Wednesday Wild Card: Designing My Bohemia

(extra stuff you might like)

MY BOHEMIAN HAVEN
(creating a space that reflects my best self)

So a few weeks ago, I stood in the doorway of my apartment and realized that I haven't been living in the present at all. In the four years since I first signed my lease, I've spent maybe a total of ten minutes furnishing and decorating my space. It's pretty much all cheap Ikea furniture and bare walls.  Boring? Yes! Depressing even.  Until now, I've been reluctant to invest much time, energy and money on sprucing things up because I plan to relocate within the next two years.  Of course, it is good that I'm focusing on the future, but now whenever I look at my sparse, asylum-esque unit, I know for sure that I need to learn to enjoy the here and now as well.

Therefore I've decided to give my cute little one-bedroom a mini make-over! I want it to reveal who I am today and who I hope to become. I want it to reflect my passions and interests (theatre, art, African-American culture, film, etc.).  I want it to be an inviting and comfortable space for myself, friends and family.  Most importantly I want it to be an inspiring setting in which to write and create.  I want a little artsy, hippie chick, bachelorette pad! I have A LOT of work to do.

So far I've made a few runs to Ikea and Pier One and have purchased some prints, paintings on canvas, picture frames and a few other misc. items. 

I've been getting great ideas from sites like Apartment Therapy too.  Check out their post on piling rugs (either you'll love it or you'll hate it). 

(courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

I also have a great collection of playbills, old Life and Time magazines, album covers, ticket stubs, etc. that I plan to somehow turn into wall art. Decoupage maybe? We'll see.

So far this project has been surprisingly fun.  It has even HELPED ME TO WRITE.  As I watch my apartment gradually become the sanctuary I've always wanted, more and more story ideas are beginning to surface.  Guess it's true that where you create impacts what you create!

Depending on the end result,
I may or may not post before and after pics. 

Wish me luck! 

Much love,
-V.D.