Name: Liz
Location: Old West neighborhood — Durham, North Carolina
I just moved to North Carolina from Oklahoma City 5 months ago. I had purchased my first house there a year prior and had begun to renovate and settle in when an opportunity arose to move across the country on short notice for a job — and I just couldn't resist the adventure. I had to edit down my possessions to move from a 1,000 square foot house to a 590 square foot duplex, but it was all worth it.
The duplex was built in 1920 and has great bits of character that reminded my of my 1920s bungalow back in OKC. I tried to let those shine, but not let anything get too precious or serious. Obviously I'm a huge sucker for mid-century lines, but I've tried to cozy it up a bit. Also, I'm only 26, so I'm still defining my style and finding pieces that will hopefully last a lifetime.
You can see more pictures from the duplex (and my previous house in Oklahoma City) on my Flickr: lizrary.
Thanks Liz!
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Comments (35)
Love it! I'm in love with the color pallette!
love the use of white, yellow and brown.
and the first photo was eerily similar to my living room. same chair, same lamp, same record player.
love this! great job. i love how clean all the lines are.
Really nice - I wouldn't worry at all about defining a style, you seem to be doing pretty well
perfect.
Love the colour scheme & dreaaam rug
Old West is a great neighborhood. Thanks for repping Durham so well!
Very stylish!
I like the way the big photos behind the TV make it look less obvious (must remember that!)
I absolutely adore this. HT, please!!
Warm and beautiful. That is one of the best white paints I've seen in a long time.
Please share white paint color. Nice.
Love everything about this apartment. Can someone tell me where that cantilever lamp is from?
More more more!! Love it!
How exciting -- a fellow Durhamite. Nice job, Liz!
@DrePacific--the lamp came from Target but they no longer sell it.
http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/arc-paper-lantern-floor-lamp
Very homely and stylish. Just wanting to second/third/fourth the request for a full tour :-)
Ahhh, this is so gorgeous! It's sophisticated, inviting, and bright. I also want to see more!
Beautiful house. I hope to retire to NC someday. I used to have that Target lamp too. I wish they still sold it.
1) your places is great (layout, bones, arrangement)
2) the way youve done it up is great (chairs, plant)
3) and i LOVE the fact it's so white, nice and clean =p=) thank you for sharing !!
LOVE this. can i copy it??
Being from Chapel Hill, it's nice to see the Research Triangle so well represented :)
I've been looking through your flickr photos, really great home. I love the couch and figured it was MCM, but was surprised to learn it was Urban Outfitters. (I assumed it was the same one) How do you like it a year later?
Thanks for all the kind words, everyone! It was a total trip to see my place on AT's homepage. I'm glad you love it.
It's great to see all the other RTP/Durhamites on here! I love NC and can't imagine being anywhere else right now.
Some answers:
@DrePacific, That lamp is indeed from Target, and it is indeed no longer sold. There are a lot of similar cantilever options out there though.
@b77, I have no idea what the white paint color is- let's just call it Ubiquitous Rental White. It was definitely a challenge to work with- but a fun challenge.
@K8, I still love the OU sofa. I'm glad I temporarily tricked you into thinking it was MCM- that was kinda the goal. ; ) Though, as you can see- I've layered it up with lots of pillows and a sheepskin to make it more comfy to hang out on, because if it has one downside, it would be non-coziness. But of course, I knew that when I bought it (HALF OFF, which helped), and that's part of why we all love the MCM aesthetic in the first place. I would recommend it for those who are looking for a couch with a small footprint/that can be moved easily, and don't want to spend crazymoney on MCM. And hey, it's solid wood! Which is unusual for OU.
Good lord- UO, not OU.
...OU graduate, if it helps my case.
The White Walls + Dark Floors really makes the place. This should be in the color series. (Did they have any white?)
I LOVE those chairs, and well, just everything! I want your duplex !!!
OMG your place is perfect. I absolutely love it.
I love the balance of black/brown/and white. I have a rental place too and have been battling the white(ish) wall problem. You do it artfully!
so pretty i want to see more!
Like, for reals, so calming and tidy and warm and beautiful.
Love to love you.
Beautifully done, I love the way you've used curves (the arc of the lamp, the backs of those dining chairs, the cluster of chinese lanterns) to balance out the squareness of the other furniture, it makes for a really warm and balanced look.
Welcome! I'll keep an eye out for you in your pretty birthday shoes.
I did a House Tour on my blog with Liz and her OK digs.
http://www.rearrangeddesign.com/2009/03/house-tour_23.html
You own some really beautiful chairs. I also appreciated the photos from the Flickr link. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful!
so lovely! I lived in old west durham for 7 yrs. this is a great example of how good it it can be. great job.