This “Lifeless” Lockdown Apartment Is Now Colorful and Cozy — Thanks to 95% Thrifted Decor
It was during an eight-week-long search during lockdown five years ago that Emily Lawrence, the influencer manager at Hommey, found this 839-square-foot apartment in Melbourne, Australia, for rent. She loved the unit, in a building from around 1979, for a very specific reason.
Can't-Miss House Tours Straight to Your Inbox
Keep up with our latest house tours each weekday with our House Tour of the Day newsletter
“[I]t felt spacious and open with the big windows with natural lighting and garden space,” explains Emily, who posts about her home on TikTok as @emilyalexandrea. “Having a space outdoors really, really sold me on this space. Melbourne had the tightest restrictions in the world during lockdown, and we basically weren’t allowed outdoors! So having a space where I could breathe fresh air sold me instantly.” A garden area also meant that Emily could adopt a dog, so Herbie soon joined her in the home.
> Start a discussion about this Tour in our Community Forum!
But while all the outdoor amenities were great, the inside was kind of just meh. “The photos listed on the real estate website weren’t great, so I think that really helped me, as not many people showed up!” Emily admits of the unit, which she describes as being “[g]ray, flat, and generally very lifeless.”
But after five years — and it truly took about that long, considering she thrifted nearly 95% of the home — she’s created a space that’s cozy, welcoming, colorful, and, perhaps most importantly, “overall very Emily!”
“I don’t think anyone else could live here because the decor/styling is so personal to my interests and upbringing,” she writes of her home, a space she loves to share with people.
“Truly, my favorite part about living here is inviting new people over, and they become mesmerized for about 15 minutes. I see their eyes wandering around the place, and they’ll land on something that they love, or triggers a childhood memory, and it always gives us something to talk about.”
> Start a discussion about this Tour in our Community Forum!
Resources
ENTRY/DESK AREA
LIVING ROOM
- Sofa — Porta Sofa
- Rug — IKEA SIMESTED high pile rug (vintage + thrifted)
- Pillows — IKEA yellow & pink
- TV Unit — Mustard Made
- Green Shelf — Vintage, but from Domestic Fantasties
- Lamp — Mr Maria Smiley
- Curtains — IKEA (discontinued)
- Green Checkered Cube — Handmade
- Red Plant Stand — Upcycled
- Art Frames — IKEA
KITCHEN
- Locker — Mustard Made Poppy Locker
- Salt and Pepper Shakers — Dusen Dusen
- Naughty Gnome — Thrifted
- Chopping Board
- Giraffe Kettle — Thrifted
- Incense Burner — Thrifted
- Rugs — IKEA
- Dog Bowls
- Rubbish Bin — Giostyle Italian Vintage, thrifted
- Kitchen Towels — Hommey
BEDROOM
- Bed Frame — Fearon, thrifted
- Side Table Corn — Third Drawer Down, thrifted
- Mattress — Emma, thrifted
- Duvet — Bonny
- Bedding — Hommey (colorway may change on the day, but will still remain Hommey!)
- Dresser — Vintage IKEA
- Art Frames — IKEA
- Lamp — Handmade
- Tissue Box — MacKenzie-Childs (sold out, and thrifted)
BATHROOM
- Crates — HAY Design
- Towels — Dusen Dusen
- Robe — Hommey
- Toilet Paper — About A Dog
- Handsoap — KIT
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form
> Start a discussion about this Tour in our Community Forum!