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Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Happy News: We Have an Apartment!

Such exciting news—Frank and I have an apartment!

He went to visit it last week and sent me pictures. Then, knowing my love for Pinterest, he created a Pinterest board to get me all excited for living there (as though I wasn't already excited enough!).

Here's the outside; it's on the second floor of this little four-apartment building. We even have a little deck!


Here's the front entryway. We have a little (non-working) fireplace!


I'm envisioning creating a little entryway like this next to the door:

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Most of the walls are exposed brick...



which has led me to pin a million photos of exposed brick. I'm dreaming of something like this:

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Aren't those "floating" shelves amazing?

I also adore this look ... although something tells me our tiny little bedroom isn't going to be quite this glamorous. :)

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Then there's the kitchen. Oh, I have such dreams for the kitchen. It's a teeny little space but we both love to cook and we can't wait to get our hands on it and really make it shine.

Here's what it looks like now:



Oh, that microwave. What an awkward location. We want to buy some industrial shelving like this, and put the microwave on top:

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Then we'll use the rest of it for gorgeous, open, functional storage space.

We also want to expand our counter space with this awesome kitchen island:

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We've been having fun looking around the internet for awesome pieces and adding them to our Pinterest board. Slowly but surely, we're planning to make this apartment the coziest little nest.

My biggest dreams are for the fireplace. Here's how it looks right now:


Eh, you know. It's fine. Nothing to write home about.

But just imagine what some pillar candles could do. Something like this...

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Isn't that dreamy? Add some nice art or a mirror above the fireplace, and that little spot won't know what hit it. :)

This picture is my very favorite of all the "apartment dreaming" ones. It captures everything we envision for our place—exposed brick, huge bookshelves, pillar candles in the fireplace, and a simple homey feel.

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So, there it is. We have our first apartment! We really will have a "little house in Chicago" at this cozy place, and I'm so excited to decorate it and settle in together. I don't feel so worried anymore. The dreaming and planning has set in, and it's the best feeling in the world. :)

16 comments:

  1. Oooh, Tess! I'm so excited for you! This looks like a dream in the making :) God bless you and know of my continued prayers for you and Frank!

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    1. Thank you, dear Sarah! We are so appreciative of your prayers. Can't wait to update this little place and hopefully make the dream a reality. :)

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  2. He made you a Pinterest board?! What a guy! I love love love the exposed brick. It's such a fun design element. I'm excited to see what you do with the place!

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    1. Yes, it's really useful because he pins stuff to it too, so we already have shelves, a bed frame, etc. picked out thanks to his online sleuthing for good deals.

      Thanks, I'm looking forward to it! Hoping to have occasion to write a few "how to" posts in the months ahead :)

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  3. So exciting! What neighborhood are you moving to? My husband lived in Lincoln Park before we got married (I was living in Wisconsin) so we have a lot of happy memories of Chicago.

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    1. We'll be living in McKinley Park. I don't know the city very well so I'm excited to explore it and find new favorite places... any recommendations or suggestions would be welcome! :)

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  4. wow! it looks amazing! i am so excited to see what you guys do with the place!

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    1. Thanks Caitlin! I have such big plans, although I'm sure it will take a while to put them all into place. The thrift stores of Chicago will definitely be seeing a lot of me. :)

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  5. That looks wonderful! :) A great place to make some unforgettable memories as you start your marriage.

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    1. Thanks tay! I think it will be—we are so excited to really make a home there!

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  6. WOW! I love that apartment. So much charm and details it has! I am so excited to see how y'all decorate it all up.

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    1. Isn't it darling? Thanks, Allie! I can't wait to get my hands on it and have so much fun fixing it up!

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  7. I am abnormally jealous..... You HAVE to post pics after you decorate it.

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    1. Thanks, emily! We definitely well—I'm already planning out some fun "before and after" ideas and I'll definitely put them up on the blog. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

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  8. Love exposed brick!! And Pinterest is the world's best way to figure out what you like before you start diving into the nitty gritty of decorating. So exciting!

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    1. It really is—we've found so many genius ideas on there. It's so addictive too! Glad you like the look!

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