![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEdoC_zAI/AAAAAAAANzM/JyfxhmxYjg0/s400/l1.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEcxigRFI/AAAAAAAANy0/3nqtVuE9bzE/s400/bed1.jpg)
but the long table was my office. A computer was usually on it and the
side cabinet had my printer and all other office supplies.
I was living in a large, two bedroom rental house before this, but it was one of those houses that just never felt right. No matter how I decorated it, I could never find it's soul so I was ready to move again. I was still working as a stylist and had a job on location at this apartment complex shooting a video for some company. The minute I walked into this little, 575 sf studio, I said, "I could live here." The current tenant was a friend I knew from church and she was engaged and moving soon. Within a year, it was my new home.
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added these huge, dark blue velvet curtains.
I bought the burgundy velvet loveseat site unseen via a Spiegel catalog!
I especially loved the vaulted ceiling which helped open up the small apartment and make it feel more loft-like. I also knew I would have to organize everything I owned to fit into this place. (A massive estate sale was in order at the old house.) My first step was to paint the white walls which I was not into then. I still remember this wall color. I went to the local paint store and the paint mixer and I worked on the color until it was just right. It was the most wonderful grey-lavender color. It set the tone for the entire apartment. (Yes, I was renting but I didn't care to lose my deposit. I had to paint the place!) Then on to more details:
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEPy-_hXI/AAAAAAAANyU/yee2OruvDuQ/s400/b1.jpg)
a vintage window frame backed with cloud pictures. My only regret
was not scraping off the cottage-cheese ceiling. (Which I have done before!)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEOK5PiyI/AAAAAAAANyM/_7_DbObO_dM/s400/a1.jpg)
Why I didn't find something antique, I do not know.
Probably because this was only about $300 for the 8' feet of shelving.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEdwMJ3rI/AAAAAAAANzU/GViYeyfkrAs/s400/qa.jpg)
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEdeNxw3I/AAAAAAAANzE/W4YptCqwMBQ/s400/k2.jpg)
with white wood-grain contact paper! I hung a giant wagon wheel over the
funky kitchen island (which held everything from kitchen utensils to my tools)
and hung pots, pans and dried flowers on it.
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEdLgmZnI/AAAAAAAANy8/0czDmnu5cag/s400/c1.jpg)
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEQaaiDwI/AAAAAAAANyk/l2QvL2f11Nc/s400/b3.jpg)
entire mirror once because it was so suburban! I just double-sticked
another funky mirror over that. Later for this, I had a large chippy frame
made to go over the edges.
![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEQo8a5JI/AAAAAAAANys/pnzLDRPFL94/s400/bat1.jpg)
washer and dryer next to the shower. Warm towels!
![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_I_aL82Nlx5s/TOKEniCcRHI/AAAAAAAANzc/y7oEUJMh3Qk/s400/w1.jpg)
Maybe some day I'll find the pictures of my former loft and retro apartment to share. Yes... retro!