Mary Kate Fitzpatrick’s St. Louis shotgun apartment boasts many delightful characteristics, but perhaps most tantalizing is the bedroom view: just feet away is Ted Drewes, serving the city’s famous frozen custard. But temptation begins to melt away as you make your way to the opposite end to a living room bathed in sunlight. Here, there’s no shortage of fuzzy and furry cushions and blankets in cotton candy colors, making it pretty hard to leave — even if there is ice cream nearby.

The living room is the biggest showcase of Mary Kate’s self-proclaimed love affair with IKEA, which made its debut in St. Louis just two years ago. Yet, there’s no IKEA showroom that will capture the subtle humor and quirk that flavors the space. Mary Kate adds her personal touch with gems from estate sales, thrift stores, and gifts from dear friends — the kind that will splash out for a Chia Obama planter on Amazon.

My Style: Modern-chic with pops of novelty. It’s also been described (not by me, but has stuck with me), as a place where Elvis’s mistress would live.

Inspiration: Clearly, I love IKEA, so anytime I make a trip there, I’m inspired. But I like fashion and seeking new trends, so that definitely spills over into my apartment style.

Favorite Element: Anything that features my love for fur and shag textiles.

Biggest Challenge: It is a small space, so getting all of the things that belong in the kitchen to fit has been a little bit of a challenge, but it just takes a little creativity.

What Friends Say: “This looks exactly like where you would live” is something I have heard multiple times.

Biggest Embarrassment: I wish I had the time to find more thrifted and unique pieces.

Proudest DIY: Again, I wish I had the time to do more of this, but I am happy with how the arrangement of my plants turned out.

Biggest Indulgence: All things fur. I’m walking a fine line between chic and tacky here.

Best Advice: Don’t go crazy all at once. I love my apartment, but I did so much decorating in the first couple of months living here that it could have been beneficial to spread it out and wait for cool pieces to find me, rather than the other way around.

Dream Sources: If I had all the money in the world, I would still probably shop at IKEA! But there are some awesome things at Anthropology I would be down with. I’ve also been looking for a cool, old neon sign, so anywhere I could find that.

LIVING ROOM
Sectional and ottoman — Weekends Only
Nesting tables — IKEA
TV stand — IKEA
Large plants — IKEA
Floor lamp — IKEA
Shelf unit — IKEA
Small plants — IKEA
Whale wall art — Urban Outfitters
Lady painting — Estate sale
Blue blanket — Gringo Jones Imports
Mirror — Estate sale
Air plants — The Bug Store
Pink pillow — IKEA
Cream Mongolian faux fur pillow — Target
Gray and white faux fur pillow — Target
Magic 8 ball Pillow — IKEA
Oh Joy iridescent round ottoman — Target
Oh Joy “Hey” light — Target
White rug — IKEA
Horseshoe — Estate sale
Curtains — World Market
Marble wall art — Target

DINING ROOM
Table — IKEA
Chairs — IKEA
Sheepskin rug — IKEA
Pendant lamp — IKEA
Turquoise chest — Resale
Circle shelf — Target
Black beer plaque — The Green Shag Market

BEDROOM
Blue and white marbled throw — Target
Table lamp — IKEA
Clothes rack — DIY
Circle mirror — Estate sale
Dresser — Weekends Only

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