Hi friends! I’m Michaela, and I’m so happy to be back sharing my home with you. About a year ago I moved from California to Michigan to be with my boyfriend. As an interior designer, I was excited to finally have an apartment that would reflect my style—no more coordinating with college roommates. I looked forward to creating a space that felt like mine.
When I arrived in Michigan I had very little furniture. I’d shipped a headboard and a vintage mirror from California, and I brought several art prints and small collectibles I’d gathered over the years. Most of those delicate pieces broke during the move, which was heartbreaking. Opening the door to my new place was thrilling, but five minutes later I felt overwhelmed and unsure where to start. My boyfriend brought over an old TV, which sat on a cardboard box because I didn’t yet have a media console. I watched it from a pouf or the floor until the couch arrived. My dining table was the smallest, wobbliest folding table I’d ever seen—covered with a pretty tablecloth I used more to hide it than to decorate.
I loved the idea of having my own place, but I had the unrealistic expectation that everything would be ready immediately. As a designer I should have known better. Over the past year I’ve learned a lot about moving, patience, giving myself grace, and gradually creating a home. Here’s how my apartment evolved and some tips I picked up along the way.
Here’s the apartment the day I moved in:
Can you see why I felt overwhelmed?
A few days in, tired of the TV on a box, I bought a media stand. I chose something that worked quickly but wasn’t exactly me—I was rushing. I also started a gallery wall to make the space feel more personal. No couch yet, but at least the wall was coming together.
A few months later I decided that rushed media stand wasn’t the right fit. I refreshed it with chalk paint to give it a vintage, shabby-chic vibe that better suited my aesthetic. That small change made me love the piece—and the room—so much more.
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to finish the bathroom first. It’s the smallest room, so it’s a manageable project that gives you a sense of completion right away. I like things tidy, so having at least one room put together made a big difference. When the apartment’s ownership changed and painting became an option, my boyfriend and I painted the bathroom in a few hours—Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore. The color brightened the space and made the white shower curtain pop. I also swapped the vanity knobs for pretty ones that feel more like me.
At first I bought a small loveseat, thinking it was the only thing that would fit. Many “apartment sized” sofas are unnecessary—regular sofas often fit and can make a room feel larger. My boyfriend is 6’3″, so the tiny loveseat didn’t make movie nights comfortable. After a few months I sold it and invested in a small sectional. I chose a reversible chaise so the layout stays flexible if I move. The new sofa opened up the space and made the living room much more functional and cozy.
Here’s the room around the holidays:
Adding new pillows sewn by my grandmother—an interior designer herself—was a meaningful touch. Those small, handmade details make the apartment feel especially like home.
The biggest lesson I learned is that making a home is a process. Give yourself grace in the first weeks and months. Slow decorating allowed me to be more thoughtful, enjoy the process, and create a space I truly love. After a year, I can say building a comfortable, personal home has been far more enjoyable when I stopped rushing and embraced gradual improvement. Can you relate?
Feel free to stop by my blog anytime. I’d love to connect.
xoxo
Michaela