Recently Roommate-Less, This Renter Is Finding His Own Style

Name: Norm Ofstead
Location: Orlando, Florida
Size: 724 square feet
Years lived in: 2 months, renting

After having roommates for most of my life I am finally living in a space I can call my own. I recently moved into this beautiful second-floor apartment in Orlando and have loved getting to put my personal style into the space. I like to think of my style as well-traveled meets mid-century. For the past 11 years I have been fortunate enough to travel to the four corners of the world and back again (61 countries and counting), and have collected both souvenirs and photos along the way. I love mixing the knick-knacks and photos that remind me of the many adventures I’ve had throughout my travels with touches of mid-century.

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room would definitely be my living room. It’s the perfect example of my style, and gets the most amazing amount of natural light throughout the day. I luckily live in a complex that allows me to paint. So the first thing I did after moving in was paint a dark navy blue (my favorite color) accent wall. After painting I knew I wanted to create a large gallery wall incorporating items I’ve collected and photos I’ve taken throughout my travels. My best friend Rob helped me with the layout of the wall, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

From there I layered in different textures like the rusted vintage air compressor that I found on a farm in Illinois. It was covered in dirt and mud so I pressure washed it, cleaned it up, and sealed it. It’s now my coffee table, and has become quite the conversation piece. It’s honestly my favorite piece that I own. I love it! From the items I’ve collected, to the coffee table I restored, to the new pieces I’ve purchased, my living room is the perfect representation of me.

Any advice for creating a home you love? The best advice I have heard when it comes to designing a home you’ll love came from my favorite designer, Nate Berkus. He said, “Your home should tell the story of who you are, and be a collection of what you love.”

Pick pieces that help tell your story, whether it be items you’ve collected when traveling, pictures of your friends and family, or simply furniture that meets your aesthetic. Make sure the things you decorate with mean something to you. If you do that, there’s no way you couldn’t love the home you’ve made.

Thanks, Norm Ofstead!

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