Real Apartment Therapy
I've been M.I.A lately due to a major life change- MOVING! Austin and I have decided, after a lot of consideration, that we will be moving back to my sunny Los Angeles homeland. I grew up in Southern CA however, I always felt pulled to the north. Literally, the day after I graduated college I packed up a u-haul and moved up north...that was 5 years ago. Within those 5 years I've been a yoga and SUP instructor, design student, stager, stylist, and wedding planner. I've had far too many complicated relationships but, have made amazing friends along the way. Best part: I found my life's passion and soulmate.
Change is Inevitable...
But it's probably one of my most favorite things about life, so needless to say, I'm getting pretty damn excited about the move. I have absolutely loved my time in Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco, and have no regrets for moving here. This place is full of magical corners, good vibes, and memories for a lifetime. I will continue to blog about flea markets and finds, home decor, DIY, and weddings from both LA and the Bay! If you're an LA resident, hit me up and let's go flea marketing together! Or at the very least, find me a place to live ;)
But what all this change really means is....
A New Space to Decorate!
Renting is something many of us do, but you can still make your place look amazing, unique, and catered to your style. Earlier this month I wrote an article for the lovely Covalent blog where I talked about '3 ways to cozy up your space'. I'm taking inspiration from my own post and adding a few other ideas to get you all excited about decorating your own rental!
* Landlords all have different and finicky rules about what you can and cannot do, so be sure to go over your lease before implementing any of these ideas.
Current Mood Board for the New LA Space
Left to Right: Kaya Kilims, One Kings Lane, Found + Kept, Ikea, Anthropologie, Taftyli, Anthropologie, If You Give A Girl A Saw, World Market, Dot + Bo.
Tips & Tricks
Removable Wallpaper
These easy peel-and-stick wallpapers are perfect for any rental, especially if your landlord won't allow new paint!
Removable wall paper is my new jam. Check out this amazing plant pattern, along with countless others at Chasing Paper. Their chalkboard peel-and-stick paper is a new obsession. Add it to your kitchen, work space, leave notes in your guest bedroom, or just have fun anywhere in your home with these easy add-ons.
Walking on Walls
A super simple way to dress up walls without destroying them is to take large or small woven rugs and hang them! They add drama, texture and color, and take very little woman-power to hang.
Record Time
Whether you're a music maker, amateur bartender or artist, a corner reflective of your passion brings your space to life!
We've all had rentals that are bare bones- they lack character, molding, built-ins etc. One of the best ways to deal with a lack of character is to add "moments" to your space. I love this "Record Time" moment that features a beautiful record player and a plethora of vinyls. Highlighting moments that are important to you creates a space truly reflective of you.
No Hassle Pendants
This Ikea SINNERLIG woven pendant is my new obsession. Perfect for over the dining table, bedroom, or outdoor hang out space!
Lighting is probably one of the most annoying elements of renting. My apartment in Oakland had absolutely NO overhead lights, except for a lovely fluorescent in the kitchen, and the place always felt dark. There are so many places (Ikea, Urban Outfitters, World Market) that make really nice hang-it-yourself pendants for super cheap. If your space feels dark and lacking natural light definitely check out these!
Pictures of my L.A. pad soon to come!
Be sure to follow on Instagram so you can post your own apartment creativity @foundandkept #realapartmenttherapy
