So while we’ve been very active, I hadn’t actually been over there for at least two months. Popped in this weekend after hitting up some antique stores and spent a few hours hanging/hemming curtains, putting in a floating shelf, moving some things around, and mentally making a checklist of all that needs to be finished. We are getting SO close!

And as it all comes together, it’s looking awesome enough that I not only want to have it shot for my portfolio, but I want to shop it to some of the online magazines… so I can’t share BIG pictures but I did snap pics of the new lamps we bought.

Lamp #1, leather with a marroon pleated shade.

Lamp #2, brass reading lamp. In serious love with this one.

We got them in Fremont at Deluxe Junk (there was a killer pair of brass table lamps with chinoiserie etching for $50(!) that we passed on, still sad but I don’t need them). They came out to like $115 together but they did both for $100. Super nice.

So what’s left to do?

1. Hang other set of bedroom curtains & hem.

2. Dresser/nightstand painted.

3. Finish hanging art.

4. Accessories for bar and entry table.

5. Throw pillows for living room.

6. Coffee table purchased (have it all picked out!)

7. Refinish a mirror and hang (got it at Goodwill for $20 and it’s HUGE).

8. Purchase/Hang art in kitchen

9. Window treatment for kitchen.

10. Buy remaining plants (fig tree and air plants!)

That’s it! We’re in the home stretch.

It’s slowly coming together (they’re also tackling their living room as well as a bathroom remodel!) and Christina posted some pictures on Instagram the other day. With her permission, I’m sharing them as a little sneak peek – can’t wait to finish it up and get a pro photographer in there!

Christina would like to note that the chairs are out of order in the first picture. I’m dying over how the gallery wall turned out and they snagged their curtains on sale (you may have seen my frantically tweeting her the day I noticed they were marked down!). Just a refresher, here’s the design board I sent:

So we still have to swap out and move the pendant light and another light (that requires an electrician though) and pick up a couple accessories. I love how this project is coming along! Great job, you two!

If you’re interested in my e-design services, find out how it works here, then shoot me an email at maggie AT maggieroseonline.com.

In a year or two when the mirrored trend is over, the stool could be swapped out for a rustic chair, lucite nesting tables, or marble table. The bath mat could be easily changed to a solid color (adding colorful towels as well). The sconces and mirrors could be switched out easily as well. I think this design will stand the test of time with simple tweaks every few years. And really, when you’re gutting a bathroom, isn’t that what you’re hoping for?

**Subway tile and glass walk-in shower not pictured! Don’t worry, it can be luxurious AND functional

I couldn’t ignore the powerful online presence of artist Sally King Benedict. She is a favorite among bloggers and you can’t do an art round-up without one of her paintings or works on paper. As I lean toward abstract paintings anyway, I am particularly drawn to her work, especially the paintings. They are full of movement and blocks of colors in interesting palettes. Most of these I’m featuring are sold, but I’ve heard that you can find some of her work in shops and galleries in the South, where this Southern Belle lives and paints. Also visit her site to browse her works on paper, which are also beautiful.

Attention Seattle area residents (yep, that includes you, Bellevue and Tacoma!):

From now and through the month of February only, I’m offering a special low-cost package for local readers. I’m calling it the Love Your Home Event, and if you’ve ever considered hiring my decorating services, you don’t want to miss it!

The package includes an hour consultation at your home (no mileage charges!) and up to ten product recommendations specifically for your home. What’ll we do during the hour meeting? A detailed-as-possible walk though where I’ll help you assess your floor plan, accessories, textiles, furniture, organization, and styling. Then I’ll follow-up with my recommendations for products (up to 10) that I think will address issues we’ve identified and that would add style and a finishing touch to your space (all in line with your budget). Whether I’m looking for furniture or textiles or accessories will depend on your space and needs.

The price? Only $130. A steal if you add up my hourly rate for shopping for items for your home!

But you have to book by the end of February (we can schedule your appointment anytime during the spring, though) to get this package deal. Otherwise you’re looking at $400 plus mileage for the same service (based on my hourly rate). Hmm, $130 now or $400+ later? I’ll let you be the judge of that, but I know what I would choose!

Want to love your home? Don’t miss this deal. It ends February 29th!

It’s easy, just…

… and I’ll be in touch to schedule your appointment.

Like her clothing, the bedding collection is not an inexpensive purchase, but I bet the silky softness would be worth the investment!

1. Hang stuff on the walls. Yup, with nails (and drywall anchors if necessary!). Don’t be afraid to put a hole or two in the wall – that’s what spackle is for. It’ll immediately add a sense of comfort and home. And for the love of Pete, get those old concert posters framed! Nothing screams dorm room like posters thumbtacked to the wall.

2. Hang curtains. I know, more holes in the wall. But I don’t think there is anything grosser than those vertical blinds that so many landlords insist on. If you can’t take those down, at least you can disguise them with a generously sized curtain. To disguise mini-blinds, I’ll hang a roman shade right in front of them – when they’re up, no one is the wiser (and you can do a faux roman shade if you want and still use the mini-blinds for privacy at night. Not only will drapery add texture and warmth to the boxiest of shoebox apartments, it adds architectural interest as well and can make your windows seem bigger. Just remember to hang them high (at least six inches from the top of the window) and wide (at least six inches to the right and left of the window).

3. Don’t fill it with Ikea. I know the temptation is great – after all, who wants to invest in furniture that is specific to this apartment when the next may have totally different needs? I get it. And I think the occasional Ikea purchase is warranted. But for items like a coffee table, a pair of beautiful dining chairs, a console table… those are pieces that can go with you anywhere if they are something you really love. If you have the budget, invest in quality pieces. If your budget is small, search for vintage pieces with character. Learn to see your furniture in new ways. Just because that dresser was in your bedroom in your last apartment doesn’t mean it can’t be used as extra storage in the living room in your new place. If you move frequently, this may save a lot of “well this doesn’t fit anymore so we have to get rid of it” when there may be another use for it.

4. Make it over with lighting. Man, some rentals have the WORST lighting and it’s never where you really want it to be. Use a mixture of table lamps, floor lamps, and wall lights (like mine, above!) to bring a lot of lower-wattage lighting into all corners of your home instead of one high-wattage light glaring down from above. Ask if you can swap out a fixture if you pay the electrician and put back the old one when you move out. You can also find hanging lights and chandeliers that plug in the wall and hang from a ceiling hook – run the cord behind a curtain or down the corner to disguise.

5. Finally, don’t put off decorating just because you rent. Unless you plan on moving in three months, I don’t think that a home being “temporary” is any reason to not make it as beautiful as possible while you’re there. Same goes for giving up and not putting in the effort because the place is already drab anyway. Life is too short to live in an ugly apartment! Choose things you love and make the most of being where you are. You can even see it as a chance to take some decorating risks – after all, it’s not your forever-home, so try something new!

Have specific questions from your rental? Ask in the comments and I’ll answer there (or book me for a mini session and we can really get detailed!)

All photos by Maggie Morgan.

Bursting with excitement today at the launch of my new ebook, Design Demystified! It is now available for sale for just $14 (coincidentally it contains 14 pages if you don’t include the cover!). Over 90 tips for decorating your home, some of which you’ll be able to put to action immediately and without spending another cent. You’re sure to learn something, if not a lot!

Learn things that I consider when I’m decorating a room for a client. Tips are broken out into categories like Furniture, Space Planning, and Textiles so you can jump right to what’s bugging you (although there are gems in each section, just my humble opinion).

After putting (not much) blood, (some) sweat, and (ahem, quite a few technology-related) tears into this project, I can’t wait to share it with you. And I can’t wait to hear what you think! Please share your thoughts and comments on this post or by email (maggie@maggieroseonline.com).

You can buy directly from the button below, or visit my Downloads page (always available on the homepage) where my first ebook baby lives as well. Design Demystified is $14 and you can pay with PayPal or any major credit card accepted by PayPal.

Thank you, thank you!