July 14, 2008 - Our New Apartment -- The Inside
Thanks for all the "housewarming" wishes! We are enjoying our new home so far. There's still a lot to be done, but I expect that within a week we'll be fully back to "normal" life and homeschool.
Here's a glimpse of the inside of our apartment. I haven't included every little bit of it --just a few key photos to give you an overall impression.
The home opens into the living room/dining room.
All the furniture and appliances you see belong to the landlord. They are not what I would necessarily choose, but we find the convenience of a furnished apartment outweighs other factors.
Here's my kitchen! It's lime green! :-) I've learned to simply appreciate size and cabinet space over color.
This is our massive refrigerator! The biggest we've ever had! It's still small by American standards, but HUGE by Chinese ones.
The hallway area is quite large and will become part of our homeschool area eventually.
How big is it? It's around 1600 square feet or 145 square meters. We think it's huge! We have three bedrooms, an office, and two bathrooms.
One bathroom has a western (sitting) toilet. One is a squatty style.
The washing machine goes in this empty space that is part of the squatty potty.
So, I know that you have a lot of questions for me. Fire away! I may turn those into a post of its own if you have enough. I'll post our finished, unpacked home later.
More in this Series -- Our New Apartment #1 The Real Estate Agent, #2 The Complex, #4 Answers to Your Questions, #5 The Squatty Potty, #6 Unpacked and Cluttered, #7 The Kitchen.
Comments
July 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kinley
Looks great. your apt is bigger than my house!
Kristy
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by 4sweetums
I love it! Isn't that a big apartment by China standards? Boy! I know our home is small by American standards but we have 6 people in an 1800 square foot home. I love the hallway area. Wow! I still am a little worried that i would fall down in the squatty potty! lol... What are the floors made out of?
Blessings,
Dawn
July 15, 2008 - Huge!
Posted by FaithfulGrace
It looks huge and beautiful!
I love all of the natural lighting.
Honestly, I love that color of green.
I can't wait to see how you decorate your space.
I'm impressed with how easy to clean the surfaces that the landlord has chosen will be.
Are there markets close by? What about children in the complex? Will you really use the squat toliet? What about your clothes line? Are you near any of the Olympics sites?
Thank you for sharing your life with us, it is a blessing!
Wish I could bring you a homemade baked good as a housewarming present.
Blessings,
Linda
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by socalval
Good Morning! It's Monday and I'm busy cleaning out closets and moving furniture around. School is around the corner and I need a new look around here. Busy, busy, busy. Looks like you are having a fun summer. I showed my boys your photos and they were amazed at that bathroom! Great education.
SoCalVal
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by maidantin.blogspot.com
What a beautiful apartment! It's really lovely in there, and looks like a fantastic size. Thanks for sharing photies with us.
Dude. I just LOVE that fridge. It has beautiful styling.
July 15, 2008 - Great apartment!
Posted by DeborahW
Wow, that's huge! My son lives in Luo Yang and has a 2-bedroom apartment. It's not as nice as yours, though, only one bathroom, but thank goodness it's a western toilet! I have visited him twice and learned to use the squatties but I don't think you ever really get used to it. That lime green is popular in China, lol. Or simply white, white, white. Nice fridge, too!!! Love your blog!
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Emily
Wow. That seems big. How nice that you all get your own rooms and there are enough 'extra' bathrooms to not have to fix the squatty potty into a 'real' one. :) haha.
I actually love the retro kitchen look. You can really play on that. Some people actually DESIGN their kitchen that way. you're cutting edge Jimmie!
Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I like the green kitchen. It looks fresh! Do you have many guests that will use the guest room? It looks like you have a great empty slate that you can fill with your own things to make it homey and comfortable. Why did you move from your other place?
Barb
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by solidrock
What a beautiful apartment! So big ( by china standards), light and airy. I just love all the natural light.The potty is unique...I am not sure how one navagates that at night!
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
I love it! Very clean lines and minimal. That toilet is, well, wow.
I've moved: you can find me now at smallworldathome.blogspot.com. Please come visit!
July 15, 2008 - Very cute apartment!!
Posted by Anonymous
Your new place is quite roomy! Love the sage green in the kitchen! My only question is, what is that squatty potty all about?
Stacy :-)
July 15, 2008 - questions
Posted by Beth
Hi, I love your blog and learning about China and homeschool resources on the Web. Why did you move? Are you in a new city or just a new home in the old city? Hope you all settle in quickly! Take care
July 15, 2008 - Wow! you have more sf than I do!
Posted by seekingHim
What are your views like? Do you have your own entrance? How many apts are in your bldg? What are your views like? Is this enough questions for now?
Blessings that you will settle in quick to your new place!
_jennifer
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
That's it. We are moving. I love your kitchen. I spied all the counter space. I love the green. There was a time in my life when I wanted a lime green kitchen and I think I would still enjoy one.
Is that a $10 fabric dress that Sprite is wearing. Last time I was there they didn't have any more $10 fabric. We hit a great sale.
Beth
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by jenn4him
I can totally see why you chose this apartment. And I love the kitchen color. I only have two burners too, so I can relate. The whole squatty potty is new to me. Do tell more!!!
Jenn
July 15, 2008 - Will you laugh...
Posted by KerryLeighinNC
if I say that I miss the challenge of the "squatty potty"? LOL!
I have a question for you - are your Chinese friends (and you) excited about the upcoming Olympics?
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by drewsfamilytx
Great apartment, Jimmie! Those floors are fabulous!
I really wish we had bathrooms like that... not the squatty potty though... no thanks. I can do it but you can't exactly read in there, y'know? LOL Wait, was that TMI?! hehe I do really like how the floors and walls are tile. In Korea, it was SO nice to be able to wash your feet and the whole rest of the bathroom and not have to worry about getting water on stuff. The drain on the floor is the best. I couldn't really tell, but is that how your bathroom is too?
I *heart* the green in your kitchen! You can do lots of fun stuff with that color.
Well, happy unpacking!!!
Love,
Marsha
July 15, 2008 - Looks so neat!
Posted by 10gal
It looks so awesome. I am sure you are all excited to get settled in. Have fun in your new home!
Maria (samutsari)
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by amtell
Well, I probably wouldn't have picked that style of furniture either, but it is nice. And everything looks so clean. I actually like the toilet. It looks much more sanitary than Western style. Although I'm sure it is a lot harder to use.
I just painted my living room the same color as your hall. My daughter picked the color. It was left over from painting her room. We have 9 people in 900 square feet. (I REALLY wish our property would sell!) Your apartment is HUGE!
July 15, 2008 - Jimmie,
Posted by Juldos
I am so happy for you. What a wonderful provision from the Lord to your family.
Praying for you,
Julie D.
July 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
As someone with damaged knees, I am SOOOO thankful that we don't have squatty potties here in Florida!!!
Our family has really enjoyed the pictures of your new home. I'm also curious about any olympic preparations that you know of , we are doing a tiny unit study on China due to the games.
one more question, are the fridges tiny because shopping is done more frequently or are there just fewer things that require refridgeration?
July 16, 2008 - What fun!
Posted by ReviewsbyHeidi
The apartment looks very nice, with the exception of the squatty potty. We went into a public ladies room in Vietnam, right near Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, only to discover the squatty potty! Needless to say, I decided to hold it. Thank goodness you have one regular commode! LOL
July 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ivyvega25
Jimmie, the kitchen color is not bad. Actually you can reinvent it and spice it up a bit. Love the fridge!
The wood floor in the office looks amazing.
In the other hand, are all chinese toilets the same?
Wow, looking at it from the bright side, what a workout for your quads!!!!
Enjoy your apartment!
July 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Dana @ school for us
Your apartment looks great. My daughter and I enjoyed talking about the squatty toilet. :-)
Dana, www.alexml.blogspot.com
July 16, 2008 - Nice apartment!
Posted by jugglingpaynes
You have almost twice as much space as I do.
I'm curious, do they equip the squatty toilet with rails for the elderly and people with bad knees? It looks neat, I just don't think I could get up from that position. :o)
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina
July 16, 2008 - new appartment
Posted by Ritsumei
What a lovely new place for you! And you've taken such nice pictures of it that make it look warm and inviting. Here's a question though: how are you *supposed* to use those squatty pottys? I ran into one several years back, and ended up pulling one leg out of my pants. I'm pretty sure that's not normal, but I was worried that I'd get icky. LOL!
July 17, 2008 - GREAT!
Posted by ClagettsFLStyle
So happy for you! Love all the windows and light!!
Enjoy the new place. Look forward to seeing more of your stuff added in.
July 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Alexandra
Nice! I love, love, love the modern design - clean lines and uncluttered looking, so unlike my house. LOL. I'm in a Colonial, so I can't really go ultra modern.
http://happyheartsathome.blogspot.com/
July 22, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by journeyinto
I really love your new apartment we have been on holidays so I am just catching up now! :) We have already started homeschooling for this year. So glad you have a western toilet also.
August 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
What a great apartment!! I love the kitchen and that refrigerator looks huge!
I am sure you will have many wonderful memories here...you are a blessed girl.
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
