This Eclectic Apartment is a Cozy Dream

If every home tells a story, we can’t wait to share this one. We found Anna and her beautiful Chicago apartment on Instagram and immediately fell in love.

This sun-filled space, infused with vibrant colors, cozy corners, and eclectic pieces, is a Modern Bohemian dream and we are here for every inch of it.

Today, Anna is giving us the inside scoop on the inspiration behind her home, how she brought her space together, and her best advice for decorating when you’re renting. Trust us, you’re going to love every corner as much as we do.

So, let’s get into it!

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How did you find your current home and what was the inspiration behind your space?

My boyfriend Timmy’s dad lived here before us.  When he planned on moving out, Timmy and I jumped on the opportunity to move in!

My favorite part of this apartment I would have to say is the woodwork. Actually, Timmy’s father was involved in the renovations and noted that all the doors and trim were carefully removed and sent out to get re-strained. While I know white walls, white trim, white everything is what’s popular right now, the color they choose really set the tone in this space. I caught a very earthy vibe the moment I stepped in. So, earthy is what I ran with. A bohemian aesthetic is something I have always resonated with, and was the forefront of my design style when I began to furnish.

How would you describe your design style?

My design style has always been pretty boho-influenced. Though, I lately have wanted to steer towards a more refined look. I enjoy seeing clean lines, minimal objects, and monochromatic color pallets. My apartment still showcases lots of color and eclectic furniture but believe me, I have really simplified since we moved in. I think right now, my design style is a mix between modern and boho. I try to keep each room simply styled but continue to use lots of color and texture.

What do you like most about your apartment?

The woodwork is definitely my favorite part of this apartment. But, to be more specific the french doors I think is the most beautiful feature. It really helps make this 600 sq ft space feel open and airy. Living with two dogs and cat our home actually feel comfortable regardless of it being so small! My favorite design moment I would have to say is the hammock chair. A chair hanging from the ceiling creates the quirky element. Plus, it really plays into the earthy, zen vibe we are striving for.

 What was the most challenging thing when designing your home? And how did you overcome it?

MY GALLERY WALL! This one had me stressed. A few years ago I decided to create a gallery wall in our media room. I ordered some prints from Etsy and some frames from Amazon. When I put all the prints and frames together up on the wall I was so disappointed. The pictures were so much smaller than I had expected and they didn’t make a big enough impact. I tried adding more to fill the wall but It just kept feeling more and more busy. I finally decided to take everything down and start fresh. I searched for frames with matting to make the prints appear larger. I then grabbed the measurements of the matted frames and outlined them on the wall with painters tape. This allowed me to see how all the frames together would fill the wall. This is now my go to trick when designing a gallery wall!

How do you know when a room is complete?

A room is never complete! I always have ideas to better a room. To be honest, one of my favorite things to do is move all the furniture around in my apartment. Switching up your point of view makes a big impact with no cost whatsoever! There is also so much amazing inspiration out there. Every day I see things that inspire my design. I am constantly changing and growing and so is my apartment.

What was your favorite part about designing your apartment around your style?

Seeing the end result! Starting with an idea and following it through to the end always feels so rewarding. Sometimes the first attempt doesn’t always work out but I learn from my mistakes! The key is to never give up!

What advice would you give someone moving into their own place? How did you budget around buying decor? And how did you determine what was essential vs. what wasn’t?

Whenever I am redesigning a space I like to create mood boards on Photoshop with items you are looking to buy. This is almost a fool proof way to see if all the items you are putting together, work together. As for budgeting, I am a big fan of Facebook Market Place and Offer Up. It is all second-hand furniture in your neighborhood or city. I have found most of our larger pieces of furniture through these apps. TJ Maxx and HomeGoods are my other addictions. You can always find adorable, on trend pieces for a fair price! 

Where are some of your favorite places to shop?

Like I just said I buy most of my furniture second-hand but for decor items I love West Elm. They incorporate so much color while still maintaining a clean and current look. My favorite local shop is definitely The Shudio, located just north of us in the Pilsen neighborhood! I’d have to say, The Shudio is a Chicago hidden gem! They have a beautifully curated selection of vintage clothing, accessories, and home decor. They also sell plants and art from local artists.

As a renter, you really need to get creative when it comes to design, what were some things you did to ensure your designs were apartment-friendly?

There are so many things you can do to your apartment as long as you don’t mind putting in a little bit of work when you are ready to move out. Painting accent walls, hanging shelves, even installing new light fixtures are all things you can do and undo when you are ready to move out.

We hope you enjoyed Anna’s beautiful Modern Boho home! Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Make sure to follow her on Instagram, @1bdrmapartment, for more inspiration!

CQ Interiors is a virtual interior design studio for new homeowners and renters. Bringing warm, relaxed and contemporary design to interiors, we craft dream spaces for our clients that inspire and restore the soul. Want to work together? Shoot us an inquiry here.

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