A Cookie Cutter Apartment Goes Romantic & Cozy

Name: Christina and Matt
Location: Novi, Michigan
Size: 720 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years

Just married, these newlyweds are both in creative fields: Christina is a talented wedding photographer and Matt is a copywriter. Their creativity is on full display in their apartment, like Christina’s photographs, which are sprinkled around each room. They also got creative to transform a plain, cookie cutter space into a bright, airy, romantic home.

Inspired by nature and world travels, a lot of indoor plants make the place feel fresh. They’re particularly a great uplifting touch that contrasts the cold cloudy winters in Michigan. A sheer curtain separates the living room from the cozy dining table, adding softness to the space. And Christina was even able to find a spot in their home for a compact office for her photography business.

Our Style: Fresh, eclectic

Inspiration: History, nature, world travels

Favorite Element: My grandmother collected antiques and I had an antique writing desk I’ve re-purposed as a vanity. I love how ornate it is and that it was hers.

Biggest Challenge: Not much of a dining area

What Friends Say: We get compliments every time friends or family come over about how we’ve transformed the space. They say they feel at ease and just want to linger.

Biggest Embarrassment: Wall-to-wall carpet, not having the space or setup to host the gatherings I’d like to.

Proudest DIY: Coffee table tray we built together or the vintage entryway mirror I silver leafed.

Biggest Indulgence: West Elm Strin nightstands in cerused white

Best Advice: I love seeing objects or pieces in a new light, imagining them with a different purpose. An antique writing desk can make a gorgeous vanity, vintage creamer pitchers and goblets can make amazing votive holders. Get creative.

Dream Sources: Anthropologie, west elm, antique shows, travel!

PAINT & COLORS
Bedroom wall: Behr — naturalism Bathroom wall: Behr — dolphin fin

ENTRY
Antique curio cabinet, was my grandmother’s (I painted it)
Vintage mirror — belonged to my grandparents, I painted it and silver leafed
Film Photo of horse taken by Chistina Harrison
Antique Norwegian postcard found at my grandmother’s home
Brass bird figurine, vintage, my grandmother’s
Shelf with hooks — Home Depot
Terranium — World Market

LIVING ROOM
Teal Sofa — Wayfair
Coffee table — IKEA
TV unit — IKEA
Papasan chair and cushion — World Market
Floral pillow — IKEA
Rug — overstock.com
Painting (floral) — World Market
Lantern — home goods
Floor Lamp — IKEA
Branch (wall) — foraged
Silver tray, terrarium goblet — vintage, my grandmother’s
Wood Tray — DIY

DINING ROOM
Drop leaf table — IKEA
Window hanging vintage scarf — my grandmother’s
Chairs — repainted antiques
Alabaster votive holder — Cairo trip
Curtains — IKEA

OFFICE AREA
Desk and drawer unit — IKEA
Emily Jeffords print
Photograph of abandoned church taken by me
Lamp — West Elm
Chair — antique, repainted, my grandmother’s
Mug — made by Christina
Tree — restoration hardware

BEDROOM
Bed — IKEA
Bedding — West Elm
Night stands — West Elm
Sheepskin Rugs — Home Goods
Mirror — IKEA
Antique star map print — Easy
Votive holder — antique creamer pitcher, my grandmother’s
Horse photograph — taken by Chistina Harrison
Pressed anename flower in frame — from my bridal bouquet frame from Terrain Bench — Joss and Main
Velvet pillow — West Elm
Lamp — vintage, my grandmother’s
Star lamp — IKEA
Vanity — Antique writing desk, grandmother’s
Vanity mirror — Ebay
Fru throw — Target
Lace closet curtains — IKEA
Earring stand — Urban Outfitters
Ottoman — Home Goods
Curtains — Target

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