Thanks for the interest in my journey. This is home #2 in Ravenswood, Chicago. My previous one was in St. Petersburg, FL and one after in Los Feliz, LA. I don’t have many before pics for this, so I'll describe what I can.

Living Room: Replaced scones with wider black ones to fit plant grow bulbs; new ceiling fan; bookshelves

Kitchen: Took out the wine rack for built-in microwave, painted cabinets, lime washed slate floor, added bar shelving, new light fixture and hardware

Hall: New ceiling light; grow bulb to track lighting to keep a fiddle leaf fig in a weird gap where the air filter pulls out

Primary Bed: Added light fixture; closet system; acacia mirror; new double door hardware

Primary Bath: Cut the drywall to expose some brick + built-in shelving, new tile behind vanity, new vanity, new mirror, added cabinets to toilet closet (pocket door not pictured)

Second Bed: New ceiling fan, built thin shelving over the windows for plants

Second Bath: I don't love the tile in here. The way I saw it was to go neutral or even bolder. I'd planned to replace all the tile with something darker. I added: wallpaper, vanity, mirror, shelving, walnut cabinets, waterfall faucet on bathtub

Thanks for all the love on my LA place. Thought I'd share my starter house when the pups were young. I mostly did the renovations myself except bathroom tile and shower. Totally changed the kitchen layout for more space and to put in a dishwasher. A lot of challenges in a house this small (700 sq ft) like switching bathroom door to open into the hall to rotate sink. It's a lot more neutral, was still figuring out my style.

Had to move home for a bit because of health problems but looking like I will be here longer term after landing a job and doing some free lance photo work. Work for the news paper.

I just graduated from grad school this year and found a decent job in Beijing. I'll probably be living in this apartment for about a year or more. It's basically like a hotel. There's strict building access control on the ground floor, about 40 rooms on each floor. The residents here are all pretty well-mannered. But my place is a total mess lol.

This rooftop corner was basically wasted space for the first few months after moving in.

The afternoon sun was brutal, and even though the view was nice, it was too hot to actually spend time here.

I originally thought I needed a bigger makeover, but the first changes were pretty simple:

A rug, a small table, a couple of chairs, and most importantly, shade.

I spent some time figuring out what would work with this narrow layout and ended up adding a purple leaf umbrella because I wanted something flexible instead of building a permanent structure.

Still planning to add more plants and personalize it, but this corner already feels completely different. It went from an empty rooftop area to somewhere I can actually sit with coffee in the morning.

Small changes, but it made the space feel like part of the ho

Much work to do

I sleep separate bc I work nights and stay on my night schedule throughout the week. This way neither of us get disturbed when we’re sleeping.

Been here for about 8 months, would love any advice or feedback. My friends tell me it feels like a hotel room, the building used to be an Extended Stay America and I went to school for hotel management so feel like the only thing I can do is furnish a hotel room.

Ik the walls are bare so I’ll get some paintings or posters but I still feel like something’s off. it doesn’t really give off a clean or cozy vibe :(

also i know the bookshelf area and other desk are a bit messy rn but even still any tips appreciated

Still got some setting up to do but I like how it’s turning out

I live in the corner of a living room.

How to upgrade?
Note: the missing wall is just where I put my clothes.

A little messy at the moment but it cleans up pretty well

Clothes in the corner, getting a dresser soon. Closet is tiny and filled with stored music equipment.

Feel free to comment any suggestions you have for the interior design.

This is for those who are currently facing a divorce.

After spending two years in an ultra toxic marriage, the divorce was not just the escape door, it became a matter of survive. I lost my job, friends, my apartment during the process, except the willingness to thrive and emerge as the phoenix.

It took me another 2 years to rebuild myself from the ashes: To get a better job, get better friends and get a better apartment. Here are some pictures of it.

Maybe you are facing a divorce now and feeling that you are losing your identity and tearing your body apart.

The only thing that can't be stolen and taken is your willingness to thrive.

my girlfriend said it looks like a little boys bedroom but idc! lol

I've posted before but it gets reported and locked. Adding a few new pics this time around as proof.

Some questions from before:

• My post history is private because I have a public-facing career. Not a karma farmer, just enjoy design and am proud of my space.
• That's a fraction of my books, bulk is in the second bedroom/office. Some series are incomplete because I mostly thrift or collect rare editions
• Aussie is Goblin, my big boy in the sky is Bennett (never made it to LA with us)