Apartment Living Room Update

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It’s hard to believe I’ve been living in my apartment for close to two months now. (I actually moved in about three months ago but didn’t get to spend much time here during that first month.) As you can imagine, I’ve been busy making this new space feel like home.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

In previous posts. I shared some coffee table styling tips as well as my new-old bar cabinet. However, I never gave you a look around my living room, so that’s what I thought we’d do today. There haven’t been any major changes, but it’s always fun to take a little tour.

Before we do that, I need to mention that this space (like my entire apartment) is a work in progress. As a blogger, I’d like to present a completed and perfect space to you, but that’s just not my reality right now. So instead of showing you nothing, I ‘m going to show you a portion of my current living room and invite you to enjoy watching how things evolve in the coming months (and years!). Hope you’re cool with that.

So, where do we start? How about the sofa?

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

This is the Deklab Leather Sofa (in Saddle) from West Elm. You might remember that this was the first piece of furniture I purchased for my new home. (It’s a big upgrade from the outdoor chair and garbage-can box I used as a table when I first moved in. Ha!)

I really like this sofa. I wanted something that looks masculine yet soft and cozy. Success! The leather does scratch easily (which I assume is the norm for a leather sofa), but a little leather conditioner takes care of any marks pretty quickly.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

The pillows and throw weren’t purchased specially for this space. They just happened to work nicely at the moment, so I went with them.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Same goes for my coffee table. This guy (which is also from West Elm) is something I bought years ago and used in the guest bedroom in my St. Marys house. After recently changing the decor in that room, I figured why not use the table here for the time being. (Surprisingly, that tabletop fern garden is still alive (though I did forget to water it one day, so that may not be the case next week. Fingers crossed!)

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

For additional seating, I bought one of these Roar + Rabbit Swivel Chairs (in Wasabi). I enjoy having a swivel chair here because I (or my guests) can face the couch or check out what’s going on outside. It’s a win-win!

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Just behind the chair, I whipped up a quick DIY project. At a local shop, Von Walter and Funk, I spotted a lamp made from an old wood tripod and socket kit (which they sell). Remembering I had a wood tripod at home, I decided to make one for myself. I’ll be sharing more details on that soon.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Some other goodies in this space include a pair of cacti I found at Walmart several years ago. They hadn’t grown much over the years, but now they are flourishing thanks to the abundance of sunlight.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

I also found this vintage stool at HomeGoods. It may not stay here forever, but it creates a nice little moment next to the sofa. It was such a great find; I couldn’t pass it up. Plus, it ties in with the weathered look of my beverage cabinet, which is now well stocked with liquor and wine.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Above the cabinet, I switched out the art because I fell in love with this piece (that I used in my recent bedroom makeover) from Minted. It’s currently leaning against the wall (as is 90% of the artwork in my place) because I’m not sure about the final placement.

The lamp is from Grandin Road. It’s another piece that was meant for somewhere else but found its way here. The side table (which you can’t see) is one of the round tables from my colorful porch refresh. It most likely won’t stay, but it’s serving a purpose right now.

Tips and styling ideas for decorating an eclectic and cozy living room.

Finally, I also swapped out the overhead light in this space. Previously there was a semi-flush drum shade. This Luna Pendant (in brass) from Schoolhouse Electric was the perfect upgrade and coordinates beautifully with the fixture in my kitchen.

And that’s it! You have been officially updated. What do you think?

I will circle back next week to show you the opposite side of this room where my television is, I’m still waiting for the stand to arrive

More apartment updates are on the way! Stay tuned.

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19 Comments

  1. Michael,I see that you are having fun moving things around in your new place. I love it when i purchase something for a specific spot, but it ends up in other places…that just proves to me that I made a good buy when I can use an item in more than one place! It just makes it more difficult to find a final home for it though! Your new place is awesome!.

  2. I am smitten with that wasabi chair! Loving the mix of blues and greens, so refreshing. Is the leather couch cool to sit on or does it get hot? I have looked at a leather couch and gotten cold feet so often, but love the warm, buttery look. Your apartment has a different look from your home and I am really enjoying watching the transformation. More bloggers should share the proocess.

  3. It’s all coming together so beautifully! I always enjoy your updates. Your decor inspires me to take risks with color and texture. (I can always change it down the road.:))

  4. Everything is looking sooooo cozy, M! It may be the addition of the distressed or wood features or possibly even the warmth of the leather sofa… Whatever it is, I see a slightly different style emerging from your other home, a more gathered over time feel and it’s very inspiring and beautiful!

    You wear the new move well, friend. 🙂

  5. Love the fiddle fig, they have become a passion of mine.
    Michael, I have checked every Home Goods in the New Hope/Princeton area for the white watering can with the brass spout from you patio post.
    If you ever will sell it I would love it! My sister in St.Marys could pick it up!
    Thanks

    1. Mary,

      You can have it. Shoot me an email (inspiredbycharm@yahoo.com) and we’ll figure something out. (I’m currently in Pittsburgh, but can make some arrangements.)

      xo Michael

  6. WOW!!! Work has been so busy that I’ve fallen way behind in my/your blog posts. You MOVED?! Is there a story about that somewhere, I need to catch up with this. Loving your apartment.

  7. When you said you were happy that your fern garden was still alive although you forgot to water it one day I thought, “You don’t need to water plants everyday!”. Then I immediately thought, “Wait! Maybe you DO have to water plants everyday and that’s why mine are all dead!”. Sorry dear departed plants, now I know!
    I love the space and can’t wait to watch it progress!

    1. WELL, you don’t really. But it’s a maidenhair fern and they are notoriously fussy and challenging to keep alive. (I’ve tried MANY times with no success.) It needs to be spritzed with water and can dry out for even a second or it’s done. (Or so it seems.)

      xo Michael

  8. It’s stunning! You have many talents but one that I love is your ability to mix rustic finishes with modern… you make it look so easy! Thanks for sharing with us. I love the idea of sharing progress and updating us on how things are changing along the way.