My brother's apartment is always inspiring. I had to go there yesterday last minute to help him with something, so while I was there, I figured I'd snap some photos of where he calls home. The inspiring part is that most of the items in his apartment were free. He just has a distinct taste and knows what he likes, and his room mate is awesome at making a house (of mismatched junk) a home.
Oh yeah, he lives in a funeral home turned apartment. Although not everyone would be able to live in a home like this, I have to say the details of the home really make it home-y...even if spirits are roaming freely.
Also, I should forewarn, he didn't plan for me to be coming and photographing his home, so they way you see it here on the blog is the way anyone would see it if they were to go by his house. No styling done (ok we did fluff the pillows) and no cleaning. This is real. This is free.
Garden/TV Room
-The table behind the futon is actually a dresser. It doesn't seem like it could function well as a dresser, but if you stored seasonal items in those drawers, it's not a bad idea at all. I'm not sure if this was free or not, but I like this idea because they use what they have to work with.
-The old, distressed door was found in the basement of the funeral home their apartment.
-I don't have confirmation, but I strongly believe the futon and table were probably free from a friend, from the side of the road, or a really cheap find on craigslist.
-Again, I don't have confirmation, but the rug looks like it could have been found at ikea, target, big lots, walmart, etc. It's probably a 5x7. It could have cost about $20. It anchors the room, but still displays the hard wood.
A better view of the room.
-In their second floor apartment, they have a garden. It may be unconventional, but they sure have a garden. They used a metal shelf rack and just put assorted plants on it. Believe it or not, some of the plants are fake! I would never want fake plants in my house, but I think it works because they are disguised among the living plants! I thought that was a cool idea.
-Also, I really like the dried out stump which they usually use for a surface for a plant. Again... the stump was free. I like this idea because if you over water your plant, the stump will just absorb the water and you don't have to worry about clean up. If you live in West Haven, there are plenty on the sides of our roads right now.
This nook showcases a beautiful tall door and an ancient looking small/medium sized trunk. My brother told me this trunk came from the side of the road on their street. These trunks easily sell for $50-$150 on tag sale sites and craigslist.
Study/Library
This room does have a lot going on, but it is so inviting! I think what makes this work is the consistent color scheme of rich earth tones of sage, orange, and burgundy.
-This ottoman was left by the former occupants of the apartment. All that my brother and his room mate did was throw a coordinating colored blanket on top of it, tuck it a bit, and add a bunch of pillows to make a reading nook.
-The metal and glass side table was also a find from the side of the road.
Closer view of the reading nook. Lighting was very hard to figure out at this time of day.
-Just a close up view of some of the details. This book of spells was free from me to my brother. It was left behind in my classroom when I inherited it. The mustard colored pottery was made by our younger brother as a school project.
Another close up. Lots of books. Also, I think what makes a home a home is if it feels used... and by that I mean the candles. They have actually been burnt down which creates ambient lighting while lit, but then leaves behind the feel you see here.
Yes, that is a handicap image on the table. The table was free from a Starbucks dumpster! I actually really like the handicap image because you know there has to be a story behind the table.
Just a close up of a decorative corner. Books turned into shelves with some brackets. Another HUGE trunk turned into a side table. The frame was free from Friendly's after a remodel.
Kitchen
My poor brother hates this image because he hates the floor and he hates that the floor is probably dirty and here I am trying to get a close up. My point was that this eat-in kitchen bistro table was a basic bistro table, but to make it work for a kitchen, they used an old Starbucks wooden table top and just placed it on top of the circle base. It's not perfect, but it was free!
Big Take-Aways:
1. Don't be afraid of free (or second hand). Accept the mantra, "Free is for me."
-Friends & Family
-Curbs
-Craigslist
-FB Tag Sale Sites
-Tag Sales
-Goodwill, Savers, etc.
2. Pick a style or color scheme for your home. This will help your rooms feel cohesive instead of looking like a mismatched junkyard.
