As most of you know, I am moving back to my Downtown West End apartment on April 1. My man and I could not be more excited, even though having to pay my own mortgage myself again while receiving a meager Unemployment Cheque from the government isn't much fun.
But moving back to my place will mean a whole lot of niceness. Yes, I am still going to sell the place but it's best to do it while we're actually living in it and not renters. But it will take some time, so why not embrace all that living there means:
watching the light bounce off the ocean from my bed*****my favourite spin classes a 15-minute stroll away****jogging in Stanley Park and along the seawall****having the most vibrant neighbourhood just a one-minute walk away****our favourite sushi places all within three blocks****watching the fireworks display from the roof and having my annual Fireworks Party (you know the party scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's? It's like that)****early morning swims in the pool when the sun is raw and the water is still****dining al fresco on the roof with a big bottle of white wine****having friends nearby****being able to cook my own food without someone's mother breathing down my neck and telling me I'm doing it all wrong****having everything in downtown Vancouver within walking distance...and of course, having MY place back, a place that's all MINE. Well, and my bf's.
Of course, the apartment is still a studio, still a shoebox and still cramped for the two of us, so I am hoping to make a few changes in the apartment to make it seem like new.
For one, I'm not bringing as many books and knick knacks, so the place will be less cluttered.
For two, I'm not bringing as many clothes - that's because I just donated a HUGE - like 40 pound - pile of new and used clothes to the SPCA. It was very, VERY cathartic. I'm used to tossing or giving to friends stuff I don't wear or like, but this time I even gave away things I DO like...I just didn't NEED.
AND because I'm selling a whack of designer stuff on Ebay. Wanna check it out? The bidding for some items ends tomorrow (and remember, I'm throwing in a choice of top for any readers who win): MY EBAY LINK
And for three, we're planning on getting a new couch and TV stand, which should help.
BUT I am still looking for suggestions from you readers. What do you think makes big changes in your place? REMEMBER this is a studio apartment so it's small. So think BIG but make it small. And also, I'm broke. So pricey things are out of the question.
Please leave your tips and suggestions below and you will automatically be entered in:
Courtesy of CSN Stores, I have been given a great opportunity for you readers - a chance to win a $65 shopping spree at All Modern.com.
The contest will run for one week (until next Thursday) and is open to everyone wherever AM ships.
There are THREE ways to enter this fab giveaway:
1) Leave a comment below (hopefully by suggesting some fun stuff I should do to my apartment, perhaps by visiting http://www.allmodern.com/ ?)
2) Tweet about this giveaway (be sure to @reply me WanderlustingKH)
OR
3) Mention this giveaway on YOUR blog (and lemme know about it, K?)
You can do ALL THREE of these things above and it will get you THREE ENTRIES into this fabulous giveaway.
So far, I'm loving everything on their site - I think this Chalkboard Sticker will look fabulous on the one black wall I have:
Hopefully that'll get you thinking....love to see what you guys suggest for me :)
46 comments:
I live in a small condo too and for me the biggest issue is clutter. My suggestion is to hang a shelf/hook/organizer unit at the front door. It's perfect for hanging keys, dog leashes, and reusable grocery bags and for storing mail and bills.
Wait...what? I won something??? YAY! Oh and as far as your apartment...how about a hanging wine rack??
dude - it's all about functional furniture ;) my place is literally a shoebox bachelor but it's doable with the right pieces. for example, amazing large wicker basket = storage AND coffee table.
i also have one of these http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/00071356 as a fake wall between my kitchen/living room and there is a RIDIC amount of things i can store in it. i have it about 80% filled with boxes (like in the 2nd pic on that page - but black boxes). in the remaining open cubbies are knick knack stuffs, jewelry boxes, books, decos, etc. and all along the top i use as a long bookshelf, lol.
also, stacking. you wouldn't normally think of it, but.. in a crunch.. i've got my tv stand on top of a low 4-drawer wardrobe - so it bumps the height of my tv to eye-level AND there's killer amount of storage in a tiny corner of the room.
When I lived in my studio, storage was the hardest thing. Even if you could find somewhere to put things, it was always all around you. So I'd say get some shelves you can attach to the wall and then some cute boxes to put on those shelves and shove all your crap into. Like these:
http://www.allmodern.com/Kartell-Modular-Shelves-Series-KTL1139.html
(uh, I don't know if I'm dumb or what because I can't figure out how to buy more of the little boxes that go in it, but you get the idea)
proficiscamur {at] gmail {dot} com
Holy Crap that is an amazing giveaway! So excited to have you back in Vancouver (yay!).
I live in a tiny apartment w/ my husband, and the biggest problem for me has been storage. One thing I did because our bathroom is TINY was to take an extra bookshelf that we had and place it outside the bathroom to hold our extra towels and washcloths. Then I went to IKEA and bought some of those white cardboard CD boxes they sell (for like $3 a set) and organized our toiletries into those and have them stacked neatly along the bottom shelves. It's presentable and otherwise we would have had to stack towels under the sink or on top of the toilet--not gonna happen! Another tip: Buy a tie holder/rack (I got mine at Bed, Bath and Beyond) that mounts on the wall and hang your necklaces on it. (like this: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=13773599)
Hope this helps! Can't wait to see pics!
Storage is such the issue for everyone! Under the bed boxes save my life by putting my seasons under the bed to make room for what I currently wear.
I would say get an ottoman that also doubles as a storage compartment - that way it can double as a side table, or seat, and a holding box!
Aww your place sounds so nice, why are you getting rid of it?!
GET READY FOR AN AWESOME WAY TO DECORATE YOUR ROOM!!
My friend taught me this over the summer, and I actually got around to doing it.
If you plan on REPAINTING your rooms: create a small design you'd want to put on your wall. using BLUE masking tape to create the design on your wall, and then paint whatever you want on top. after the paint drys, peel the tape off and you can see your design on your wall!
harriatsu@gmail.com
You must be so pumped to get back into the city. I think everyone has pretty much said it all regarding furniture for small places.
That link your friend posted from Ikea - I have an expedit too! Although I got mine off craigslist lol. They are AMAZING. So much space and they look great, plus they come in different sizes too.
Also, ottomans that have storage. They're so spacey, you could fit a body in there.. not that you would want to or anything lol.
I think light, airy colours give the illusion of more space, but storage is probably key.
I can't wait until I have a place to myself one day. I'm gonna go to town designing and decorating.
My advice for small-space living is: Think of every space as potential storage, but make it look like it was intentional (i.e. baskets for storage, ottoman with storage inside, shelving that divides the room...)
http://twitter.com/mamavalveeta03/status/10656991415
valhoff3 at yahoo dot com
I think the Tema Step High 68" H Shelving Unit looks great!
http://www.allmodern.com/Tema-9500.27X-TMA1024.html
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/10668114189
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Shelves is the key! I live in starter home with my husband and one child and when I say starter home I mean SMALL. I have learned that you need to get organized and decorate with things on the wall or shelves and get rid of the old things as soon as you get new things so you are replacing styles and not collecting them.
i guess my one suggestion would be to shop for stuff at an antique store .. they always have super interesting stuff. or to hang old 50s style posters up.. or old movies posters .. they look really fantastic
weweredamsels at gmail dot com
I recently made some wall art out of awesome wrapping paper. I bought some blank canvases and just wrapped them. It looks pretty awesome if I do say so myself.
As for adding new space, mirrors, mirrors, mirrors! I have small circular mirrors in the hallway - three of them in a row - and they really open the space up.
Painting isn't an option in my place and I've been really tempted to experiment with all decals.
Obviously, you should get a T-Rex.
http://ow.ly/1o30V
Have you thought about mounting your tv on the wall, or do you like it at a certain height? People always harp on about "vertical space" when they're making recommendations for small apartments.
I would like to enter your contest! I love the Blu Dot Stella Lounge Chair from AllModern because it has a very simple yet stylish look to it and would go with your future apartment and any more future ones after that! Looks like a great piece I would love to buy if I win the contest! Either that or a cool, funky coloured hanging lamp :)
yeahy! thanks for this chance! what I recommend is going for wall decals. you can get so creative with them and mirrors will open up your space. not too many but if strategically placed your place will look more open! :)
dreamzz12{at]aol{dot}com
http://deegee13.xanga.com/723799138/anywhere-but-heres-blog-giveaway/
blogged!
dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com
http://twitter.com/DeeGee13/status/10704621117
tweeted!
dreamzz12{at}aol{dot}com
Oh, your studio sounds like it's in such an amazing location. Plus don't you have a fabulous rooftop patio?
That store has such cute decor. Maybe one of their lovely pillows would be nice.
I would love to win that GC, their stuff is amazing! :)
Also just tweeted this!
the main thing that makes my tiny flat look bigger is huge mirrors. we have one massive mirror that take up a large portion of one of the living room walls, and it almost doubles the perceived space.
glam pics of yourself should spice things up
Thanks, Lusty! ^ I was a bit worried when they sent them to me as they are a bit loose around the calves, but I love them anyway. :)
Ps. Worn any of my Spring/Summer dresses again/yet?
xx
I like this Post....I live in small Kos n' I happy...
I'd suggest collapsible storage containers, like at Muji.com,
http://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?V=1&PR=1&ProID=2
You definitely need a Blomus Cioso Wall-Mounted Wine Bottle Holder to save space :D
tweeted
http://twitter.com/styleezta/status/10836305137
Painting isn't an option in my place and i have been really tempted to experiment! Enter me!
Ana Belén R.M
fisiwoman@hotmail.com
Spain
Tweeted:http://twitter.com/fisiwoman/statuses/10836574358
fisiwoman@hotmail.com
I live in a small apartment and I find risers for the bed and tupperware storage underneath helps with shoes/extra books. Good luck!
Have no idea what style you love but I am suggesting the George Kovacs Joseph Blackened Steel Wall Mirror since I want it myself. Small spaces need mirrors, right? :)
I tweeted here http://twitter.com/fcffollower/status/10853273080
wow those Kartell FL/Y Suspension Lamps are pretty cool in a funky/modern kinda way. i wish i was bold enough to incorporate things like that. maybe you are? haha
DolphinV27@aol.com
tweeted!
http://twitter.com/DolphinV27/status/10856593792
DolphinV27@aol.com
You are going to need stuff to store food in in the kitchen, and it may as well be fun! :) I would likely go with:
Mederaneeo kitchen jars:
http://www.allmodern.com/Mediterraneo-Kitchen-Jar-Series-AAS1306.html
Banana sugar castor:
http://www.allmodern.com/Alessi-ASG113-AAS2656.html
Fun!
teagirl1 at telus dot net
Tweet!
http://twitter.com/bcteagirl/status/10858165737
Ah... moving was never fun for me. All that cleaning and packing, boxes and boxes... well, hope you have lots of help!
Hm... tips? I don't have many; I've only gone from house to house. I'd say... make sure to leave spaces in the apartment for breathing room, or you could drive yourself nuts with the crampedness. Maximize usage of wall space (eg hang up umbrellas, cutlery, whatever you can) and storage space (say, under sofas and beds, use some decorative boxes and stack them... ? ).
I tweeted! http://twitter.com/icitea/status/10910989156
I tweeted this giveaway here: http://twitter.com/FotoMacro/status/10928087029
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com
Congrats on the move. My suggestion is lots and lots of art from mid-wall/eye-height to ceiling. In small spaces it gives it a feeling of more room and a gallery feel too. If you love color and art, go crazy! That is what I have done in my little house and I love it and get tons of compliments! Good luck!
Angie
one 4 earth at aol dot com
Sounds like you have a roof garden from your post. This would be awesome in a roof garden: Kartell Bubble Club Sofa http://www.allmodern.com/Kartell-6050-KTL1085.html
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com
tweeted http://twitter.com/RePurrPussed/status/10928300864
Scott
nynekats at aol dot com
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