Apartment Livin' - The Living Room

As we come to the end of the end of the semester, I've kind of been getting sad about leaving the apartment I've lived in for 2 years.  It's just so cute.  Graduating, traveling, and moving back to Milwaukee is exciting, but I'll have to live at home :'( I'm kidding it's not that bad.  I decided to create weekly postings of the different rooms in my apartment so that I can share all the DIYs I've done while there's still time!  And to be able to look back and remember my first apartment, of course.  If there's a featured DIY project in the room, I'll focus on it.  Maybe I'll even make eventual tutorials!  

This week's room is.....THE LIVING ROOM!  This room is essentially a conglomeration of DIY projects.  The decorations are basically a product of my imagination ;) because my roommate lets me do whatever I want.  It's awesome.

Sorry for the outdated holiday decor.  I took the pictures last month, oops.  My flavor-of-the-month tassel garlands are usually based on what holiday is currently distracting me from all the other things  I'm supposed to be doing.  I'm a festive person, what can I say?  My mom basically cried when I cut those doilies in half to make a garland.  At least I get a lot of use out of it.


This little cubbie is where most of the paintings hide.  I originally had wanted to fill the wall space to the left with paintings/pictures as well, but never got around to it.  All paintings done by moi.


Yes, that's from Tangled.

On the table we have a tray that I found at Goodwill, and LET ME TELL YOU, it was hideous.  I don't even remember it's original color, but it had goo all over the glass part that you were supposed to stick photos under.  I got that off and repainted it.  Then I put the chevron fabric underneath.  Well now there's two circles of candle wax on there, but it did look good.  The coasters were a Pinterest project gone...unexpectedly (as in, the two painted like lemons cracked in half).  The framed "Lip Service" print was from Best Friends for Frosting (get your own here for free) that I printed last Valentine's Day.  It just stayed.


This next painting was something I did immediately when I found out we would be moving into our apartment.  Can't remember where I got the idea (Pinterest or Instagram).  After this project, I despised painting chevrons.  I now avoid it at all costs.  Love how this turned out, never want to do it again.  The blue scroll work (from Menards) just gives the whole piece of art "a little something extra, don't you think?" (yes, I'm Elle Woods) 


This next part is definitely one of my favorites of the whole apartment.  My mug rack!  Due to my obsession (and much begging on my part), my dad finally built me a custom mug rack.  There just wasn't any more room in the cabinets.  Plus, they're so pretty so how could I not display them?  (a couple are my roommate's).  At this point, everyone buys me mugs as gifts now because they know you should only contribute to an addict's behavior...


These are the 2 end tables turned foot stools/ottomans turned back into end tables that my mom and I made out of those cheap $8 IKEA tables (with this tutorial).  Warning: You will need a staple gun and a bit of muscle.  My original intent was for these to be end tables or ottomans, but my parents were SO convinced that someone was going to sit on them and break them (they were kind of unsteady), so my dad put those bars on all four sides.  I think someone sat on them once... But I love them.


Aaaaaand...to the other side of the room.  Not too much to see over here, except for my chalkboard, Milwaukee skyline painting, and shotski, respectively.


Which brings us to what I like to call "the conversation starter" (or what I call it in my head).  Yes, I painted it.  Yes, it took me a long time.  No, I don't really want to do another one for you (just kidding, I totally would with the right circumstances).
And for the shotski you see mounted on the wall, my grandpa made it for me!


Overall, I'd say it's a pretty bright and cheery room.  Not as bright and cheery as the bathroom (I know, what?), but a close second.

Until next time!



2 comments

  1. Youve inspired me to make ottomans

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    1. I will warn you the process had my mom swearing by the end of it, but they're worth it!

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