Furniture Shopping in Sadang-dong

We took a cab to Sadang-dong, an area we were told had lots of furniture stores, and went walking around. Some interesting patterns emerging in Korean furniture: small, unexpandable dining tables; logos displayed prominently, even on wood furniture; low, leather couches/sectionals.

We saw one small table we liked and when we asked the price, the guy had to think about it. How stupid did we look? We got him down in price, but didn't buy. The tables like best so far are the reproduction teak ones we saw the other day in Itaewon, but that set was really expensive. It is hard to buy furniture when you don't speak or read the language because you can't be sure what you are getting. Another trend in dining tables involved some kind of composite faux marble top and/or base. It looks interesting in some cases, but it isn't what I am looking for.

The logos. I hate the logos, especially on expensive furniture. Who wants a logo on a headboard or embossed in the leather of a couch? Apparently the Koreans do. It isn't on every piece, but it seems to be fairly common.

Couches. There are lots of versions or low, leather couches and sectionals. The fabric sofas and chairs I have seen were an awful raspberry color, multi-colored (brown, yellow, turquoise and pink) butterfly print, cream with pink roses with green stems, and futon-style. I was worried about the dog's nails scratching leather, but we are just going to have to be sure to keep her nails done. They all kind of blend together after awhile. We need to get into the place and take measurements.

After the help of several strangers, we bought two T-money cards which are used to pay for the metro and buses, and took the subway to Itaewon. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant called, Buddha's Belly and walked home. A navigational success on many levels. It is so frustrating not knowing how to get around.

I took a short sauna for the second day in a row here at the hotel. I think I will like having a sauna in our apartment building. I have been trying to track down the Bikram studio. I found something today that said the chain sold its Seoul locations. I guess the thing to do is head to Apgugeong on the metro and try to find it. I am also going to try the yoga on post which is free.

Shoe Retirement and New Shoe Review

Oh, you've served us well: See Kai Run Radik, Pediped Liam and
Pediped Charlie, but you are now too small and we must move on.

Ian's new shoes are Robeez Tredz in Evan and Vincent Shoes Max and Dennis. The Robeez Tredz are Robeez new line of flexible rubber-soled shoes for older children. They are more durable outside. I still recommend original Robeez for crawlers, original Pedipeds for early walkers, but when your toddler is more mobile and has mastered walking, it is time to move on to flexible rubber-soled shoes like Robeez Tredz or Pedipeds Flex! or See Kai Run. The Tredz are not as easy to get on as original Robeez, but they stay on very well. The sole is very flexible and the leather is soft. These are winners!

I got the Vincents during their big winter sale for a steal. The sole is much firmer than Tredz, but they are very stylish and the sole becomes very flexible after the child wears it the first time.

I plan to try Pedipeds Flex! next, probably the sandals for summer.

Ian's First Diva Demand

Ian does not work on sand. He completely freaked out at his modeling job today when he had to pose on sand, even though he had sandals on. They had to put a box or towel for him to stand on in each shot. He freaked out about the sand in Jamaica, too. I don't know why it bothers him.

Tough Guy and Real Estate Progress

Ian had a TB test done today (required by the base to be involved in activities and childcare). He didn't even flinch, he was too busy flirting with the nurse.

We signed the lease on our Seoul apartment. We have to get a local bank account to have the entire year's rent deposited into our account so we can pay the landlord all at once.

In Georgia news, we are putting in an offer today. Hope they accept so we can get Kate set up before the summer and have our stuff delivered there.

Korean Department Store

We went to the iPark Mall/Department store today. It is HUGE! It is kind of like a high-tech version of the shops in Egypt. In Egypt, if you are looking for curtains, there is a section of town that has shop after shop of the same curtain material. How or why do you choose one over the other? At the department store today, there were multiple shop areas of electronics with the same overwhelming inventory. I guess you need to know what you want before you go.

We were looking for furniture. We found something we liked, but there is virtually the same thing at a vendor store on post for about half the price. Buying furniture in the States is a racket, but over here it is harder because we don't know where to go and what we are looking at. Was the store we went to equivalent to Nordstroms (the prices would say yes) or JC Pennys? Who knows? It is hard to ask people that you don't know because you don't know how to evaluate their opinion with regard to taste and pricing. Everything is relative. There is an AAFES furniture store but everything is hideous: oversized, puffy sectionals. I think we can order things into that store, but I didn't see anything inspiring on the website.

One thing I do know is that we need a bed in order to move in. We can wait on everything else. Our bed is in Egypt and held up in customs. We don't have an ETA. We need to get out of the hotel because we are gaining weight, Roxxy is in the kennel and we want to feel more grounded than a temporary hotel residence allows you to feel.

So, since we wanted to get a low-platform, king sized bed with latex mattress anyway, so here is our opportunity. We like it. It is made to American dimensions and the vendor is used to working with Americans. I think we will order it tomorrow.

Itaewon is known for antiques. I think it will be fun to look there for things like a dining table. We also need a couch, but I want to take more time with that purchase. There were lots of low, sleek leather couches/sectionals at the Korean department store. I liked them, but want to see more options.

The Department store had a swank nursing room, though, the symbol was a bottle. It had a nice sectional couch, microwave and hot and cold water dispenser. I wish I had my camera with me.

Gadgets in the New Place

Everything is built-in and there is lots of storage.
Electronic Door:

Built-in Fridge/Freezer


Security Camera/Kitchen TV:


Plastic Wrap, Foil, Paper Towel Holder:

Interior Shots: Facilities

Lounge Area by Gym:

Gym:

Pool: