This Philly Renter Made a 100-Year-Old Apartment Look Like a Million Bucks (for Way Less!)
When Michaella Becker, a green stormwater infrastructure design engineer for the Philadelphia Water Department, was apartment hunting, she was interested in this rental’s location (near South Street and Fabric Row “in the heart of one of the best neighborhoods in all of Philly for food and thrifting,” which are two of Michaella’s favorites things) and also the outdoor space that it offered.
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We weren’t able to photograph the rooftop for this tour feature, but Michaella says that “it was the first thing that caught my eye in the Zillow listing back in 2022. Coming from a shoebox apartment during the pandemic, I craved my own outdoor space where I could relax and recharge. I remember, during the showing, there was a single lawn chair in the middle of this huge deck overlooking the Philly skyline, and I thought, oh there’s potential here, and it deserves to be shared with people. It has a gorgeous view of the city, especially during sunset, and plenty of space for hosting friends.”
Michaella’s two-bedroom, 900-square-foot apartment she shares with her boyfriend, Alex Marino, and two cats, Suki and Gus, is located in a three-story apartment building that’s over 100 years old (Michaella has found city records indicating the building was built in 1900). While the building has history on its side, Michaella reports that a “2013 renovation masked most of its historic charm.”
She continues, “Before I moved in, it had the classic ‘landlord special’ — untouched since the previous tenants moved out, wild drywall patching, and random gunk on the walls.” Michaella adds, “Still, I saw something I could work with: neutral walls, hardwood floors, an open layout, and ample light for my plants.”
Now that’s she’s lived in the rental for two years, she’s added personality to the space, but she says it’s “hard to pinpoint” one specific style for the entire home. Each room has its own look, like the bedroom, which is “dreamy, romantic, conservatory; main living area: warm, colorful, and retro; playroom: funky, functional, fun.”
“Although I gravitate toward a diverse range of aesthetics, from chrome Space Age pieces to boho rattan accents, some elements are consistent throughout my home,” Michaella continues. “The plants, the vibrant pops of color, and the natural earthy materials help to bring this place to life. I’ve filled my home almost entirely with pre-loved or handmade items to create an eclectic mix valuing creativity and individuality over convenience.”
“You’ll find imperfections in pretty much everything I own, but that’s how I like it. Material possessions should be cherished for their character, used and passed down for as long as possible, not discarded simply because they are perceived as flawed.”
Resources
THROUGHOUT
- Brass Candlesticks (throughout the home) — Thrifted
- Checkered Cotton Hand Towels Set — Amazon
- Plants/Planters — FB Groups/Marketplace
LIVING ROOM
- Large Canvas Ghul — Lami (Instagram: @la.mmi)
- Orange Wavy Painting — hand-painted reproduction of Rachel Breeden’s Circa 78 Design
- Sun and Cloud Lino Print — Bri Conway (Instagram: @briconwayy)
- Sea-turtle Art — Australia
- Black and White Prints — Mari Lowery
- Gallery Wall — Ian Woods, Kodone, and Kaws
- Vintage Camera + Dried Floral Arrangement — H. Floral Art (Instagram: @brkfstinmarch)
- Folded Watercolor — Lucas Beaufort (Instagram: @lucas_beaufort)
- Leather Couch — FB Marketplace
- Cream Couch — FB Marketplace
- Wooden Coffee Table — hand-me-down
- Wooden Bookcase — FB Marketplace
- Orange Glass Floor Lamp — FB Marketplace
- Chrome Arch Floor Lamp — FB Marketplace
- Tiered Serving Cart — FB Marketplace
- Wicker Magazine Holder — Philly AIDS Thrift
- Brass Plant Stand — FB Marketplace
- Cat Tree — Chewy
- Cat Swing — hand-me-down
- Mexican Blankets (2 on couches and 1 used as a rug) — Mexico
- Wicker Mirror — FB Marketplace
- Vintage Coasters — Project Collect (Instagram: @projectcollect)
- Throw Pillow Covers — Monday Moose Amazon
- Mosslanda Wall Shelf — IKEA
- Glass Decanter Water Pipe — handmade
- Rocketship Lamp — FB Marketplace
- Chessboard — Philly AIDS Thrift
- ACKJA table lamp — IKEA
- Projector — Pericat Amazon
- Miscellaneous vases — Thrifted
- Pottery — Handmade
KITCHEN
- Large Canvas Ghul — (Instagram: @la.mmi)
- Vintage Teapot + Dried Floral Arrangement — Holland & Stokes
- Fishtail Rescues Kittens + Vintage Bathrooms Calendar — (Instagram: @s.philly.time.capsules, @goodolepies, and @fishtailrescues)
- Rattan Mirrors — DIY
- Faux Butcher Block Contact Paper on Counters — VEELIKE Amazon
- Wall shelves — IKEA (paint: Rustoleum Eden Satin Finish)
- White Leather Stools — hand-me-down
- Yellow Planter — FB Marketplace (paint: Rustoleum Golden Sunset Gloss Finish)
- Mexican Bowls — Mexico
- Wicker Elephant Hamper — hand-me-down
- Tiered Wooden Shelf — thrifted
- Vintage Stoneware Coffee Set — hand-me-down
- RISBYN Pendant Lamp — IKEA
- Green Rattan Cabinet — FB Marketplace (paint: Rustoleum Eden Satin Finish)
- Payton James Raffia Crochet flower table runner — Etsy
- Chrome Watering Can — Fasmov Amazon
- Vase with Chrome Accents — hand-me-down
- Strawberry Cookie Jar Planter — Philly AIDS Thrift
BEDROOM
- Face Painting — hand-painted reproduction of an Ines Longevial painting
- Museum Posters — Philly AIDS Thrift with DIY framing
- Antique Watercolor Landscape — Jules Goldman Antiques
- Large Painting of Woman — Estate Sale
- Vintage Magazine Page of Two Women — Estate Sale
- Chinese Silk Embroidery — Jules Goldman Antiques
- Ceramic Propagation Wall Planter — Bri Conway (Instagram: @briconwayy)
- Pink Lino Print — Handmade at a Fleisher Art Memorial Craft Night (Original Lino Artist Unknown)
- BLODLONN Mirrors — IKEA
- Gold Frames — FB Marketplace/Philly AIDS Thrift
- IDANÄS Bed Frame — IKEA
- Myla Floral Duvet Set — Urban Outfitters
- Lane Side Table — hand-me-down
- Angled Corner Table — hand-me-down
- Drexel Heritage Lingerie Chest — FB Marketplace
- Huntley Dresser — hand-me-down
- Trifold Vanity Mirror — thrifted
- Vintage Japanese vases/teapot — hand-me-down
- Serving Tray — thrifted
- Mini Serving Tray — Project Collect (Instagram: @project_collect)
- Wicker Chest — FB Marketplace
- Curvy Standing Mirror — FB Marketplace
- SKUBB Under the Bed Storage Case — IKEA
- Cherry Wood Plant Stand Table — FB Marketplace
- Vietnamese Silk Lantern — Vietnam
- Narrow Wall Mirror — hand-me-down
- Roman Column Pedestal — FB Marketplace
- BOJA Table Lamp — FB Marketplace (originally IKEA)
- Wooden Accordion Wall Rack — hand-me-down
- Linen Curtains — Nicetown Amazon
GUEST BATHROOM
- Alimo Prints
- “How the Sun Loves the Moon” — Maggie Stephenson, FB Marketplace
- Green Checkered Rug — Aldopein Amazon
- Sun Shower Curtain — FB Marketplace (originally Quiet Town)
- Vintage Orange Glass Vase — FB Marketplace
- Privacy Window Film — Rabbitgoo Amazon
PLAYROOM
- Snail Slime
- Gallery Wall — Ian Woods
- Liverpool FC Poster with DIY framing
- IVAR Shelving Unit — FB Marketplace (originally IKEA)/DIY
- SKADIS Pegboard — IKEA
- Desk Chair — FB Marketplace (originally West Elm)
- Couch — FB Marketplace
- Rug — FB Marketplace (originally Urban Outfitters)
- Green Coffee Table — Love City Vintage
- Sticker Fridge — Hand-me-down (Alex’s masterpiece)
- BOJA Floor Lamp — FB Marketplace (originally IKEA)
- KÄLLARHALS Vases — IKEA
- Samsung TV — FB Marketplace
- Checkered Throw Blanket — Crush Homes Amazon
- Glass Decanters/Water Pipes — Thrifted/handmade
Thanks, Michaella!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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