OliviaLeigh's Profile

As a wedding photographer, I have seen worse in my day! This is not bad, particularly for a community center. Definitely run with the rustic theme as mentioned below and you could easily make it look natural, rustic, and chic, particularly in October with autumnal colours. I would dress the tables in a brown or warm fabric. Candles to continue to add warmth if it will be in the later afternoon or early evening. I think you could keep the beams simple and pretty as is, or you could add some hanging elements to add some more visual interest (CB2 has great little candle/flower holders that could add warmth or colour), or things like hanging pomaders or tissue flowers (latest MS weddings has a nice spread on really beautiful paper decorations--sounds weird, looked great!). This wedding I shot last year was really similar (barn/rustic/simple) and looked really lovely: http://olivialeighweddings.com/blog/2008/10/mark-and-caitis-chicagoland-diy-wedding/

I was also looking for these after drinking at VH and watching too many episodes of Mad Men. You can find them on eBay ("vintage champagne glasses" works). I also bought a few of these cocktail glasses from Crate & Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=140&f=29549. They aren't thin enough to technically be real coupe glasses, but they serve the purpose nicely and I have served champagne in them.

I would check in the broader West Town area. My friend moved to New York a few months ago, but had a two bedroom (!!) with hardwoods around Superior and Damen for $680. Two other friends pay about $750 each for their two bedroom apartments in Ukrainian Village and Noble Square. It's very hard to find a non-condo-reno one-bedroom in the area in my experience, but with some searching you might be able to find one. We've all found ours on Craigslist, and it's such an exciting neighborhood to be in now.

You COULD, but that doesn't mean I WOULD. Are you in Chicago? A few more details about the location and your budget would be uber-helpful. If you are in Chicago, I'd really, really recommend doing a little more investigating (not to sound all motherly, but it's true). I ended up moving from a 555 sq ft apartment into one nearly twice that size in a different neighborhood for less money (an a much prettier apartment, too--hardwoods, recessed lights, choice neighborhood, etc.). I also saved some money by not living in the throes of Wicker Park, living a bit away from it all (but actually in what I think is a better neighborhood for me--closer to the transportation I want, a little quieter, cheaper grocery stores, etc.). If this IS in Chicago, this place looks like it could be anywhere (Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Pilsen), and I really think you could find something that is still really lovely and well-designed (maybe not those rich floors and stainless, but still hardwoods and good light) that's bigger for the same price.

FWIW, I could have lived in my 555 sq ft place with my boyfriend, but having that separate bedroom was imperative for me, I think. If we had a disagreement, I could go decompress; if I couldn't sleep, I could go watch a little TV or go internetting without waking him; if I came home late, I wasn't causing a ruckus. It definitely depends on your sleep schedules, personalities, independence needs, etc., but that space would be a little claustrophobic for me a boy, if I had a choice. Especially given that you're students, I think having a door you can close off to get a last-minute project done while your partner gets some much-needed Zzzs would be invaluable.

Oh, sad! I am thinking of moving down to Nashville in about six months, and I would have loved to applied!

At any rate, I'll also vote for a Southern locale, be it one of the cities in Georgia (ATL, Savannah), Tennessee (Nashville or Memphis) or Austin. Southern cities have such a different vibe and interesting eclectic-meets-traditional aesthetics that would be very different from SF, LA, NYC, or Chicago.

Method picks, por favor.

Lust is a must!

Oh mah geez. This makes me want to pick up and move to Louisville (something I never thought I'd say), if these are the sort of spaces available (I'm guessing for a much more affordable price!). Really lovely. I am not usually a fan of those shades of yellow and orange, but you have utilized them well. Very quietly chic and modern.

Love LUSH. I get tons of compliments on my hair color, which I do myself using their Caca Rouge hair henna. A bit tedious to do, but no chemicals, natural, looks great, and about $20 for a full year!

Also love the bath bombs (except for those ones with the chunky bits, like dried flowers, in them), Flying Fox, and Karma.

I would second most of the recommendations above, especially adding art and the nixing of the dresser. I'm guessing that if this were my space, I'd feel compelled to keep it, just for ease and storage, but having lived in similar rooms, having a large piece like that jutting out in a small space isn't the most condusive to good flow (and not stubbing your toe!) I lived in similarily sized room when I lived in DC, and one of the things that helped it feel larger for me was removing bed frame/headboard/footboard, and folding the comforter in such a way that it looked more like a daybed. My doing so was largely prompted by the large window, so I'm unsure if the execution would be as successful in your space, but it's worth trying. Right now, I feel like all of the energy of the space goes out toward the window, since everything seems to "push" that way; I think by perhaps mimicking the bed setup I did, it might help to make the center of the room feel more inviting.