Sarah Schachterle - HERLIFE Magazine

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home Urban Oasis By Kim Antisdel C hoosing to live in an urban area of a city can be daunting, especially if you’re used to living in a single family home environment. Apartments and lofts retain a completely different vibe and energy than a typical suburban house, but that doesn’t mean they should feel any less like a home. There are several approaches to making your apartment or loft feel like a true home, and they can all be done without breaking the bank. PROPORTIONS Generally speaking, urban living doesn’t permit the plentiful square footage associated with suburbia. You may be restricted to as few as 700 square feet in your space, so there’s a small margin for error when selecting your furniture. 40 <strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com The best rule of thumb is to watch your proportions and keep them consistent with what the space offers. You may be in love with the oversized nine-person couch your boyfriend found at the consignment shop, but a large piece of furniture will instantly make your space seem smaller. Conversely, if you’re lucky enough to have ample square footage, a small side table paired with a loveseat will result in the room feeling empty and neglected. TEXTURE Lofts often boast beautiful hard woods or even concrete as their flooring. While this is a fantastic and modern design element, it’s also important to introduce various textures into your space. A big fluffy throw rug can break up the monotony and rigidity of a wood floor, while also offering sound deadening to cut back on the echoes of high ceilings. In an apartment, you may find that carpet covers every square inch of your floor. While you can’t do anything about the carpet, adding a printed area rug with a funky pattern can help to minimize the less than desirable floor covering beneath it. In addition, both lofts and apartments can benefit from textured curtains and throw pillows, adding an extra element of design to your space. LIGHTING Adding light to a space is one of the very best ways to create an element of drama and warmth. In an apartment,
natural lighting might be at a premium, so add floor lamps and table side lights to complement what you already have. If your apartment doesn’t have big windows and tall ceilings, try this trick. Hang a curtain rod at the top of the ceiling. Purchase and hang draperies that go all the way to the floor, and your space will immediately seem taller. In a loft, windows and natural light may be one of your space’s biggest assets, so don’t cover them up too much. Take advantage of your bright space by adding some nude sheers to the windows. This will allow some coverage and privacy without deleting all of the natural light you love. ACCESSORIES AND COLOR It’s been said that “it’s all about the details” and that couldn’t be more true when designing an urban home. Interesting furniture and window treatments are a great investment, but they can only take your space so far. In the end, it’s the small nuances of color or unique art pieces that will really turn your space up a notch. In an apartment, your money and time are best maximized on the walls. If painting isn’t allowed in your unit, grab a hammer and bring in a few pieces of art and shelving to get the most out of your wall real estate. Got loads of great photos buried in a box? Purchase some inexpensive photo frames and design a memorable picture collage on an The most important rule in making your urban living space feels like home is to listen to your inner designer. otherwise boring beige wall. You can add additional color in your fabrics, pillows and candles. For a loft, painting an accent wall a fun and interesting color can really up the ante on your space. Take full advantage of big windows by adding some unusual greenery and plants and your home will instantly feel more alive. TRUE TO YOU The most important rule in making your urban living space feels like home is to listen to your inner designer. Just because a magazine says a loft should be contemporary with clean lines doesn’t mean you have to follow those rules. Similarly, if you love the color pink but your mom thinks it’s dreadful, don’t be afraid to try it out. Design rules are meant to be stretched and even broken, so if you’re happy, that’s all that matters. Infusing your space with items that make you feel comfortable and energized are what will bring life into your home. Chances are, you will try something and decide you don’t love it, so change it up. Check out magazines, television shows and even Mother Nature to find what inspires you, and then bring those items into your space. The most rewarding aspect of designing your home is that you make it yours. interior design custom closets custom window treatments accessories artwork ooring furniture 9337 Commerce Center #C-2 Highlands Ranch, Co 80129 <strong>HERLIFE</strong>magazine.com 41
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Sarah Schachterle - HERLIFE Magazine

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