Ooo, he's g-o-o-o-o-d. The befores and afters are inspiring! For me, I'd have painted the woodwork in the kitchen and bathroom white, to make it feel bigger. What comes through is how much fun he had putting this place together, you can almost picture him dashing around and getting swept up in color. Like Christmas shopping but better! Love the look and feel of this airy place with all its little touches. I don't think he minds the crowded veranda, something tells me he's comfortable with people being very close by. The whole place feels intimate and cozy.

I really like the conch shell hung on the wall - is there hardware you can buy to do so? I've been looking for a way to display some treasures from my last vacation.

so cute. he does beachy well. i'm curious as to why he left Venice Beach for Austin since the ocean lifestyle seems to be his heart? nice transformation of a cookie cutter apartment--save for the fireplace.

Like Christmas shopping but better, I think he had fun dashing around finding just the right things. I love how he's created such an airy and light environment in this small place. For me, I'd rather have the wood painted in the kitchen and bathroom to increase its feeling of size and continue lighting it up. But perhaps it needs this bit of contrast and texture. Something tells me he's comfortable with the intimacy created on the veranda and wouldn't mind people being so close by.

Not to answer for Trent -- but I believe he mentioned regretting not having the kitchen and bathroom cabinets painted white! Can't remember if he said it was a landlord thing or if was because I was too eager to want to shoot his place -- I'm pretty sure it's in the works, though!

Oh, this apartment is exactly my style. *swoon*

I just love all the blue accents and the beachy feel!

He's taken what could be drawbacks of the apartment and made them into assets. So well done!

Hmmm...sorry to stray off-topic, but Trent is awfully cute!

I'm so glad he's included before photos. It's inspiring to see the transformation, especially since it's a rental, so no renovations. Really great job taking a standard, somewhat dated apartment and making it look great (in 3 weeks!). Kudos!

I found this so inspirational! He took a regular apartment and transformed it with affordable and accessible items, rather than designer-only spendy ones, and proved that any space can become an oasis with some thought, creativity, and some diy know-how. BRAVO!

And, AP, bring us more of these!

Love it! He definitely turned a run-of-the-mill rental into something special and full of personality.

Ahhhh the patio. The patio the PATIO. <3 <3

Very nice place! I like!

So much to like about this place; loads of personality, but it doesn't look junky or cluttered. Love the colors, textures, and I am seriously lusting after those leather butterfly chairs. The decor is so terrific it is easy to overlook the horrible cottage cheese ceilings, tile floors and a kitchen most of us would want to do-over. Trent, if you find yourself in California again, come on over and work some magic on my place.

Things I love:
- the Darth Vader fireplace
- the turquoise wall in the bedroom
- the hammock room (drool!)

Three weeks!? Amazing

wow...this isn't normally my style, but my jaw hurts now from it constantly dropping flipping between the before and after photos.
what an amazing transformation!
it's nice to see what someone can do with such a ratty space, and gives me inspiration to do something for myself.
wonderful space!

I really appreciate how "real" the house tours have been recently. I have no interest in seeing anything ridiculously fancy, sterile, expensive, or staged-looking (you know, I actually live in my house, and I'm not a millionaire). The house tours recently have looked much more lived-in, realistic, and therefore have been much more inspiring.

Trent CLEARLY knows what he's doing. I loved it all!! I'd never know the space was so small. I want to sit down in every room with a cocktail and a moment and just take it all in and exhale.... Success!

Love how a boring standard apartment was tansformed into something amazing, airy, bright and comfy!

The fireplace! I have seen those around sometimes on craigslist (even one that was really a heater and needed no venting). Speaking of that, someone in the philly area please buy this thing and put it out of my misery, or I might be overcome with lust and do something foolish. Also, this one. C'mon now, ppl, it is orange. Orange is hot.

Beach style is not my style either, I guess, but the hammock and that teal/white stripe fabric is nice.

"Can anyone tell me why people insist on karate chopping their pillows? I think it looks weird." username26

Yes, what is with that! Saw people actually doing it on TV once and I just wanted to scream at them to stop. It wasn't just one or two, it was every bloody pillow in the place and the place was huge.

"photo's" on the chalkboard - tsk tsk

I never knew a bachelor's pad could be so cozy and put together! So much personality in such an otherwise bland apartment. Bravo!

I agree with mochatelli--let's see more of this kind of space! Just think how many people live in this kind of cookie-cutter apartment...there's little to start with of any interest, they're renting so they are limited in what they can do, and they're on tight budgets. This is really inspirational.

He is a master because I have lived in ugly apartments like this with the popcorn ceilings, ugly carpet and those terrible cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom but I just gave up. So glad to see that it actually CAN look good. Too bad I don't have this type of talent. Did I mention how much I hate popcorn ceilings? Can't stress that enough.

<3

@username26, hawaiinei
re: karate-chopping, just a guess, but doing so makes the pillow fatter (pushing the filling down and out), which could make it look plusher than if the filling were more evenly distributed? Must be a styling trick....

Awesome. Fantastic use of existing space! I don't even notice the yucky rental stuff. (Although, I don't hate popcorn ceilings. I'd take one over a drop ceiling any day.) Oh, and that outdoor space!!!!! I could hang there all day..........

P.S. How did you hang the conch shell???

What a gorgeous transformation! To turn a bland space into something cozy and beautiful and all on a tight budget - that's what makes a great designer! Not all professionals can do that.

Trent is so right in saying people should make their home better than their preferred vacation spot. Investing part of the vacation budget into a nicer home gives you a holiday retreat every day. At least visual.

Beautiful and inspiring !! I love the color palette, the objects, the feeling, everything. I totally disagree with the opinion he expressed that this has a hotel feeling. This has a home feeling. I wished hotels felt that good, and not impersonal and cold.

I second the shell sconce question. How can one imitate that ? It's amazing !

@username26, hawaiinei
I agree about the karate chop-pillows!
@lepidoptery
It may well be a styling trick, but to have every single pillow looking like that looks over-styled to me...

Like many AT posts, this leaves me wondering where all the stuff is, or how it's stored. Or do some people really only own glossy coffee table books, cushions and bits of decorative coral? Still, nice staging.

Didn't think this would be my kinda thing...but I absolutely love it!!

It was meant to be an inspiration and it absolutely IS! I, too, got a little hung up on "where's all the STUFF," you know, the stuff we live with every day and try not to get bogged down with. But reminded myself this was meant to show what you can do with a small space and little money and it succeeded hugely. He's good and is happy to revel in it...I cheer you on, Trent!

I'm going to copy this, is that okay?

Loveeeee your place! Is there any way you can tell us how you hung the conch on the wall?

I have to say..... beautiful staging!!

But where does he actually live? Among the unusable desk, the prickly seashells popping up everywhere, new plants that'll have to be discarded in a few months due to size, the hammock that has no space to swing.....?

He did transform a very dull space into something great looking... maybe when the photographer left, he got back to reality.

3 weeks? ONLY THREE WEEKS???? unbelievable!

Ditto!!!!

Beautiful job!

Hello. Its Trent Hultgren. Hope you are having a great friday! You can see more of my designs at Cabanacasa.com.
The conch shell- just drill a whole in the back and hang it with a nail.
Pillows: I always have done it - I think it adds style, personal preferance.
"Wheres all the stuff": Its all there in baskets or in cabinets..I have to have clean space.
Living in my place: yup, this is really how it looks all the time. The desk is great (you could put a glass top if you wanted), the hammock swings as far as you want it:), I agree with the popcorn ceiling, cabinets and carpet but I think its a great reminder of life...you have to make the best of everything that is where your at!
If there's anything I can answer for you feel free to hit me up!
Have an awesome weekend everyone! Thanks for all your thoughts! Trent

Wow. Can't believe this guy and I are from the same small town in Central CA. Not too often someone from back home makes it to t.v. Congrats Trent!

I really liked the frames/couch combo and the hammock porch. The rest of it seemed a little too cluttered and contrived.

I could get that it's beach-themed without the coral, shells, and beach-related books on every last surface ...

Trent - as a design enthusiast, your house is beautiful! But, as a marine biologist (which is my real job) it is just not okay to display real coral - one of the most endangered species in the ocean right now! Please tell me the coral is fake! Displaying coral and conch is like hanging an elephant tusk or a tiger head on your wall! How about reproductions?

I get inspiration from every post. There is so much to learn and being adaptable is the greatest gift. Thanks for telling me I can put my stereo crap under the counter. It made my day!

Trent your home is lovely..I love the beach feeling, living in Vancouver, BC I love the ocean and anything to do with it. You have transformed a mediocre apartment into a cozy warm home. I love the colors and that outside area is awesome. The pillows are ok,not over-done in my opinion and btw you are awfully cute!

I was thinking the same exact thing about the karate chopped pillows! Another tour a few days ago had them too. I hate that look.

But I love that hammock.

Did anyone notice this (?): in its original state, the bedroom carpet seems a horrid shade of tan/brown. But now it looks like the wet sand on the beach! Amazing.

I love this space!! I decorate my home like that, but it's bigger. Where he focuses on one favorite color, then adds in whites and fabulous textures, I just can't stay that disciplined in a big place. I know it looks more cohesive, but then I get a craving for COLOR and then what do you know, I have an entire room painted coral. WOOPS! I should have just painted it all white, and then added my color in the furniture and accessories, but repainting a 5br house now is just not happening. Nice job, Trent!

@cary - if the coral is washed up on the beach and already dead, you don't advocate picking it up? I pick up shells and coral whenever I visit the beach (I live in Florida). I guess it's possible that he grabbed the bigger pieces live, but I can't see that a person that involved with the beach would purposely harm the environment like that.

great job. you made the most out of apartment living, but I would think of some way to hide those popcorn ceilings! either tent them with fabric or staple on plywood design pieces. also i would like to see the wall painted as you enter the kitchen area (and not blue)! thanks for sharing your space!

A very appealing, attractive, and interesting place, with a nice selection and balance of colors. VERY WELL DONE!!

an introduction that turns into a fabulous collaboration? i LOVE it! i've got to come to austin and see this in person! make room on your couches.

love what you have done!!! Don't like pillow chopping. Way too many ocean inspired accessories.

Yay Texas. Yay Austin.
Love the cookie cutter transformation and that hammock is amazing.
I also would like to point out some people do live with just beautiful pillows, and bits of coral and pretty "objets". Not I! But I find it inspiring that there are people who do (with kids! And pets!). Makes me believe that there is hope for me yet!
Now I think I might have to paint a focal wall in my bedroom. Where are my stir sticks....

@Melissa_B - Most of those beautiful coral pieces have been illegally harvested (those in such perfect condition). I don't think Trent intentionally harmed the ocean. I think most people just don't know the state of the oceans.

I love so many of the house tours but this one made me want to move in.

Carynowen - thanks for the info about coral. I had no idea and love shells etc so would buy coral if I saw it. Now, I won't.

that conch shell on the wall looks suggestive, puts me off. but everything else i love! even the karate-chopped cushions. my absolutely favourite item is the leather butterfly chair. i'm glad he didn't use one of the colorful 'beachy' looking butterfly chairs that belong outdoors. in 3 weeks? i'm still putting up artworks after 2 years.

Hello Trent! Please let me know what the color, you used in your bedroom. I showed my son your bedroom pic and he finally found a color he likes for his room in our new home. Amen to us agreeing on something:) LOL . I look ofrward to hearing from you soon:)

Hello Trent! Please let me know what the color, you used in your bedroom. I showed my son your bedroom pic and he finally found a color he likes for his room in our new home. Amen to us agreeing on something:) LOL . I look forward to hearing from you soon:)