Jessica Jeanne's Profile

Great job! I really like how you used the IKEA shelving unit to separate the living room from the office, and that the shelf is decorated from both sides!

I am in LOVE with your shower curtain! Where did you get it?

I'm not the biggest pink fan, but I do really like a bright coral -- used as an accent.

I LOVE the mirrored, detailed doors in photo one. Any ideas on a source or a way to DIY that?

The curtains in photo five are really great, too. I think those could be used in a non-feminine room as well as a nice, brightly colored accent.

I'm pretty sure I will never, ever be able to afford to live in a place like this--but hey, a girl can certainly dream!

Beautiful home. I'm impressed at how grown-up and mature your home looks, while incorporating child-friendly touches.

Your place is beautiful! Converting a second bedroom into a dressing room is exactly what I plan to do when I move into a larger place, and I LOVE how you incorporated jewelry storage into a design element. I've got this filled away for inspiration on my future home.

P.S. Oliver is super cute!

Interesting conversation!

At this stage in my life, my apartment is decorated in prints and DIY art projects. I like DIY art projects, because they are relatively unique to my home and are talking pieces--in the sense that I created them on my own. Additionally, I like that none of my artwork is super expensive. It allows me to feel comfortable switching out artwork when my interests change. I'm not sure I would feel the same way if I had spent several hundred (or thousand) dollars on a piece of art.

I won't rule it out, though, that someday I'd invest in some original artwork. I think when my life is a bit more settled--owning property, having a better paying job (i.e. not my first full-time job outside of college), etc.

P.S. That is a beautiful papercut. I've experimented in the past with creating my own DIY papercuts--with little success--but this inspires me to try again. :) Lovely!

AM: Make the bed. If I don't make it right when I get up, it doesn't get made.

PM: Wash dishes. I typically prepare the following day's lunch the night before, usually right before bed. It bothers me to leave dishes in the sink overnight (well, really it bothers me to wake up with a sink fully of dirty dishes and cold, smelly, old dishwater), so I usually am washing dishes right before I sleep.

I'm with KatieVV & slopegirl. I'm a big fan of the yellow & gray combo, and I love the gray. I think the change should be with the yellow color.

In the photos the yellow comes across as tan. I love the idea of a more pale yellow. It should still match the decor you have in the areas where the walls are the current yellow, but it will match more cohesively with other areas--like the gray areas.

Best of luck! I have gray walls in part of my apartment, and I love them!

Wow. House Tour, please! This is a beautiful place!

The best advice I can give you is to live there for a few months before you spend any money improving things--especially since this is your first apartment.

I've lived in several apartments over the past several years, but one year ago, I finally settled down in a one-bedroom (sans roommate). I choose the place carefully, knowing I wanted to find a place where I would want to live for a while (i.e. years).

For the first few months, I made no changes. I just allowed myself to live in the space, with my current belongings, to best figure out what worked, what didn't work, and what I wanted out of the space.

In the months after that, I have slowly made changes. I purchased a new bed (which is something I'll have for a long time--regardless of where I live). I chose to paint, and while I paid for the paint, I don't have to paint it back when I move out (nor will I lose any of my security deposit) due to an arrangement with the landlord. I have purchased window coverings, new light fixtures, new art, and slowly have been acquiring new furniture (mainly off of CL--project furniture).

When I purchase furniture or window coverings or light fixtures or art, I am thinking specifically of my current home. However, I do plan to take all of these items with me (and put the items that came with the apartment back up when I move out).

It is a personal choice, but I really think you've got to live in your space, with your current belongings, for a few months before you go shopping. Otherwise, you'll end up with a lot of things you don't actually want or need.

Good luck!

Great first apartment post! I'm currently one year into living in my first solo apartment, and I can definitely relate to everything you have said here.

It is a great time to figure out your personal home style and experiment.

Also--THANK YOU for the hint about picture hanging. It couldn't come at a better time! I'm about to hang a bunch of frames in my apartment this evening!