Hello everyone
Today, I’m excited to bring you a word scr...
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Hello everyone
Today, I’m excited to bring you a word scramble game featuring popular tourist destinations!
In the grid...
Latest reply
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Suddenly finding yourself with an empty apartment, without the standard six months' notice, is not fun, believe me! Especially in the summer! So... having come back from my vacation in Corsica on June 25, I found myself needing to do everything in a rush.
There was little time but I wanted to make sure everything was ready for July 15, so I spent days on the computer, fully immersed in paperwork and registrations, including the SPID digital identity check needed to access the Liguria Region's website!
The house was in good condition, I have to say. The previous tenant had whitewashed the walls and redid the floors in beige stone tile last year. To decorate well, I first had to understand which colors or lack of colors were best for the space.
Once I decided on the basic colors, I took measurements and ordered furniture. Since I was in a hurry, I got almost everything from Amazon Prime, then I found some good companies with cheap furniture: "marinelligroup.eu" (you have to assemble them) and I also used eBay.
I didn't use Ikea because they charge you for delivery! I bought a TV cabinet from Maison du Monde that I didn't have to assemble.
How do you choose furniture?
Let's say that furniture should be chosen according to the space you have, but you should like it first and foremost. For example, for the table in the living area, I took a 90 cm, round white PVC table top with a large 60s-style tulip-shaped base, and I combined it with gray plastic chairs with Scandinavian light wooden legs. It took me a long time to find something nice at a good price. Searching online saves a lot of time.
The two-seater sofa was already there but the fabric was in a terrible state (it seemed like a cat had used it for a manicure). Still, it was a heavy, very deep and very, very comfortable sofa bed so I decided to keep it. I ordered a Damascus gray/blue sofa cover to attach to it and then bought a nice pearl gray and white striped throw that could be changed for each guest. Cleanliness above all else!
I also got some nice tables to put next to the sofa in this area. There was an old pouf that I covered with gray velvet (easy to clean), to match the beautiful dark gray blackout curtains. In the kitchen, I added a classic high white bar table with gray shelf and two beautiful swivel stools in gray faux leather, as well as a lovely low sideboard with three white doors.
The white Ikea kitchen was horrible. We couldn't change the doors anymore because Ikea has changed the patterns, so the only remaining option was, you guessed it...To paint them!
First, we cleaned them inside and out and degreased them, then we remove the handles and got rid of them. Buy new ones—they work wonders when it comes to style! I used a matte paint, it was fantastic. I opted for various shades of gray and white.
The white wardrobe in the bedroom was already mine and the tenant left the bed in dark blue wrought iron. I had to fix it a little bit because it was creaking, then I changed the planks. The mattress was good, it just needed a new cover. For the headboard, I took two old cushions and I put them in two turquoise pillowcases, then I added ties to make the headboard. I put a rug on the floor and the double bedroom was all set.
In the smaller room, there was also a cute white wardrobe with a mirror: I added some starfish and other decorations, then curtains with gray and white stripes. I ordered two single overlapping nets so that one of them can be seen. I set up the fixed net, then ordered the right mattresses to fit under another net! Everything had to be perfect, especially the pillows of course.
While I was waiting for my furniture to come I painted the kitchen doors. I had to remove a low cabinet for a 45 cm dishwasher, then I added new handles.
In the very large entrance I refurbished a large mirror and my mother-in-law's console by painting it a light blue.
There was one of the tall chests of drawers left over so I placed it in the kitchen area to separate the spaces and store the coffee machine. I didn't like the impact so I made stripes with grosgrain fabric.
I also made some nice big gray stripes on the wall where the sofa is. It was very shaking and I don't even want to tell you about the scary result when I removed the paper, since the wall was dimpled like orange peel the gray paint had spread, so I had to touch it up with white. Having used gray and white I was then able to add blue and greenish turquoise accessories. P.S. I found a beautiful modern ceiling light that looks like twisted dark gray plastic wires. The "Luiamo.it" Oxford ceiling light.
Then I put my paintings on the walls. I'll have time to make adjustments later!
In any case, it was quite an accomplishment. The first guest arrived on July 16.
I honestly could have just gone to my usual thrift store but my husband wanted the receipts, so almost everything was new. Ah, I left out all the dishes, crockery, glasses, sheets, towels and then all the appliances... Everything.
I had calluses on my hands!
In the end, it was a nice challenge, and I have to say, you can create a home that's both modern and cozy for the right amount of money.
Here are some tips for choosing vintage furniture:
- If you find it, buy it: don't let it get away. If you find something, buy it that day. No two pieces of furniture are the same!
- A few scratches are fine: finding a pristine piece of furniture is difficult, but it's nice to have a piece that has lived. Not everything has to be vintage, use your judgement.
- Search online and save time.
- Make sure delivery goes smoothly! If they take it home, where you have to go too, is the delivery cost worth it?
- Returns: if you change your mind or if it doesn't fit, send it back!
