I recently sat and took stock of our apartment, which I love. An appreciative look around reminded me of how far we’ve come since moving in three years ago. This apartment has been through several phases...
The futon phase: We’ve all been there, but at a certain point, that futon ceases to mean: We live a carefree and simple life where friends can crash on our couch/bed anytime. It suddenly becomes a symbol of a life that you’re ready to leave behind. It’s hard to believe that you’re putting down roots when you have a disposable (and uncomfortable) couch. We purchased the futon when we moved to L.A. from IKEA and we were attempting to furnish our entire apartment for under $400!
Celebrating my birthday in LA. Note the lovely sheet covering the IKEA futon, as well as the IKEA side and coffee table!
We gave it away to someone when we got...
The scary bachelor couch that we got for free from a friends parents: It was a huge black leather early 90’s couch (it had a hide-a-bed)! It was free and it wasn’t a futon. Need I say more.
We gave it away to someone when we got...
The not so scary couch that we got for free from our own parents phase: Besides the fact that our cat could easily climb into the foundation of the couch through a hole in the bottom, this couch was perfectly comfortable for long movie nights.
We gave it away to someone when we got...
The fabulous silk covered, custom couch we got for free from the parents of a family I did a photo session for phase: This is the couch that we have now and although we didn’t purchase it or select it specifically, it is a gorgeous and very grown up couch. The silk snags and stains easily, but this is a couch we will happily invest in having recovered at some point.
The carpet was also free (from the in-laws) and the coffee table (from Poppy's family) and the lamp (from my family)!
The couch phases were just the tip of the iceberg. As I looked around I realized that the only furniture we had when we moved in that we still have is: two small dressers that were from my husbands childhood, the small IKEA side table from L.A., a tall bookshelf and a wood butcher cart. Everything else, like the couches, has been phased out and we’ve finally arrived at a furnished apartment that we love.
The IKEA table.
The two small dressers were from Kyle's childhood, the one on the right was picked up on the side of the road. =) Even the little cabinet was free (from my family).
Butcher cart (from Kyle's family).
Wine rack purchased in L.A.
Bookshelf (from Kyle's family).
The most wonderful part of it is that everything we now have was a hand-me-down, picked up from the side of the road or made by crafty people.
The cozy reading chair (from my family).
Kyle's desk (from my family).
The chest (a wedding gift made by our family friend).
The art desk (made by my dad).
The entry way table which used to be a full size table until Kyle cut it in half and put the legs back on (from Poppy's family).
The vanity made from a antique mirror (from Poppy's family) and the desk and chair (picked up on the side of the road).
The entertainment center (made by Kyle)...I know, aren't you impressed!
The vintage table (from Poppy's family).
The chairs (from Kyle's family)...the cat was also a hand-me-down.
The cedar bed frame (from Poppy's family).
The point is, if you’re looking to change up your home, reusing the wonderful items your family and friends don’t want or need can be a great way to recycle the “old” while making a statement in your own place by being selective. By doing this over a couple of years we've totally transformed our apartment into a place we love.
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