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Name: Linda, pharmacist and fashion and food blogger of NomNomBlingBling, and dog Mandu
Location: McLean, Virginia
Size: 903 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year; own

Working as a pharmacist by day but a fashion blogger in her spare time, Linda describes her home style aesthetic as being much like her fashion sense: a mix between high and low, elegant and modest. In her one-bedroom condo that she shares with her cute dog Mandu, pieces from Home Goods and Ikea mix with vintage purple suede and lots of shine.

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Along with her new neighborhood, home design is another area Linda is looking forward to exploring a bit more. "I'm very comfortable with fashion, but home design is new and seems a bigger, more personal reflection of you."

Within her small space, Linda focuses on the little details and touches to make it feel more homey. Accent pieces and pops of purple and red inject a little energy into the quiet space. Flowers fill vases in every room. "I'm pretty much done in terms of the overall big pieces, but details and little things I'm always shopping around for. Perhaps next season I'll change out the details, like switching out the rugs or pillows. It's winter so I figured I would do a winter palette."

Being on a high floor of her building afforded Linda the opportunity to transform her sun room into a multipurpose office/dining area to take advance of the natural light. "The sun room area is my favorite. Especially taking food photography for my blog, the natural light is the best. It was a major selling point for me." Using her wanderlust as inspiration, she created a sort of a gallery showcase out of her dining room wall, where she displays photos of her travels.

Symmetry is another theme throughout the space, whether it's the two pillows on the couch mimicking each other, the glass lamps flanking either side of the bed, the lined picture frames above the dining table, or striped carpet in the living room.

Apartment Therapy Survey:

My Style: Modern with a bit of glam. I had the intent of decorating my first home with simple yet contemporary furniture that infused color schemes depending on the room/space.

Inspiration: My inspiration comes from Pinterest, interior decorating blogs, and décor magazines.

Favorite Element: I love the sun room area with the almost floor to ceiling windows, which bring in natural light to the area. I knew that I would decorate it to be either a dining area for intimate dinners with friends or a reading area that would have a comfy chaise. I'm glad I turned it into a dining area because I love entertaining friends for dinner while overlooking the view at night, or having them over for brunch with the natural light coming through. I love looking at my travel gallery wall of the countries I've visited because it's a good reminder for me to keep on doing what I love — travel.

Biggest Challenge: Trying to separate the open space I have, from the living area to the sunroom area, in terms of decorating. I wanted the living room to be cozy and casual but the dining area to be bit a glam, so trying to find furniture to match that intent was a bit of a challenge and a long process.

What Friends Say: They're impressed with what I've turned it into and say it reflects my personal style, which is something I love to hear. I believe your home should be an extension of you, so hearing that from friends makes me happy.

Biggest Embarrassment: My patio. It hasn't been given much love other than placing patio furniture in the space.

Proudest DIY: Picking the color for my sun room area so it would be cohesive with my purple dining chairs and then finally painting the room. I'm not much of a DIY person by any means, but I am very proud of how the painting project turned out. I originally had black picture frames for my gallery wall but I wanted the frames to pop a bit more after painting, so I decided to go bold and change them out for gold colored ones. I'm glad I did because I absolutely love how the gold pairs with the dark gray walls.

Biggest Indulgence: My TempurPedic bed. It took several months for me to decide to pull the trigger on it. I figure it's not something I change out frequently and it's my resting place, so I splurged with that decision. No regrets.

Best Advice: Shop around for furniture because it might take time to find pieces you like at the price you want. Invest in pieces that sit close to your body (ie. bed, couch, chairs) and don't clutter the space.

Dream Sources: Room and Board, Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler, and Design Within Reach

Resources of Note:

PAINT COLOR
• Benjamin Moore (Deep space 50% lighter)

LIVING ROOM

• Sectional: West Elm
• Coffee Table: Pottery Barn floor sample
• Rug: CB2
• Arc lamp: CB2
• Mirror by wine rack: Home Goods
• Wine rack: West Elm
• Chevron print: Bed bath and Beyond
• Tray: Home Goods:
• Candle stick holders: Ikea
• Alligator Suitcases: Home Goods

DINING ROOM/OFFICE

• Desk: Ikea
• Lamp: Ikea
• Bulletin Board: Ikea
• Lambskin: Costco
• Gold magazine stand: Home Goods
• Purple chairs and dining table: Contemporary Concepts in Rockville, Maryland
• Gold vase: Home goods
• Photos: Linda's
• Picture frames: Michaels Craft Store
• Lamp: Home Goods

BEDROOM

• Headboard and bed frame: West Elm
• Side tables: West Elm
• Lamps: Home Goods
• Mirror: Home goods
• Rug: Costco
• Arm Chair: Home Goods
• Desk as vanity table: Ikea

KITCHEN

• Bowl with lemons: Tiffany & Co.
• Bar stools: Belonged to Linda's parents

LINDA'S OUTFIT

• Striped blouse: J. Crew
• Sweater: Gap
• Skirt: TJ Maxx
• Necklace: Alexis Bittar
• Rings: David Yurman
• Glasses: Warby Parker

Thanks, Linda!

(Images: Nicole Crowder)

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