A 700-Square-Foot Apartment’s $15 Pink Couch Is Just One of Its Great Vintage Finds

Name: Sarah Lindstrom
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 700 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I move a lot for work, and this loft in Des Moines is the place I’ve lived the longest since graduating college. It is all concrete floors and exposed walls along with windows to die for (I lived in a basement apartment before this, with limited natural light), so I knew I needed to warm the space up with a lot of rugs and color. My first weekend in town, I went to the local thrift shop where I found my couch for only $15 (just one reason why I love living in the Midwest).

Using it as an anchor for the space allowed me to shop much more intentionally. I saw the painting at my favorite local vintage shop, along with my runner, and knew I had to have them to add more pink to the space. Growing up, my grandpa made furniture as his hobby— my parents’ house is full of pieces he made specifically for them. I was able to get a couple pieces he made—my bookshelf and the table under my painting—here, which makes me feel close to him and my family.

Since I usually move so much, I used to pride myself on being able to fit everything I own into my car. Obviously, that can’t happen anymore and I really allowed myself to nest here, to make this space feel like home to me. I like to think of myself as a warm and welcoming person, which is why I’m drawn to warmer color palettes.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Plush, urban, boho, colorful

What is your favorite room and why? I spend my whole day in my living room/dining room/office/kitchen. I mean, those windows! How can you not?

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? My favorite vintage/handmade and modern store is three blocks away, so I find myself walking there when I’m having a bad day or when I just need a fresh spurt of information. I recently redid my coffee table tray. I found the modular candle, resin coasters, and incense holder all there. The owner has exquisite taste, and many other trinkets and objects in my apartment come from her shop.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Go with what speaks to you and ignore the rest! That’s how I ended up with both a dusty pink couch and a Miller High Life neon light in my apartment, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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