Here are some pics of my recent move, including 100 pieces of furniture to assemble and setting up a new home.
Thank you
Thank you for all of your kind words, comments, emails, texts after my post on Wednesday. After sharing something so vulnerable online, they helped me more than you will ever know. It brings me peace to know I am not the first nor am I the last woman going through something like this. And I’ll tell you what – nothing makes you feel like a strong, independent woman more than assembling furniture by yourself! I’ve done things in the last 3 weeks I didn’t know I was capable of. I didn’t sit down for many days in a row.
But ALSO, I’ve had my village surround me. I could not have done it without them. Thanks to Ellen, Katie, Maddie, and Ivy for helping me pack, move, and unpack so many loose containers of things. To Aaron and Fabi for carrying a freecycled couch out of a friend-of-a-friend’s and up my stairs. Thanks to Sean and Jonathon for helping me assemble some tricky furniture and loaning me a drill 100x better than the hand-me-down one I had. And all the people in real life who offered their hugs and support over the last few months. (This feels like a speech and now I’m worried I’m forgetting people! Like mom and dad!)
Anyways, I am now settled in my place and loving its vibe. It’s modern with tall ceilings and the perfect size for me and the boys. It has a garage (YAY!) that just barely fits my giant Highlander, but was so nice when we got snow this week.
Perfect housewarming gift – sardines!
Moving
Moving was crazy. I ended up hiring movers for the ~10 pieces of furniture I did bring with me, including Mazen’s room. I also could not have done it without them.
I got these barstools on Facebook marketplace for a great price.
I also got water damage to my laptop due to a leaky water bottle on moving day. OOF. Luckily it has nearly evaporated over time, and I *think* it’s all fine! My dishwasher has also been broken for 3 weeks. Getting a new one on Tuesday, hopefully.
Setting Up
The rest of the furniture I bought and assembled. You can find all the furniture and things I purchased here.
I had a little help from my friends! But most of it I did alone in the evenings.
Dining Room Set
LOVE the table by Plank + Beam. While it does have a faux wood feel, it looks so good! I got these chairs to go with it and am so happy with them.
New Desk + Chair
Love this desk, which now houses my iMac. The chair is so comfortable and less than $50!
This buffet was one of the trickier pieces because of the doors and drawers. But it love it in this spot!
The end tables match!
And the couch was a freecycle from a friend who was moving, and I was so grateful to receive it. I got the same rug as my friend Jonathon. It’s so soft and very affordable for its size. And I got the Christmas tree and lamp from the same moving neighbor! Such a steal and perfect timing.
The ottoman coffee table fits perfect with the couch. I also got this Amazon TV because it displays art and pictures like the Frame but is half the cost!
On the one hand, it was really nice to pick out new things that go together. On the other, it was really hard to move AND buy new furniture at the same time. I slept on a mattress on the floor with a cardboard box for a nightstand for 4 nights while I waited for the bed frames to arrive.
With the exception of mattresses, most everything I bought was on a budget. And after the last screw was tightened, I’m actually SO happy with how it all turned out!
Bedrooms
I bought the same bed for me and Birch – for only $135!! My greatest fear was that they would be wobbly, but they are perfect!! I absolutely love them.
They weren’t too hard to assemble either. I carried each piece upstairs one at a time and put them together while watching Survivor on the floor.
Bed | Rug | Night Stands | Lamps
I also replaced the navy curtains that came with the rental with some inexpensive white curtains. I have sheers on the inside for daytime and semi-blackout for night. I got the same ones for the boys’ rooms too.
Birch’s Room
And then I got him a new comforter and duvet for his “big boy bed.” I am obsessed with his duvet cover (zip close!) and might get one for me too! This inexpensive down comforter is great, too.
Here’s the midcentury night stand I built for him:
Mazen’s furniture we already had!
Mudroom
The biggest piece I assembled (all by myself!) was this hall tree / lockers / cubbies thing. It was taller than me and I was very proud of myself for lifting it and pushing it on a rug into place. It’s perfect for the entry and so functional for the kids compared to how it was before it was there! I also got this coat rack for coats only, and its great to have both options.
And the last room: the basement kids hang out room. I bought this pull-out sofa from the neighbor who is moving, and it will be great to serve as a guest space or for kid sleepovers. It’s much more comfortable than other fold-out couches I’ve tried! I’ve also added some freecycled shelves for this space for their legos.
Oh and I DID buy the Wonder Oven and love it!! It’s an air fryer, toaster, oven, steamer, all in one. It’s GREAT!
I am very very glad to be finished moving and able to relax with snuggles!
