In this article we will tell our readers aboutA small but stylish 600-square-foot apartment that became photographer Annie McElwain’s first independent home. This unique piece of design art is located in the Venice, California neighborhood. It may only be a temporary refuge, but McElwain is keen to decorate it. Clever storage solutions, lots of decorative elements, and beautiful vignettes add personality to the space without making any structural changes. Rug: Overstock.com; Pillows: West Elm; Bedside Lamps: Etsy. Favorite books are easily accessible on a shelf next to the bed. Accessories were purchased at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and Ventura Flea Market. Nightstands: Flea Market; Bedside Lamps: Amazon; Shelves: Umbra.
McElwain liked the idea of using boxes.for milk storage—something she saw in a craft store. She found the boxes while visiting the Ventura Flea Market, and her boyfriend hung them on the wall.
Storage is always a problem in such asmall apartment, and McElwain keeps most of his belongings on display. A stylish shelving unit holds shoes and linens in the bedroom. Organizer: Urban Outfitters.
The omnipresent California light penetratesLarge windows in every room. This natural light was a huge plus for McElwain when choosing the apartment. A beautifully distressed vintage leather sofa sits next to a metal newspaper rack and end table in the living room. “I feel like the furniture has to come from a variety of places, otherwise the space feels like a page from a store catalog,” she says. End table: Urban Outfitters; newspaper rack: Etsy; chair: leather, Jeni from Found Vintage; rug: West Elm.
Since McElwain was furnishing her firsther own apartment, she quickly realized that it was difficult to make a space both beautiful and functional. Although she looked at photos online for inspiration, it was quite a challenge to find furnishings that completely satisfied her. Sofa: Urban Outfitters; Coffee Table: Flea Market; Pillows: eBay.
Simple vignettes help show off ordinary things in a favorable light. Annie's wooden lamp stand and books were gifts from her parents when she was little. Glass lamp: CB2.
Cameras, skateboards, wallets and other knick-knacks appear as part of a vignette that sits on a simple white shelf.
Having an artistically inclined boyfriend can be very helpful. McElwain recruited him to design and build these shelves.
Since the apartment is rented, the kitchenwas already in place, and McElwain was able to make only minimal changes. Luckily, this simple design is fairly easy to decorate. All that's left is a wooden bar and a couple of countertops with two stools for eating.
The built-in shelving in the cooking area is one of the few storage solutions that was already in the apartment.
The Heath Ceramics linen towel adds style to your kitchen.
A photographer is not just a profession, but a way of life. And it doesn’t matter whether he’s at work or not. McElwain hung Polaroids of her loved ones on the refrigerator.
Beautiful interior of a small apartment in California
