OPEN HOUSE #5: Sustainable home

Last night was Friday night. Rather than go on a date, party, see a show or live life, I was on Ikea.com trying to pick out the set pieces for the rest of my life.

It looks like I might close escrow as soon as Monday and pick up my keys Wednesday. I did the final home inspection Thursday and feel really great about this new life transition. I feel totally confident about this purchase now. No matter what happens in my financial future, I've put a huge net under me. And I expect this to be the first of many homes I'll purchase in my life.

I am in the market for a new bed, mattress, new chest of drawers, crafting table, dining set, flatware, dishes, and a whole lot of other stuff I haven't bought in a long long time. When I moved from West LA, a lot of my furniture (mostly hand-me downs from past subletters and friends) were falling apart in the move. I actually had to dump whole pieces that had totally fallen apart as soon as they came out of the UHAUL as they were literally disintegrating in my hands. I'm leaving behind my dining set, my futon, and futon frame. I was going to leave my couches behind until I saw what new couches were going for.

For the first time in how many years I actually walked into the antique furniture stores on Santa Monica Blvd. I've passed them so many times, and wondered how they stay in business. And I found myself looking at end tables. And dining sets. And antiques. And so confused wondering who I am. I've been sleeping under the same sheets for 10 years!!!! Am I shabby chic? Modern? Art deco? Am I a King bed or Queen bed gal?

I'm basically trying to build a whole new big adult life. It's kind of awesome. And for the first time in my life, I have the advantage of choice, and $8k from Obama to do it.

I've never had the dilemma of choice. And I've never really gotten to choose my furniture. It always chose me. The desk I write you from, was a hand me down I've had since college. My couches were fortuitous offerings from Out of the Closet. I have been travelling so much that making a "home" has always been a challenge. I take what I'm given.

I have the means but I only seem to have one chance to really get these decisions down right. I've been thinking about sustainability and how I'd like to have furniture that lasts but doesn't kill the planet. But just looking at sustainable furniture is making me broke. $1400 for a bamboo coffee table? Wha?!?

Unfortunately, Ikea does not have the best reputation for furniture that transports itself well or lasts. And that's a real sustainability issue. But nor do a lot of other furniture makers have a reputation for environmentally sound production.

So for now, I'm going to move most of my old furniture in. Buying new pieces to slowly take their place. And trying to keep my new place spare and beautiful.