Mr. Niall Burgess:

It depends on the accommodation. I will give an example from my own experience. I moved into accommodation that was provided when I was in New York. It was furnished to representational standard, but we lived in a small space at the back. We had three bedrooms, a small living room and a kitchen. That was our family space and we brought our own furniture to accommodate it. In an embassy, if one has a representational function, the furnishings are provided as part of the official set-up of the building. Officers on a short-term assignment have the option of renting a furnished apartment or bringing some of their own furniture. Most want to bring some of their own immediate surroundings to provide a sense of home.