APT TOUR – Living Colorfully in the West Village

IMG_4726 (1) IT’S TIME FOR A TOUR!
I am so crazy, over the moon excited to share a little look at my new(ish) little West Village living room and home office space that I’ve been working on for what feels like forever, so I really hope you like it!!!!

But before we get started – I wanted to give you fair warning that these photos (and my apartment, okay my life in general) is basically just an montage of Waffles and his many sleeping locations and positions, because let’s face it, it’s really his apartment, not mine… Okay, without further ado – lets get this apartment party started!!! IMG_4870 (1)

Three years ago, Waffles and I moved into a tiny train style apartment in the heart of the West Village and started our New York adventure. Our first place, with small, historic, cluttered and full of charm but we loved it just the same. Earlier this year, we said goodbye to my first New York apartment and trekked our belongings the lengthy distance down one flight of stairs and into a new sparkly apartment (yes, we moved one floor down lol). Ever since, it’s been out with the old and in with the new as we worked to turn this house (errr apartment) into a home.

It’s been a labor of love to say the very least and trying to translate my colorful style into home decor in a tasteful and timeless way can be a bit of a challenge. But with the help of a few amazing brands, lots of late nights spent online shopping and stalking dream homes on Pinterest, Paris’s good eye for style and not to mention handy man skills and the inherited design instincts from my interior decorator of a mother (and often worried phone call consulting with said mother – thanks mom) the apartment was born!

My little “open concept” living room is quite the little multitasker! It serves as my lounge space, entertaining spot, dining room (did you notice how my coffee table doubles as my dining table / couch desk) and office space … aka Waffles Lair, actually this whole dang apartment is Waffles Lair.

Pillows via Society Social & I-Scream vase via Lulu & Georgia

After finding the perfect sofa from Apt2b (read the full story here) and this amazing chevron rug, my next big challenge was filling the oddly spaced and unique configuration of my open concept living space – yikes. I quickly learned white walls are my enemy – and since Paris was against painting for fear of over doing it on the color (what, no such thing) and despises wallpaper, we landed with an over-the-top gallery wall with a positive message (remember where you’ve been, and keep your eyes on where you’re going… oh and dream big!) and a statement art piece that I painted.

Since finding art can be really overwhelming, I turned to Lulu & Georgia, known for great decor pieces but also an awesome art collection and quickly found these amazing three pieces – one pictures Arizona (my home state), another Southern California (where I lived briefly and where Waffles was born) and a third, San Francisco (my home before New York) so they all tell a story. I sent them off to Framebridge to get custom and high quality frames in a crazy fast turn around. I usually DIY my own framing, but probably won’t ever make that mistake again. Their service is a total game changer and totally worth the investment! Their high quality frames put my DIY work to shame!

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For my DIY art, I used my pretty Society Social pillows as color inspiration and created the rooms focal point by using a self created (and self taught) brush stroke technique over a previously turquoise painted canvas- the key is to know your color wheel, keep your brush dry and know when to put down the paint… I promise it was much easier than it looks! Oh and I also painted the brush stroke painting on the gallery wall – which was also so simple, fun and affordable! I promise to share a tutorial soon.

SHOP MY LIVING ROOM!

Across from the couch, you’ll find my entertainment center – AKA where I binge watch PLL and Dance Moms like a twelve year old… and have recently become best friends with Elaine Benes and of course, Kramer. I got the most amazing yet subtle roller shades, that help prevent a crazy glare from occurring on my precious TV time or while I’m working at the computer in the office nook, and they’re cordless so they’re totally safe for Waffles ( by the way, if you have a pet, please please please get cordless window coverings like mine from Smith & Noble I would hate to see them get injured playing with the cord!).

SHOP MY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER!

My entertainment center also kind of serves as a time machine, housing some of my favorite books I’ve collected from thrift stores or as gifts over time, my record player that’s currently playing the Clueless Soundtrack because I am a firm believer that everything sounds better on Vinyl (mp3s? Oh as if!!), my N64 because we like to party like it’s 1999 and because I’m so incredibly awesome at Mario Party it will totally blow your mind (poor Paris doesn’t stand a chance) and finally, my vintage rotary phone that I use to buzz guests to the building. I also love our little B&W homage to some of my favorite entertainers including Emma Watson, Andy Sandburg, Tina Fey and of course, JT… who I also have on vinyl. IMG_5190 (1)

From my couch, you can view my kitchen, ity bitty bathroom, my disconnected closet, and bedroom door (i’ll share a tour of them all soon, stay tuned) and most importantly, my office nook – where all the Color Me Courtney magic happens … well some of it, a lot of it also happens from my laptop in my bed but whatever, that’s another story. I’ve spent countless late nights working hard from my little Color Me Corner (it’s currently 2:42 AM, no biggie) with Waffles sprawled out on the sheep skin rug, Rootbeer in hand while singing along to Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and other sparkly female goddesses (proof on my snap chat >> xocourtneyquinn).

White board & bulletin board via Dormify
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SHOP MY OFFICE AREA:

I “try” to keep organized by using my bulletin & whiteboards but usually leave the chalk board for Paris to write corny quotes that always make me chuckle, even at 3 in the morning. I try to keep everything I could need while working handy and out in the open by displaying it all on the desk, because it keeps me from making a too much of a mess and makes it easier to find things in a jiffy! With so much to love about this corner, my favorite things have to be my big light up arrow against the exposed brick wall and the crazy colored confetti pillow against my ghost chair from Design Within Reach.

So that’s it! Our living, dining, office and lounge space in a nut shell! Small living in an NYC apartment can be a tough adjustment, especially if you work out of your place as much as I do, so be sure to make your place, comfortable, functional and above all – you! I hope you can see sprinkles of my personality coming through in our little west village apartment! 🙂

Credits:
Shop everything you just saw from the photos & links below or by going here

LIVING ROOM
EORC Hand-tufted Cotton Multi Sari Chevron Rug (7’9 x 9’9) $373.99
Jackson 2pc Sectional Sofa From Kyle Schuneman CHOICE OF FABRICS $2,188
Lacquer Storage Coffee Table $419
Jonathan Adler First Lady Pillow, 16″ x 16″ $165
Thro “Hello” Sequin Oblong Throw Pillow $44.99
Hollywood Mirrored Accent Cabinet $189.99
Gift Boutique RABLABS Lumino Gilded Coasters $175
Pool & Gold Rope Pillow $96
Monarch Glossy White/ Chrome Metal 2-piece Nesting Table Set $133.49
surreal succulent Art Print $42
Desert Cacti of the Southwest $145300
kate spade new york Pearl Place Set of 2 Highball Glasses $50
kate spade new york Pearl Place Set of 2 Double Old Fashion glasses $50
Summer Sky Children’s Art Print $28
Grand Canyon Blush Art Print $28
& Bricks Art Print $42
Bree Madden California Summer Photography Print $3080
Leather Handle Tray in Turquoise-Available in Two Different Sizes $222372
Food NetworkTM 13.75-in. Square Bar Serving Tray $29.99
Jonathan Adler I Scream Vase $68
Stuart Weitzman Nudist $398415
Safavieh Deorward Rug $76510
Dalmatian Pillow $50
Colorblock Linen Pillow $96
White Owl Stool $56.07