This Rental Apartment’s Color-Drenched Blue Bedroom Is Drop-Dead Gorgeous
This Rental Apartment’s Color-Drenched Blue Bedroom Is Drop-Dead Gorgeous
Hollie Lewandowski’s current apartment — this 750-square-foot rental in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood — was not in her plans. “I thought my previous space was a dream until a huge rent increase turned it into a nightmare — something I think a lot of renters can empathize with. After a weekend of mourning my floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a park, I decided to turn the situation into an opportunity. I sold most of my furniture, put everything else in storage, and spent the summer traveling and designing a whole new space,” she writes.
“A good friend of mine is in real estate and has a great eye for hidden gems,” Hollie continues. “One weekend, with my mom tagging along for fun, we saw a few places — including my current apartment. It was an immediate no for mom when we first walked in. The previous owner could best be described as ‘finance guy with a furry dog.’ Lots of dark curtains, black leather, and metal. But there was a good-sized bedroom and an 8’x5’ walk-in storage closet. Mom did not see the potential, but I did.”
Hollie says it’s taken her a year to design her rental apartment. “I knew I wanted a cheerful living room that needed to double as a home office; I’m an event manager for a nonprofit who works from home four days a week if I am not traveling.” She also wanted to “prioritize vintage and DIY refurbished pieces. And to maximize use of my space to entertain.”
“I live by myself but am surrounded by family and the closest of friends. Although 750 square feet is a relatively small space, I am always looking for an opportunity to host. Small does not mean you can’t welcome people into your home. I’ve thrown floor pillows around my coffee table to host a 10-person Galentine’s tea. Each fall I rearrange my living room into a cozy space for a spooky movie marathon. Many martini cheers have happened under the sparkle of the disco ball. I love my home and I love sharing it with my community.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa — Joybird
- Rug — Rugs USA
- Coffee Table — Local resale shop
- Faux Fireplace TV Stand — eBay
- Monstera Plant — Local greenhouse
- Desk — Warehouse55
- Courtside Chair from the 1991 Chicago Bulls — Inherited from my grandfather
- Armchair — Warehouse55
- Hand-Stitched Pillow — Colores Mexicanos
- Side Table — Joybird
- Table Lamp — Thrifted
- Wallpaper — Antique store
HALLWAY
- Light Fixture — Habitat for Humanity
BEDROOM
- Paint — Behr “Periwinkle”
- Dresser — Antique Store
- Canopy Bed — Amazon
- Matching Lamps — Habitat for Humanity
Thanks, Hollie!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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