mariekemc's Profile

My husband and I took a month off non-essential spending in March and were absolutely stunned at how much money we saved. Before, we were constantly stressed about our seeming lack of money and always wondering where it went to. It turns out that if you don't buy stuff, you have more money! Sounds stupidly obvious but really hard to grasp. We used Mint.com to help us track our spending which really helped us stay honest. It turns out that when we cut out non-essential spending we were able to afford a vacation to Hawaii for our 5th anniversary and save up to buy our first home.

Moral of the story: Even if you don't need to save money, you can learn a lot about what you can and cannot afford if you simply don't spend all your extra hard earned cash.

I think there is a little too much furniture in that area - I would remove a couple of pieces and do some repositioning to make it feel a little less cramped and heavy.

Angle the TV/Electronics in the corner where the Ghost Chair is. Then move the stripped chair over near the wall a bit more.

Remove the table in front of the window to open up the space by the couch a bit more.

An area rug would definitely help anchor that spot.

Flank the mirror over the fireplace with 2 small lamps and place some pillar candles on the mirrored coffee table - the lights will reflect off the mirrored surfaces and help with the lighting problem you mentioned.

wow - some commenters are mean.

I have a very similar space and don't have the option of painting or getting rid of the hated vertical blinds. However, you can do a lot without changing those two things.

From the looks of it, you've only brought one accent color in so far: red. I'd add some more throw pillows or throw blankets in brighter colors like yellow and green.

I agree with someone else's suggestion to paint the round side table. Or, you could put a mirrored top on it. I would even recommend painting the coffee table and tv console while your at it. I like the shapes (especially of the coffee table) but the colors aren't bringing much to the room.

It might also be fun to paint or get some fun paper to cover the tray on your coffee table.

Someone else suggested bringing a mirror into your space. I think a starburst shaped mirror would look really nice in your room. There was a great DIY post on creating your own back in Feb.

I would also recommend painting or swapping out your lamp shades.

Scour etsy for some pretty bright prints to put up on the wall.

Go thrifting for vases and put some pretty flowers in them.

Basically, you can do alot without spending a lot of money or abandoning what you've already done.

Good luck!

I would bring the red console (and the pics above it) over a foot or two so the end isn't flush against the wall. That would help that blank area feel less blank. Also, I agree with the suggestion above to get a footstool or two (like the Ikea Stockholm Footstool) and/or a cool looking glass coffee table (like the noguchi). I would also consider getting a slipcover for the couch in red or a different color. Or, you could replace it with a more modern design (because modern seems to be where you are headed with the inclusion of the Barcelona chair) like the Ikea KRAMFORS or TYLÖSAND.

Simple (inexpensive and maybe even readily available) additions to add some more color:

A big green plant on top of the hutch

A small side table (in a pretty color?) between the chairs (with a plant on it?)

Colorful drapes

Something colorful peaking out from within the hutch

Maybe a colorful platter on that open shelf at the bottom of the hutch

Another side table (or ottoman that could be pulled out?) on the other side of the couch (to add symmetry)

A couple of smaller pieces of art on either side of the large one above the couch (maybe some fun etsy finds?)

Swap out the lamp shades for something with more color and/or a modern shape

Hi there,
I had good luck with Realty and Mortgage company which has a lot of affordable studios and one bedrooms on the northside. Of all of the management companies i've had, they were by far the best. Listings can be found here: http://www.realtymort.com/listings/nearnorth.htm
I lived in a studio at 3941 N. Pine grove and loved it. My friend lives at 4521 N. Malden and has a nice sized 1br and loves it as well. Good luck!