This Denver Rental’s a Cool Mix of Post Modern, 1980s, and Art Deco Styles Thanks to Facebook Marketplace
This Denver Rental’s a Cool Mix of Post Modern, 1980s, and Art Deco Styles Thanks to Facebook Marketplace
Name: Alyssa Goolsby (@heyhialyssa on TikTok) and Logan Smith (partner), with Gus (our black cat), Ripley (our Calico cat), and Willow (our 2-year-old dog)
Location: Denver, Colorado
Size: 1,500 square feet
Type of Home: Converted House
Years lived in: 1 year, renting
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Alyssa isn’t just a Facebook Marketplace connoisseur — she’s a master, and her Denver rental home full of fabulous secondhand finds is the proof of her Facebook Marketplace hunting abilities. Her collection of vintage gems contrast and complement the sleek industrial architecture of the house she rents with her partner, Logan. “I found our home on Zillow and immediately fell in love with the industrial look and proximity to Downtown Denver,” Alyssa writes. “When we toured it, we were told it was once a glass factory that they converted into a home — which made me want to live here even more (the 12’+ ceilings and open layout were also a plus)!”
“My favorite feature is the glass garage door in the kitchen and the overall open layout in the main living area; it just feels so cozy and inviting and allows me to decorate in my own way without wall restrictions. To pass time here I’ll scour Facebook Marketplace for some vintage/unique pieces to add to my collection, care for our abundance of plants, and/or cuddle our pets while scrolling through TikTok on the couch.”
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: I feel like my home style is a mix of Post Modern, Eclectic, Danish Pastel, ’80s Miami, and Art Deco
Inspiration: My biggest inspiration is home decor from the ’70s and ’80s. I am so in love with the chunky profiles and silhouettes that the furniture had. I also try to imitate the bold colors and hints of pastel throughout my home.
Favorite Element: I think one of my favorite pieces I’ve found to date is my large Post Modern white shelf. I found it on Facebook Marketplace and immediately fell in love with its chunky silhouette (my favorite furniture style is big and chunky haha). When I picked it up, it wasn’t in the greatest condition — it was super dirty and needed some major TLC. I repainted it an off-white and it elevated the piece immediately and now it’s one of my favorite pieces I’ve found to date.
Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge here is that since it wasn’t built to be a home originally there is like, zero insulation. So when it’s cold outside, it’s cold in here. When it’s hot outside, it’s hot in here. We thankfully have an industrial size heater in the living room that helps, but it can be challenging at times.
Another challenge for me personally is the lighting. While we do get great golden hour light, the main part of the day the house is only getting medium light so it can cause issues with our plants. To overcome it, my partner and I recently converted an IKEA cabinet into a greenhouse!
Proudest DIY: My proudest DIY is my tile table. My partner and I did it in three days, in the dead of winter, in a garage with no heat (but it was 100 percent worth it). It’s such a beautiful piece and since I’m such a perfectionist, it actually turned out really well. Whenever we have a new guest in the house they’re always surprised to hear we made it!
Biggest Indulgence: I like to say I do a great job at finding like 95 percent of my things off Facebook Marketplace! I don’t want to toot my own horn but I think that I am really good at finding vintage pieces off Facebook Marketplace.
Being completely honest, my biggest indulgence was our 1970s Howard Lorton (local company to Denver) curved couch. I found it on Facebook Marketplace for only $400. I try to not splurge too much on anything new because I personally love unique pieces and feel like modern day things aren’t as good of quality as vintage.
What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? All of my furniture is a favorite of mine. It’s taken a few years to get the collection of vintage pieces that we have right now and it’s been SO fun to see it all slowly come together. I feel like my home now is more me than it ever has been before.
A favorite cleaning product of mine is my Shark Steam Mop. It should be illegal how good it cleans, sometimes makes me cringe how dirty the floors can get, but so, so satisfying.
Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? I’ll share two! My best decorating advice is FBMP. There are so many new and old things on there that you can find to add to your home without breaking the bank. Don’t rush yourself to decorate your home ASAP. Slowly incorporating new pieces makes it feel so much more special, and when they’re vintage pieces, makes it so unique to you. My best tip for Facebook Marketplace: set alerts for keywords of items that you’re looking for and check it a few times a day. If you find a piece you like, immediately try to schedule a pick-up and /or pay for it because Facebook Marketplace can feel like the “Hunger Games” sometimes.
And 2. If you’re unsure where to start with home decor, I’d recommend starting with neutral main pieces (tables, couch, TV stand, etc.) and then picking two – three colors to slowly start implementing. This can help make the process less overwhelming and give a few guardrails for when you’re browsing Facebook Marketplace for items. Over time, if you’re original neutral pieces no longer fit the vibe, you can list them on Facebook Marketplace or donate them and then someone else can use it as a stepping stone in their decor journey (reduce, reuse, recycle, baby!).
Resources
LIVING ROOM
- Post Modern White Shelf — Vintage Found on FBMP
- Orange Curved Couch — Howard Lorton 1970s Found on FBMP
- Tessellated Stone Coffee Table — Vintage
- Cowhide Rug — ’80s Vintage Found at Estate Sale
- Teal Wavy Mirror — Handmade by my partner and I
- Crochet Pillows — Vintage found on FBMP
- Glass Side Table — Vintage found on FBMP
- Spiral Plaster Lamp — Vintage found on FBMP
- Mirrored Pedestals — ’60s vintage found on FBMP
- Bubble Planters — Viridi.co (this one, this one & this one)
- Cow planter — @claycomplaints on IG
- Ergo Ergo Stools (plant stands)
- David Hockney Paris Review 25th Anniversary Lithographic Poster — Thrifted
- Squiggle Lamp — Vintage found on FBMP
- Martini Lamp — Vintage found on FBMP
- Glassware — Mixture of thrifted/FBMP Finds
- White Waterfall Desk — English Elm (purchased on sale)
- Abstract Blanket — Zoe Schlacter
- Milo Baughman Etagere — Vintage found from local reseller
- Story Bookcase — Secondhand found on FBMP
- Berber Green Checker Rug — Secondhand found on FBMP (but it’s similar to this one from Etsy)
- Flower Market Print — Amazon
- Wassily Like Chair — Walmart
- Cat Tree — Amazon
- Yellow Small Stool (used as a plant stand) — IKEA
DINING ROOM
- Pink Bistro Set — Secondhand found on FBMP
KITCHEN
- Blue Tile Table — Handmade by my partner and I
Thanks Alyssa!
This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.
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This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!