Most university students facing a three-month lease in a summer sublet would barely bother tacking a poster to the wall. Not Christine Knapp. I have never known her to live in a place more than a week without thoughtfully making it her own, even if it meant working within a student budget. Throughout our time together living in a tiny Missouri town, she thrifted her furniture, made her own pretty patterned curtains, and spiced up seating areas by hand stitching colorful cotton pillow covers.

Now, Christine has her own home in St. Louis, and many of her vintage finds over her college years have found a permanent resting place. With a teacher’s salary to work with, she still only splurges for the occasional treat, like the mid-century turntable with gold speakers that sits in her dining room.

She shares her space with her 10-year-old corgi Bubby, and her roommate, Brooke Osecki, who currently studies interior design. While their styles are different, they share a passion for vintage trinkets and cheerful colors. Together, they were able to find a paint replacement for the beige living room by narrowing down eight paint swatches to eventually pick one that matched the shade of Brooke’s favorite handbag.

Our Style: Thrifted or upcycled mixed with vintage

Brooke: Contemporary/Transitional, Glam, Classic, and Eclectic

Inspiration: Friend’s and family who have cute homes

Favorite Element: My original works of art from friends and family

Biggest Challenge: The constant feeling of wanting to “finish” every room.

Brooke: Designing on a budget, and planning all desired furniture and decor to fit well into the space, without the room feeling cramped and crowded.

What Friends Say: They think it’s really cute! They think the living room is warm and airy now that it’s not all beige anymore.

Biggest Embarrassment: I’m not a fan of my backyard and kitchen. I hate my counter tops, but they’re great at hiding crumbs. No one can see the kitchen, but everyone can see the yard. At least it’s a nice blank slate, but I haven’t had time to do what I want with it.

Proudest DIY: In terms of decor, it’s painting the coffee table. In terms of the house itself, it’s helping re-wire everything.

Brooke: The miscellaneous drawings and paintings I’ve done.

Biggest Indulgence: Vintage console record player for $250. Speakers have that glittery gold aspect to them that you’re not going to get from a buffet table, plus it’s multi-purpose.

Best Advice: When I was going to buy a house, my friend told me a house is a never-ending project, and it’s going to be tempting to do everything you want. Owning a house is not about the final end product. Owning is about the journey, making it how you want it one step at a time.

Dream Sources: Rocket Century in St. Louis, which sells mid-century furniture

PAINT & COLORS
Behr Ultra — Seagull Gray
Olympic — Serendipity

ENTRY
Telephone Chair — Scrapper’s Den, Kirksville, MO

LIVING ROOM
Sofa — Craigslist
Blue Chair — Found
Teal Chair — Scrapper’s Den, Kirksville, MO
White Chair — Revive Thrift Shop, St. Louis, MO
Coffee Table — Found; Painting Tutorial
End Table — Dad’s Basement
Grey Lamp — Dad’s Basement
White RANARP Floor Lamp — IKEA
FLONG Curtains — IKEA
Couch Pillows — Target
Rabbit Wall Art — Urban Outfitters
Pennant Wall Art — Stacy Knapp (sister)
Arrested Development Wall Art — Torin Brenner (friend)
Circular Shelf — Target

DINING ROOM
Retro Chrome Dining Table — Garage Sale
Vintage Chairs — Garage Sale
Vintage Console Record Player — South Jefferson MidCentury Modern, St. Louis, MO
Vintage Bar Cart — Green Shag Market, St. Louis, MO
Bookcase — Found
Cure Poster — Mall Pop-Up Shop
Wine Wall Art — Stacy Knapp
Nature Photography Art — Brad Lee Dale North
Vintage Map Bulletin Board — Friend’s
Delray Diamond Curtains — Bed, Bath & Beyond

KITCHEN
Cart — Craigslist
Shelf — Scrapper’s Den
Fleur De Lys Tumblers — Anthropologie
Tom Thumb Print — Aly Marti

CHRISTINE’S BEDROOM
Ladder — Craigslist
Rug — Walmart
Nightstand — Found
Bookcase — Fritz Knapp
Neil deGrasse Tyson Print — Firecracker Press St. Louis, MO
Cross-Stitch — Lauren Deady

BROOKE’S BEDROOM
Lack Wall Shelf — IKEA
Linnmon/Alex Table in White — IKEA
Louis XV Style Fauteuil — Craigslist
Ranarp Work Lamp in White — IKEA
Blush/Peach Calendar & C.S. Lewis Print — Scoutmob
Gold Chevron Wall Organizer — ROSS
Framed Cursive “B” with Bow — Hobby Lobby
Candlesticks — Kohl’s
Plant Stand — Treasure Aisles Antiques
“Good Vibes” Scented Candle and “Peony Petals” Scented Candle — Target
Handmade Needlework Pictures and Matryoshka Doll (Russian Nesting Doll) — Gifts from Grandmother
White Nightstand — Value City Furniture
18×24 Black and White Fashion Print — Old Time Pottery

BATHROOM
Gray Oval Crochet Bath Mat — World Market
Shower Curtain — World Market
Mason Jar Organizer — DIY Tutorial

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