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By PaperTrails, Saturday, June 4, 2011, 8 commentsI finally did it. Last night, after visiting my friend Kelli in her beautifully decorated abode for a dinner party, I decided it was time to take action on my apartment. I've been here for almost two years now, and it's easier to stay and pay the cheap rent than to upgrade. But it's also been much easier to watch Pretty Woman on Saturday mornings and read from my stack of magazines and to mix up cocktails than it's been to decorate. So I haven't decorated at all. Which was kind of ok when I was 24 and 25. But now I'm 26, almost 27 and my apartment, while clean(ish) also looks childish and unloved. Kelli's place looks and feels like a home. People want to come over and eat dinner with her. So this morning when I woke up, I made a resolution. As I enter my third year living in an apartment that I don't especially like, but that's in a good location, I'm going to do my best to transform it into a chic living space.
No more light purple trash cans from Target or mismatchy bath towels. No more blank walls in dire need of paint and paintings. I'm officially making this the top order of business. 
The plan? A bright splash of color below the stairs. To hang some photos on the walls. New curtains. A coffee table. Flowers.
Today's achievement? A new look for both bathrooms! I got some really great stuff from Target: new bathmats, towels, hand towels, a shower curtain, a curtain for the bedroom and bathroom accessories to match. A painful $300 down and I already feel like a million bucks.
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8 Comments
Good For you!!
I think you’re on the right path! Coming home to an empty or bare apartment after a long day of work or school really isn't ideal. You want your home to feel like an oasis, a place that you can’t wait to get to at the end of a long day! Make it your own and spice it up, add color and style, add little things as scream "This is me and this is my home!"
What helped me was flipping though some design magazines and home decorations magazines that I actually found in Home Depot. There are some great ideas and ways to DYI your own decorations. Also keep in mind that second hand shops have great finds, try goodwill or a "New-To-You" type of second hand shop. Also yard sales and antique shops have some great things that will help you stay within a budget but still make your place look and feel super fab!
Also for a last resort, I love Home Goods and Marshall’s; they have some nice items for your home as well.
Good luck and I'm sure after the transformation is over you will discover just how much you've always loved your apartment, it just needed a bit of a make over.
www.citygirlchronicles.com
City Girl
A home is a home
No matter where you roam...
I couldn't wait to buy a house. Now I can't wait to be rid of it!
Apartments are much easier to maintain. Go Nuts! But really, at 27, you still have oodles of time...
Home is Where the Heart Is
We're still watching Pretty Woman? Seriously? That being said, I must confess to being a sucker for the "hooker with a heart of gold" storyline. Plus - Richard Gere was easy on the eyes in 1990 (still is, truth be told).
As for the apartment - you've inspired me! I've been in the same small apartment (low rent/great location) for over two years. I made a few attempts to "own it" but you're right - the old towels and paper bags doubling as trash cans has got to stop! Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to Bed, Bath & Beyond I go...
eye of the beholder
Oh I see your space so differently...It feels charming and inviting, with little expressive nuggets of personal style at every turn
p.s. don't forget we sat on mismatched chairs, half of which were rusty breuer knock-offs from the 70's
You've inspired me, too! I've
You've inspired me, too! I've been in my home 20 years and I still have artwork piled against a wall to hang "someday" and half of my kitchen chairs midway through a stripping and repainting session :) I LOVE the picture you posted in your blog! What is that?
That's great!
It took me three years to decorate my apartment completely--and then I moved! Ha! Ross is also a great place to find cheap, yet chic, accent pieces for your apartment, too. =)
Thanks for the support all!
I guess the hard part is getting started. And spending the money. Is it sad that I still watch Pretty Woman? I guess maybe it is. Thanks all for the love. :)
I am more than glad to help
I am more than glad to help anyone (with any budget) select and place objects for their space. It never hurts to ask. Sometimes I give free tips too.
Remember, it's like building your wardrobe, it may not happen all at once and its better to wait and get things you really love. If your starting from scratch, make a list of what you really need, then make a budget and go for it (or call me).
Good Luck! And remember, you're always right when it comes to you.
Shannon
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