I’ve lived in a lot of different dwellings; from tiny, and I mean tiny, studio apartments to a basement to an attic bedroom to a dorm room to larger apartments to a two bedroom home for Don and me. Never three bedroom, not that I wouldn’t love that, but it’s just never been in the cards. When bloggers write about small space living, I wonder how many of them have lived in a truly tiny studio apartment where there was room to turn around and that’s about it? I have. Two of them. When I graduated to a separate bedroom in a still-small apartment, I was thrilled.
I’ve shared spaces with roommates, I’ve lived in a tiny bungalow with 5 other women, all of them Drama majors, I’ve lived in another tiny bungalow with 5 other people – my parents and siblings. I’ve lived by myself, I’ve lived with a husband and dogs. In every space, though my tastes have changed through the years, I’ve done by best to put a personal stamp on it. For most of my life, I lived in rental apartments/houses, where I was limited as to what I could do. I quickly learned that you have to make do with what you have and turn a nondescript space with features that you don’t like into a livable oasis.
When I was renting, I often did things like change out the knobs on kitchen cabinets, mask ugly walls with hanging art, cover the ugly stained carpeting with a throw rug, mask an unattractive view with sheer curtains, repaint a wall if the landlord allowed that sort of thing, hang a quilt or two, cover a wall with bookcases full of well-loved volumes…you name it. When Don and I were renting in San Diego and out here in the East, I asked the landlord if I could add a garden. Though I knew I would have to leave it behind eventually, I also knew the pleasure and beauty it would afford me was worth it. And, when I did move on, I had left the rental better than I had found it.
If you’re interested in what I did with my temporary theater housing in San Diego, you can read about it here and here. And that apartment had one of the ugliest chairs imaginable! It gives me a headache just looking at it.
So what I do when I’m on the road isn’t foreign to me. I think about what I can ship or throw in the car that might make my temporary space more personal. I shop my cottage. I did it in San Diego, during stints that covered 10 weeks to 6 months. I did it in Wisconsin for a 10 week stay. I consider what I might need: what can be packed in a box if I have to ship my things, or what can be packed in a car. What can I take that will personalize a nondescript space and make a long period of time away from my home bearable?
This time:
Quilts, both on the bed and on the wall
A vase for flowers
Scraps of barkcloth to cover ugly table and dresser tops
Mabel – she brightens up any space
A lamp
My sewing accessories in their aqua containers
A runner for the ugly golden oak table in the dining area.
Fabric. Whether stacked on the shelf or put to use in a project, all the colors and patterns liven up this space.
Books. And more books. Nothing warms up a space like books.
Fresh flowers.
A framed photo or two.
My little friends: Wayfrum, Little Lamb & Maggie Rabbit. They live on my bed and warm up the bedroom.
All of these things can be easily transported. Nothing takes up too much room when packing. But every one of them adds to my temporary living space.
This apartment, as is the case with most theater housing, is full of donated or cast-off items. Sometimes props from past productions make their way into the apartment. The sofa is worn and is covered with a slipcover that doesn’t fit right. The oak table and seventies-era chairs are just plain ugly. (I’ve never shown you a close-up of the fabric that covers those seats. Horrendous.) The television stand and coffee table are finished in a dark stain that I personally detest. The dresser in the bedroom is also done in a dark stain, as are the bedside tables. None of it is my taste.
So what do I do? The same thing I did when I was living in a dorm room or a tiny studio apartment or a hotel room. The same thing I had to do when I moved from my larger apartment in Philadelphia to the tiniest studio apartment imaginable in Boston. Sort. Shift. Figure out what I can do to make a silk purse out a sow’s ear. Make do. Do what I can to make an unwelcoming space a haven that I can retire to at the end of a long day. Do whatever I can to make the time away from my family somewhat bearable. And for me, a highly visual person, it’s all about creating a home – whether on the road, in a rental or in my own little cottage – and that includes finding places for my eyes to land that give me visual pleasure.
I used to decorate my Barbie case with wallpaper and hanging lamps made out of Dixie Cups and a pipe cleaner. What can I say? I have to have things I love around me. I have to be able to have my eyes light on something colorful and loved, rather than on the dark ugly television stand. My eyes immediately move to the hanging quilt. It’s a welcome distraction. When I walk into the bedroom I don’t see the ugly dresser, I see my colorful handmade bed quilt. When I look at the oak table, I see my runner and lamp and some fabric and Mabel.
I’ve had to do this a lot in my life. Once I moved on to graduate school, I often moved from year to year, always trying to find a better and more affordable space. When I think back on some of those spaces, I am amazed that I found a way to make them work. But I did. My first apartment in Boston was the tiniest. I can’t even begin to describe how tiny it was. Some students helped me move in by unloading all my boxes and futon. When it had all been unloaded, there was no room to move. Literally. I remember one of them asking me if I needed him to stay and help because surely I wasn’t going to be able to fit everything in? He looked as if he was abandoning me on some small desert island.
I made it work.
From someone who has a lot of experience with this sort of thing: you can, too.
Happy Thursday.
Claudia, You are amazing! I don’t have your eye for decorating, but I sure try with what ever I have. I don’t follow fads(never have).Because what it all boils down to is you like what you like. I had just moved my boxes into my new place when I lost my daughter. My sister came to stay and started unpacking my boxes,
Then she went and packed it back up because she said it would make me feel better to see my things! She was right! Love this post! Once again very timely for me! -Judy A-
Your sister is very wise, Judy. Take care, my friend.
You have such a gift for making any space your own, Claudia. No matter the size or how long we are going to be somewhere, ti is important to feel at home. Have a wonderful day. xo Laura
Thank you, Laura. Have a wonderful day yourself!
Oh, I remember living in an efficiency with hubby…and a kitchenette. There was no room to move, but we made it home! We moved five times in nine years…and have now lived in our home for 30 years. I swore I would never move again…hopefully we can continue to stay here, health and finances willing. I think you’ve done a fantastic job with turning your hum-drum temp home into a really comfortable space that reflects you. You’ve given us some great tips to use…you never know when your circumstances can change! ;)
Absolutely. We have to beautify wherever we live.
You definitely have that knack for making a space more comfy and cozy. Great ideas!
Judy
Day #3 over with!
Yay! Hang in there and give my love to John. xoxo
I so agree with you about that table and chairs Claudia..I thought they were ugly even back when they were popular..lol..You know..I sort of like those strips of patches hanging on the wall..simple but bright and cheerful..maybe you will start a new trend Claudia!..
I pinned those strips up to visualize the quilt, but they are turning out to be artwork of a sort! xo
and you do it with great style CLaudia! This certainly has a homey feel for a home away from home.
Such great tips for everyone who has to ‘make do’
sending hugs…
And we all do at times, don’t we, June? Hugs right back at you!
I am cracking up, I want to see that Barbie house all decked out. I think you do a marvelous job with what you have and I would have never thought of bringing my own things along like you have.
It was pretty – lavender & purple flowers on a white background – that was the wallpaper. My godmother had several of those wallpaper sample books and we were always cutting them up!
I really like what you have done to your temporary living space. It is very charming and cozy. Thank you for sharing all of your ideas and tips. I really enjoy your blog and I look forward to reading it everyday. My favorite posts are those when you share your decorating skills with all of us. Thank you!! Tricia B.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tricia!
Claudia,
I’m feeling very guilty right now after seeing how you have made your temporary space so cozy. I’ve been feeling sorry for myself for months because I lost my big house and had to move into a tiny rental house with barely room to turn around. Seeing how you’ve made such a pleasant space in an apartment that is only yours for a short season makes me wonder what in the heck I’m doing sitting here feeling so sorry for myself. I LOVE the color you added and the quilt accents and I absolutely love that little lamb with the party hat. For me, it’s pugs! It’s time to take a new look at my space. Thank you so much.
Sandy
I quite understand the shock of losing your home and having to adjust to a new rental space, Sandra. And feeling sad and sorry for yourself is perfectly reasonable. That being said, I’m very happy to have sparked a desire to do something with your space, my friend. You can do it. Make it your own and you’ll be surprised how much it will change your attitude.
Your “homes” have always looked cozy and comfortable. You have the knack to make
a small space, a hotel room, or where ever you may be,look like a space, I sure would love to visit
and just enjoy your company. Your special touches “which are you” make me wish I could
visit. Your space doesn’t look like “make do”…It looks like a retreat, that we might ” all of us ”
enjoy, given your talent to make it home away from home. Love reading about your
life…You are one amazing woman…..
Oh, thank you so much, Bonnie. I am a nester, that’s for sure! Thank you for your kind words.
I like seeing how you live in your apartment while you’re away.
I find it fascinating that you are able to take such a small amount…and make everything looks so comfy and cozy.
I don’t even notice the darker wood and things your point out…until you point them out!
I think your dining table makes me smile the most.
I love the turquoise pitcher with the Orange Scissor Bouquet! So cheerful.
Glad you’re able to make it work for you.
I’ve rented before. But never an apartment and never EVER, have I lived alone.
…don’t know how I’d do with that aspect. Pat
It is inspiring to see how you have adapted to your many homes. I did that when we relocated so many times. I remember a house we rented in irvine California. I did the same thing or I would have gone crazy.
You definitely made the space your own, that’s what counts!!
You rock!!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!!
I understand well, having to move 7 times in 2 months… and I have my car bursting at the seams because, like you, I want to make my stay more bearable just adding some personal items, like books, coffee, tea and sugar canisters, picture frames, vases with fresh flowers, my hat stand, my quilts etc etc. It would be impossible and very sad otherwise.
Now my only problem is that in the new house, it’s not possible to touch walls and hang pictures… and I really wanted to hang an antique quilt. But I fear that it’ìs too heavy for a single nail (where there are nails already, I can hang whatever, but there are no “pairs” just single nails)… I must think of something different. Well, I’m sure I’ll have fun!
Hugs to you, dear Claudia xoxo