It only took me an entire year but my apartment is nearly done so it’s time to finally share a little home tour with you! I do still want to buy a neon sign for over my desk and also have one plain white wall (ew gross) left to finish off – I’m planning on painting it and then doing a weird/interesting gallery wall but we’ll get to that… I’m still sourcing art for it and having a few things framed. But we’re getting there! PROGRESS! Last week, my apartment was on The Coveteur and today I wanted to share a video, links, and a little more context as to why I did what I did, and where I got everything. I’m not a professional by any means but I LOVE this stuff and have had the best time figuring out how to make this space feel really special (and most importantly, really me!). Because if you can’t feel like yourself at home, well, that just wouldn’t be good.
To me, home is such a sacred, special place. I work out of my apartment so my space needs to be a mix of calming and energizing. I want to look around and feel relaxed, but also inspired. A tall order but that’s exactly how I feel when I’m home, which is kind of just the best!
So Carter and I filmed a video to share a more in depth look at it. It’s a little long, but will give you an idea of the space and where (absolutely everything!) is from. I’ve also linked absolutely EVERYTHING at the bottom of my post. (In case you were wondering, that is what I did yesterday during my three hour hair appointment. Always multi-tasking!!)
I did not have very much furniture when I moved to Brooklyn (I didn’t even have a bed, as I’d been sleeping on a mattress on a lofted platform in my old studio!) I had a queen sized mattress, one beat up couch, a rickety desk, my beloved marble coffee table and a whole lot of shoes and bags. So, furniture-wise I was basically starting over from scratch. This was fun but also had it’s own set of issues! And so I moved in, painted my floors, and then the work began!!!!
Decorating was expensive. Honestly, it was tempting to try and pull out every brand connection in my book and try to get everything sourced wanted to be really thoughtful about it. I was lucky enough to have a lot of help from Becca (love you sis!) and worked with a few brand partners (all disclosed below) but other than that I decided to just slowly buy stuff. I see furniture (and art) as an investment and plan to have everything I have here for the years to come so I wanted it to be perfect… or at least as perfect as I could afford, ha!
It was also confusing and challenging at times. I really leaned on a few key people. First, my sister. She obviously gave me quite a few things, but also had a lot of great advice. It’s funny how different but similar we are. She has such an incredible eye and gave me so many ideas. The second person was my friend Camila. She helped me source the art in the kitchen and random things like the kitchen knobs, my rug, my desk, + some fun accessories. Anytime I had a weird inquiry she always “had a guy” which was helpful – it was through her that I got my curtains made – for CHEAP. The third is one of my guy friends who has a really good eye for this stuff. He’s the one who had the idea for my floors and I was constantly texting him for help. I think with big projects like this, it’s so important to have people you respect and trust to get a second or third opinion from.
As I mentioned before I didn’t want to do too many brand partnerships. I grew up in a home that had a lot of character so to me the worst thing would be for my apartment to feel too cookie cutter or straight out of one brand’s catalog. I worked with Room & Board on my couches, and West Elm on my dining area but that’s really it. I also bought a lot from West Elm (they’re my favs and pretty reasonable), but I really tried to keep things unique and interesting
Everything mentioned/in my apartment is listed out below. If I missed anything let me know and I’ll add it! Also for all my framing I go here. It’s expensive but they do a good job, offer museum glass (for my nicer pieces like the Calder lithograph) and can do a range of colors (like the bright yellow frames for the bunny wallpaper). They’re super old school but really good.
Okay now here are the links! I *hope* I got everything but if I didn’t, just let me know. So many things!
Kitchen:
- Kitchen runner is a vintage Turkish rug which came from this shop.
- We replaced cabinet knobs with these. (Such an easy upgrade for my fellow renters; just swap them back out when you move.)
- Large Pink Artwork: Paule Marrot Feathers (textile print; I opted for the clear acrylic frame)
- Smaller Yellow/Gold Artwork: Catherine Howe (original)
- NEST Hearth Diffuser (smells so good!)
- MUD Australia Vase
- Palo Santo Incense
- IKEA Kitchen Islands (small + large)
- CB2 Bar Stools
Bedroom:
- Hunt Slonem Bunny Painting (original)
- gifted Rebecca Atwood Bedding
- gifted Eileen Fisher Duvet + Shams (shade is Rosewater)
- West Elm Bed
- West Elm Night Stands (on sale!)
- West Elm Curtain Rods (also in kitchen)
- White Jewelry Armoire (I have two!)
- West Elm Hexagon Mirror
- gifted Curtains from Suite 33 Charleston
- gifted Rebecca Atwood Wallpaper
- PB Teen Palm Tree Lamps (I like these soooo much better; if I had seen them before I would have done them instead).
- Aly Harte Painting (original but she has an amazing print shop!!)
- IKEA Cabinets (this is two of them, pushed together!)
- gifted Very Troubled Child Bag
Dining Area:
- Ottmar Horl Gnome
- F*CK Snow Globe
- Slim Aarons Monacled Miss (this is the first piece of nice art I ever bought!)
- Vintage Cabinet
- Hunt Slonem Wallpaper (had it framed)
- Vintage Skull Stool
- Alexander Calder Lithograph (print – this is similar)
- Kure Lucas Sideboard
- Everyone’s a Dumb Whore Needlepoint
- gifted West Elm Dining Table (see our collaboration here)
- gifted West Elm Dining Chairs
- Byredo Ambre Japonais Candle
- Linus Bike
Desk Area:
Living Area:
- Society Social Bar Cart
- Swing Chair w/stand – similar options (a really affordable one, this, love the shape of this one, and this one). Note that all of these (including mine) are meant for outside but you can still use it inside. Seems a dumb thing to note but putting it here just in case there are questions!
- Rugs USA Sisal Rugs
- St. Frank Day of the Dead Skull
- gifted Room + Board Couches (read more about the couches in our collaboration here.)
- Banana Leaf Pillows
- gifted Rebecca Atwood Curtains
- gifted Rebecca Atwood Pillows
- gifted Velvet Throw Pillows
- gifted Geometric Throw Blanket
- Marble Coffee Table
- Hermes Blanket
- CB2 Media Console
- Middle Finger Sculpture (similar)
- Design Within Reach Mobile (looks like a Calder!)
- Gravity Blanket
- Bookshelves (they aren’t piles of books – ha!)
- Tommy Bahama Banana Leaf Fabric (had curtains made from it.)
video by Carter Fish; photography by Alec Kugler for Coveteur.
Your apartment is truly stunning, Grace! It’s just so you! 🙂 I love the warm tones, it really makes the space look lovely and inviting. ❤️❤️
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you Charmaine! xx
I love your home so much! We just bought our first home and are in the same boat that you were in about a year ago, starting from scratch and adding pieces slowly. I love how your space feels so personal and not cookie cutter at all, super inspiring! I just splurged on the Lyre Chesterfield coach in emerald green from Anthro and can’t wait for it to arrive!
xo,
Em
http://www.organicallyemily.com
Thank you so much Em! And good luck with everything – LOVE LOVE that couch! x
Your collection of artwork is amazing! I started the video thinking I would not watch the whole thing, but definitely got intrigued by all of your design, furniture, and art. Your space is incredible, thanks for giving us a glimpse into your home!
Aw thank you so much, Lee!!!! Appreciate it. xx
Is it weird that out of all the beautiful, thoughtfully curated, tasteful pieces in your apartment, I am most obsessed with the FUCK snow globe? It makes me laugh every time I see it in your photos. I swear I am not actually a 12 year old boy. I am a (mostly) responsible 36 year old mother of two, but I’ll be damned if the word FUCK in a snow globe isn’t hilarious every single time.
hahahahah no I get it – I’m obsessed as well! The funny thing was that my friend (Becca from the podcast) and I obsessed over it for years but never bought it and then she surprised me with it for Christmas. 🙂
Love your space and art! I was obsessed with the cats in line photo so I looked it up and here’s some more background on it: http://time.com/3732365/black-cats/
Than you!! So interesting!
Omg, this is like a dream apartment!!! Your taste in interior decor is amazing!!!
https://lartoffashion.com/how-to-wear-a-denim-jacket/
Aw, thank you so much!!!
Your apartment is so spectacular! Where did you get the jute/woven rugs??
Rugs USA!
Love your apartment Grace! I’ve been in my place 10 plus years and come to look at it as a revolving and growing piece of art in itself. Some day I’ll enter in on Apartment Therapy. I’m getting ready to change it up a bit. I would love to see a wider shot or two of your kitchen and your pretty pink bathroom. Green is also my favorite color, actually looking to add more into mine. I too, have a mix of vintage( family heirlooms) whimsical and modern pieces. I always say the space( read light) dictates the color. I used quite a bit of red, not a color I ever wear, but somehow it works great in my space. You’ve inspired me!
Love that Cy!!! xx
Hey Grace,
Looks beautiful!
So random, but I am curious to know how you clean out your candles to reuse the jar? I have a beautiful Mercury Glass candle that’s almost burned through, but despite many efforts, I cannot get the remnants of wax off the glass. I tried boiling water, I tried freezing. Any tips!?
Thanks,
Thanks Cat! I freeze mine and then use a knife to scrape out the wax. It’s not perfect but gets most of it out!
I love how fun and eclectic your apartment is but still cohesive. I totally agree that you nailed the relaxing but inspiring vibe.
xoxo Logan
http://www.habitsandhues.com
Thank you so much, Logan! xo
Very cute!
Thank you!
You have the most beautiful apartment.
That’s so nice, thank you!
Hi Grace!
I am on the hunt for the leather chair you posted on insta yesterday (Jan 9, 19) while reading the best book of the year, Becoming (currently at the point where they just got engaged!). I did not see it in this post – could you let me know where it might be linked?
Many thanks and thanks for your blog 🙂
Hi Gabby! It’s this one!!! https://shopstyle.it/l/X1nk I got the saddle leather. xo
I listened to the Bad On Paper episode about organization and wanted to find the white jewelry armoire linked here, but the link is a dead . Are you able to provide an updated link?
Been following you on Instagram for awhile, just started the podcast and love it by the way!!
Ugh I’m so sorry about that! Not sure what happened with the link – here is a new one, I’ve also updated the post. https://www.hayneedle.com/product/belham-living-campaign-trunk-jewelry-armoire-high-gloss-white.cfm
Thanks for listening to the pod and following along, much appreciated! xx
Your apartment is so lovely! I want it all! I also peeped you had Exit West next to your bed.. that’s one of my favorite books! I’m new to the podcast and am currently catching up on all the episodes, so maybe you guys have talked about it on the pod and I haven’t gotten there yet, but if not, you guys should! One of my faves. ❤️