Nesting

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently moved into a new apartment all on my own. It's a pretty basic, one bedroom, one bath, so it only took me a couple days to get everything situated where I wanted it and a few things hung up on the walls. This was a bit disappointing because I really REALLY enjoy nesting in a new space and deciding where everything goes.

Unfortunately, I failed to take photos of it after I got everything in place, which led to me, ya know, living in the place. This means leaving my shoes in each room of the house, discarding receipts and shopping bags on the on the kitchen table, and possibly using my spare mattress for guests as a couch in the living room... Classy, I know. 

Anyway, it's taken me until today to get everything back in place and cleaned up so I can take proper pictures of my little home. Because what I've described above, is not exactly the picture I want ending up on the internet. 

Now, I'm not going to give you a tour of my apartment. It has a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living/dining space, five closets, and really kick-butt pantry. But that's all pretty boring if you've ever seen a standard middle/lower income renovated apartment. They tend to look a lot alike. Instead, I'd like to show you a few details of how I've made it my own. If you'd like the full tour, please come visit! As previously mentioned, I have a guest bed and lots of spare bedding. (Thanks Mom)

 1. These little cuties are hanging above my sink in the kitchen. In the embroidery hoops (which I snagged at Michael's and Hobby Lobby for less than $5 total) are old hand embroidered dish towels from my grandmother. My mom brought them to me when she and Dad helped me move, and while I thought they were neat, I didn't know what to do with them. I wasn't going to actually USE the towels. They are super old and stained, but I liked the design, so I decided to frame them somehow. I got the idea to use the hoops from a friend who used them at her wedding and now in her home. So, itching to get this project done, I headed out to get the hoops. Easier said than done. Apparently 6"-8" are a hot commodity in my town. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I easily spent more money on gas trying to find the dang things than I spent on the hoops. But, look how great they are now. When all was said and done (over a week after I started the hunt) I am really happy with how they turned out.

 2. I'm a bit of a sucker for mason jars, and tiny objects, so when I saw these little salt and pepper shakers at Wal Mart of all places, I couldn't pass them up. And I don't even use pepper! Another reason for people to come visit me, I need you to use my pepper. They were somewhere between one and two dollars each. Thanks Wal Mart!

 3. Here's my dining nook. My mom brought me the table, which is a little rough. But she got if for a dollar at an auction, so how could I say no. And it's actually kinda growing on me. The folding chairs were a great find at target. On sale for $7 each. I decided to display some of my artwork in this area. The frame is one of my photos from color film photography class, and the other two are charcoal/pencil drawings. To hang the drawings without going to any expense of framing or mounting, I attached 3M strips to paperclips and attached the paper clips to the wall, and then clipped up the drawings. I think this would be a great idea for displaying kids' artwork, easy to change out all the time.

 4. These nesting tables might be the purchase/project I'm most proud of. I found these babies for $5 at FFO Home. They needed a little love and creativity, and now look at em! They will get their own post later, don't you worry.

 
 5. Have I mentioned I work in a home furnishings store? Well, I do. (http://www.obeliskhome.com/) Check back with that website soon, because we will be launching an e-commerce site soon, and you can buy pretty things from us, no matter where you live! Anyway, I've been working there for a little over a year now, and have inevitably started building my collection of beautiful accessories. I purchased the purple pot last week because it was very affordable with my discount and just so gosh dang cute. The white mason jars were actually and accidental shipment that the company said we could keep, so I got to take those home for free!

 6. Here's a shot of my living room. The details are really more impressive than the whole, in my opinion. But I wanted to give you a glimpse of how it all fit together. Above my TV is a patchwork quilt that my mom made. She sewed it to hang the other direction, but I decided to pin it up horizontal instead, as a piece of artwork.

7. These frames I also picked up from my work. As well as the matching gourd lamps (the other one sits across the room on my nesting table) The cabinet here is an old record cabinet from my grandpa's house. I have plans to paint it, but for now, the banged up wood look is working for me. I've placed this opposite my dining table on the other side of the kitchen entry. It provided me another great surface to accessorize! The key bowl is a vintage rose glass dish from my sister's wedding, and the Better Homes and Gardens scent melting pot is also a gift from her. (Thanks Sis!)

Well, that's all I've got for now. Please share your thoughts! Or hire me to come re-arrange and accessorize your home. Seriously. I'm cheap, as long as you cover travel expenses, and let me take photos when I'm done.