Tag Archives: living room

what’s inspiring me

23 April 2013

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Inspiring me, driving me crazy, coloring my mind. And also something I like to call compromise as I continue to move-in with my boyfriend. Continue, you may ask? Well yes – this is a process. 1. Get rid of boxes. 2. Organize furniture. 3. Sneak  out and throw away ugly stuff that you hate.  3. Hang stuff on the walls. 4. Reorganize. 5. Com. 6. pro 7. mise.

So here are some images of stuff that’s been goin on. I’ll write a proper posting with DIY stuff I’ve been working on soon. Until then –

photo 4

why yes I’m pumped for CSA fruits and veggies.

let the pickling games begin.

let the pickling games begin.

 

If Martha Stewart can make buttercream flowers, I'll be damned to say I can't.

If Martha Stewart can make buttercream flowers, I’ll be damned to say I can’t.

photo 3

I cooked carnitas in a slow cooker. This was the only photo I took.

I cooked carnitas in a slow cooker. This was the only photo I took.

 

sprinkles making the world go boom.

sprinkles making the world go boom.

 

first piece of furniture we bought together. It's brown... I even picked it out. Hm.

first piece of furniture we bought together. It’s brown… I even picked it out. Hm. Like my attempt at “man-decorations meet lady-decorations?”

 

my favorite lamp from a flea market. of course I never bought a lamp shade for it. Com-pro-mise.

my favorite lamp from a flea market. of course I never bought a lamp shade for it. Com-pro-mise.

 

when you start living with a man.

1 April 2013

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Me: “For our kitchen table, I think I want something, you know, rickety. With mix-matched chairs.”

Boyfriend: “Why would you ever buy something that you describe as being ‘rickety’?”

I’ve moved in with my boyfriend. While he is a clean, creative, all around wonderful guy (not sure why those are the adjectives I’ve purposely used), he isn’t Martha Stewart’s next intern. Here’s what he’s bringing to our place:

  • sports memorabilia 
  • TV larger than my previous studio
  • brown wood coffee table
  • brown wood dresser
  • brown wood side-tables
  • white dishes
  • Army stuff
  • plants

In doing research – research meaning having conversations with gin & tonics and my girlfriends – I’ve found this to be a common style. There’s nothing wrong with it. He actually has a greener thumb than I. He has nice furniture, takes care of his furniture, and appreciates a clean space. But like, c’mon, where’s Etsy? Where are my flea market finds? Where the hell is the rainbow?

So these next few posts will be pretty much only about this. Oh, and what happens when I introduce kale smoothies and tofu into his life. (Fact: he already digs kale and pineapple juice. Win).

In any case, I’ve added some quick shots of the new space. I have some ideas for lighting, organization, and more furniture. But for now, the goal will be to make our new space feel like home – to both of us. So long paprika couch, paisley blue tables and flower painted dishes.  Ok, it’s not that dramatic. But I will objectively find space for a “man-cave” -esque design. And will incorporate that brown furniture.

Here’s what we have so far. Will post more once the rest of his furniture arrives. Andddd exhale.

photo 2Awww, peaceful. Less is more. Light and “not matchy-matchy but it works”.

photo 1

Cookie cutter “urban living” kitchen. But it sure beats the hell out of cooking in a studio. More cabinet space than I know what to do with. And Olive the cat – poor, broken, awkward looking tail.
photo 4

Bedroom is totally empty. Bed is too small for two people to sleep in every night. Will need to find space for a queen bed. photo 3

Office/den space. SO LUCKY to have this extra room in our apartment. I want fun lighting, bookshelves, and a way to hide our ugly office equipment. Bragging moment of creative but brown-loving boyfriend: he definitely painted that blue painting with his non-dominant hand. Seriously, the guy has skills. photo 1

Oh my god. Can’t wait to hang a couple humongous jerseys from humongous athletes in our apartment. But. They’re signed, they’re pretty bad ass, and by golly I will find a way. photo 2

Again. So much cabinet space. But I WILL need to find a way to organize the clutter before I lose my mind. (Hello, personal items posted online). photo 3

So somehow we found an apartment with two closets in the bedroom. My boyfriend was nice/smart enough to give me the bigger one. Though I am guessing he was smarter for his own sake…Yes, I may throw clothes all around when running late to work and hating everything I own.

Progress is soon ours.

setting up a living room

28 August 2012

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Besides having a fabulous closet (one that I will have someday), I think that a living room can be your most important space in a home — ha, particularly in a studio. In a lot of small spaces, it’s the first place people see, it’s where you spend most of your time, and it tends to even be your dining room.

For this space, I wanted to keep it basic, clean, home-y, and personal. Especially because I live by myself.

Let’s start with the photos;

Because the photos, frames, and albums I am decorating with are all different weights, sizes, and textures, I needed to use a couple different techniques. For the heavier items (the larger frames), I drilled a screw into the wall. Again, because I have cement walls, I needed to find the appropriate screws and of course, drill bit. Check out your local Ace Hardware.

side note: Ace’s are privately owned for the most part — so you can feel ok supporting them, or another local hardware store.

For the smaller frames and the painting, I used these velcro hanging strips from Ace, the box was like $5 for a set of six. They hold up to 12lbs (so it says, though I’m not sure I would trust more than 5lbs). Clean the wall and the back of the frame, stick two of the velcro strips to one another, and hang. Super simple, and they’ll come off the wall without leaving a residue. For the albums, I used the picture hanging screws. Those are actually quite tough – can hold 50lbs or more.

Contrary to the photo, the frames aren’t crooked, I’m just lousy at taking a straight picture.

From left to right, top to bottom: Dodger stadium, and old frame given from family, a record album frame, purchased at Urban Outfitters for $10, silver frame is from Target ($9) and a photo of my great great aunt and uncle, the purple frame is from World Market (a gift) and my grandparent’s wedding photo, the long black frame is from Amazon (only $5) and an awesome quote from First Lady, Michelle Obama. The green frame is way old as well, and from Urban Outfitters, as is the second album frame. And lastly the gold frame and photo on the right are from Eastern Market’s flea market in DC ($50 total).

The frames aren’t a final product. I want to add more, move things around, take things off, etc. But that comes with time, my mood, and what cool think I “must buy” next at the flea market. Right now, I love the colors, textures, very different images. Again, it’s personal.

Sidenote #2- If you live in DC, definitely check out the Eastern Market flea market. They have a lot of amazing stuff, and for the most part, it’s all quite unique, making your space extra special.

Alright, back to the living space. Here’s the final product, at least for this wall. My couch is from Macy’s. A few years ago I purchased it new for $600. A bit pricey, but I’ll be honest, buying your first new piece of furniture is unbelievably liberating. The little coffee table was $15 (originally $30 – talk ‘em down!) at the Eastern Market flea market. The green planter is from Antropologie for $12, the olive green vase from West Elm for $18. The coasters were handmade by children in southern Cambodia, about an hour south of Phnom Penh. The TV tray on the right was $9 from Target. And lastly the pillows – the cream one is from Target, about $20, and the little one from a market in New York, I think I bought it for $5.

Let me know what you think

-Summer