Don’t Re-invent the Wheel!
- Rachel Buccieri
- Jul 12, 2021
- 7 min read
Whether you want your place to resemble the feminine chic of Carrie Bradshaw or the modern, but eclectic vibe of a coastal chateau, these girls will help you find your inspo. I didn’t even mean to rhyme that line, but I like that start. I digress- I think one of the best ways to find what you like is to see what other’s like. Sure, it may be a bit of a “copy-cat” situation, but why re-invent the wheel?
Joanna Gaines become a sensation by coining subway tile and black hardware. Now every house you step in has shiny white, rectangles adorning their kitchen and matte black everything. Trust me, I hope my next home has subway tile and black hardware. I am not knocking it by any means, in fact, quite the contrary. The reason why those design concepts are so darn popular is because they look good! So why not replicate it? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, am I right? That’s why I thought to do a “highlight reel” of some of my girlfriends’ apartments. These two women are incredible, and beautifully unique. Julia exudes color in everything she does. Her life is filled with adventure, culture, and curiosity. Her apartment perfectly radiates all of her best qualities.
Jen is the most compassionate, nurturing, and witty woman I know, and her style also exemplifies that. Her “glass half full mentality” and true appreciation for everything around her makes her someone you want around you all the time. What is the takeaway here? I think the most “successful” spaces are ones that emulate individual personalities. Let me give you an example. The various apartments I shared in the past, were a hodgepodge of the people I lived with. Sure, the apartments were “cute” and comfortable, but they lacked a vision. That’s because all of us had different design styles, but we never sat down to bring all of them together. To be fair, there is also something to say about the timing of your life. None of us really cared what our place looked like or had the extra cash to spend on a stylish vase or some chic curtains. But now, as I grow older, I now understand the importance of design and decorating— how it can affect your mood and your overall demeanor. Julie and Jen’s spaces show us that when you pour your personality into your interior spaces, you won’t be disappointed. I gave the girls a short list of questions to give you an idea of what they were thinking when they designed their homes, but I first wanted to highlight a few of their design elements.
First, the plants in this room make all the difference. The hanging baskets create a “sanctuary” vibe, and they help to separate the space into several rooms. Because she hung them mostly in the “living room” area, they naturally block off the living room and dinette area in a natural, stylish way.
I must highlight her accessories. Every inch of Julie’s space has something appealing to the eye. It’s almost like walking into one of those crystal/yogi shops that draw you in because there is just so much to look at. She keeps mementos from her various trips, collects tiny adornments, and uses her everyday things as decorations. What did I mean by the latter? She has essential oils and crystals on almost every shelf, because she uses those as forms of therapy. But incorporated into the space, open on the shelf, they give that “spa” feel to the entire room. The ottoman is a spot to place her dinner plate, so why not make it adorable? Now, something so functional is also a perfect design addition.
The mismatched nature of her accessories may be my favorite part. She is using so many colors, patterns, sizes, etc. in her space that it just works. Her leopard pillow pairs perfectly with her olive green sofa cushion, because it looks as if she isn’t trying too hard. The feel of the space is effortless, which is the aspect I admire most. Notice how the tiles on the wall are all scattered photos of various moments in her life, but because they are all so different, they jive. Last thing I have to mention is the art. The only personal photos she has are made into an art piece with the tiles I described before. The substitution of 4 by 6 photographs with various forms of art, help to create a cultured, well-curated design. Her artwork is unique and eclectic, but all bring a “full of life” sensation to her apartment. The blooming flowers on the ceramic plate over the television, the framed beach photos, the “Pura Vida” sign, and silohuette drawings of the two woman— make for the perfect adornments in her charming apartment.
Jen rolled up her sleeves at the design table with a slightly different angle. Jen is currently re-designing a home— having to tackle several rooms in the house. She also, we must add, shows up to the table with another— her fiancé, Neal. Due to this, she has to stay open-minded to a whole new array of ideas. That can be challenging, and also very rewarding. She mentions the ebb and flow of designing with a partner, and how when it is in full-motion, it can be a serendipitous kind of thing. But when it isn’t working so flawlessly, it can cause many headaches. Their space perfectly sums up their relationship and individual personalities; the room is cool and soothing, yet also sentimental and cheery.
A few things to highlight: the lighting, the minimalism, and the well-thought out accessories. Let’s start with the lighting-The industrial lights accentuate the tradition of the home and the neighborhood. Surrounding her street, you will find several warehouses transitioning into residential and commercial spaces. I think her lighting helps to bring the whole room together.
The space is much more minimalistic than Julia’s apartment, but that suits Jen. She prides herself in eliminating waste when she can, and she loves to find various ways she can cut back in terms of garbage, light usage, etc. This again shows in her house; the accessories are perfectly placed. It seems as though she even took the time to think of where she should lean her cutting board! I appreciate the minimalism here, because it displays deliberate thought in the design process. Finally, the accessories in her house give a subtle nautical look. Since she does live in a “landlocked” (as she called it) brick home in a neighborhood on the west side of Chicago, she doesn’t want to go overboard with the nautical theme. Makes sense. Geographically speaking, over-the-top nautical can be a bit gaudy or cheese. She managed to create a tranquil vibe by incorporating accessories like the weaved mirror.
Both women managed to create stunning homes for themselves, and I can’t wait to take some tidbits back to my own home. I asked the girls a set of questions to get to know their design process a little bit more. Enjoy! And thanks again for bein here!
1. Describe your style in one word.
Julia: Personality!
Jen: Comfort
2. Where do you like to start when decorating a room?
Julia: I like to start in the living area, since that is where I like to hang most of my art and all of my plants 🪴
Jen: I like to start with whatever piece/feature I love the most and go from there! For example, I really liked the industrial/nautical/rustic wood & metal doorframe in the kitchen, so that was my starting point!
3. What is your favorite thing about your space?
Julia: I love the plants, especially the big tropical tree I found outside in the alley! I brought it inside and it is thriving! I also love the flow of the space for having people over.
Jen: I love the plants in the window! We were going to do a valance but decided to do a plant shelf instead on my mom’s recommendation. They are easy to take care of because they’re right above the sink (for watering) and in a sunny window!
4. What is the object/concept you are surprised by how much you like it?
Julia: I am surprised I like the more modern couch and tv stand. I bought the couch loving the look in pictures and it took some time to get used too, but I have come to like the modern look (we’ll see how long it lasts though; haha).
Jen: Neil campaigned hard for the backsplash! I thought it was an unnecessary cosmetic touch, but now that we have it, the whole kitchen feels brighter and better.
5. Where do you like to spend your budget?
Julia: Books and rocks! I am constantly buying both of those things and finding new spots to put them.
Jen: Furniture! Especially the pieces we use all the time (like the island in the kitchen!)
6. Who are some of your style icons or inspirations?
Julia: I watched Hgtv design star (even subscribed to Discovery plus for it) and really liked Carmeon Hamilton’s style and decorating. She used pattern and black and white with pops of green and color. Also, using different prints to add dimension.
Jen: I love all the magnolia home stuff, so Joanna Gaines!! I also love lake houses & a general nautical vibe. I relax best by water & even though my house is decidedly landlocked, it’s still a nice feeling to go for.
7. If your space was a celebrity- who would it be and why?
Julia: Hmmm..I would go with Drew Barrymore. She has a real free spirit vibe and I do like her Flower collection!
Jen: Oh golly!!! I think Kristen Wiig in Bridesmaids! Her style in that show was simple, cute, quirky, but not over the top. She looked comfortable in everything she was wearing (except her bridesmaids dress I suppose!!!).
8. Any other advice about decorating?
Julia: Finding art and ideas when your traveling. That way you always have the memories close and they are unique to you.
Jen: I love love love Facebook marketplace! I got my kitchen stools from there, as well as a slew of other treasures (mirrors, bedside tables, even a brand-new mattress!!). It feels like such a victory to buy something used that happens to fit just right. Looking for a pair of bedside table lamps next....
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