Name: Catherine
Location: Hyde Park, Massachusetts — a suburb of Boston
I live an a very cute 1930's Dutch Colonial which has been completely restored. Currently I have been renting this space for 2 years, but have discussed buying it from the landlord. With renting, I have faced all sorts of obstacles. For one, I am unable to paint how I would fully like. Another issues is the layout of home and landscaping. I would love to rework the kitchen and expand the bathroom, but am not willing to put the time and money into something I do not own.
What makes my space special is the items within. Almost everything in the home was inherited or found on sidewalks and yard sales. I had a very limited budget when setting up house, so I re-purposed and fixed items that I would normally consider junk. Most of the art in the house was also a creation of mine, as I do not have the money to spend on high-end pieces. I would say I spent a total of $500 on making my home the best it could be.
I would consider my style an eclectic mix of many decades — focusing on more modern and minimalistic cues with big splashes of color. Considering the circumstances, I think I did a pretty decent job with what I had to work with!
Thanks, Catherine!
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I love the artwork in the dining room!
I agree with mjr. I really like your dining room.
I think you have done a wonderful job. To me, every inch of your house communicates the care that you put into it - not just furnishing it, but keeping it clean and orderly and cheery.
I'm also liking the dining room artwork, especially how the pewter 'last supper' plays off the white & black of the more contemporary pieces.
@AT: being picky here, but Hyde Park is a neighborhood of Boston, not a 'burb.
I really, really love your child's room. Such a bright, happy space -- and the artwork is great.
Very cute! I can see why you would want to purchase this home!
I liked the place a lot, but speaking of being picky...your grammar could use a teensy bit of work. I'm sorry, but grammatical/spelling errors drive me nuts.
Gorgeous art work, LOVE the rainbow glass display.
your home is adorable, and it looks like you've already made it your own with the brightly colored walls and what looks like wall paper in you child's room - was it already painted like that? what exactly is it the landlord won't let you do?
I love your place! You did such a great job composing and arranging the furniture and accessories. The wall colors are fantastic and the thrift store items make it original and naturally "green." Much better than the stuff in magazines. I want to come over for tea.
I really like your place and the fact that you managed to pull it off for under $500 makes me feel like there's hope for my home after all. I'm now inspired and motivated in spite of my very limited budget.
I like the kid's room, but I think trying to enforce modern/minimal in a Dutch colonial is hard. I like the art in the dining room, but not the lighting, nor the hard-edged pieces in the kitchen. Seems harsh and cold.
Thanks everyone for the kind words.
If I owned this house I would change the lighting, paint, and overall layout.
@greenmeansgo- I agree with you! I was juggling a newborn while trying to type something up, so please excuse the mistakes.
greenmeansgo: Let us know when you get your Grammar Therapy blog up and running, sentence fragments and all...
I think most of us are here to discuss paint chips, not comma splices.
Because of the limitations of renting and what you're allowed to do, a lot of 'heart' went into making this home personal. I really like it. I like that yard sale finds and inherited items were used. I think that's more interesting than a professionally, highly designed home.
Hello there, new to the boards but have been enjoying AT for a while now -- great ideas. I want to say something to everybody who always states that they can't paint their apartment when the rent -- OF COURSE YOU CAN. You are paying THOUSANDS of dollars to live there (did I mention THOUSANDS). Just be prepared when you move to either 1) put it back to what it was or 2) (depending on local housing laws) having money taken out of your security deposit. And if that's going to happen, have your landlord sign a certified affidavit or give you timestamped pix that it was done; 9 times out of 10 LANDLORDS DO NOT REPAINT, esp if you used a neutral color/did a good job/been there a short time. Or when you sign the usually boilerplate lease PUT IN THAT YOUR GOING TO PAINT; esp if the paintjob is crap to begin with. I never understand people who don't or won't because they don't own...THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS!
And to Catherine -- how would you want to paint? Looks pretty colorful already. Very fun!
I love that the kitchen so much charm and that it actually fits in with the house. If you do rework it, I hope you retain some of its character.
And @ghunt - you're not being picky...
I too love your kitchen, Catherine! It's really wonderful to see a kitchen with personality, if that makes sense! Put the kettle on, we're all coming to yours for a brew and a view! ;)
My lease states that I can be evicted for painting, adding extra locks and installing a portable dishwasher. I can also be evicted for having a messy patio. This is what I can afford unless I would like to live in a nice cardboard box painted the color of my choice.
Second for the neighborhood error. Although Hyde Park is farther form downtown Boston than Cambridge, where I live, it's still part of Boston, whereas Cambridge is a separate city. In fact, Hyde Park is where the MAYOR of Boston lives.
lovely