A Gorgeous Rental’s Colorful Bold Bathroom Ceiling Is a Must-See

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Colorful living room with orange rug

Name: Andrea Rowland
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan – Heritage Hill Historic District
Type of home: Apartment
Size: 700 square feet
Years lived in: 5 years, owned

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Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: The house is located near the medical sector of our downtown and has four apartments. We recently refinished and decorated this unit to host traveling nurses and medical professionals. Our goal was to create a haven with all the amenities of home, but with an atmosphere more eccentric than the typical rental. Every piece of furniture in the apartment is secondhand, from the bed to the coffee table and sofa. I love a good deal, and it justifies a splurge on a more expensive wallpaper or light fixture. (If you can find it all secondhand, even better!)

We had so much fun with this little apartment — starting with the whimsical wallpaper selections in the TV nook, bedroom, and bathroom. (If you look closely, there’s a strong avian theme).

For the kitchen, I found a Moroccan-inspired cement tile on Etsy and loved that in one of the photos it was paired with green cabinets. The floor was already a white and black checkered vinyl, which is classic — especially to the age of the house. I painted the cabinets a celery green, added butcher block counter, and of course — the tile, which brought the right amount of fun to the mix. I added the square of pink on the walls and ceiling for dimension. In pulling this eclectic look together, I often wondered if I was just smearing a hodgepodge of color together that would come out disjointed and, well, ugly. In the end, it came together, and I’m thrilled with the collective result of the rooms.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Classic layered with whimsy

What is your favorite room and why? The bedroom is, admittedly, my favorite room. I wanted it to have a sense of elevated sophistication without losing the whimsical vibe. I had the four post bed, and then I stumbled upon the York Egret wallpaper. Be still my heart! It makes me smile every time I see it.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? This is crazy, but the last thing I acquired for the space was a free shower curtain on Marketplace. Someone had bought it in the wrong size. Because I had painted the bathroom ceiling a bright persimmon red to contrast the black and white floor, fixtures, and walls, I wanted just a small pop of red in the curtain without being matchy-matchy. I saw it and snagged it for free!

Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t be afraid to mix old with new. It’s a staple in all good design and makes spaces lasting, instead of a trend. Take chances. More than not, they pay off.

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