Saturday, August 28, 2010

Make Yourself at Home

I have been in my apartment for a little over a year now. It's my first apartment and I did it big. I moved to Los Angeles (from a suburb less than an hour east of LA) by myself. I moved out of my parents' house and had to buy everything except bedroom furniture. In the beginning I only bought the essentials - a fridge, microwave, TV stand, and other miscellaneous things like cookware, a vacuum, and bathroom supplies that add up quickly. My parents gave me their old couches and I went without a dining table...even though I have a dining room.

Because rent isn't cheap in the city, I put off buying anything for the apartment in case I moved out with a roommate. While I may still very well find a roommate to save money, I couldn't wait any longer to buy couches or a table. I pushed aside the what ifs and bit the bullet!

My main goal was to get a couch that was comfortable and I def accomplished that mission. Along with my new baby blue sectional, I purchased a ottoman with matching wood trim.


I also spotted a dining set that matched the ottoman and the couch. I wanted to buy it but the sectional and ottoman maxed me out. Luckily my parents surprised me and bought it for me as a birthday gift! The best dang present ever!


Added bonus: while I was in Vancouver last month all of my furniture was delivered and my parents were here to accept all of it. Not only did they surprise me by cleaning my dusty patio that I didn't even want to sweep, my dad also transformed an ugly side table into a new, awesome piece.

This table was an ugly, warped brown hunk of wood. With a little black spray paint, it was transformed into a pretty awesome "new" piece! I wish I had before pictures. Thanks, dad!


While I still need to continue styling the place, I feel like this is now my home. I am relaxed here. I love lounging. I am proud of my possessions.

27 comments:

MyFashionAddictions said...

Wow I love all the pieces in your apartment. And btw, that was a very gutsy move to go to LA all by yourself from a small town. :)

Alyssa said...

that couch looks so damn comfortable!!!

Couture Carrie said...

Gorgeous apt, darling!
Congrats!
Looooove that ottoman!

xoxox,
CC

Ms. Bright said...

That "new" piece that you spray painted is super rad.

lucy and sarah said...

You have such cool stuff.

ellie said...

I love these! Great stuff..for your place.

Oh, My Darling said...

Wow, everything looks so great! You have a real eye for home aesthetics!

Meghan said...

Nice work! I love all of your selections! That converted table is super awesome!

Marta from With Love... said...

The pieces are fantastic... great choices :)

-Marta

Steph @ Thoughts From Cali said...

I love it!! I am actually updating a few pieces in my place with a can of spray paint.

ae said...

Love the furniture, especially the "new" side table!!

thelayeredpancake said...

i need to get myself some spray paint!! that gives me such great ideas. love that side table.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

I love the pieces. What sweet parents for surprising you and helping you out. Have a lovely weekend

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to move out of my parent's house. I bet it awesome having your own place! Love the way you decorated your interior of your apartment. :)

Allison said...

Ahh, I love all these pieces - it looks like you did really well, girl! :) I love all the surprises from your parents, that's the sweetest thing!
I also totally admire you for just moving out of your parents house and doing it big right away :)

Allison said...

Oh, and I'm seriously obsessed with your ottoman.

Audrey Allure said...

Such beautiful pieces, and the couch looks absolutely comfortable!

Cafe Fashionista said...

Gah! I love the way you've decorated the place. Everything is so sophisticated and fabulous!! :)

Anonymous said...

omgosh it's BEAUTIFUL!! So cute :) Good for you for being on your own and having a hard work ethic. I can't imagine it's easy!! xo

SHIZUKA said...

i would be proud too! lovely dark shades :) x

J said...

great furniture! the place looks like its coming together very nicely!!

Jadore-Fashion said...

love the pieces--i love decorating too! congrats on the new apt! xoxo

Meg said...

I love your new dining room set!

bananas. said...

i love it all! that hunky piece of fab wood is my favorite though.

Unknown said...

Love the new furniture! What awesome parents you have! :)

this free bird said...

These pieces look awesome and you should be so proud of yourself. It's tough to get out on your own and pull it together. You go girl!!

xoxo,
Carrie

Jules said...

You, my friend have excellent taste and that was so nice of your parents to surprise you with the dining set. That couch is so pretty and looks really comfy. I could easily fall to sleep on that during a lazy Sunday.

Your dad really made something out of that side table. It looks so cool!

It definitely is great to have a place to call your own that you’re proud of and worked hard to get :)