Progress Report | living room

So we've been in this apartment for about three years now. It's not the biggest space, but it's cozy and we've managed to make it feel like home. We've redecorated and updated a few things over the years, so I wanted to share a peek. There's still a few things we'd like to add, but it's basically a dream come true to me.

One of our newest pieces is this rug. We had the same rug since we moved in, and we got this rug, from Rug Safari Corporation, and it is so perfect for brightening up our space! It is so so soft and Gretchen is definitely a fan.

This space is perfect for cuddling up to watch Neflix, for early morning homework, for reading next to a long dog, for painting on Saturday mornings, and for living life with my sweet little family.

D E T A I L S | rug c/o Rug Safari Corporation, leather couch/Article, grey couch/Urban Outfitters, lamp + pot + candles/Target, blanket + canvas c/o Tiny Prints, blankets/West Elm, blanket ladder via PS diy, mirror + tv stand + coffee table/Pottery Barn, coasters via PS diy, candles + Kinfolk + catalogs/Anthropologie, prints/Pie N' the Sky + Rifle Paper + Beau Champing, Curtains/IKEA, pillows + chair + tray/Home Goods, candle/Madewell

HOME SWEET APARTMENT FT. TINY PRINTS

I know the struggles of living in an apartment: smaller space, unable to do renovations, and not enough freedom to make changes or updates... It can be difficult to really make your apartment feel like a home, but after several years of living in an apartment space, I have a few tips that might help make your apartment feel more like home. 

1. Get Cozy | Blankets are the perfect way to feel cozy in a home! I don't know about you, but a good, warm blanket can instantly make me feel more relaxed. If your husband is anything like mine, then your space is probably kept at a pretty cool temperature, so a blanket might be just what you need. Not only are they practical, but they make great decoration. We have a white (faux) fur blanket that we got from Pottery Barn as a wedding gift. I love love this blanket! I think it looks great on our simple grey couch, and Gretchen loves to cuddle on it during the day.

2. Create a Signature Scent | Growing up, my home always smelt like cinnamon; this was my mom's signature scent. So now, no matter where I am, if I smell cinnamon, I am instantly "home" and comfortable. Find a scent that makes you feel comfortable, that makes you feel happy or joyful, and fill your home with it! Elisha and I love our Volcano candles from Anthropologie, which we used in our wedding. I also really love vanilla scents and have a few varieties in our bedroom.

3. Personalize Your Decor | Nothing will help make your space feel more like yours, than a little personalization. I got this Happy Home Pillow and this Vibrant Diamond Wave Pillow from Tiny Prints, and I love the little touch of personalization that they add to our home. It also really focuses our home on family and that makes it so much more special!

4. Share Memories | It's obvious that I'm a huge fan of photos, but with instagram and Facebook storing all of our photos, we can easily forget to actually print some out! I love being able to display important photos of special moments and loved ones. One of my favorite pieces is this canvas print of me and Elisha from our engagement photos (this was also the cover of our wedding invitation!).  

5. Utilize Your Space - As I mentioned before, apartments don't always have the most space, so it's important that you make the most of what you have. I wouldn't say that our style is fully minimalistic, but we do like to keep our "stuff" to a minimum. I like investing in pieces that I know we will treasure and keep for years. It's easy to get swept up in trends, but be true to yourself and find pieces that define your style and help to shape your home's personality.

Other ideas not previously mentioned: plants, pets, unique finds, thrifted pieces, warm lighting, handmade items, and storage. These are a few other things I have focused on. Just remember to have fun with it! Your home may not be featured in a magazine, it may not look like everyone else's, but if you feel happy, rested and "at home" when you're there, that's all that matters! 

I love seeing how other people style their homes. If you all do a home tour, I would love to take a peek! Leave a link below so we can all visit! 

xo. mel

N E W S P A C E :: workspace

This space functions as so many different areas that it was tough to find a place for everything. After a few shifts and trying out different storage situations, I believe I have finally found a place for all of my things. This space is now comfortable and conducive for work and craft!

 

I hope y'all are having a wonderful week and I'll be back later to share a new diy!

 

 

xo. mel

N E W S P A C E :: bedside + Kleenex Style

Since (mostly) finishing our living room decor, I've decided to devote my attention to our bedroom. My hope is to create a space that is peaceful, beautiful and calming. After a long day at work, it's nice to have a place for relaxation; our bedroom is sort of our retreat after all. My hope is to share the space piece by piece as we work on it. Here are a few of my bedside essentials:

flowers :: I love having fresh flowers by my bedside! Not only do they bring a pleasant smell to the space, but they seem to brighten it up. I picked these up at the market the other day and I'm just smitten with that purple color. They've got me in spring fever, that's for sure!

candles :: for the last two years or so, I've become completely obsessed with candles. Elisha has actually put a cap on my candle purchases until I use the ones we have, ha! I just love them - their smells, the pretty jars they come in, and how peaceful they can turn any room. Any time I've had an extra long day, I love to come home, light the candles and just sit and breathe them in. They're just so therapeutic, so naturally I need at least one at my bedside. My current favorite scents are Volcano and Crane Flower from Anthropologie.

books + magazines :: I love to read, so it's nice to have some good reading material by the bed. Sometimes I like to read to help me fall asleep at night and it's helping me reach one of my goals! I'm currently reading Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling and Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Melton. What are you reading? 

Kleenex :: When I moved to Texas 6 years ago, I developed allergies. They're something I've had to deal with each season, so having Kleenex by my bedside is an absolute essential. I recently purchased a few boxes from the new Kleenex Style Studio Line, and I love the fun designs. It's great having cute boxes that fit your style and don't take away from your decor, but actually add to it. They recently launched this new line; I love the one with the sweet owls!

perfume :: I usually shower at night and I love spraying on my perfume before I go to sleep. It's something my Mom always did and I never thought it was strange until my sister pointed it out. I just love going to bed feeling clean and smelling pretty, so sue me!

lipbalm :: I think everyone has lip balm on their nightstand. It's a must.

blankets :: I'm a blanket junkie. There, I said it. I have way way too many, but I'm not even sorry. I love blankets, I love being warm, and they're the best! Of course, I have two by my side... ya know... just in case. 

So, does your bedside look like mine? What are some of your staples?

xo. melisa

*this post is sponsored by Kleenex. Thank you for supporting the sponsors that make Pie N' the Sky possible.