Name: Lindsey and Stephen
Location: Northern Virginia
Size: 882 Square Feet
Years lived in: 2.5 years
Two and a half years ago, when I moved into our apartment a week before we were married, there was no furniture. My then-fiancé and I had just moved to the area — me from my home in Seattle, him from California back home to Maryland — and I slept that first night on the floor, with a comforter and a desk lamp. It has been our joy to put our apartment together since then, with steals, deals, freebies, creativity—and of course, our beloved books.
The first pieces of furniture that we bought were our bookcases—that's what you need most when two bookworms marry each other. Then we pieced everything else together from family, friends, and Craigslist. We saved up for the things that meant the most to us, including the bed frame, headboard, framing, and a few accessories. We received framing for gifts, as well.
The ocean, and me missing it, was our main source of inspiration. So I started picking up things with a subtle nautical theme. For example, our bedspread is a white coral pattern on a taupe background; the nautical chart in the living room is a real navigation chart of the Potomac River, and the blue-and-white-striped pillows in the living room remind me of nautical flags. (The life preserver on the balcony? Not so subtle.) We mixed the maritime touches with my husband's family's Mid-Atlantic, midcentury furniture and lamps, and the traditional-goes-modern-and-floats-on-the-ocean style was born.
Starting from scratch was a difficult task. I was often overwhelmed with the idea that I had to stick to a style and plan, and so decorating was really a learning process as I read Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, talked to my stylish friends, and reported for my own design stories. (An interview with one of my favorite interior designers, Graciela Rutkowski, helped me choose the paint color for the dining table.) I finally decided to just buy and acquire what I loved and trust that it would all come together in the end, and as our budget allows. There is a lot more that I would like to do in the future, but I know that by starting with the basics, and building on that, we're in good shape.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
Our Style: Modern meets traditional with some fish thrown in.
Inspiration: The beach homes of the Pacific Northwest and the traditional, Colonial style of Virginia, merged for a modern, hyperorganized lifestyle.
Favorite Element: The organization, which is why we're not afraid to show you our closets! Also, the framed menu boards from Starbucks— they remind me of home.
Biggest Challenge: Being patient with our budget, to acquire furniture slowly.
What Friends Say: That's a lot of books! Have you tried a Kindle?
Biggest Embarrassment: The sofas, which need to be reupholstered. And the walls— I insist on paint the next time we move.
Proudest DIY: The dining table, which I sanded, primed, and painted over many, many hours. And the sofa that I covered up with a paint drop cloth, instead of buying a slipcover.
Biggest Indulgence: The bed frame and headboard from West Elm.
Best Advice: Buy what you love, and the style will follow! And be patient with your budget. Almost every time I was patient, while having my eye on a dream object, an inexpensive version of the dream would come my way.
Dream Sources: Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, West Elm, Baker Furniture, The Conran Shop, ABC Carpet & Home, The Container Store, West Marine
Resources of Note:
ENTRY
- • Lettro Wall-Mounted Organizer by Umbra: The Container Store
LIVING ROOM
- • Tobias Chairs: Ikea
• Expedit Bookcases: Ikea
• Orange clock: Click! Design That Fits
• Stocking holders: Pottery Barn
• Rug: West Elm
• Coffee Table: Craigslist
• Striped pillows: Restoration Hardware
• Small, orange pillow: Crate & Barrel
• Brown pillows: Ikea
• Throw: Baker Furniture
• Sofas, lamps, cabinets, starburst mirror: Family
• Audubon prints: D.C. Big Flea Market
DINING ROOM
- • Table: Friends, and then painted with Benjamin Moore's Kendall Charcoal
• Expedit Bookcases: Ikea
• Puzzle desk; Crate & Barrel
• Poang chair: Ikea
BEDROOM
- • Bed and headboard: West Elm
• Lamps: The French Apartment
• Duvet: Macy's
• Quilt: Ballard Designs
• Big pillow: Ikea
• Little pillow: Target
• Rug, dresser: Craigslist
• Chair, bookcases, nightstands: Family
• Chair pillow: Alexandra Ferguson
• Throw on chair: Land's End
BATHROOM
- • Towels: Macy's
• Soap dispenser: Crate & Barrel
• Tumblers: West Elm
Balcony
- • Chairs: Cost Plus World Market
• Pillows: Costco
• Rug: Ikea
• Table: Target
In lieu of thanking myself, I'm going to say, thank you Apartment Therapy!
Images: Lindsey M. Roberts
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I'd love to see a number of examples on Art Therapy of book collections that are well arranged or stored (I do remember that show-stopper London flat where books were shelved into the very steep staircase leading to the bedroom). I can't remember, though, that last time I saw a House tour (if I ever have) that included a designed space with a truly large library. Bookshelves up to the ceiling is one good idea, I think, though I haven't managed that yet myself.
I like your Audobon prints. I'm not sure why AT posted pics of the linen closet and toothbrushes though. This marks the first time I've seen closeups of Clorox on AT.
LOVE! My husband and I also have many books (and movies) that line the walls of our living room and bedroom. Looks like you put a lot of work into making this a wonderful home. I like that it isn't too "put together" as most homes are always in a state of flux IMHO. Especially love your bedding. ;)
Your apartment is so cozy. I think that books always look great. They say so much about who a person is and totally reflect an individual's interests. I like your home very much.
Erm, the subtext here being that this is not what I would call, by any measure, a "book-filled" apartment. This isn't meant in any way a criticism of the space itself; I'm happy that it's been shared here. But there are bookshelves in the bedroom, and a couple in the dining room and living room as well, which is grand, but it's not enormous and doesn't fill the apartment. I have about around 1000 to 1500 books and would love to see examples of creative shelving.
Very cute, unfussy and warm. i wish there were a couple close-ups of the books- would love to get a peak into your reading preferences!
Well, as half of another bookworm couple, I certainly like your books and shelves. I even recognized some volumes we've got - it's like finding mutual acquaintances.
Juliet, just give 'em some more time. I bet in another 30 years they'll have LOTS more books. ;-) But AT, I would second a request for more creative shelving ideas!
This is certainly a very cozy looking place but a little hoohum. While I like some of the individual furniture pieces and art work, I don't think the whole is curated or polished enough for my taste.
First "real" people apartment I have seen on AT, they have obviously put in a lot of effort to spruce up the place with a real budget.
I guess I identify because we are a new-ish couple doing the same, not everything ends up looking like the furniture catalog but sure does feel homey.
Not to detract from their home, but I think I expected a lot more books as well. Maybe it's because I have a library room of my own, it kind of sets the bar for me. Just to share - this is an old post but these have pics of our room - http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/2008/08/curl-up-with-good-book.html
and
http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/2011/06/house-tour-details-make-home.html
and dressed for Christmas - http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/2010/12/silent-and-still.html
I love the christmas stockings! I would love to know where they got them!
was that hall closet shot just to make me feel like a bad person? because it worked.
The photography is not up to usual AT standards, which is totally odd since it's a house tour of a regular contributor. Having one of the preview photos be one of a sheet-covered sofa sitting in front of a blank wall, also odd.
It's LIGHTYEARS better than what my apartment looked like 2 1/2 years after moving into my first place. So, kudos for that. This one just needs some more time before it's ripe.
I like that orange chair! Kind of expected more books though. Keep up the hard work, I'm always surprised on how long it takes to integrate ones own style with a spouse's.
Maybe it had to do with the quality of the photos, and I certainly don't mean to sound like a snob, but I didn't find this very aesthetically pleasing.
Clearly they both love books, so having "enough" is highly subjective...it's not for anyone else to decide! Those huge library rooms look cool, but it's unrealistic of how most people live. I love the personality in this place, and you can tell that they put a lot of care and thought into making everything work! I am charmed by this space, which is hard to come by these days!
I agree with p5harma. This is a "real" person's home and not a curated catalogue. It's nice to see these every now and then.
This is the most odd house tour I have seen yet. I am an avid book reader and collector and was hoping to see a large well stored collection, but instead there are a few ikea book shelves and a series of odd close ups. I agree that the photo quality is a bit lacking. It is always nice to see a glimpse of how other people live especially when it is a unique style or varies from my own, this however was a little dull.
Another book love here ,ive jst declettered and now i have gaps everywhere ,not sure i like downsizing my books . a very real apartment ,.
It's very typical of a "first" apt. put together on a tight budget. That being said, I don't think it was very special and I would not say it's up to the usual posts. Plus I agree with earlier posts about the linen closets, toothbrushes, etc. Left me wondering why am I looking at this. Kinda boring.
Yeah, I have to agree, and say that I don't really understand what pictures 11 (cock-eyed cork board, leftover office-supply desk, powerbar resting on top of wastebasket) and 12 (Ikea chair, stained [?] wall to wall, uncharming boxes used as bookshelves) for example are doing on AT. Sorry.
I am confused by this tour. And honestly pretty disappointed.. My apologies, not trying to offend the dwellers, but sheet covered sofas, toothbrushes, cleaning supplies, loads of random mismatched things, clutter, some books and the not so great photos leave me feeling a little lack luster here.
I second the disappointed comments...IMHO there's little to inspire in this space (certainly no offense meant to the dwellers) and isn't that why we read AT in the first place?
Love the colors & calm feel to the bedroom. Covet the seahorses pillow! The bird art is great too, as well as the dining room art. I like the color of the dining chairs and the menus as art are very nice too --I'd be happy to own any of the art displayed in this apt. Very Comfy and well done !
Sorry, but I have to agree with everyone else. The photography is not great, the paint dropcloth on the sofa is not inspirational or creative and the apartment doesn't revolve around being book filled.
Having said that, my first apartment post graduate school was basement level and allowed me someplace to crash in between working and commuting. So I have some sympathy for their "style" but it isn't AT worthy.
Cute place, absolutely. Book-filled, no. Like other commenters, I would love to see some large home libraries. I'm a librarian married to an English prof/writer, and we have a ridiculous number of books covering three floors of our rowhouse. We tossed out the chipped, worn Ikea shelving when we recently moved in hopes of eventually building something more permanent (and perhaps quirkier) in the house. I could use some inspiration.
Not ready for a house tour.
it's good to remind us all where we start when we are in our first apartment!
maybe the pics were taken with one of those special "filters" to make it look like they were taken with a digital camera from ten years ago - maybe that's just how i take pics ;)
Beautiful! I love all your books. I always worry that mine look cluttered and disorganized, but yours look good.
It's nice to see a 'first apartment' here, but I don't find this one particularly stylish or interesting. It isn't very different from a lot of friends' first places I've been to. That said, it does seem to be the beginning of something great and there are a lot of great small details. It is definitely personalized, which is nice.
It is nice to see a 'real' first apartment. Lindsey and Stephen, a real good start! Don't pay any attention to the negative comments, not everyone starts out with a home that looks like it is cut out of the pages of a magazine. Hope you two have a happy Christmas! Thanks for sharing!
Some nice details here. I was surprised too, but then I thought this is what a real apartment looks like, that hasn't been styled for a professional shoot. No apartment is totally dreamy 100% of the time, right?
I'm not sure why this is on AT.
haha if this were my friends place i would laugh when they tried to trick me with the word "organized"! lack of budget does not mean organized, it means its time to get craftyyy<3 paint those boxes("bookshelves" not tricked by that either) or for very cheap you can pick up a loveley wallpaper to cover them in. organize your books by colour, it is time consuming but looks great! if your couch is that hideous, play up the hideousness maybe? pillows to match it? if your going to throw a sheet over, why not a cute sheet? or at least tuck it in a little, i mean, millions of ppl are looking at your house silly! we are here for inspiration, and i just couldnt possibly think of anything less inspirational or more lazy than thowing a drop cloth over your couch, looking at it, and saying "good enough".
i think you should take the cloth off, paint something beautiful on it, together, and hang it as a tapestry.
and lastly, ditch that table cloth! it sounded like you worked so hard on that table and i couldnt wait to see! show the world sistah i bet its the balls!
Check out www.bookshelfporn.com for "photos from around the world for people who *heart* bookshelves."
echoing the rest: surprised this makes for a house tour on AT.
Normal people (i.e. not designers) on a budget in a rental apartment, I think that was the point of the post. The arrangements are very nice and it looks really comfortable. I like the way you "brick-stacked" those books on the top shelf of the low case. I'm stealing that idea. I have WAY too many books but I'm saving them to read in my retirement. ;-))
Unlike many others, I can see they have plenty of books & bookcases are found in practically every room they have there (except the bathroom, I think). And I don't see the need to spill negativity here either. Their arrangement is not up to your standard? Fine, you can either NOT comment (lack of comment reflects lack of love for a house/apt layout) or give ideas/suggestions which will help the owner to spruce up their place. If anything, AT editors were the ones who decided to pick this house & choose the pictures.
@mimarie Thanks for the ww.bookshelfporn.com link - heaven.
I'm really sad to see that there are 42 cell phone pictures used for a whole house tour. Next time find an art student with a DSLR if you don't want to pay someone, ANYONE will take you up for a chance to be published on AT to add to their list of places they've been published on their portfolio. The right photographer could have made everyone see why YOU are proud of YOUR HOME. I'm holding back a lot of comments because I don't want to come across as mean, but how are your bookcases going to hold up after years of supporting the weight of those books? Even if you're on a budget, with a little patience and willingness to get your hands dirty, you can score used real wood bookcases for the same price (or less!) as brand new cheap crap bookcases. I'm not above pulling a real-wood bookcase out of someone's garbage pile but I will NEVER shell out any money whatsoever for particle board, which is just sawdust and glue. I wouldn't even take a particle board bookcase for free. Ever.
Come on, take these comments to heart and knock us all dead with your NEXT house tour! <3
Cute place. I had an apt with the same layout many years ago, and you did a way better job then I did!
Very tidy apartment and it actually looks like people live there. I also have a ton of books and now I feel better about keeping them...any time I visit someone else's model-esque home sans bookshelves I always come home feeling like my places is just *cluttered*. But really, its just books. However, I can attest that those cube storage units from Ikea are the least efficient way of storing books, unless you have very large ones that don't fit on a standard width bookshelf. But at least they are cute. :)
Yes! I see that BDAG lexicon on one of the bookshelves in the bedroom! Huzzah for Koine Greek! I also enjoyed this post overall, but seeing that was just an added bonus. :-)
You have some nice pieces like the elegant white sofa, the orange chair, and some of the framed prints on the walls.
Book filled is relative...I love to see a home with books displayed...and without organizing them by color! Blech!
That being said, I think the book display is pretty ordinary. Nothing wrong with it...just nothing to take away.
I guess I don't quite understand why this is a house tour. There is nothing that really makes it pop or even new ideas to take away and use in your own space. Plus the photography is just awful.
But I have to say something nice...I adore that orange chair and the seahorses pillow. I think the place is nice enough, but just not AT House Tour "wow".
Hmm...where to start. I don't mean to hurt any feelings here, but this apartment tour is leaving much to be desired. As stated by others the pictures are such bad quality. I am wondering not only who took the pictures, but who chose this apartment. Horrible, horrible, horrible. The point of this website to display beautiful, unique, and interesting dwellings and this lacked all of the above.
Point in case: the kitchen was a cluttered mess (counters), the sofa (need I say more?), the cabinet/closet (displaying papertowels, Clorox, etc.), the dining room (table, file cabinet, and desk, and brown metal chair are atrocious)!
On the positive side...the bedroom has a lot of potential. The bed is fabulous, the bedding, bedside lamps are good, and the orange chair just might be the best thing in this apartment.
If this were the house of a friend I would compliment it. There are some warm touches, for sure! This home is probably more similar to the majority of the dwellings that belong to apartment therapy readers. I certainly am not judging the house in comparison to mine.
However, I feel that the editor/art director did them a disservice by allowing this to show in apartmenttherapy, given the usual level of design found here. By not leading them better, you've opened them up to criticisms which are no doubt hurtful and avoidable. Couldn't this have been a house call to give a nod to the nicer elements within the home?
Isn't it the professional's job to make decisions about what is display worthy? I say this with love, apartmenttherapy!
I guess some of the commenters would rather the owners clear out all of their things save some large coffee table art books and karate-chopped pillows. Having said that, I think the art-work could be re-hung to better effect. The bird quartet dwarfs the piece of furniture beneath, whilst the huge expanse of wall behind the shrouded couch is bare. The pictures in the dining area seem too small for that space, and I would have put the Starbucks menus up in the kitchen. I agree with other posters who have commented on the poor quality of the photography, and I would have loved to see the view from that fabulous balcony! Well done on creating a warm, comfortable home that reflects your interests.
I think this home is nice but I question how old the tenants are? To me this looks like an older couples home, maybe middle aged? I love the Starbucks menu's and that bed is to die for.
I love the diversity on AT. It's nice to see that there are some real live people (who clean and brush their teeth) out there. I struggle to balance my taste with my boyfriend's when we moved in together (with a very limited budget). It's nice to see that there are ordinary people like me who are working to find some creative solutions to not the most aesthetic situations.
I love the orange (red?) wing chair, and especially the sea horse pillows! And most peoples homes are about cozy moreso than "picturesque"
I also love that they have books which they have actually read, and intend to read. I hate posts where certain books are lying around to show how "cultured/informed" certain people are! It's so phony. And arranging by color? Puh-leeezee!