Lazy me

So I hope you don't mind, but I don't feel like uploading all of the pictures of my new place onto this blog when I've already uploaded them onto flickr. Flickr is better anyway because you can see the images larger than you can on here and I haven't quite yet figured out how to add a picture on here and have it be placed automatically where I want (for some reason it always adds the image at the top of the page).

If your interested then come see pictures of my pretty-much-put-together-just-needs-some-details-added-here-and-there apartment right HERE.

An office space of ones own

Having an office in your apartment, for me, is one of those things that's nice to have but not exactly necessary. It's great to have a space that you can file away items and sit down to when you really need to get things done. But I'm just as happy sitting on the couch with my laptop.

Since this place is one bedroom, I didn't really have a place to put an "office" until I saw the pictures that I posted here. Once I saw how large the closet was in the living room, I knew I had to replicate it and tada and it went from this:

to this!

The great thing is that the left hand side has a lock at the top, so when I want to just put my shoes or jackets away, I can have the right hand closet available

And then when I'm getting ready to buckle down for some learnin' I can have my own, cozy, office space available for me.

I know, it's a little bit on the ridiculous side but I love it! I even installed those shelves all by myself and am praying that they stay up! I don't think my stud finder is all that reliable.

I haven't forgotten about you!

Pictures are impending on my new place! The move went amazingly well, picking up the truck by 7am and having everything in my apartment by 11am. Then I had the whole day to organize while still being able to shower and meet someone for dinner - not romantic, just someone to discuss Psy D programs.

By the time I had friends over for Saturday night drinks, it was all arranged as it should be. The only things that need taken care of is an extra bookshelf which I'll be storing in the basement for now.

So some things to share:

- Pictures of the place, in general

- Makeshift office/closet

- A couple amazing Salvation Army finds

and maybe a DIY post in the near future...?

I know, enough words - more pictures. They're coming soon! I promise!

Life is spinning, indeed

I knew when I started looking for items for my new place that I wanted bright colors. You can blame this on the fact that it's summer, my apartment is sunny, and colors that induce depression are definitely not the motif I want to follow.

But what I'm surprised to find is that everything that I've been buying for my living room has spirals! Maybe it started with an influence from the spirals on the walls:

or from the pompozon cushion that I've owned for a couple of years:

which may or may not have been aided by this awesome fabric that my mother gave me when I saw her last weekend:

But I couldn't help myself and had to buy this carpet:

It's just what I was quasi-looking for. I wanted a green color (the living room will likely contain a lot of cooler colors) of carpet and my mother just bought me a paisley, champagne colored slip cover for the loveseat, so I'm really hoping I didn't just do pattern overload! Luckily, the slipcover pattern (to the best of my knowledge) is subtle and monotone so I don't think it'll be too bad.

But there were only 4 left and overstock.com had me hook, line, and sinker when I saw that. And it helped that the price was good and shipping only cost $3! I'm thinking of turning the fabric into curtains for the living room. Just simple, hanging curtains that will hopefully work to pull the room together.

So what does all of this spiraling mean? My original thought is "life spiraling out of control" but I think I'm going to do a little more research into the origins of this design...if only to make myself feel sane.

This is life spiraling into my control

I'm picking up the keys to my new place today!

Once things have settled, I have some pictures to share of a couple of items I picked up while jogging in Maryland! I can't wait to hit up some yard sales this year!

My new life begins now! And trust me, it's going to glitter!

New apartment pictures

Without further ado, and not a lot of pomp, are the pictures of my new apartment. Mind you, I was with the realtor and my ex who was assessing my space issues, so the pictures are not the greatest.

Here is the front of the place. Across the street is a little green space that is nice so I don't have to worry about closing my blinds all the time. I'm on the second floor, left side. This picture kind of makes it look like a high rise, but really it's only 3 levels.

You walk into the living room area which has really nice hardwood floors and some interesting walls. It's a texture, swirl-like paint with molded panels. I was really surprised when I was told that I could nail stuff onto these walls, but I don't think I'm going to out of fear that there is no way to fix the damage that could be done if the plaster-like paint starts chipping off.

And here is the other side of the living room with the closet that I have plans for.

The door on the left leads to a hallway that separates into the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. I realized I didn't take any pictures of my new bedroom, but it's rather cozy (ie small) with a little closet and a big radiator cover. I think that will be my biggest obstacle is every room has a radiator that I'm going to have to utilize somehow.

Here are the pictures of my bathroom which I'm overjoyed has a bathtub. My last apartment had only a standing shower, so I cannot wait to begin using this tub. I could absolutely use the relaxation.

On the other side is my sink. This space doesn't allow for too much extra design because the walls are completely tiled, so there's not a chance of nailing in shelves. I do hope to find some kind of suction cup hooks though that can hold towels or a robe. But I think I can find a nice little basket to put under the mirror in that shelf space to hold all my makeup.

Lastly, here is a picture of my new kitchen which is filled with lovely cabinet space. For some reason though, they put the linoleum that is on the counters on the wall behind the oven. Which again, will make it difficult to hang up anything behind there, but we'll see what I can do.

Here is the other side. What's not pictured is a little space that will allow for a dining room table and has a built in pantry. (that's the realtor in the picture, just to clarify. I cannot wear that high of a heel.)

So there is my new place! I'll be trying to document my progress with pictures. It's funny because I'm only going to be living here for a year, but it's my goal to enjoy it.

I can't wait to move in!

Because there's a 1/2 hour of work left...

Pictures of the new place will be added soon (i hope), but I wanted to share some pictures I've saved that have provided me with inspiration:

My new place has a huge two door closet in the living room which is great because Providence apartments are notoriously without much closet space. My bedroom has a closet that's probably a foot and a half wide, but thanks to the ikea wardrobe, I don't think I'll need both sides of the living room closet. Hense, I love the idea of turning half of the closet into a workspace. And I was supper excited when I saw this picture:

So simple - a small school desk and a filing cabinet! The filing cabinet I have (although I love this pink color) and thanks to my wonderful father, whom I'll be seeing this weekend, he said he can supply me with an old school desk! The only thing I'll need is a straight-backed chair which I can hopefully store with the doors shut.

If this works out, then I'd love to install some shelfing above the desk like in the first picture and be able to store items. Although I'm sure it will not nearly be as color-coded or neat.

(pictures courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

The first and hopefully not last post!

I will be single and living on my own for the first time in a long time; let's hope I'm good at it!

My hope is to use this blog as motivation to make my apartment a home. I'll be moving into a new place on May 1st and I can't wait - natural light! white walls! a bathtub!

I'm constantly looking at design blogs, so now is the chance, my friends, to put my desires into actions. I want to make this apartment all my own - all uniquely nikki.

stay tuned to pictures of my bare apartment!