Jess sent us an email, sharing photos and info on her first place in Chicago, a 450 sq. ft. studio in Lakeview. Jump below for more from Jess:
Reader's Rooms: Jess's Jewelry Studio
She has this to say about her small home and business:
"I just graduated from college last May and moved to Chicago on my post-grad/self-employed budget of $2,000. But as you can see, second hand stores and Ikea can come together nicely in a "1920's French chic" style. I also design and operate my jewelry business out of the space, so you will notice some of the jewelry materials here and there."
"AT was a huge inspiration before I moved to the city and I would love to help other college grads know that they can make their first place beautiful on next to nothing."
Thanks very much to Jess for sharing her apartment with the AT Community!
Comments (9)
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Just Lovely!! I have tried to block the image of my first place out of my head . . . it was a tiny, smelly little hovel that I finally gave up on. Luckily, it was on Venice Beach and my backyard was the ocean, which made up for it for a while.
Do you know the origin of those keys in the last pic? They are very interesting.
view 4ddh's profile
Very nice place - off topic a bit, but who made your shoes?
view Tobermory's profile
Your apartment looks great but the off-kilter photos make it difficult to really enjoy.
view Gallivant's profile
I really like the way you attached some of your jewelry to the fabric lampshade. I'm gonna try that now to help declutter my vanity table and just dress up my otherwise boring lamp. Thanks! :-D
view little flower's profile
CUTE SHOES!
view rusholme's profile
estydotca, I thought the EXACT same thing!
Your apartment is super cute too! And I think I might have to be bad and spend money I don't have on your awesome jewelry!
view sparkle's profile
I love both of yoru desks! anyone know where they could have come from?
view jessica ford's profile
Is that a futon? It's classy! Where did you get it?
view big dane's profile
Hi everyone- I am so glad that you enjoy my apartment almost as much as I do!
I will try to answer all the comments so far:
-My shoes were $30 at DSW on clearance, I think they are made by a brand called Coconuts.
-The desks: The white desk is part of a 50-year-old children's furniture set my best friend gave to me when she married. I sanded it and painted it popcorn white and used all antiqued brass knobs because the drawer pull lengths are no longer made -- the piece is THAT old! But the effect is pretty awesome with the knobs so I lucked out. The black desk is from Target online. About $150 or so.
-The gold keys on the wall were $12 each and were black which I then painted gold - so a $25 project.
-The couch is an Ikea loveseat - my space can't fit a larger piece of furniture.
-The vintage pins on the lampshade are actually pieces that I got from my Grandma who passed away.
-If you would like to see more photos of the apartment go to my flikr site: http://flickr.com/photos/26195535@N02/sets/72157604908552633/
-The jewelry is can be found at http://jesslc.com.
I love talking about my studio, so if you have any other questions about it please let me know!
:J ess LC
view JessLC 's profile