E-Design Story: CG gets her first Apartment, Chapter 1

 This is the story of a new College Grad...

She has lived with her parents for the last two years, saving for her first apartment,

paying off student loans and looking for her dream job in Los Angeles

She finally landed a job in downtown Los Angeles working as an Admin manager

for a huge fortune 500 company

and

 rented a nice ( but expensive  $1500 per month)

one bedroom apartment in Manhattan Beach

College Grad or "CG" as we will call her,

 can take the train into work every day to save money...but now what?

No furniture, a limited budget, beige carpet and white walls!!!

HELP!

CG and I, wanted to start fresh and leave all of her old bedroom furniture at home, so

 when she goes home for holidays she will feel wonderful and welcome...her Parents agreed!

CG was lucky to get some money from friends and family after graduation,

plus what she has saved by living at home,

 she has about $10,000 dollars for apartment move in costs

and furniture

Our budget for the living room was $2000 dollars

here is what we did

Our first stop is a great discount and ethnic inspired store called 

World Market 

We looked at dozens of sofas and finally ended up with this one

Called the Crosby...you buy the frame and then pick your slip cover

total cost $ 700 dollars

CG loves bright colors

 but she also wanted the living room to be calm and open

CG loves to shop for vintage too

 so we went with things that will have a fun and young look 

and can be swapped out for a variety of looks, depending on her mood

we picked up 4 pillows...

two of the turquoise Jacquard and 

two of the recycled silk Sari wovens 

 at $25 dollars each

total cost $100 dollars

Because the apartment is small, there really wasn't room for big cushy club chairs 

and the space next to the living room will have a small dining area

The chairs we chose are the Jayden woven cairs 

which sell for $250 dollars for a set of two! 

and we can use them in the dining area as well

While cruising around the store we spotted these wonderful stitched zebra pillows...

had to have those!

 so we bought two

cost:  $ 60 dollars

World market has so many great kitchen and decorative items 

at really wonderful prices

We spotted these grey and cream pottery vases

at $20 dollars each...we bought three

 Because CG loves to shop at vintage and flea markets, 

she thought that she might be able to find some great inexpensive art work down the road...

but what to do about the big blank wall behind the sofa?

We spotted these really fun chalkboard birds on a string and bought three

total cost at $8 dollars each...$24 dollars

 getting back to our furniture needs ...

this coffee table was just so interesting and a nice small size with a very ethnic and vintage look...kind of like an old door

the Youkos coffee table was $400 dollars...a bit of a splurge,

 but could be used as a bench or even on a patio, down the road

 next to the sofa and chairs 

we needed a nice little table and lamp...

the table above is the Aiden end table 

priced at $149 

  the lamp base we liked had a nice grey 

wash

and was only $59 dollars

topped of with this really bright embroidered shade 

it looks amazing

shade: $24.99

our last piece of furniture for the living room was this shelving unit...made from recycled wood it will house a small TV, some stereo equipment and a few books and collectibles

We loved how all of the shelves were adjustable and it was an easy item to move around

and talk about a great price!

the Campaign bookshelf is only

$279 dollars

last on our list were a few items to make her new place a bit more friendly 

after a long day at work

we found some great items in the kitchen department 

and will do some faux silk arrangement in these cute

 "good morning bowls"

bowls $10 dollars for 2

silk orchids

2 sets of two at $24 dollars

bringing a touch of black into the room seemed 

like a good idea 

so we 

purchased two of these black tea tins, 

which will hold candy and the TV clickers

$3 dollar each

total $6 bucks

finally some great baskets for magazines, newspapers, gym shoes etc 

we love these tub baskets 

2 for $40 dollars

here is CG's finished living room

and she may even have time to get a little kitty

total cost $1,972 dollars

well within our budget and really cute and fresh...

next post:

the kitchen and eat-in area

plus...please enter the give way 

thanks so much for your great ideas and comments

cheers

kel