I Can’t Believe How Good This Renter’s “Sad, Drab, Landlord Special” Makeover Is
I Can’t Believe How Good This Renter’s “Sad, Drab, Landlord Special” Makeover Is
Madeline Warshaw had been living in Brooklyn and working as a designer for Martha Stewart when she moved to Philadelphia to pursue a masters degree at the University of Pennsylvania.
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“I’d never been to Philly before I showed up at my apartment, sight unseen, and fell in love,” Madeline begins. “My priorities when I found it online were something cute that was close to school. I was super lucky that the neighborhood and space were even better in person! I love the charming Victorians and lush vegetation of my West Philly neighborhood. I grew up in a historic home in Minneapolis and just can’t quit them. Their charms are worth their quirks!”
Madeline says this is her first time living alone (not counting of course her dog Zucchini “Zuzu”) and writes that “the freedom to go whole hog on making my home feel like mine was extremely creatively and existentially fulfilling for me. My unit is the front half of the top two floors of an old Victorian building. There’s even a skylight at the top of the stairwell!”
The apartment she’s transformed using clever DIYs and impeccable style is more than just a home. She’s the founder and owner of Goose, a lifestyle and home company, and operates out of the office space in the apartment.
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Pink Velvet Couch — Facebook Marketplace
- Checkered Pillows — Heather Taylor Home
- Red & White Pillow — H&M Home
- Red & Blue/Green Pillows — Reclectic PHL (Anthropologie Outlet)
- Checkered Chair — Facebook Marketplace
- Ralph Lauren Table Lamp — Facebook Marketplace
- Coffee Table + Side Table — Facebook Marketplace
- Tansu — Vintage Japanese (from my Grandma)
- Fireplace Frame — Facebook Marketplace
- Fireplace Candle Holder — Vintage
- Mirror — Anthropologie (FBMP)
- Pink Vase — Golden Rule Gallery
- Blanket Ladder — Facebook Marketplace
- Green and Blue Lamp on Fireplace — Vintage
- Assorted Candles — Otherland
- Candle Holders — Vintage
- Gold Goose — Vintage from Gem (one of my favorite restaurants!)
- Plant Stands —TJ Maxx
- Tree Ribbons — Fabric Store
- Silver Incense Holder — Made by my friend Jina’s mom
- TV — Samsung Frame
- TV Ledge — Etsy
- Dog Bowls — Vintage
- Dog Mat — Etsy
- Mobile — Etsy
- Silhouettes — Vintage
- Blue Slipper Chairs — Reclectic (Anthropologie Outlet)
- Tiny White Table — Amazon
- Red USB Lamp — Amazon,
- Baskets — Japanese vintage from my grandma
- Lamp in the Back — Reclectic
- Pink Clock — Tait Design Co.
- Blue Vase — Target
- Polka Dot Bud Vase — Target
DINING ROOM
- Table — Facebook Marketplace
- Chairs — Facebook Marketplace
- Danish Candlestick Holder — Garage sale in Minnesota
- Taper Candles — GOOSE
- Teacups — Vintage
- Kettle — Alessi
- Bud Vase — Heath Ceramics
- Lake Painting — Garage sale in Maine
- Minnesota Pennant — Target
- Mirror — Facebook Marketplace
- Hilma Poster — Etsy
- Table Runner — Heather Taylor Home for West Elm
- Horse Painting — Print from Etsy
- Hanging Pot — Japanese Vintage (from my grandma)
- Curtains — Amazon
- Bow — Amazon
- Plates — Vintage
- Pot — Terrain
- Dalmation Napkin Holder — Vintage
- Pink Candle — Glossier
- Candle Cloche — IKEA
KITCHEN
- Copper Canisters — Foundry Home Goods
- Fruit Bowl — Hay
- Candle Holder — Vintage
BEDROOM
- Daybed — Wayfair
- Ribbon Candle Holders — Garage sale
- Gold Mirror — Vintage
- Blue Slipper Chair — Target
- Green Side Table — HomeGoods
- Brass Horse — Vintage
- Lantern — Hay
- Bed — Facebook Marketplace
- Duvet Cover — Garnet Hill
- Bolster Pillow — Heather Taylor Home
- Toile Pillow Case — Urban Outfitters
- Sconces — Amazon (Etsy Shades)
- Nightstand — Target
- Rug — Vintage
- Blue and White Lamp — Ralph Lauren
- Art — Garage Sale
- Dresser — Facebook Marketplace
- Gold Mirror Vanity — Facebook Marketplace
- Standing Mirror —Wayfair
- Trunk — Vintage
- Hamper — TJMaxx
- Room Divider — Facebook Marketplace
BATHROOM
- Candleholder — Vintage
- Taper Candle — GOOSE
- Penn Soap — I made!
- Candle — Target
- Cat Candle Holder — Vintage (my grandma’s, shout-out Grams!)
- Matisse Poster — Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Curtains — Mini Rodini
- Dresser — IKEA
- Makeup Organizer — Amazon
- Blue & White Jar — Vintage Laura Ashley
- Toothbrush Cup — The Clay Studio
- Hairbrush — Mason Pearson
- Green Candle — Boy Smells
- Sunglasses — Celine
- Perfume — Maison Louis Marie
- Rug — Hay
- Splatterware Enamel Canisters — Vintage, from Lancaster PA
- Trash Can — T.J. Maxx
- Cow — Vintage
- Hamper — T.J. Maxx
- Books — Vintage
- Bidet — Tushy haha
- Enamel Tissue Box Holder — T.J. Maxx
OFFICE
- Art — Framed Wallpaper Panels
- Lamp — IKEA
- Orange Clock — Tait Design Co.
- Glass Desktop — Room & Board Outlet
- Desk Organizers — IKEA
- Chair — Marcel Breuer from Facebook Marketplace
- Marble Top Island — Room & Board Outlet
- Baskets and Tansu — Japanese Vintage from my grandma
- Other Chair — Vintage
- Toile Lamp — Garage sale
- Needlepoint Art — Freebie
- Pink Silk Pillow — Sewn by grandma
Thanks, Madeline!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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