Molly writes: “Our home is a 1,040 square foot converted warehouse apartment in the oldest standing building in Durham, NC, an old tobacco town currently undergoing a brilliant revival. We love a lot of things about the apartment but the stand-alone favorite is our eight window seats where the dogs, Martha Washington + Eleanor Roosevelt, spend all day spying on the crowds coming and going from the baseball stadium next door (and, because of the stadium neighbor, we can watch Friday night fireworks all summer long — from our couch!).”

“The interior is a constantly rotating collection of ikea, DIY, family heirlooms, mid-century craigslist finds, thrift store goods, and dumpster-dive treasures (eg. the playground sign from the aforementioned baseball stadium). As a children’s museum designer by day, I can’t resist anything colorful, funny, or potentially interactive, especially if its on sale (non-profit work, ya know?) but I’m balanced by a biochemist fiance who’s need for practicality keeps me from becoming a total hoarder.”

Our Style: Colorful mid-century garage sale

Inspiration: Chet Miller

Favorite Element: Picking a favorite element is like choosing a favorite dog (kidding, it’s Eleanor). The living room rug is my proudest purchase. It’s the perfect size and color, stain resistant, super soft, and cost $7.48 brand new.

Biggest Challenge: The space behind the kitchen (I call it The Library but Trev says that’s pretentious) had about 30 different layouts before we finally committed to buying the daybed and setting up a second lounge space. Now we use it almost every day for morning coffee and, with the addition of a folding screen, it’s a great makeshift guest room for out-of-town visitors.

What Friends Say: Generally friends ask why we don’t have more parties. It’s a good question; we really should.

Biggest Embarrassment: The entry hall is a constant disaster of laundry and shoes and dog leashes, which is why you don’t have any pictures of it.

Proudest DIY: The dressers in the bedroom are upgraded Ikea pieces and the result of a month long battle with a moth infestation in the beautiful mid-century piece that now houses dog toys and records in the living room. Live and learn.

Biggest Indulgence: We bought eight vintage Thonet dining chairs on craigslist back when we were in a studio apartment without a dining table. It was a furniture jungle but I have no regrets.

Best Advice: 1. If you love it, it doesn’t matter if it matches — you can always get a coffee table book in the same color later and everyone will think you planned the whole room in advance. 2. Dents, chips and scratches aren’t deal breakers if they come with a great discount. After all, you’ll probably break it anyway. 3. The two best places for flower vases are thrift store clearance aisles and Jonathan Adler.

Dream Sources: I tend to fall in love with objects over stores. That said, I would outfit the entire apartment in DwellStudio linens if I could afford it.

PAINT & COLORS
Ralph Lauren – Iron Blue (Dining Area)

LIVING ROOM
Sofa – Ikea
Coffee table – CB2
Dresser – Vintage
Desks – CB2
Rug – Jaipur
Bookshelf – Repurposed A/V cart from a used school supply/furniture dealer in Kinston, NC
Dog bowls – Etsy
Vintage Little Puppy flashcard – Night Gallery/Branching Out in Chapel Hill, NC
“Wool E. Bull’s Playground” Sign – Found in a dumpster outside the apartment building (we live across the street from the Durham Bull’s minor league baseball stadium)

DINING ROOM
Table – Vintage
Chairs – Vintage Thonet “Potato Chip” chairs
Chandelier – Habitat for Humanity ReStore Raleigh/Durham
Vase – Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Store
Artwork – print of the concept sketch for the Catalina Island Casino murals

KITCHEN
Island – IKEA (via Craigslist)

BEDROOM
Bedding – Dwell Studio
Bed – CB2
Vanity – Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Sconces – Ikea
Giraffe Lamp – Jonathan Adler
Let’s Make Out pillow – Society6

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