Reader Design: Sarah's Urban Reno

This weekend, I'm in New York City for a friend's wedding... and that just so happens to also be the site of today's feature! Now, for many, owning your own place in New York City is an elusive pipe dream. But Sarah found a fixer upper with the right bones and embarked on a gut-job renovation to make her urban apartment a perfect fit. 

Let's take a look!

 
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From Sarah:

When I first started gathering inspiration photos for my renovation, I found myself bookmarking a mix of simpler, cleaner, more neutral spaces and ones with a bit more eclectic oomph and color to them. See, I want to be a minimalistic, neutral, Marie Kondo-esque type, but in reality, I’m much closer to a bohemian cat lady with a penchant for ALL the tchotchkes.

I balanced those two sides by keeping the bigger parts of my design (wall colors, tile, big furniture pieces) quiet so that my finishing touches (textiles, wallpaper, décor) could get loud. Cue the J. Lo and insert the dancing girl emoji here. That means my walls are a light grey, and my bathroom is all white—but I’ve got more vintage mirrors than anyone could possibly need, an antique Persian runner in my entryway, and gold Hygge & West wallpaper on the wall opposite my kitchen.
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The great thing about doing a gut renovation? You’re literally starting from scratch, which means your home (and your design!) can be anything you want it to be. The world is your oyster (within reason and budget, of course)! The terrible thing about doing a gut renovation? You’re spending a lot on your choices—so you better hope they’re good ones. I’m happy to say that while there are a few small things I’d do differently if I were to do it again, I’m mostly quite happy with how my little home turned out.
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Comfort and ease were two huge considerations as Sarah was designing this space. After all, it's smack dab in the middle of the city that never sleeps, and it needs to operate accordingly!

Above all, I want my home to feel comfortable. Yes, I have nice things, but I don’t ever want anyone to feel like they can’t drink red wine on my white couch (that’s why god made eco-friendly bleach!) or like they can’t make a mess in my kitchen (lord knows I do). Homes are meant to be lived in, and I hope to evoke that sense of warmth and comfort in every aspect of my design.

The exposed brick wall, which was a happy accident during construction, goes a long way in bringing those homey vibes to the space!

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In the kitchen, Sarah maximized every inch she could by adding this extra counter space with the breakfast bar and keeping things light and airy with exposed shelving and natural light. Despite how practical the design was, there is certainly no shortage of personality!

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Cement tile is big right now (and has been for the past few years), and I put it in my kitchen. When I showed my contractor (who advised me a bit—even when I didn’t ask for it!—throughout the renovation process) the tiles I was planning on purchasing, he shook his head. “You should go for something simpler,” he said. “Something with resale value. This tile—it’s too trendy. It’ll be out in a few years.” And honestly, he may be right. In five years, I may look down at my cement tile and wish I’d done something simpler. Trends come and go, right? But since I renovated for me more than for resale value (my apartment isn’t a flip), I took a risk—and I’m glad I did. My floors make me happy every time I see them, and that feels worth it.
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My bedroom is the one space where I’m not quite sure I’ve nailed it (at least, not yet)—but one piece I know I love is my dresser. I found it in the basement of my rental building about a month before I started renovations and lugged it into the elevator and up to the 10th floor one Monday night. The streets (and basements!) of New York City are a veritable treasure trove. If you keep your eyes peeled, you never know what you’ll find—for free!
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This whole home feels completely personalized - Sarah, we think you nailed the renovation game! Thank you for showing us around. Follow Sarah along on Instagram at @_thegrandapt for more photos and before and after details! 

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Reader Design: Jillian's Glam Getaway

Jillian and I have so much in common: a history in one of the best cities ever, Richmond, VA (school for her, growing up for me); a love for New York City; and a government day job in Washington, D.C. Despite those similarities and the fact that we live 15 minutes away from each other, we have never met (Jillian, we must change that!). 

But those overlaps are why I am so excited to show off the home Jillian and her boyfriend have created in Bethesda, Maryland.

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This space is just their in-between place - a spot to relax after work and rest their heads until they find a place to buy in the area. But just because it's not part of the long-term plan doesn't mean it can't feel special. 

From Jillian:

I’ve always loved this quote from Bunny Williams: “If you love something, it will work. That is the only real rule.” Through fashion or interior design, I find items that speak to me and I allow them the space and the confidence to coincide together. If I love something, whether it’s art or furniture and it makes me happy to live beside it everyday, that’s more valuable to me than anything. To me your place has to host sentimental value…only collect the pieces that tug at your heartstrings.

Jillian's heartstrings feel the pull when they're around interesting historical details, understated glam elements, Parisian flair, and traditional silhouettes - all of which are seen clearly in this cute one bedroom apartment. 

In the living room, one of the best finds is the bar cabinet. 

I scored the bar cabinet in Richmond (my beloved college town) - I spotted it in the far back corner of the store, and I just had that feeling. I have wanted a bar cabinet for years, and this piece is not only incredibly sturdy but the bleached walnut details are so unique. It was a great investment, and I am so glad I decided to buy it.

In the bedroom, Jillian opted out of a traditional headboard by replacing it with a bright piece of seriously incredible abstract art. 

I’m so in love with the piece that hangs over our bed. It’s the first original piece we bought together as a couple. It’s vibrant and strong, and it makes me happy everyday to wake up to it.

This place has such a clear personality and is 100% Jillian, 100% of the time. It's authenticity and intrigue shine through in every single corner, and I am loving it.

Jillian, thanks for welcoming us in for a visit. For a place that is allegedly intermediate, it sure does feel like home. Follow Jillian along on Instagram @jqg_ for more. 

Reader Design: Lisa's Eclectic UK Pad

We're going trans-Atlantic today with a reader design tour in the United Kingdom. Lisa and her family moved to their Georgian style home in York three years ago; but while this home is the perfect period place, Lisa has an amazing eclectic aesthetic that makes it entirely her own! 

Lisa first started sharing her home via Instagram several years ago, and needless to say, mutts of all kinds were immediately drawn in! 

From Lisa: 

I am totally addicted to thrift, vintage and recycling and love mixing old and new together. The juxtaposition of the two makes me really happy. I adore midcentury furnishings and styles and this is reflected in many of my rooms. I would describe my style as eclectic vintage with a bit of London cool.

What I love about Lisa's home is that it is just. so. her! Now of course I only know Lisa through the magic of the interwebs, but I can feel and understand her when I look at this space. Do you all feel it? Can you all see what's important to her? The spirit of individuality, the authenticity of self? It may be "just design," but that's not to be overlooked! 

I feel that the only person who should dictate a trend in your own home is yourself. My home is filled with things that I love - if I don’t love it, I don’t have it. So my style reflects my ideas and personality. I don’t bring things into my home based on whether they will ‘match’ or blend and I like to clash and mix textures. It’s taken years for me to realize that you should just go with what you like, whether it’s ‘on trend’ or not.
 
 
Via my Styling Workshops, I encourage other interior obsessives to go with their gut instinct when choosing decor and furnishings. If you like it, have it. We’ve moved on from the ‘matchy matchy’ colour themed interior design standard viewpoint and especially in our post Brexit economy, people are more inclined to recycle and buy vintage than they ever have been before.

Lisa practices what she preaches - listening to what you want, reusing found or vintage materials when you can (hey, it's financially responsible and it looks pretty cool too!), and making your home into something you really, truly love. Her best illustration of all of this is her kitchen, which she renovated on a simple couple hundred dollar budget. 

I revamped my kitchen myself on a super small budget. My favourite piece in here is the steel neon above the cooker. It’s a Pink Floyd track called Shine On You Crazy Diamond and it was made by an amazing local artisan called Light Up North. My dad died unexpectedly eight years ago and he was a guitar player in a band, this was his favourite song so I feel that even though he never got to see our home that there is always part of him here.
 
 

Now, I'll leave you with the one statement Lisa aspires to be - and which I think she's totally nailed. 

Rock chick cool art mixed with vintage pieces and midcentury thrifted finds is my idea of perfection.

Follow Lisa along on Instagram @_lisa_dawson_ or via her blog