Cardboard Boxes

 My bedroom window. I loved the fact that it was large and breezy. I imagined getting a reading chair somewhere in that corner (notice that large box that serves as a dressing table.)

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 No table for the kettle.

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 Glasses I bought when I was in college 5 years ago, to use in my own house someday. Today is someday!

Mugs, gift from Dad.

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 Boxes galore. Where the heck is my belt???

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One criteria in my must-have list when buying a house; a spacious view of the sky.

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After 3 years living in the city, I decided that it was time to own a home. I’ve been living in a rented apartment all these while, and although it was a pleasant place to live in, I had never felt particularly… secure. Maybe it was the fact that I live alone in the city and therefore, somehow, I needed to own a house to feel like I belonged there. Like it was actually home.

After about a year looking for a location I wanted, calculations after calculations of financing, looking for a corner of the city that was quiet enough, I found it. An apartment previously owned by a lovely lady, ten minutes from the city centre, kitchen windows overlooking a beautiful forest reserve, balcony overlooking a pool, and a small room big enough to turn into a closet. It was not exactly new, and some work obviously had to be done, but it had something that newly built apartments seemed to lack; personality.

Moving in was exactly how I pictured it to be. A lot of friends coming by to help, boxes in an out, having a lot of fun being exhausted to death, and pizza after. The next morning I drew the dusty curtains away and let some sunshine through onto the wooden floors. I had no table, no couch, I couldn't find my kettle and I wondered if it was normal for the old fridge to buzz so much. And boxes, boxes everywhere. In the rooms, on the kitchen counter, and piled in the living room. I used a larger box as a dressing table. The realistic fact is, it was going to be a long project getting the house completely furnished and decorated exactly as I wanted it to be. The electrical wiring needs to be perfected. A mini-library is yet to be built. But art takes time, and I am excited for it.

Tips when moving houses:

1.      For the love of God label the boxes! You have no idea how I had to unpack pretty much every box just to find my working pants.

2.      Packing to move is a good chance to rid some of the stuff you’re keeping just for the sake of keeping. I’m talking out of season clothes, ex-boyfriends’ unusable gifts, and wedding door gifts (here’s a good lesson for everyone to give door gifts that are actually usable!)

3.      No, girls can’t do everything. Especially when it’s home-maintenance, electrical and plumbing related stuff. Get a good handyman and male friends to help consult. It’s a good learning curve though.

4.      Take time to purchase things you really want rather than furnishing it quickly with cheap stuff. Plus, it’s always fun watching TV while sitting on the cold, marble floor for a couple of months (I'm lying).

5.      When in doubt, ask Dad. Dad knows everything.