A Colorful, Cozy, Curated Small/Cool Space
A Colorful, Cozy, Curated Small/Cool Space
Name: Eliza Edwards
Size: 537 sq ft
Home type: Studio apartment
Location: Washington, DC
Years lived in: About 18 months, rented
Household: My dog, Mac
Have any design professionals worked on this space: No
How did you use color in your space? I like to joke that I've never met a wall I couldn't paint, and this room is a prime example of that. The chosen colors are a snapshot of my tastes in a given time frame- I think the currently blue wall is on color #3 since moving in, and I'll likely repaint before the year is up. Color allows me to change the whole feel of a room in an afternoon, and it never fails to make a house feel like your home. Organizing some of my books by color has also brought visual coherence to my shelves- a huge plus since way more people have seen them over zoom this past year than I ever imagined would!
Describe your space:
I’ve tried to find a good balance between incorporating pieces I inherited with millennial standbys like Ikea and CB2. I am also a firm believer in the power of paint-anytime I have the itch to redecorate, that’s my go-to. I love hearing the stories behind why people keep and display certain things, so I’ve tried to curate my own apartment with that in mind. Nothing makes me happier than having someone come over and ask me what on earth something is and why I have it. I like to think of my apartment as both a good conversation starter and a somewhat material reflection of who I am.
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
DIY projects are my go-to procrastination method, so there are definitely plenty of elements around the apartment, pictured and not, that have been given a personal touch. I’ve done all the painting and “accent walls” like the faux greenery and maps myself. Still, the biggest project I have taken on, by far, was refinishing and staining my vintage dining room set. I hadn’t yet invested in an orbital sander, and let’s just say it was a labor of love. Not to mention, touch and go for a while with the varnishing fumes and dust in such a small apartment.
How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?
The wall-to-wall bookshelves' vertical storage element on one wall combined with a large open window has been great. Having a bedroom den with open upper walls has also helped the sleeping nook feel much more spacious than if it was just a bedroom of that size. Honestly, though, the most practical storage elements are not pictured- having a decent-sized walk-in closet and a hall closet has been crucial. Because of them, I’ve been able to really pick and choose what I do and don’t want to display at any given time.
How does your home reflect you?
The comment I hear most often when someone sees my apartment for the first time is along the lines of “Woah. This space is a lot and also very you.” I always take that as the highest compliment. I spent most of my twenties in the military, so when I moved to DC, it was the first opportunity I’d had to live in one place for a longer stretch of time. Meaning I really went to town décor wise! I’ve tried to make my apartment a reflection of the things I care about most, and I like to think, having never met me, someone could see this space and pull out some of those elements.