Hi friends! It’s Michaela. I’m happy to be back sharing a bit of my home with you. About a year ago I moved across the country from California to Michigan to be with my boyfriend. As an interior designer, I was thrilled to finally have a place of my own to decorate and make personal — no more sharing style decisions with college roommates. I couldn’t wait to turn this apartment into something that reflected my taste.
When I arrived, I owned very little furniture. I’d shipped a headboard and a vintage mirror I found in California, and I brought many art prints, small accessories and delicate glassware I’d collected over the years (sadly, several pieces broke during the move). The first minutes in the apartment were exciting — and quickly overwhelming. My boyfriend brought over an old TV, which sat on a cardboard moving box because I had no media console yet. I watched from a pouf or the floor until my sofa arrived. My dining set was a tiny, wobbly card table I covered with a pretty tablecloth just to make it feel less tragic. The reality of starting from scratch hit me hard.
I’d imagined the apartment would feel finished right away, which was an unrealistic expectation even for a designer. Over the past year I learned to be patient, give myself grace, and enjoy the process of creating a home. Below is the apartment the day I moved in and the steps I took as the space evolved.
Here’s the apartment the day I moved in:
It’s easy to see why I felt overwhelmed. After a few days with the TV on a box, I bought a media stand in a hurry — something serviceable but not quite “me.” I also started hanging a gallery wall to make the space feel more like home. No couch yet, but at least there were framed pieces on the wall.
A few months later I realized the media console wasn’t right for the space, so I refreshed it with chalk paint. The finish gave the piece a vintage, shabby-chic look that felt much more authentic to my style and helped the room come together in a way the original modern piece didn’t.
One of the best early pieces of advice I received was to finish the bathroom first. It’s a small, manageable room, and completing it early on gave me a sense of order. Recently I learned the apartment could be painted, so my boyfriend and I tackled the bathroom in an afternoon. We painted the walls Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore, which brightened the space and made the white shower curtain pop. I also swapped the vanity knobs for pretty ones that reflect my style — small updates like that make a big difference.
When I first moved in I bought a small loveseat because I thought only a tiny sofa would fit. Those so-called “apartment-sized” couches can be misleading — sometimes a regular sofa or a small sectional fits better and actually makes the room feel larger. My boyfriend is 6’3″, so the loveseat wasn’t comfortable for movie nights. After a few months I sold it and invested in a small sectional that fit the space perfectly and opened up the room. The reversible chaise was a practical bonus for future moves.
Adding new throw pillows sewn by my grandmother, who is also an interior designer, was a meaningful personal touch. Handmade accents like these add warmth and character that store-bought items often can’t replicate.
A recent view of the living room during the holidays shows how the space has warmed up as pieces came together.
The biggest lesson for me has been embracing the process. Moving in and decorating is gradual, and allowing yourself time to make thoughtful choices leads to a home that feels right. After a year, I can honestly say slow decorating has been more enjoyable and rewarding. If you’re in the midst of a move, give yourself patience and permission to build your home piece by piece.
Stop by my blog anytime — I’d love to meet you!
xoxo
Michaela