Meg doesn’t find much fun in buying furniture sets for her apartment, which she shares with her boyfriend Conor. “I think the real joy is in finding pieces from here and there and making them work together,” she says. And it’s true —her apartment is filled with modern furniture, as well as more traditional accents, mixed with playful accessories and art — an “old meets new” style.

In their Oakland apartment, each piece complements another perfectly and creates an eclectic style they both love. It helps that her boyfriend Conor has his own painting business, which allows him to add that bright and colorful touch that completes every room. “We painted every wall and baseboard,” Meg points out. “He’s a professional, so not only is it painted, it’s pretty perfect.”

Even more envy-inducing, aside from having a lenient landlord who let them customize their apartment, they’re some of those lucky Bay Area renters who actually have a backyard. “I love having access to the backyard, and having a driveway!” Meg says. “I have lived in apartments in New York City and San Francisco for so many years, it feels like such a luxury to have outdoor space.”

Our Style: Eclectic, old meets new. I am so bored by things that are matchy-matchy, or “furniture sets.” I think the real joy is in finding pieces from here and there and making them work together.

Inspiration: Vintage inspired, with modern touches. I love pattern and texture and pile ’em on wherever I can.

Favorite Element: The backyard and driveway. I also just love how cozy the apartment is. We have tried to consider every nook and cranny.

Biggest Challenge: The floor plan. There are so many rooms and hallways and doors! We’ve changed one bedroom into a dining room by taking the door off, which helped. It’s definitely not an open concept, and can feel a little bit like a maze, but we’ve embraced it.

What Friends Say: That it’s interesting. There are so many colors, a different one in every room. They often reflect that they wouldn’t have chosen the same colors, but that it somehow works.

Biggest Embarrassment: The ceilings are low, and the finishes are subpar— a true rental.

Proudest DIY: Conor! Just kidding. But this place was a real bachelor pad when I moved in, and now it suits both our styles. Also, the painted walls in each room.

Biggest Indulgence: We don’t really indulge too much on our place. We challenge ourselves to get things second-hand (from Craigslist or from friends). We also shop for sales items, browse vintage stores, and cheaper places like IKEA. But we did splurge on our bed and bedding. It was worth it.

Best Advice: Do what you want, don’t care what other people think. Trust your instincts, it all comes together somehow in the end. And always buy more plants.

Dream Sources: West Elm and Rejuvenation. But we do truly prefer vintage to new. We’re not sure if it’s the hunt, or the history, or that things were just made so solid back in the day.

PAINT & COLORS
Hallway — Sherwin-Williams Quietude 6212
Living room — Sherwin-Williams Retreat 6207
Bedroom — Sherwin-Williams Leisure Blue 6515
Guest bedroom — Sherwin-Williams Conservative Gray 6183
Dining room — The grey was a mixture of a bunch of paint Conor had from his painting business. We got lucky that it turned out nice.

LIVING ROOM
Couch — IKEA
Rug — IKEA
Artwork — Made by Meg, friends, and other artists
Marble side table — Target
Walnut coffee table — Overstock
Hand in the window — From a vintage shop in Joshua Tree
Number 8 — CB2
Long pillows —C B2
Typography pillows —Veer
Yellow throw blanket — West Elm
Rocking chair — Gift from Meg’s sister.

DINING ROOM
Table — Second hand (we painted the legs blue)
Chairs — Found on the street (painted blue)
Chair cushions — IKEA
Tablecloth — Target
Dresser — Given to us by a friend (we put new drawer pulls on it)
Rug — Ross
Waffle print — Beth Hoeckel
Small pink and green glasses — IKEA
Gold foil glasses — West Elm
Glass pitcher – IKEA

KITCHEN
Bodum gold — French Press
Kitchen island/cart — IKEA
Hanging light fixture — Second hand (rewired)
Rug — Overstock

BEDROOM
Gray metal shelf — IKEA
Mint green dresser — Craigslist
Gray night stand — Craigslist
Bedding — West Elm
Lamp — Target
Number 8 — From a gas station on a road trip
Decorative pillow case — West Elm

GUEST BEDROOM/MUSIC ROOM
Record shelving — IKEA
Rug – IKEA

BATHROOM
Bath mat — West Elm (rug sample)
Blue mat — Target
Shelving — Ross
Towel rack — IKEA
Towels — Marshalls

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