Quirky, Comfy, Eclectic Living Room [Decorating the Dream Apartment]

Recently, I have decided that next semester I will be taking time off of school, and time on in real life. I've come to a convenient time in my academic career to do so, as I will graduate at the same time regardless of whether I take classes this semester or not. Any opportunity to learn outside of the lecture hall, I'll take. For the first time in my life I have the opportunity to get out, to go somewhere far away, live alone, and learn about myself. After a long discussion with my Mother, she said "you want to run away".  My response was "Yes." I am running away, and I couldn't be more excited for my adventure.

A part of this journey involves living alone for the first time! With that comes so many amazing opportunities. What's more exciting than having your own apartment? Being able to decorate it. Duh. ;)

Realistically, I'll be working with a budget of like $50. But screw it. I wanna dream. My dream starts with an amazing Black and White print from www.invaluable.com, an online auction website. They've got tons of great paintings and prints for a fraction of the price you'd find elsewhere. Bid away.

The "Interpreter" Poster and Black and White print would serve as the focal pieces in a small gallery wall. Of course, I'll be renting; so break out those Command Strips! Honestly, after living in 3 dorms within the last year and a half, I swear by them.

The Chair and Couch are both from the awesome site www.joybird.com

Want a custom piece of furniture?! You can select nearly any color you would like for the upholstery, including leather. AND you can select the stain on for the legs/frame! I'm in love. No, I'm not sponsored by them. [But I wouldn't be opposed.] 

Add a few other midcentury pieces, an awesome Moravian star [Have you seen the one I made yet?! Click here], some comfy pillows, a colorful rug, and you've got yourself a Pretty Little room.

Lets just say I wouldn't be opposed to a Wayfair sponsorship, either. I mean, this rug?!?!

Take in the Gorgeousness. TAKE IT IN.

Thank you. 

Sources

Chair

Rug

Moravian Star

B&W Print

Lamp

"Interpreter" Print

Couch

Throw Pillows

Coffee Table

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♥

DIY Whitewash Horizontal panelling!

I have long been in love with the look of horizontal panelling,

especially when painted white.

Source: www.houzz.com

I wanted to add more texture and visual interest to a very boring wall in my bathroom. 

It acts as a focal wall in the small room, without adding darker colors or separating the space with color!

I started by comparing cheap and thin wood, with emphasis on the cheap part.

The wood I settled on was $7.00 per 8x4 sheet, so the price was right!!

The store I bought the wood at is very flexible about their cutting policy and I had them rip all 3 of my sheets into 4ft by 6inch boards.

Next I primed the back of all of the boards with Kilz primer, which resists mildew and seals out more moisture than normal primer.

After this, I did two coats of the paint (same color as my walls), but instead of painting it on, I rubbed it into the wood. I wanted to preserve the wood grain look. 

Then, I nailed every piece onto the wall by the corners 

and on the studs that each board crossed. 

I used popsicle sticks for spacers. I got that idea from a 

tutorial, though I'm non sure which one. 

Woohoo ugly bathroom progress!

$21.00~Wood

$7.00~Nails

$0.00~paint (Already had!)

$0.00~Kilz (Already had!)

--------

Grand total: $28!!!

Now that's what I call a bargain! 

I am in love with the difference it makes in the room!

Before:

After:

You can see the completed bathroom here

I love comments!! Thanks for reading!! 

Get the Look #1

Welcome to Get the Look! Since I do not have anything of my own to report today and I will be going out of town for a month, I have decided to do a mini-series. I will pick different rooms that I absolutely love and create a list of products you can buy in everyday places to get the look in your own home! First up, my favorite  bathroom I have ever stumbled upon.

Buy me here: tile

Amazon.com

Buy me here: mirror

Kohls

Buy me here: mirror

Walmart

Buy me here:ladder storage

Pottery Barn

Buy me here: towel

Sears

Buy me here: towel

JC Penney

Buy me here: pedestal sink

Home Depot

Buy me here: rug

Walmart

Buy me here: tile

Home Depot

Hope you enjoyed! This would be my bathroom if possible :D

Comment on what I should improve next time!

My Bathroom Design Dreams

Hey!! As I'm working on the finishing touches of the PLAN for my bathroom, I put together this little collage.

The vanity is actually mine (along with the sink), as is the flooring. I really don't like the flooring, but I have no choice. The vanity used to be a dining room table, but give me a saw and well.... 

I wanted to put 3x6 subway tiles on the wall going up 3.5 feet, but I don't want to spend the money. So, either I'll scratch the idea, paint them on like in the following picture, or do wainscoting. 

Source: This Old House

Bathroom LOVES:

Here are some particularly lovely bathrooms of which I got lots of the inspiration.

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Source: unknown

Source: www.housetohome.co.uk/

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Sources: Absolutely Beautiful Things

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Source: Better Homes and Gardens

Source: Unknown

Thoughts? Opinions? Thanks!!