is good? I think I'd be a lot more likely to use Zatista if there were some way I could definitely rule out the pedestrian stuff. Whatever. I like the following:
Friday, July 2, 2010
This has been covered already
In this post, but I thought I'd post some more pictures and other color options.
What an awesome lamp.
What an awesome lamp.
Cognac is so beautiful
And I absolutely adore the tufted back.
Too bad most of the chairs I'm looking at on homedecorators.com aren't available in this color.
Too bad most of the chairs I'm looking at on homedecorators.com aren't available in this color.
Can you tell?
I am cleaning out my folder of pictures to clear up hard drive space. For more important things like, yanno, Futurama.
Not the greatest lighting
With a little bit more light, this bedroom would be awesome, especially with the orange bedspread. I'd change the chair to dark blue or a lighter shade of gray. And of course, add more lamps.
I have never understood
What is the difference between a nightstand and a end table? As I understand it, they share the same purpose (to hold lamps and reading material and other small things). IKEA has different pieces in each category, so I thought I'd do an exhaustive roundup.
Vejmon, $99I'm quite fond of this one in that it is very similar to the Angle-Leg Side Table, just cheaper by $70.
Malm Chest, $49.99I find this incredibly ugly, but if I end up in a small enough apartment, I'll probably be glad of the storage.
Expedit 2x2, $49.99This piece is much taller than any of the others, and is only appropriate for use against a wall or the side of a sofa.
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