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What's The First Thing You Unpack?
Adventures in Loft Living Day 1

111708-moving1.jpg This past weekend was chilly and overcast in Kansas City. A perfect weekend for moving! My husband and I packed up all of our stuff and headed downtown to our new loft. It's a very raw space just waiting for construction projects and the execution of "crazy loft ideas". So look for a new installment of Adventures in Loft Living each day this week as I have lots of fun "stuff and things" to discuss with all of you! Click through the jump to see what the first thing we unpacked was and share with us your immediate moving necessities.

 
 

111708-recordplayer.jpg The first thing unpacked any time we move is the stereo. Without it the daunting thoughts of unpacking are almost too much to handle. But with a little (and shameless) ABBA on your side, no job is too big!
We also made a point to bring in something fresh into our new space to help bring a little cheer amidst the mountainous cardboard boxes and piles of things. One small vase of flowers sits in our last window to soak up the constant southern sun.

What's the first thing you unpack (besides toilet paper!) when you move? Do you pack a "first day kit" to survive on in case you something unexpected happens? Let us know below!

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Tips, loft, moving, apartment, packing

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Comments (22)

Definitely the stereo. We usually do a first day pack. It includes some disposable plates, cups, and silverware, paper towels and toilet paper.

posted by matthewhambrick on November 17th 2008 at 6:18pm
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I grew up in Kansas City and I am excited to read that people are taking advantage of the wonderful old buildings there. Please give us more details on where your building is and what it was in its former life.

posted by AustinSarah2 on November 17th 2008 at 6:22pm
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I just moved into a loft space too...I feel your pains/excitement! I posted on our blog looking for help/advice and folks came up with some great suggestions both with regards to moving and layout ideas: http://blog.designpublic.com/2008/10/15/ali-is-moving-and-needs-your-support/

Also, If you have a dog do this: http://blog.designpublic.com/2008/10/30/ali-moved/

As for a first day kit...basic toiletries, peanut butter and bread, coffee, water, clean sheets/towels, basic kitchenware, and music...glad you have that one covered!

Love the photos of your place...can't wait to see updates!

posted by AsziChild on November 17th 2008 at 6:38pm
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A drinking glass, fork, spoon, towel.

posted by canadian in swedish clothing on November 17th 2008 at 6:42pm
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The bedding - I gather it all from the bed and stuff it into a big garbage bag so I can make the bed again right away.

posted by Sisero on November 17th 2008 at 6:46pm
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The bed. Then the stereo.

posted by tara1979 on November 17th 2008 at 6:50pm
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kettle, teapot, tea, favourite mug

posted by rouquinne on November 17th 2008 at 7:00pm
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other than the general over night bag, i set up my computer before anything. check out this picture... http://www.flickr.com/photos/23144270@N05/2462597302/

i brought my computer before ANYTHING. & spent a few days painting while listening to indie rock & archives of this american life. haha

posted by mariegael on November 17th 2008 at 7:14pm
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Well when you pack up one place and unpack immediately after in a different place, my plan is a first day pack that includes the minimal essentials for sleeping, eating, and hygiene.

This time, and I'm in the middle of it, the move was out of a house (sold), into a rental, out of the rental and into a new house. It's a disaster! Stuff came out of a storage shed, stuff came out of the apartment, I had to work the day the movers came and my "domestic partner" was in over his head -- things got stashed on and under unrelated things, boxes clearly labeled for a destination got stuffed in the garage, now we can't find anything. It's mess.

Plan plan plan!!! (And then execute the plan!)

posted by SherryBinNH on November 17th 2008 at 7:18pm
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When I've moved in the past, it seems that it was clothing, toiletries and bedding to sleep on the floor that got unpacked first because the furniture and everything else was still on the moving truck coming across the country...

posted by bepsf on November 17th 2008 at 7:20pm
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Toilet paper, towels. Dog food and water bowl.

posted by Palmetto on November 17th 2008 at 8:24pm
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Bed. I missed my bed soooo much when I was without it for a month when I moved this summer.

posted by charlenemcbride on November 17th 2008 at 8:28pm
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Shower Curtain. After a long day moving, nothing beats a hot shower, and without the curtain it doesn't work as well.

posted by hmr on November 17th 2008 at 9:26pm
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Oh my god, I am a freak. I just moved and I had half the house unpacked at the end of the first day and the rest unpacked by the end of the next. Plus all the walls painted and new furniture on order. Can you tell I hate chaos?

posted by tequila red on November 17th 2008 at 9:47pm
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Is it very warm? I can't imagine moving into someplace and starting renovating on the cusp of winter. Brrrrr.

posted by Marbargarbo on November 17th 2008 at 10:31pm
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usually i get a ton of things unpacked very very quickly. i was pretty much done unpacking in a couple of days.
but the first things i unpack are things like the soap, all the kitchen stuff/fridge and bathroom things.

posted by terka27 on November 18th 2008 at 2:42am
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I can't stop until i'm completely unpacked! In my first day I had my entire kitchen/bathroom stocked and all of my clothes in their places. A few throw pillows and candles were even pulled out to make it feel homey while I finished up in the next few days.

posted by Shutterbug678 on November 18th 2008 at 9:43am
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Saying you're "shameless" about listening to ABBA shows that you are, in fact, ashamed. Or at least embarrassed. You can't revel in your choices at the same time as you apologize for them.

Love ABBA with pride! I can't think of better music to accompany unpacking or any project that requires high energy.

Congratulations on your new home!

posted by Griffin on November 18th 2008 at 10:23am
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First the animals are settled in. Then I set up the bed and make it with the most comfy bedding possible. I also tuck some clean pjs under the pillows. Third, the coffee maker.

Best of luck unpacking!

posted by crockedteeth on November 18th 2008 at 10:55am
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Definitely the bedding first, then the kettle. Nothing better than a nice cup of tea in a freshly made bed :)

posted by MsUnreliable on November 18th 2008 at 1:09pm
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we moved this weekend too! no essentials beyond sheets and towels, but we did time a few much needed purchases so that we could stock the new place with a brand new shower curtain, bathmat, and trashcan... very luxurious.

posted by jerseyfresh on November 18th 2008 at 3:52pm
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i'm a bit OCD when it comes to unpacking. whether i'm unpacking clothes from a trip, or unpacking things from a move, i can't stop until everything is out of boxes and in a place. i've furnished and decorated entire apartments in one night/early morning!

i'm not proud, lol.

posted by fifteenpetals on February 15th 2009 at 6:01pm
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