Apartment Essentials {Art}

When I announced this series, an overwhelming number of you expressed the need for affordable art options to cover bare walls and introduce color without breaking the bank. Here are a few of the tricks up my sleeve...

{Christian Chaize, $50+}

20x200 is an excellent source for limited edition prints in various sizes. A 14"x11" print like this ubiquitous Christian Chaize number (which, for the record, I still love) will run you $50.

{Janet Hill, $26}

I adore the Etsy offerings of painter Janet Hill, whose vintage-inspired prints would be a playful addition to any interior. Nothing in her shop costs more than $55 and this charming print of a well-clad redhead is just $26! Frame it in gold with a green matte and you're good to go.

{Sarah Tucker, $18}

This Swiss blogger stocks her shop with travel photography that will lend an esteemed air to a simple studio. These peonies, which Sarah photographed in Zurich, are a personal favorite.

{Emma Leonard, $25}

Prefer sketches to paintings and photos? This Australian illustrator's work is breathtakingly precise. I'm drawn to this messy topknot — how perfect for in a closet or powder room!

{Leah Goren, $40}

One of my favorite solutions is to frame a colorful scarf. This hand-painted option (currently sold out but I believe can be custom ordered) would be particularly cheery in a breakfast nook or a foyer.

{Vera Neumann, $46}

Framable options abound at The Lucky Fish. This vintage Vera Neumann scarf is a graphic statement piece that could easily inspire the color palette for your entire space. 

{Amber Interiors}

I have featured Amber's dining room before but the fact that she took pictures of clouds and blew them up for her dining room continues to strike my fancy. In fact she makes me want to run to Kinko's with some of my Instagram snaps. Think travel pictures, family portraits, the sky's the limit!

- - -

If you'd prefer a DIY project, I might suggest painting panels or framing wallpaper. What's your favorite art resource and how are you covering your walls these days?

When I announced this series, an overwhelming number of you expressed the need for affordable art options to cover bare walls and introduce color without breaking the bank. Here are a few of the tricks up my sleeve...

{Christian Chaize, $50+}

20x200 is an excellent source for limited edition prints in various sizes. A 14"x11" print like this ubiquitous Christian Chaize number (which, for the record, I still love) will run you $50.

{Janet Hill, $26}

I adore the Etsy offerings of painter Janet Hill, whose vintage-inspired prints would be a playful addition to any interior. Nothing in her shop costs more than $55 and this charming print of a well-clad redhead is just $26! Frame it in gold with a green matte and you're good to go.

{Sarah Tucker, $18}

This Swiss blogger stocks her shop with travel photography that will lend an esteemed air to a simple studio. These peonies, which Sarah photographed in Zurich, are a personal favorite.

{Emma Leonard, $25}

Prefer sketches to paintings and photos? This Australian illustrator's work is breathtakingly precise. I'm drawn to this messy topknot — how perfect for in a closet or powder room!

{Leah Goren, $40}

One of my favorite solutions is to frame a colorful scarf. This hand-painted option (currently sold out but I believe can be custom ordered) would be particularly cheery in a breakfast nook or a foyer.

{Vera Neumann, $46}

Framable options abound at The Lucky Fish. This vintage Vera Neumann scarf is a graphic statement piece that could easily inspire the color palette for your entire space. 

{Amber Interiors}

I have featured Amber's dining room before but the fact that she took pictures of clouds and blew them up for her dining room continues to strike my fancy. In fact she makes me want to run to Kinko's with some of my Instagram snaps. Think travel pictures, family portraits, the sky's the limit!

- - -

If you'd prefer a DIY project, I might suggest painting panels or framing wallpaper. What's your favorite art resource and how are you covering your walls these days?

Apartment Essentials {The Rug}

Problem: your apartment/dorm room carpet has seen better days. Solution: camouflage it with a chic and cost-effective option from Rugs USA. They were kind enough to send the Ultra Shag Natural Flokati rug my way and I absolutely love it! It will undoubtedly be a fixture in our first apartment whether it's concealing icky carpet or warming up hardwood floors. 

Rugs are investment pieces and can cost you big bucks if you don't know where to look. Fortunately Rugs USA has an amazing and affordable selection complete with customer reviews so you know you're getting the most for your money. The rug they sent me is super soft and totally versatile. Sure, flokati isn't the easiest thing to keep clean — but when it looks and feels this good, who's complaining? Of course if flokati's not your choice there's plenty else to choose from...

{Leopard print, $119+}

{Overdyed, $545}

{Striped, $70+}

{Trellis, $109+}

Do you see where I'm going with this? No matter what look you're after, I'm certain you'll find something you love at Rugs USA. They were a dream to work with and frankly their selection is the best I've come across to date. 

But don't just take my word for it. My puppy Fenway is equally obsessed!

Problem: your apartment/dorm room carpet has seen better days. Solution: camouflage it with a chic and cost-effective option from Rugs USA. They were kind enough to send the Ultra Shag Natural Flokati rug my way and I absolutely love it! It will undoubtedly be a fixture in our first apartment whether it's concealing icky carpet or warming up hardwood floors. 

Rugs are investment pieces and can cost you big bucks if you don't know where to look. Fortunately Rugs USA has an amazing and affordable selection complete with customer reviews so you know you're getting the most for your money. The rug they sent me is super soft and totally versatile. Sure, flokati isn't the easiest thing to keep clean — but when it looks and feels this good, who's complaining? Of course if flokati's not your choice there's plenty else to choose from...

{Leopard print, $119+}

{Overdyed, $545}

{Striped, $70+}

{Trellis, $109+}

Do you see where I'm going with this? No matter what look you're after, I'm certain you'll find something you love at Rugs USA. They were a dream to work with and frankly their selection is the best I've come across to date. 

But don't just take my word for it. My puppy Fenway is equally obsessed!

Apartment Essentials {The Sofa}

Given that lots of you are young professionals furnishing your first place, I thought I'd kick off an informal series called Apartment Essentials to showcase my favorite budget finds for key pieces. (This is of course pertinent to college students as well!) First up: the living room sofa.

{Rita Konig in Decorate}

In many first apartments, the living room sofa serves many purposes: the place you cozy up with popcorn and a movie, the spot you read blogs and skype home, the alternative to the dining room table (which is inevitably covered with magazines and mail), and — let's face it — the guest bedroom for visitors both expected and impromptu. Therefore it's important that the living room sofa be comfortable, durable, and stylish. Here are a few of my favorite affordable options on the market right now. 

Ikea, $579

CB2, $999

Urban Outfitters, $659

Z Gallerie, $999

Feel free to disagree with me here but I'm going to say that anything priced below $1,000 is a very reasonable price for a quality sofa. These are only a few hundred dollars more than your college futon but kill it in the style department. Most of these are available in multiple colors but I chose gray as a goes-with-everything neutral that's way more chic than beige.

- - -

What do you think of this series? Any particular pieces you're looking for?

Given that lots of you are young professionals furnishing your first place, I thought I'd kick off an informal series called Apartment Essentials to showcase my favorite budget finds for key pieces. (This is of course pertinent to college students as well!) First up: the living room sofa.

{Rita Konig in Decorate}

In many first apartments, the living room sofa serves many purposes: the place you cozy up with popcorn and a movie, the spot you read blogs and skype home, the alternative to the dining room table (which is inevitably covered with magazines and mail), and — let's face it — the guest bedroom for visitors both expected and impromptu. Therefore it's important that the living room sofa be comfortable, durable, and stylish. Here are a few of my favorite affordable options on the market right now. 

Ikea, $579

CB2, $999

Urban Outfitters, $659

Z Gallerie, $999

Feel free to disagree with me here but I'm going to say that anything priced below $1,000 is a very reasonable price for a quality sofa. These are only a few hundred dollars more than your college futon but kill it in the style department. Most of these are available in multiple colors but I chose gray as a goes-with-everything neutral that's way more chic than beige.

- - -

What do you think of this series? Any particular pieces you're looking for?