New Apartment Inspiration
by habituallychic
06 . 28 . 11
In between changing my address everywhere and fighting with Time Warner Cable about why as an existing customer I don’t qualify for Triple Play, I am mentally redecorating my new apartment. What’s funny is that I think the owner chose me to rent the place the minute I told him that I was an interior designer. He owns a company that works on high end commercial projects and we have a lot in common. He has already joked that he thinks that I am going to make it so nice that he’s going to want it back. I hope he’s joking. Note to self: do not invite him over after it’s finished.
I’m still inspired by Tori Mellott’s apartment that was featured in Domino magazine. While I don’t think I want to paper the walls, I do love the color scheme. I plan to keep my new apartment neutral with some pops of color such as my blue French chair and patterned pillows. I also can’t wait to rearrange my art and create a new gallery wall above my sofa. Packing it up made me realize just how much I own.
I’ll have a lot more wall space for art and look forward to creating new compositions. I still love this Jonathan Adler designed room and might be inspired to hang art lower in my new apartment.
I currently have a small wood coffee table but I really want a glass and brass to replace it. They seem to be harder to find than I thought, at least in my price range, so maybe I push two smaller tables together like Grant K. Gibson. I keep hearing that Fig trees don’t do well in New York but I definitely want to add some greenery.
I’m moving from a long and narrow one bedroom apartment into a wider studio. In all the years I’ve lived in New York, I’ve never lived in a studio so concealing or at least taking the focus off the bed will be an interesting challenge. Tori Mellott separated her old studio with an Ikea bookcase. I’ll have to see if I have room for one after I get everything arranged.
Lizzie Baily also separated her living and sleeping areas with a bookcase as seen in Lonny magazine. What I also like is that she skirted her desk. I have been thinking about doing the same after I move. I will then be able to hide my printer and files.
Lonny editor in chief Michelle Adams also had a skirted desk in one of her old apartment.
Grant K. Gibson devoted an entire post to the skirted work table in his apartment. Since my mother sews, I’m hoping I can talk her into making one for me while I’m visiting next week.
Grant hides a lot under his skirted table including a printer on a rolling stand.
I’ve already been scoping out bar carts online too. I love Deborah Needleman’s and hope there is room for one since my kitchen is a little too small for mixing drinks.
I already bought a tortoise shell ice bucket that I found at Aero which will look great on a bar cart.
Since my kitchen is small and close to the entrance, I will have to decorate it as well. I have been wanting to mirror a backsplash for a while and this might be the perfect place. I’ve always loved this one that I saw in House Beautiful. The mirrors definitely expand the space.
Here is another mirrored backsplash as seen in Lonny magazine. I also own those bamboo folding chairs that will come in handy for guests. Since I barely cook anymore, I want to cover the kitchen floor with a sisal rug.
In the other shot of Tori Mellott’s living room, you can see that she has her television sitting on a dresser. My television armoire served me well for years but I decided it was time to also find a chic dresser for my television.
I have a rule of not buying new things for a new apartment until you move your existing pieces. I’ve gone overboard with excitement before and ended up with too much furniture but I did buy one piece. I’ve been wanting a marble top dresser for television display and found a fabulous John Widdicomb one online for $250. I couldn’t even find a new dresser for that price and can’t wait to see it.
What sold me on it was the top drawer with separate compartments that will be perfect for jewelry since it locks with a key. Or I could always organize all my office supplies.
The one thing that I will miss about my old apartment in my bedroom. It was a lovely robin’s egg blue color that that was so relaxing after a crazy day in New York. I’m hoping that my entire new apartment will now be a relaxing retreat instead. I can’t wait to get in there to start decorating for real!
31 Comments
You are going to have so much fun decorating your new apartment and I hope you share it with us! Have a great day!
Oh love that dresser -i’m jealous! I’ve been looking for one for a long time and I either don’t like them or they’re too expensive!
What a great idea board you have!! My favorite is the ikea bookshelf for making separate “rooms”!! The colors and fun pieces in it are so Jonathan Adler:) love!
Xoxo-Julie
http://www.bellemaison23.com
http://www.modernchichome.com
That dresser is a beauty! Where did you find it? I really really hope you’ll post pictures of your new place after you move in. I live in a studio, too, and I’m dying to see what you do with yours.
I really like the scheme of the first room–and the Jonathan Adler is always a favorite.
That dresser, though, is an absolute steal. Good thing you got it now–you’d’ve regretted it if you’d passed it by!
I moved into a studio for the first time this year when I moved to San Francisco (having lived in big, airy shared apartments through college) and I absolutely love it! I thought it would be a bit weird but I love how it can feel spacious and cozy all at the same time.
By far my favourite studio purchase was an Ikea Expedit bookshelf. I have the half size one in white, put horizontally at the foot of my bed. It acts as storage, a room divider (without making the space feel small) and the top is used as a sideboard – with candles, flowers and my TV on it. For $70 it’s pure genius 🙂
Can’t wait to see the finished apartment!
I really love all the pictures about Tori Mellott’s apartment, is really cute. I want a copy for me!
I think your apartment is going to be really cute and well decorated. Hope you would to show us some pictures!
Heather,
Tori Mellott’s apartment is one of my favorites, too. I lovelovelove that striped wallpaper.
I had not seen your bedroom before this post. I remember when you wrote about upholstering your headboard in the famed ikat as seen in “A Single Man”… Good lord, it turned out BEAUTIFUL!
Also, I saw your tweet about cutting back on your magazines – I, too, am moving and faced the same problem. I spent last weekend (carefully!) tearing my favorite editorials out of my old vogues, house beautifuls + elle decors and putting them into binders. The result is one amazing resource library! It took almost four days, but it was completely worth every second.
Good luck with the move! Simply can’t wait to see the new apartment. It will be to-die-for, I’m certain.
xx Fallon
What an exciting and fun time. We can’t wait to see the new apartment and what you do with it. Love Grant’s idea for the skirted work table. May give this a try. Enjoy your time with your mother this weekend!
How nice to move and to set up new digs. Good luck with editing and arranging a spot on place to come home to that has comfort and charm, oh and chic too.
pve
We have such similar tastes!!! I have the same inspiration images and want the same kind of coffee table, but alas haven’t had any luck either. My current living room was inspired by Tori Mellot’s apartment as well. Lillian August has the closest ones, but they’re way too high in price for me.
I’m actually moving soon too and can not wait to get down to decorating! Excited about seeing your progress.
I just moved too! My first conquest? The light fixtures. There is sooo much more to do..but isn’t decorating just the best?! Happy move to you!
i use a huge drop cloth from home depot to cover my desk. looks like linen and works for me. and yes, i hide lots under there. since i am not sure i am staying, my desk is a 6 foot table that folds in the middle and has handles, with directors chairs for seating. the room has not closet so i invested in a good folding rolling wardrobe rack. everything is collapsible, folding or can be taken apart easily.
Hi Heather, I love the stripes. When do the movers come to move you into storage? The John Widdicomb dresser was a steal, especially with that gorgeous marble top. Have a great time while home next month.
Mary
Can’t wait to see what you do Heather! Good luck with the move. Love the stripes too and that great chest you found!
Delighted to find your blog!! Thanks for mentioning your art collection. So few designers put enough consideration into the selection and arrangement of art. The desk skirts are a great solution for storage… I look forward to seeing what you do with your new studio apartment!!
Best part about moving is the chance to ‘reinvent’ your home. Love it!
That was fun to read about your fresh thoughts on your new space. Great ideas.
I am loving seeing your thought process for new studio. I hope you share shots from it. xx
Hi Heather- you make me feel like moving- you make it sound so exciting. I love decorating and the thought of a new place makes me want to get my paint brush out and do our condo over. All of your ideas sound fantastic and I am sure it will be. As other people say “can’t wait to see what you do with it – I am sure it will be wonderful”
A skirted table for your worktable is a great idea. Because , one spends a lot of time at a worktable, especially if that is where the computer is located. If you were to use a wood desk body oils from your hands would eventually dissolve the finish. So a skirted table , or glass topped is best, or even formica.
A skirted table can be a lifesaver in a studio apartment. And a lockable drawer or cabinet is an essential.
So excited for you! Re-decorating is the best part of moving. I am utterly obsessed with Tori Mellott’s apartment from Domino years back so I totally understand why you are looking at it for inspiration. (I did! http://www.style-edition.com/style-edition-blog/2010/10/26/inspiring-design-tori-mellott.html)
I can’t wait to see the end product 🙂
Heather,
All of your ideas are superb, and I love your new dresser! A great find!
A book shelve would work, or what about a screen, oriental or otherwise to separate the bedroom space?
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
what a great idea!!! i have a giveaway today, be sure to check it out!!
xx Katie
http://dailycrushes.blogspot.com/2011/06/giveawayheidi-daus-jewelry.html
It’s funny because from the handful of design blogs I read, 3 of you are moving into NY apartments currently. You, “The Decorista”, and Kelly Moore from the “For the Love of Design”!! What a coincidence!
A pair of coffee tables and a skirted desk! YES! I approve! I can’t wait to see your new place.
It is going to be DIVINELY CHIC!
xoxo
i love the picture frames!!!
Good Luck decorating, should be able to do it and have some interesting pictures to show us after 🙂
Lots of different, but good ideas. The different styles to each room give you a choice of maybe combining them to create something very interesting! Good Luck!
Lady-o! I can’t wait to see your new apartment. It’s going to be absolutely fabulous! Let’s plan summer drinks soon! xxT