We all know that decorating a home takes plenty of time. When I ask someone if I can photograph their space for Apartment Therapy, their first response is usually something like, "Sounds great, Just give me a few months to clean up and redecorate". I thought it would be interesting to compile a few homes that were photographed after being lived in 6 months or less, but still look lovely and lived in…
My own apartment (Meg & Brad's Student Sanctuary) was featured only 3 months after we moved in. A lot has changed since then, but I'm still so proud of how quickly we made our new place a home. It's really fascinating to see how everyone decorates. Some quickly throw things together and others take the time to thoroughly think over every detail, but either way, it's all about the journey!
Shown above:
• Chelsea & Seans Eclectic Painted Home
• Patrick's Woodsy Chic Condo
• Jeremy's Endless Energy & Resourcefulness
• Lisa's Modern & Industrial Loft
• Douglas & Matthew's Modern Apartment
Images: as linked above
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Marisa and Peter's Playfully Eclectic Home
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The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
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The Eight-Step Home Cure 
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I like all of those houses. It's really about how prepared you are. If you have a good idea of how things will look in a new space, you already know where they will go. After that, it's adjusting a little here and there.
We got the majority of our house together quickly after we moved. We were fortunate enough to get a lot of furniture from friends and family, though. Also, painting before we moved in we really helpful.
My favorite is the first one. Cleaning and painting before moving in would be great, but I've always had to move in first.
I decorated my home in 3 days, for under $600. try that one on for size ;] though I must admit, Im missing a stereo cabinet and something for my wall.
These places look great! I wish mine was half as nice after 8 years, haha. It would be interesting to see them again now that they've had more time - what stayed, what changed?
"We all know that decorating a home takes plenty of time."
...what? Decoration is a thing of a few hours right after you moved in into your new apartment.
Women, duh.
QUESTION for everyone: Look at # 3. See that big blank wall above their flatscreen TV (in the background)? Can they put anything above the TV?
We have a similar situation in one of our rooms and the wall looks so blank! But I'm afraid art will compete with the screen. Thoughts?
My house tour was done after we lived here for only four months. I look back at it, and it looks so unfinished!
@Slangevar, of course you can put things over a TV. Why not? I'd consider it a big frame and work a grouping around it -- ideally with some black and white stuff mixed in so when the set is off, the darkness of the screen doesn't see quite so out of place.
(In my house, the set is bigger, the TV stand is part of the grouping with it's cubbies containing equipment and knick-knacks, so I just have one painting to the side. With a mid century chair, an IKEA "Noguchi" type lamp, and a small table for the phone, it makes a pleasant vignette.)