I had recently wanted to buy a nice old repro' Louis XV bed that would have been perfect for our summer guests, but common sense dictated that I bought one of those modern beds with 6 commodious drawers underneath instead. I know, I know... But guests WILL arrive with all sorts of stuff they don't need.
Anyway, I selected the least offensive one from La Redoute, and a couple of days ago it arrived in two decidedly nasty looking long cardboard cartons
On the 'instructions' it stated with unequivocal Chinese authority and humour, that it would take two people, with one screwdriver, 90 minutes to assemble. Well, that didn't fool either of us!
I began at 7.30 am and by lunch I'd put together the six large drawers; 3hrs 30mins. And by 5.00 pm (after much swearing and threatening) the job was complete; another 3hrs.... 6hrs 30mins in all, in sweltering heat.
In my folly, at the same time as ordering the bed, I also ordered a matching armoire, and two bedside tables. I know, I know... They're arriving next week; I can hardly wait!
Hello:
ReplyDeleteWhatever the irritations of assembling the flat packs, it must be so exciting that you have now reached the furnishing stage of your tower.Just an armoire and two bedside tables to go.....
Yikes...
ReplyDeleteAll that genuine 18th century, French furniture that is bought at knock-down prices and sent over here to be sold at auction, and you had to buy a flat-pack!
ReplyDeleteI'd have just thrown a duvet on the boxes after the first hour!
ReplyDeleteChris. The boxes themselves would have made decent beds. Grind up the polystyrene, and Voila!
ReplyDelete"My friends, welcome to my home! First things first, here's a little wine. Is it good? Great. Now here's a complimentary screwdriver. No, not the drink . . . Let me know if you need any help."
ReplyDeleteAmy that's a great idea. An "assembly" party. I absolutely detest flat pack. I always have to read the instructions and no one wants to follow them because they know better and then we have to take it all apart again and follow the instructions. Every single time. AAAEEEEEEE
ReplyDeleteI'll bet the Chinese-to-English translation wasn't of much use with the directions, either. Amusing, maybe, but not terribly helpful. My husband bought a box of drill bits at big tool sale, and when we got home, we noticed the writing on the box. It said, "genuine dill bits."
ReplyDeleteSusan. The instructions contained not a single word... nothing but fuzzy pictures and illegible numbers.
ReplyDeleteThe dreaded FLAT PACK!! nuts n bolts Phillips head screw drivers, allan keys, any mans nightmare, and we girls usually make a quick exit before being hit between the eyes with one or all of the above tools. Must be a global problem...was it made in China ???
ReplyDeleteOh yes you did mention that the instructions were in Chinese so I guess the whole thing was made there, busy little people the Chinese :o)
ReplyDeleteHmm. "Some" assembly required. It's going to be beautiful, though. When can I come?
ReplyDeleteMost of us can say, been there, done that. It is a good test of patience, fortitude and not banging your fingers too many times. Just opening the cardboard box sometimes does me in.
ReplyDeleteExpletives are allowed during assembly.
Cro, I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU. The trouble I have gone to to get nice beds. They came from France!
ReplyDelete