Moving Day Diary: Our New Apartment Adventure & First Look Tour

Well, the boxes are (mostly) unpacked, the paint is (finally) dry, and we have officially settled into our new apartment! The past two weeks have been an absolute whirlwind, a blur of activity, exhaustion, and exhilarating new beginnings. Fortunately, with our parents’ homes conveniently located nearby, we opted for a gradual move-in process, spreading the monumental task over several days. This allowed us to tackle the effort bit by bit, though in hindsight, it felt anything but slow! We didn’t even officially sleep in the apartment until last Sunday – and can you believe it’s already been almost two weeks since that momentous day? The feeling of finally having our own space is truly unparalleled, even if the journey here was a bit of a marathon.

The Unforgettable Moving Marathon: Heavy Lifting and Helping Hands

That initial Friday was truly a test of endurance and a significant part of our apartment relocation story. We rented a spacious 14-foot U-Haul, filled it to the brim with every single one of our belongings, and then embarked on the arduous task of shuttling back and forth between our old places and the new apartment. Navigating bulky mattresses, heavy dressers, and countless packed boxes up a three-story walk-up was no small feat. The physical toll was immediate and undeniable; we were utterly drained, to say the least. We were incredibly fortunate to have Connor’s dad lend his strength and unwavering support, especially since my own parents had already departed for a trip to Scotland. His help was truly invaluable and desperately needed. After several mosquito bites, countless drips of sweat from the humid D.C. weather, and a few minor bruises, we finally had almost everything brought inside. The sheer volume of our possessions became painfully apparent during this process – you never truly realize how much “stuff” you’ve accumulated until you have to move it all!

A Well-Deserved Reward: Indulging at BGR: Burger Joint

Despite the immense physical exertion, we managed to conquer the most challenging part of the move – the heavy lifting – in an impressive four hours. As the final boxes were wheeled in, a collective hunger pang hit us all with full force. It was clear we needed a substantial reward. What better way to celebrate such a monumental achievement than with a trip to BGR: Burger Joint? Conveniently located just a few hundred yards from our new place, this establishment quickly became our haven for post-move indulgence. They specialize in mouth-watering, grain-fed beef burgers, offering a vast array of creative varieties and customizable toppings. To complement our burgers, we indulged in their perfectly hand-cut fries, with choices ranging from classic Yukon gold to sweet potato or asparagus, all customizable with delicious seasonings like roasted garlic, rosemary, or parmesan. This place is dangerously good, and it was exactly what we needed to refuel and recharge!

If there’s ever a time in life when you truly deserve a hearty burger and a mountain of fries, moving day is undoubtedly it. I devoured every single bite in front of me, washing it all down with several huge glasses of water to combat the stifling Washington D.C. humidity. The rest of that day blurred into a continuous cycle of unpacking, unpacking, and more unpacking. I genuinely despise living out of a suitcase and being surrounded by towering stacks of boxes. My mission was to feel settled and truly at home as quickly as possible, so I worked tirelessly until every room began to take shape. By the end of it all, I was utterly exhausted but incredibly satisfied with the progress we had made.

A Smart Move: Painting Before Unpacking for a Fresh Start

Connor and I decided to further prolong the torturous process of moving by tackling the bedroom painting project first thing the very next morning – bright and early at 8 AM, no less! As a seasoned piece of advice to anyone contemplating a move in the near future: while painting might feel like the absolute last thing you want to do after hauling everything into a new place, I wholeheartedly recommend painting *before* you fully unpack. Prior to moving into the apartment, we thoughtfully gathered several small containers of paint samples in colors we liked. We then applied swatches to the walls, observing them at different times of the day and under various lighting conditions – both artificial and natural – to ensure we made the perfect choice. This careful approach allowed us to confidently choose our preferred shade by moving day. And let me tell you, it was incredibly liberating to have an empty bedroom. There was no need to worry about accidentally splattering paint on furniture or the arduous task of shifting boxes and belongings out of the way. We managed to apply two full coats of paint in approximately three hours on that Saturday morning, despite a few grumbles from my end and several sarcastic remarks about “why people pay good money to hire professional painters.” The result was a fresh, personalized space ready for our furniture without the added stress of protecting everything, making the actual settling-in process much smoother.

A Sneak Peek: The “Before” Apartment Tour

Without further ado, come take a virtual tour of our apartment! These are the “before” pictures, capturing its original state just prior to us moving all our belongings in. We’re excited to show you the blank canvas we’re working with, and you’ll discover some interesting quirks and immense potential in each room. This initial glimpse will set the stage for the transformations to come!

The Living Room: Our Future Hub for Relaxation and Entertainment

(Living Room – This inviting view is looking in from the front door. The door to the left of the large window leads directly out to the balcony, offering a nice connection to the outdoors and a potential spot for morning coffee. The dining area is situated seamlessly to the far left, and a convenient doorway leads directly into the kitchen, creating an open and fluid layout. This central space promises to be the vibrant heart of our new home, a perfect place for relaxation, entertaining guests, and making new memories.)

The Kitchen: A Culinary Canvas with Modern Amenities

(Kitchen – Here we are, looking in from the doorway. The window you see overlooks a portion of the balcony, letting in abundant natural light and a pleasant view. We’re absolutely thrilled to have a fully equipped kitchen complete with a convenient dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze, and even better, a fantastic gas stove! This makes cooking and experimenting with new recipes so much more enjoyable and efficient.)

(Kitchen – This is a view from the wall to the left of the window, offering another perspective of the functional space. We even scored a microwave from the previous tenants for a steal at just $10, which was an unexpected and welcome bonus for our budget-friendly move!)

(Kitchen – This wall is opposite the stove and dishwasher, providing more counter and storage space. You can clearly see the basically brand-new Ikea kitchen cart, which we also acquired from the previous tenants for a very reasonable $65. It adds great additional workspace and storage to the kitchen, making it even more practical for our culinary adventures.)

The Dining Area: Ready for Transformation and Gatherings

(Dining Area – This spacious area is directly connected to both the living room and kitchen, creating a natural and inviting flow perfect for entertaining. We already have exciting plans in motion to brighten and personalize this space, and we’ll continue to work on it, aiming for a warm and welcoming ambiance. To the left, a hallway leads conveniently to the bathrooms, the master bedroom at the very end, and the second bedroom (which will double as a home office) on the right. This area is full of potential for delightful family meals and memorable gatherings.)

The Second Bedroom/Office: A Multifunctional Space with Unique Features

(Second Bedroom/Office: This versatile room still features the vibrant blue color from the former tenants, giving it an existing personality. On the right, you’ll spot a practical Target desk, which was a fantastic FREE find from the previous tenants – a true bonus that saved us money! A unique and charming feature of this room is the blackboard closet door, as you can see below, perfect for notes or creative expressions. We envision this space seamlessly serving as both a comfortable guest bedroom and a functional home office, making it incredibly versatile for our needs.)

The Bathrooms: Functionality Over Aesthetics, A Clean & Essential Space

(Master Bath: No words can truly capture the essence of this room’s color palette. Yes, that is indeed pink, a rather bold and unapologetic shade! The second hallway bathroom is similarly styled, though in a more subdued beige tone. While we admit the aesthetics aren’t quite our personal style, there isn’t much we can do here in terms of major renovations at the moment. But hey, we have two functional, and most importantly, clean bathrooms! That’s a huge win in our book, ensuring comfort and convenience for us and any guests.)

Did I mention it was pink? Yes, quite emphatically so! It’s a color choice that certainly makes a statement, regardless of personal preference.

The Hallway: Leading to Private Retreats and Ample Storage

(Hallway: Here we are looking directly into the master bedroom. Immediately on the left is the door to the (distinctly pink) master bathroom, and further down on the far left, you’ll find the entrance to the spacious walk-in closet. Again, we have absolutely no complaints about the practical layout and functionality of these private areas, despite some of the existing color schemes! The flow between these rooms is excellent.)

The Master Bedroom: A Spacious and Newly Painted Retreat

(Master Bedroom: Measuring a generous 15 x 13 feet, this photo was taken before its recent, much-anticipated transformation with a fresh coat of paint. All of the rooms, with the exception of the second bedroom’s blue, were originally painted in a standard off-white. This master suite offers ample space, abundant natural light, and now provides a peaceful and personalized retreat, even more so with its new, carefully chosen color.)

The Walk-In Closet: Storage Galore, A Dream Come True!

(Walk-In Closet: To be perfectly honest, I don’t even possess enough clothes to completely fill this incredibly spacious area! However, I’m rapidly coming to understand why so many people are utterly obsessed with walk-in closets. This apartment is truly chock full of fantastic storage solutions throughout, which we are incredibly lucky to have. It’s a dream for organization, helping us keep our new home clutter-free and making daily routines so much easier.)

The Balcony: Our Outdoor Oasis in Progress and Transformation

(Balcony: The window on the right provides a direct view into the kitchen, creating a nice connection between our indoor and outdoor spaces. This outdoor area has already undergone a significant upgrade and has been warmed up considerably since this “before” photo was taken! We’re eagerly looking forward to spending many pleasant evenings out here, enjoying the fresh air and creating our own little urban oasis.)

We hope you thoroughly enjoyed this “before” tour of our new apartment! It’s been quite a journey of relocation and settling in, and we’re just getting started on making it truly our own. Be sure to check back soon for lots of exciting “after” and “progress” photos. You won’t believe how different it already looks, and we can’t wait to share the transformations with you!