This Nashville Rental Is the Perfect Mix of Organic Modern, Rustic, and Budget-Friendly

Amaya; her husband; and their dog, Loki, have rented this two-bedroom apartment in Nashville, Tennessee for almost two years: This is the first home I’ve ever decorated, and it’s definitely been a learning process. While having a rental definitely has a lot of constraints, I’m grateful for this little apartment and that it’s taught me to think outside the box to come up with creative renter- and budget-friendly solutions. The most important thing I’ve learned about myself and my style is that while I like for things to look cute, practicality and comfort are the most important. I live with my wonderful husband and dog, Loki, and I try to keep them in mind when I plan any designs to make sure it aligns with how we live in our apartment together.

This means adding places for my husband to hang all his baseball caps or tons of pillows Loki can lie on that are easy to clean. Everything in our home is meant to be used and nothing makes me happier than seeing people feel at home in my home. I share my home to hopefully inspire others to create a home they love no matter how small or temporary and I hope they feel like they are welcome in my home.

Sometimes I feel like the black sheep of the family because I like neutrals. I come from a Peruvian/Bolivian family and our culture is known for its unique colorfulness. While bright colors may bring happiness to others, I find that they overwhelm me. Instead, I prefer a neutral color palette that helps me feel relaxed. But that isn’t to say I’m allergic to color, and I do love playing around with greens especially! I also love adding pops of color depending on the season, and its super easy to do with a neutral base.

Describe your home’s style in five words or fewer: Rustic vintage-inspired modern cottage.

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite “room” is the open space area that makes up our entry, kitchen, and living room. This is where we spend most of our time, so I’ve definitely put the most effort into making this area as cozy as possible!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? One of the last things I bought was a new lamp for our living room. Our apartment is north facing and doesn’t get much light — even on the sunniest of days — so I’ve slowly been adding other light sources to bring in more light and add a cozy glow in the evenings.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Take your time! I feel like I didn’t truly discover my style until we had been in our apartment for over a year. Take your time to pick out pieces for your home and figure out what works and what doesn’t. And, of course, don’t be afraid to make changes! If your style does change, experiment until your home feels like you!

Thanks, Amaya!

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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