My "home" is about 15'x15' plus "kitchen" and "bath". I was told the place was supposed to be, "...fully furnished", but it was not even close. I specifically asked if I needed to bring sheets, towels, dishes, etc. My room contained, a bed (queen sized and hard as a rock, apparently "firm" means rock in Chinese), one set of hideous sheets, a bookshelf, a wardrobe, a desk (no chair), a mini-fridge, and a washing machine. The good news is; a) it possessed a Western toilet, b) there were silver curtains (see bottom pic far right side) that block the room from the bath/kitchen, and block the light in the morning, c) each room has its own water heater (above toilet) that controls the hot water for the shower (so if you run out of hot, it is your own damned fault!), and finally, d) the desk is big enough to function as a desk. But the BEST part of everything was that the building was brand new so I did not have to clean up after the last tenant, just sweep and mop the dust!
Now for the downsides, a) it is small as hell, but that means less to clean, b) there is NO hot water anywhere but in the shower, so washing dishes is a chore and a half, c) the bathroom and its shower position mean taking a shower is a delicate dance to make sure you do not hurt yourself on the water spigot (for filling large pots, cooking, and filling mop buckets) or any of the handles for said spigots, d) it is on the 5th floor and there is no elevator, making shopping and carrying a double chore (thank all that is wonderful that the water delivery guys carry the big jugs up the stairs for you!!!), and finally, e) the bathroom floor and drain were poorly constructed so I have to push the water into the drain every night when I take a shower.
With the help of Ikea, I have managed to make this place into a cozy home. Keeping Robert's mantra of "minimal" in my head, I did not buy everything I wanted, just the stuff I needed to make this place a home. Below are pictures taken from the moment you walk into the room until your gaze comes back to the door. Starting at the left of the entry, facing in, it looks like this:
You walk into the room and immediately, you are next to my bed. The lamp in the corner provides great lighting for when I read or do crafts.
Walking in, my "sitting area" is to your left. I bought the folding table and two chairs so if anyone came in to chat, eat, drink, etc., they were not sitting on my bed. The couch provides me a place to sit and watch "tv" on the computer, and folds out into a bed for company. I can sit on the couch near the bed and use the light on my nightstand to see by. The small lamp dims so I can lower it gradually before going to sleep.
The wardrobe houses my hanging clothes, my boxes of meds and vitamins, etc. I was easier to put my folded clothes in storage bins on the outside as it is a bit tight to get into the wardrobe next to the couch.
These are the infamous silver curtains. It keeps the cooling bill lower as I don't have to cool the kitchen/bath area when I am home and the air con is running. It killed me to have to buy yet more metal storage racks, but it had to be hella cheaper then shipping them. I STILL have not figured out how to mail or receive mail. The wooden crates are my "pantry".
As you can see, the light is very bright so the curtains help block that for sleeping. In addition, there were no curtains on the exterior window (and they are constructing offices across the way) so one of the very first things I did was buy curtain rods and curtains for the "kitchen".
MUCH SMALLER THAN IT APPEARS! The blue scrunchy hangs on one of the protruding knobs. I just have to remember to turn slowly and carefully.
This is my dish drying rack. Counter space is at a premium so I put it on the washer to dry. I put it away when I need to do laundry and take it out on the weekends for cooking dishes. If you look closely, you will see my "kitchen curtains". Not my first choice, but the Chinese seem to have very few options and their taste is not that great...LOL
This is my kitchen shelf unit. I put the hot plate up when not using it and store my dishes and spices here. In a place this small, the only way to go is up!
My kettle is on the top shelf with my oils and liquid kitchen needs. Basalmic vinegar, oil, soy sauce, etc. I have learned to drink instant coffee because the cost and process of making coffee in China is prohibitively expensive and tedious. Anyone who knows me, and loves me anyways, will know that I just do not do life without coffee, so instant is the quickest fix!
This is my "office". The shelves on either side of my computer house my office and art supplies. I set up the top shelf so the hammies are eye level when I am at the desk. I think of it as money well spent every time I look at them. It gives me someone/something to nurture that is relatively easy to upkeep and maintain and doesn't demand very much.
My bookcase provides extra storage and not many books are kept here. I find a bunch of folks who swap English language books so I am passing mine along as soon as I finish them.
That is my new home for the next 9 months. I invite anyone who would like to visit to please let me know when and keep in mind that I have been told I snore.
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