Spice up your space!

Ok, so you are in your apartment, flatty, loftie, whatever....and you are thinking- "Im only going to be here for a year."  So you do nothing to your space....UGH! I absolutely hate that!  People always ask me, "Why are you doing so much to your apartment?"  WELLLL, I am going to be living here for a year, and I want to make sure that it is as comfortable as possible (and posh).  I want to make sure that when I am there, its an oasis- a retreat-not a stark white cell.
If you are thinking that maybe you want to update your space, and personalize it a bit, here are a few tricks that you can use.  Well- here are 3 things that will cheaply and quickly update your space:

1. PAINT- Try one accent wall to start.  My apartment is open concept,

so when I painted, it really updated, modernized, and personalized the space (and I only did one wall).....Make sure you try samples first to see what the paint looks like on the walls with your specific lighting.  You think you are getting canary yellow and when you get it on the walls you have a room full of bananas.  ME NO LIKEY

2.  Put down a RUG.  I still dont understand why people say "I have carpet, I dont need a rug."  Umm, well- rugs can really change the dynamic of the space.  It can lighten, soften, and bring energy to your room.  Make sure your rug is a nice size for your room.  Living room areas usually need 7 X10 sized rugs.  You can get away with a smaller rug in your bedroom.

3.  PUT SOMETHING ON THE WALLS.  And I am not talking about those Bob Marley weed head posters that you can get from wally.  If you are out of college- its time to grow up and get some real art!  Or showcase your own talents!  My place is full of art that was a DIY by me or one of my family members just for fun.  That makes it art! 

3.45237853- ACCESSORIZE! Just like fashion, your place needs bling!  Finding a nice vase, or a bowl, or trinket to place on your coffee table will really make a diffy.  

3.587948690456- ADD CURTAINS!!!  Curtains really make a difference.  Seriously.  They dont have to be the old school swagged and tufted style.  Just simple.  Chic.  Sophisticated.  Fun.  Whatever you likey. 

Here are a couple of pics of my personal space.  Check it-

I searched high and low in Ikea for that cupcake pic.  I will never let it out of my sight. 

I created this look by painting in a neutralized color for my space, utilizing shelves, different sized pieces of art, and candle arrangements.  Me likey. 

My taste is somewhat (haha) eclectic.  

If this is not your taste- perhaps go with neutral furniture, and kick it up with paint and accessories. 

A FEW MORE TIPS

• 
  
  Less IS more- dont get to many chochskis. 
• 
  
  When painting, use Primer, and paint in a Matte finish for a more contemporary look
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  If you dont like the color of your sofa, chair, or whatever- try a slip cover.  For about $50, you can really change the entire room. 
• 
  
  Buy scent diffusers (plug ins, ppy, whatever you like.  A scent can really set of the space.  Dont believe me?  Try it!

Remember that you will reach a certain level of comfort in your space, but a true designer is NEVER finished decorating.  I always find something to switch out and replace, reorganize, whatevs. 

send me your pics of updated spaces (before and after) and I will post them in a future blog. 

Send pics to everydayrunway@hotmail.com and make sure you put "spice up space" in your regarding line.  I will post the responses, and after a week of voting for the best looking space, the space with the most votes will rec' a GREAT prize for your space!!!!

-Entries will be accepted until 6.11.10

-Voting will begin 6.14.10 and will close 6.20.10

- Winner will be announced shortly after via email and post!!!

Do We Love It?

(DWLI)