Before & After: This Rental Was Transformed With Contact Paper, Paint, and Thrift Finds

Name: Taylor Greeley
Location: Lawrence, Massachusetts
Type of home: Third-floor apartment in a triple decker
Size: 800 square feet
Years lived in: 8 years, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: I am a wardrobe and prop stylist. I work on many sets and campaigns. My apartment is my tiny little sanctuary of style. I live alone and beat to my own drum, in daily tasks and the way I decorate and utilize my space. I use my apartment in part, as a styling studio. Clothing racks, fashion inspired decor mixed with my yard sale finds, and thrifted goods. It is functional and all me.

This renovation cost me under $2,000 because of flooring, but all the DIY elements cost me under $500! And that’s including the faux marble counter covering, paint and supplies for painting cabinets, and the thrifted/yard sale furniture finds.

What is your favorite room and why? My space is so open, studio apartment style. I love the little nook I call my living room. I sit by my slider window next to my little sofa and drink my wine, while contemplating new ideas. I love the skylights in my open space!

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? A nicer deck off the slider! And real magic? Bigger bathroom with a tub; my tiny stand-up shower is so not ideal for shaving.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Some great storage baskets on wheels from home goods! Perfect to store along the slanted roof wall.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Eclectic, vintage, colorful, DIY, angular.

Which fictional character would be most at home in your place? Carrie Bradshaw would likely find my place suitable (if it were in a NYC brownstone maybe). But she reminds me of myself in the way her apartment was really just a giant storage space for her wardrobe. Didn’t she contemplate storing her sweaters in her oven? I can’t say I couldn’t relate to that.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Just as in building a fashion wardrobe, just start with things you gravitate toward. There is no right or wrong in your style, but there are guidelines to making it all work! Think of new ways to use things, and add personal touches. Your space should make you happy! Invest in storage, splurge on statement pieces, and get creative with accessorizing!

• Took me about two days to adhere (with another person) the faux marble — Instant Granite Marble laminate contact paper $89.99
• White paint from Lowe’s — Rust-Oleum painters general purpose paint  (two cans) $18.96 each
• The flooring was a pricier part of the reno because I did the entire apartment, but this is a similar item — Walnut wood click floor plank $69.99 for a pack of ten
• Extra lighting (since my space at night needs it in the kitchen) from Target but they no longer have. This is a similar item on Amazon: Pendant light, $30.99
• Two stools I found at a thrift shop for $50 each
• Small wooden table I found at a yard sale for $50 and painted it with this Magnolia home chalk style paint, $32.00
• The round rug is also a Target find, and it’s on SALE now for $67.49!
• New fan/light was from Home Depofor about $50.

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