Renters Transformed a Dated Beige Home with Brilliant DIY Alternatives to Wall Paint
Marshall and Marissa Zingg‘s priority when on the hunt for a home four years ago was space and location. “Looking for a new apartment after being stuck in a basement one-bedroom during quarantine, we needed an oasis from work that had space with lots of natural light,” Marissa, a nurse practitioner, begins.
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The location of this two-bedroom rental apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an easy commute to Marshall’s job, and great for the couple to be able to walk to get coffee. “It feels like a luxury to walk to grab food and groceries, and meet our friends at our favorite live music spot on the corner,” Marissa admits. But while it came with both a great location and a spacious 1200 square feet, the apartment was pretty outdated, dark, and builder-grade bland; it was built sometime in the 1990s.
“When we first saw the apartment, it was pitch black. There are no overhead lights. In the daytime — it has great soft, natural light. So, we have had to get creative with fun light sources,” writes Marissa, who shares her “adventures in crafting, sewing, thrifting, and home design on One CrafDIY Girl (pronounced one crafty girl).”
“I started this little corner of the internet while working in the intensive care unit as a registered nurse as a creative outlet for my serious day (and night) job. My husband and I are still in the medical field, but love that our home reflects our creative endeavors,” Marissa explains.
“We both love music, thrifting, and using the items we find in unconventional ways. I often describe our personal style as ‘New England safari’ — a combination of vintage coastal relics and wooded tones that celebrate the outdoors.”
“I’d love to paint the walls and get rid of the popcorn ceilings,” Marissa admits. “These things used to really bother me, but then I stopped fighting the dated parts of our home. Most of them blend well with our vintage treasures. I got creative with fun ways to add color and personality to blank walls — DIY fabric wallpaper, gallery walls, vintage plates, pennants, and book pages have been some of my favorite paint alternatives.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Blanket — Anifurry
BEDROOM
- Bedding — The Company Store
BATHROOM
- Shower Head — Sproos
Thanks, Marissa!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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