A “Typical New Build” Bursts to Life Thanks to Japandi Style and Gorgeous Greenery
“This was the very first place I moved into solo so although I had a style in mind, I honestly had no idea what I was doing,” admits Clariza Abad, who’s a nurse practitioner in hospital medicine. “I also had NO furniture as I was living with my parents previously and decided to leave all my stuff behind so I had no bed, no couch — NOTHING, which I think is really the reason why I didn’t quite know what style I did or didn’t like in the first place considering I had no experience in having my own place.”
Clariza explains that she moved out of her parents’ house “a little later in life than most do” and thanks to that, she says she’s grateful to have been in a “relatively financially secure place” when it came to decorating her first apartment. While she says she’s had some “growing pains” when it came to decorating this space, Clariza does a lot of research before she purchases items. And she explains that the longer she’s lived here and the more she’s collected furniture and decor, “the more I think I’ve found my own style, which is really a mix of a few.”
Since this is Clariza’s first apartment, worries over getting the security deposit back means she’s been “hesitant about doing anything too drastic besides a little gallery wall.” She says the overall goal for her space has been to make it a home she “can come back to and feel at peace. I work a relatively stressful job and wanted to ensure that I go home to a peaceful, warm and welcoming environment where I can relax and de-stress,” she writes.
Clariza admits that when she moved in, she “wanted to buy everything all at once and right away,” but she quickly figured out that’s not the most economical way to design a home. “Not only are things crazy expensive nowadays, but it also just takes time to even get things that not only you like but also works well in the space. More recently, I’ve tried to kick the habit of buying things impulsively. This also honestly helps to avoid overconsumption. If I like something, I give it a few days. If I still want it days later/maybe even months later (expenses do get tight lol), then I’d be more inclined to buy it,” Clariza advises.
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Couch — IKEA
- Rug — Amazon
- Coffee table — World Market
- TV stand — IKEA
- Pillows — Target/World Market
- Japanese lamp — Gifted from Amazon
- Floor lamp — Article
- Standing Mirror — Target
- Plant stands — IKEA, Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, Gifted
- Art — Etsy, DROOL-art
- Couch — Jattebo sectional from IKEA in Samsala green (I also have the Tonerud gray cover to switch up)
- Floor lamp — Article
- Blanket — HomeGoods
- Standing Mirror — Target
- Stacking stools — IKEA
- Lamp — Fado from IKEA
- Lucky cat print — PSTR studio
- Watering can — IKEA
KITCHEN
- Stools — Amazon
- Centerpiece — The Container Store
ENTRYWAY
- Stools — Amazon
- Shoe storage — IKEA
- Art — Pics i took myself, prints from ETSY
BATHROOM
- Shower curtain — Urban Outfitters
- Hand towel/towels — HomeGoods, IKEA
- Frog print — Etsy
BEDROOM
- Bed — IKEA
- Nightstand — Nathan James
- Floor lamp — H&M
- Bedding set — Amazon, HomeGoods
- Weighted blanket — Nuzzie (gifted)
- Hanging print — Etsy
- Floor art — Bought in Vatican City!
- Rug — World Market
Thanks, Clariza!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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