Guest Post: DIY Design at Home, by Alexandra

Hello everyone! Today, I'm excited to share a guest post from Alexandra of  Alex's Journeys. She is the first guest poster on my blog, so I hope you enjoy!

 

Living in Brooklyn, especially a place like Williamsburg, means that the space you can afford to live in might be pretty close quarters. Luckily, there are a ton of do it yourself projects that can improve the interior design of your Williamsburg loft and add tons of elements of personality to your flat. Those bland white walls don't have to stay white or empty, and Brooklyn Flea one of the best flea markets in the area, can provide you with a ton of adorable decorating options for a really reasonable price. Do not let yourself get stuck living in a boring apartment, just get to work on some do it yourself design.

One great way to open up a small apartment or loft is an accent wall. Choose a color that compliments your taste or the main furniture pieces you already have and go to town. This kind of wall looks particularly good and opens up a room considerably more when it is at the far end of the room. Having your couch or loveseat on the opposite wall will allow you to enjoy the color all the time, not just when you first walk into the room.

 

Check out Brooklyn Flea and start a collection of vintage glass bottles and candle holders in a variety of colors. Arrange them in rows and clusters on your window sill, and watch as they function as sun catchers, spreading pretty patterns on the wall during the sunrise and sunset. They add a burst of color to an otherwise dull room. Vintage scarves are also great to drape around curtain rods or place over open surfaces like windowsills and shelves. They add a colorful and esoteric feel to a room.

While you are at the flea market, look for old prints that are interesting and cool. Even vintage record covers can be great for this. Matting your own artwork is really simple and cheap and requires little more effort than a trip to the art store for some mats and a jug of mod podge. You can use sticky tack to hang your new prints so that you do not do any wall damage and wind up losing your security deposit.

If you are someone who likes sewing, scour the flea market or even your mom or grandma's closet for some vintage pillowcases that you can turn into new throw pillows. Just cut the cases to your preferred size, cut them inside out, sew the hem about halfway, turn it right side out, stuff it with cotton batting, fold the hem in, and sew it the rest of the way up. These pillows do not have to coordinate to look cool and fun.

There are plenty of ways to dress up your space loft all by yourself without breaking the bank and still having a place that is unique and all your own. All you need is your sense of style, a little legwork and the willingness to make your flat your very own special space.

Alexandra is a travel enthusiast who loves to write about fashion, beaches, food, and the wonderful things in the world.  She provides her own insights on vacationing to the blogosphere.  If you would like to learn more about her, follow her @alexsjourneys or visit her blog alexjourneys.wordpress.com