I’ve never been to Moscow, but we talk about it all the time at work and, cos I like to plan things and use lists to help me cope with stressful times, like moving from a house to a flat and the splitting up of 14 years accumulated crap, well the topic of Moscow has reared in my brain.
For the most part, the furniture is the main thing that we’ll need to split up or, as is most likely, give away to charity. That’s the thing about co-owning things, they end up being to the taste of neither of you so when it comes down to it we are both of a mind to replace items so we get things that we like.
Over the past few months I’ve visited a few antique and thrift style stores, missing out on a fantastic lamp base made from wooden letterpress blocks, and I’ll do the same once I’ve got somewhere to live sorted out. Understandably this is the top item on my list and it is titled “Get roof over head”. Alongside this item is the letter M.
Which brings us back to Moscow. Or, as some of you will already have figured out, to categorising list items into the Must haves, Should haves, Could haves and Would like to haves.
This way I can make a big list of things that I want to buy and ordered them such that I don’t end up, for example, buying a Mac Mini instead of a bed, or a new set of kitchen knives instead of food.
It’s exciting, making lists. I’ve always enjoyed it but this list has much more gravitas to it, this list is all about me and it’s been a long time since I’ve both taken that view, let alone been able to. So there are such items on the list as a pair of Grado headphones, an M-Audio keyboard, an Eames armchair, as well as a bed, a mattress, a new sofa and a smattering of smaller items (lamps and whatnot).
Not everything is needed, nor will be bought. And everything that is needed won’t be bought immediately either. I’m happy to take my time, and buy items I like and which offer good value (I really don’t want to be buy these things again any time in the next 20 years or more). It’ll also be a challenge, a fun one, to find my own style.
A closing example then. Here is an item that is a Could have on the list. It is a rug that I quite like, and somehow it will have to play alongside something I’ve already purchased. A giant Lego head.
Hmmm, this style thing might take a while to crack.
Maybe I need to start a new list…
How convenient that the M-audio keyboard already comes complete with an “M” next to it!
As for that rug – it looks like a true bachelor rug to me. I note that when you spill red wine on it in a drunken stupor at 3am (because that’s the sort of thing I would do), you needn’t worry as it will look like part of the pattern.
Ah Gordon, I love you… looking at your rug link, I just found the exact rug I need to replace one that is 15 years old and dying of shabbiness. The exact thing. That is, it is the exact same rug that we bought 15 years ago. Thank you 🙂
I am convinced that couples who stay together forever have similar tastes. Without exception, everyone I know who has not accorded with the taste of their partner is not with them now. Maybe it’s a symptom, maybe it’s a sign, I don’t know.
I love the Giant heed!! I’ll bring the Jaffa cakes!!!
Well when you start thinking about Moscow again just let me know. Have just done the Vladivostok to St Petersburg trip I’ve got LOTS of info to share 🙂
Well I like the rug a lot. And I’m ashamed to say I blinkin well love the Lego head. And don’t even get me started on lamps. I’m sort of thinking now, though, that I NEED to visit St Petersburg – bizarrely, it’s a yearning my mother has held for nearly 40 years. You should never, ever have to yearn for something that long.
I loved having my own place full of my own things after a ‘joint’ life. It’s fun finding out who you are beneath the compromise.