September 17, 2010

A few days later and I've been investing my little free time with internet searching for a few pieces of key furniture for our new home.

Thankfully, our new house is move-in and live condition. Perfect for a busy family. That's why Mr. Lawyer and I chose it. After buying our first home together pre-kids with only our adorable lab Jake and cat Wilhelm, we knew there was work to be done on the house. We took it on and each year we chose our projects with care and with a budget. It felt good to improve our 37 year old home. Now, all I can dream about is a home where the most I have to worry about is whether I like the current paint colours and am awaiting the day I finally have my own ensuite bathroom. What little luxuries it takes to make one happy!

Another bonus is that our current furniture, a mixture of leftover university pieces, average quality, inexpensive pieces with a few "splurge" items, fits into our new home. We will of course, upgrade each year but there are only two must-have items that I would like ready to be shipped on our moving week: a new bedroom set for our soon to-be 5 year old and a kitchen table.

Beginning my search online, viewingfurniture for a little girl that will grow with her into her teenage years is both exciting and frustrating! Budget of course is always an issue. How much do you spend for excellent quality without being ridiculous? I'm not a bargain shopper. I see something I like, I get it. I try to compare costs and will usually get a few prices but unlike others around me who will spend months seeking out the "best deal" I would rather pay a bit more and hit my deadline.

Questions arise: Do you get sleigh bed, but what if she's super tall? Is white to "little girlish?" How much input should she have? The lack of Canadian suppliers online is a concern, after all how much time and energy does a working, busy Mom of two have to score the few shops in my area or visit possible used furniture stores that may have the perfect antique bed? Online ordering would be ideal, but I did that once and the quality was disappointing for the price so I'm not keen to order online again but want to feel and smell the wood of the twin bed and dresser.

The kitchen table is another matter. Romanticizing my family using our new space as "the gathering place" looking through the large windows to our backyard while the kids quietly complete their homework as I make a gourmet dinner, this table needs to be just right! A long, rectangle table with benches seems to make sense in order to fit our growing family. Round will just not do. From my only visit to the house, I "think" a wood table in dark brown/black will correspond nicely with the open concept kitchen.

Spending some time recognizing what I want, the question is, will I be able to find the time to seek out my desired pieces by November 1st? I've enlisted my mother to keep an eye out (she loves to send me pictures from her iPhone) of things she thinks will work and I need to book into my schedule, furniture looking.

Next on the list, besides continuing to offload my girl's clothes is to start packing the summer clothes away. The weather has turned cool and I think it's safe to fold up the summer dresses for another year. As well, moving companies - need to go through the huge pile of advertisements we've been sent in the last few weeks. Two items to try and start this weekend in between an overnight wedding and planning another week of fabulous Mom lunches for my kindergarten girl.