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I am about to move back to the States after living seven years in the Netherlands. I have grown to love the modern minimalist look of European design. I want to bring this back with me and remodel my future suburban American house. Once we settle in, we plan to change the standard kitchen and bathrooms that you would find in any middle class american suburban home. We have bought all the important pieces of furniture (couch, tables, chairs, master bed) while here in europe. I know i have to sell my lamps because it would be too expensive to convert them to American wiring. My question is, what else should i bring back from europe that would help in my effort to modernize my home? Faucets, fabrics, door handles? What about sink basins? Has anyone had experience on this? I want to take advantage of my situation that i can bring things back with me direct from europe but i am not made of money either. Are modern design elements cheaper in the US or more Expensive? From what I have seen online, it seems European modern designs are cheaper in Europe than European modern designs in the US.
You didn't say where you are moving to in the USA. What feels and looks right in a cold climate like Wisconsin might seem totally out of place in a warmer place such as Florida. The styles, the colors etc. that you love in one house may just not work in another because of the amount of direct or indirect lighting, climate etc.
Bring what you have (especially if someone else is paying for shipping), but, I would not spend any additional money on stuff prior to finding a home in the USA. You can always have a friend mail you something from Europe if you can't find something here in the USA.
Mary2014
PS: Rewiring a lamp is not that difficult - so you may want to bring your lamps with you if you really love them.
You didn't say where you are moving to in the USA. What feels and looks right in a cold climate like Wisconsin might seem totally out of place in a warmer place such as Florida. The styles, the colors etc. that you love in one house may just not work in another because of the amount of direct or indirect lighting, climate etc.
Bring what you have (especially if someone else is paying for shipping), but, I would not spend any additional money on stuff prior to finding a home in the USA. You can always have a friend mail you something from Europe if you can't find something here in the USA.
Mary2014
PS: Rewiring a lamp is not that difficult - so you may want to bring your lamps with you if you really love them.
We are moving to The northern suburbs of Chicago. I am assuming anything goes there for the most part but i could be wrong. You bring up good points and i should wait to get the feel of Chicago. I know trendy, expensive areas close to the city will have houses with modern european flair on the inside but i am not sure about the burbs. I have been told that if you dont go to a certified electrician to rewire a lamp, you raise the risk of your lamp catching fire. I have called a lamp repair place in Chicago and they told me it could cost hundreds of dollars to rewire lamps. It wont be worth it in my case.
I moved from Europe to the US awhile back and had several antique lamps from Germany. I had them rewired and it just wasn't all that expensive.
If the company is paying your shipping, I'd say that you're safe with furnishings. But when it comes to fixtures, you're very likely to run into things that just don't FIT the standards here - fittings, nuts, bolts, faucets, drains, doorknobs, etc.
Honestly, you can find very sleek, contemporary styles here without having to worry about fittings not fitting - LOL.
If you like sheer window draperies - bring those. You can't get them (so nice) here in the US.
Rolling shutters are way cheaper in Europe, but you would need to know the exact measurements - I am not sure if they could be cut to fit. Try to find it out.
That's what I am planning to do.
Thermostatic shower mixers are cheaper too, but you need to make sure they will fit in the US.
I got two sets and they work.
Gerda, or similar exterior door locks. Some of those are impossible to pick.
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