Chez Lin, Oh La La...

So, in honor of starting my own business, I have had the pleasure of moving out of my independence and back in with my dad. It feels a bit backward in the steps of life, but then again... I've heard enough of the same story this year, and it only makes me smile about how we'll all look back on this time in our lives and remember how wonderful it was to not pay for rent or laundry, at the expense of never having friends over. : )

Since moving back in, I've been hesitant to do any decorating, mainly because I refuse to believe that I am settled anywhere. It's been a long time since I've felt at "home" enough to put anything on the walls. Therefore, my bedroom for the past 8 months has consisted of a white comforter, a black dresser, and um... beige walls? Pretty depressing. And somehow, with a perfect blank palette and the assurance that I would not be going anywhere soon (rent & security deposit, ha!), I still had not felt any inclination to style my bedroom.

A few weeks ago, I went to Ikea with some friends and revealed to them the "as is" section. It's my favorite. Mainly because it's the one place at Ikea that I can find something not everyone will have... Because at bulk and super low costs, I can afford (and feel comfortable with) buying an impactful amount or personalizing the pieces. For example, one time I bought eight 10" ceramic vases for 50 cents each and proceeded to paint them, and another time I got nine cabinet doors for less than a dollar each, and then hung them as one piece to mimic a headboard in my old apartment. Later, I painted them and used them as frames for pictures. They're going to live a long life... I'll post some pics of those babies.

So, on this recent trip, I helped my buddies pick out some new duvet covers, and was super jealous of the adorable fabrics and instant updates their rooms would have. As much as I'd love to buy new things, it's just not the time to be spending $40 for something I technically already have. And voila, in the land of "as is," I found a perfect little cover for just $8! And, in the same bin, a perfectly coordinated magenta pillow cover for... 50 cents!

Without exceeding $8.50, I ended up accessorizing my room with (for the first time ever) flowers, pink, and shabby chic.

It'd be unfair to say that this is possible for everyone, because in reality, I've spent a lot of money on decor items, but only when I see them on sale with a lot of potential. In the past year, I've picked up tons of things, from the pink pillows on the bed (on sale for $3 each), to the pink and white clips holding my black and white vintage postcards (10 cent shower curtain holders!), to miscellanious picture frames, candle holders, and... my favorite part of the room, a combination of cork potholders that I've wrapped in sage green plain, sage green polka dot, white, and magenta fabric to hang on the wall. I even had a little magenta hair pin that I attached to one of the boards.


So, conclusion:
1 hour
+ $8.50
+ a lifetime of interior design obsession & random shopping
= my happy, girly bedroom. : )

Onto my in-the-works office space:

My seating area is really just a combination of a lot of stuff I already have... But it's knowing what to combine that really works. The table I acquired from a past client, and it was a little darker than all of the other matching birch colors I have. Luckily, I had a birch tabletop that I wanted to use in the space, and putting it on top of the existing space made the original coffee table larger and more coordinated.

(Yes, I know they're crooked). I haven't mounted them on white foam core yet. I found sets of postcards for 50 cents each (that's a dime per post card!) because they were missing the envelopes. Lucky for me, I was only sending them to my wall. I was so indecisive about using the rustic, eclectic numbers or the bright, organic green & blue flowers. I tried both, and I really like the way I could blend the two styles!

My tabletop will eventually be a solid core white door from Home Depot ($20!), but for now I'm using my closet door. I really like the big work space... and how easy it would be to take it off the sawhorse legs (no lie, discounted from $30 down to $5 one fateful, fateful day) when I want to open up the space.

There isn't anything monumentally special about this shot, but I love sitting on the couch. The sun shines right in through the window all afternoon, and seeing a cohesive space with potential to work in? Well, that excites me.

I love elephants. On the tray is a set of salt and pepper shakers from Anthology, and they somehow end up a focal point no matter how I design my space. The desk is neatly organized, which for some is a must for creative work... Others like chaos. I think that might be because everything is "at their fingertips," so I managed to create that vibe with all of my inspirational design books and magazines right in front of me as I work online.

Below is my fireplace mantle. Right now it is just a crazy collection of everything I just happen to like that seems to coordinate in color, but it will evolve gradually. I found the largest piece at a swap meet and fell in love with the colors. Up close (and when I'm better at photography), you'd see little tiny lime green, orange, and yellow flowers that look beautiful with the bright colors in the room. It's still a little dark though, so I painted the frame white and paired it with some other darker pieces so that it would look nice against the stones. Notice the picture of Bambi and Feline that I cut out of the Disney children's book, and also the super cool wooden vase right in front of the diagonal picture of pyramid steps. Everything represents me, which is really what great design is about. Although you might not understand it all, it's a space I love to look at from across the room. (Yet still, it will mostly likely change this week.)

Lastly, I had to do something with the random black leather recliner that gravitated into this room. A few animal print pillows (I don't know why, but I am very fond of them, and there's another on my desk chair) create a very "I've traveled" feel next to the stone & wood lamp and the, of course, elephant statue. It's not that I hope one day to own a house with a room I can devote solely to elephants, but I really do like them. There is another one (it's part of the "Baby Elephant" room starter kit) that hasn't made an appearance in the room yet. I will cry the day it sells.

About 80% of my accessories are "finds." Thrift stores, swap meets, clients looking to get rid of them, garage sales, or completely upcycled things that are on clearance, about to me thrown away or forgotten. It's not that I'm always "so lucky" and just happen to find exactly what I'm looking for at a tearfully amazing price, but keeping my eye out for unique accessories just gives me an opportunity to redecorate in... well, one hour for $8.50.

Below are some ADORABLE cookie jars I found at the salvo recently. I don't know when I'll use them, considering I don't exactly have my own kitchen to employ them in. But how wonderful will it be when I have a client with shelf space, or better yet, my own counter, that will look so unique and cozy with these precious little finds.

Besides randomly wanting to post the design mojo I've had around my house, I want to pass along this advice: Carefully and creatively invest in your design future.

Don't buy anything at any time with the attitiude, "well, this could work...", but don't dismiss yourself from buying something you love just because you don't need it. Put the two ideas together, and form a small collection of fun things that you just won't see again, and would like to one day see in your home. That way, when you're older and can afford a home (or when you're just looking for a fresh, new idea for the space you're in now), you'll be able to design based on what you have and what you love. Ironically, that's usually the hardest part, but you'll have an inspired, creative, and personal head start!

Thanks for reading.
Take care!