Making the Most of Tricky Spaces

From the start I knew that decorating my two bedroom apartment was going to be tricky, given that what was supposed to be the main bedroom was quite small and cramped. The den, though slightly larger in size, had no doors, so it lacked privacy. Despite this downside, the extra space seemed too good to pass up and so I decided to make the den my bedroom. Since the den was essentially an extension of the living room, I knew that I had to find a way to keep the continuity between the two rooms. That being said, I wanted the bedroom to be the softer and more romantic of the two. The solution? Using the same dominant colours in each room helped create maximum flow. I chose a creamy beige (yay beige!), a walnut brown, bronze and pops of white. From there, I added touches of purple and gold to the bedroom, and complemented it with delicate art and accessories. As a final touch, I added bold pillows for a little punch of modern.

Take a look at how I did it!

It's all in the Details

One of the first things I discovered when I moved out of my Mom's house was how many random things I had collected over the years. There were books, postcards from museums, my grandma's china, a few Beatles records and all sorts of cute figurines that I at one time or another thought were cool. Sure, some of it was easy to toss out, but a lot of it wasn't. This, of course, became problematic when I realized just how tight on space I was in my new apartment. Given my limited options, I decided to get a little creative and use my bookcase as a displayer as opposed to storing everything and wasting much needed closet space. The results were pretty great. Not only is this bookcase the focal point of the living room, but it adds a very personal and sentimental touch to the place which I love.

See how I did it:

Beige

The first thing you need to know about me is that I am obsessed with beige. It is the most versatile colour in my opinion, and can be used to set a variety of themes and moods. What it comes down to is you can do no wrong with beige. Sure, white is cleaner, but it can also be a little too hospital-ish if not done correctly. Beige is instantly homey and calming. It is also ridiculously easy to work with. Case in point, when I first moved into my apartment I was on a super modern kick. About midway through the year I decided to change gears and go slightly more traditional. Given that I had started with such easy neutrals, it was virtually pain-free to make the switch. Add a couple of classic, rustic pieces, change a couple of pictures and pillow cases and voila!

See how I did it:

New Beginnings

What I have come to learn in my first year out on my own is that this twenty-something life stage is really very awkward. To put it simply, I am completely lost when is comes to establishing a career, I have expenses coming out of my ears, and I am for all intensive purposes at the mercy of my cat, Sesame. Despite this, I am secure in the knowledge that I have created a home for myself. I have spent the better part of the year decorating an apartment that is totally and completely me. And that is the most comforting feeling in the world.

If I were to give you a reason as to why I created this blog, that would be it. I want to share what I've learned and hopefully inspire others to create their own unique spaces. I also want to be inspired in return. I know how expensive decorating can be, but being on a twenty-something budget forces you to be a little more creative when it comes to these things. It also happens to be a lot more fun!

So here it is, I'm just going to come right out and say it. My name is April and I am addicted to decorating. There is something so satisfying about putting together a space that is both comfortable and inviting, all the while full of personal style. It has been my preoccupation for several years now, and I've finally decided to share it! I hope you enjoy my ramblings and find at least a few of my tips helpful. (Please see the section on putting up pictures -very, very important)