by Furnishly | Apr 12, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
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Name: Cherisse “Risse” Cruz Blizard, husband Dean, son Beau (son), and dog Ozzy
Location: Belmar Beach, New Jersey
Size: 1200 square feet
Type of Home: House
Years Lived In: 2 years, renting
I’m an interior designer as well as a real estate agent located at the Jersey Shore. To know a little more about our home, you’d have to know a little more about our story and how we got here! My husband and I met at random on a rooftop bar in Miami while we were both on vacation in 2012. He is from Australia, and I am from New Jersey. We hit it off right away, went our separate ways, but kept in touch. To make our long story short, I eventually moved to Sydney to be with him, and stayed there for five years. I loved the laid-back lifestyle of Australia, but was extremely homesick once I got pregnant with our son, Beau.
We relocated to New Jersey into my parents’ basement in 2019. I knew I didn’t want to go back to a “normal” job since I had a newborn at the time, so I started my interior design business as well as got my real estate license. We grew tired of living out of my parents’ basement and craved that laid-back beach lifestyle again, so we started searching for homes along the coast. This was the beginning of the pandemic, before real estate got wild, so homes on the market were struggling to sell. We saw this house was only one mile from the beach and walking distance to a lot of cafes and quaint downtown main streets (our dream!). We weren’t ready to purchase a home yet so we offered the sellers a rent-to-own deal — and they accepted!
We’ve made simple styling and DIY changes since we’ve been here, and even scored a free vintage sofa (the true star of our living room). We both are beach lovers, which is really reflected in the way we furnished our home. My family is from the Philippines, and Dean is from Australia, so we love island-inspired decor (some of which we got during our travels). The greatest compliment I got is when someone said our house reminded them of Hawaii — it’s where we got married since it was the midway point between our Sydney and New Jersey families!
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: A little bit coastal, a little eclectic, a little boho
Inspiration: I love Justina Blakeney! She’s a genius in the way she’s able to mix and match patterns, colors, and textures.
Favorite Element: My favorite room is definitely the living room with the vaulted wood-panel ceiling. The owner of the house actually wanted to classify this as a bedroom (they built a small closet in the corner), but we felt this was definitely a living room! We love the views that look out to our backyard and the sliding doors that go out to the deck. We have so many plans for the backyard this summer and can’t wait to get more use out of it!
Biggest Challenge: We are definitely on a super small budget. I started my own business just a couple of years ago so some months are great and some are not. This has definitely given me inspiration for clients who ask for budget-friendly ways to furnish their homes because I’ve done it myself! We thrifted a lot as well as waited for sales and shopped at more affordable home stores. There’s definitely no rule saying that you have to spend thousands of dollars to furnish your home in order for it to look beautiful!
Proudest DIY: I’m really proud of my husband and my dad for DIYing our wood-framed doorway and kitchen stairs! When we moved in, the house didn’t have stair railings. We didn’t have a huge budget to buy railings, so my husband and my dad installed a wood railing and framed the doorway with the wood as well. It changed up the space completely and gave it so much more character.
Biggest Indulgence: The biggest ticket item in our home is probably the gray modular sofa in the family room. It’s from Bob’s Discount Store, but no one ever believes me when I tell them that! It was worth it because our son and our dog make a big mess on it every single day. The covers are removable and washable so I wash and dry it all the time. Definitely kid/pet friendly!
Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? Yep! I mentioned in a previous question that the living room is actually classified as a bedroom. We use it as a living room because it’s on the other side of the house closest to the backyard and we didn’t want to be too far away from our son’s room. We were given the leaf-printed modular sofa when my aunt and uncle moved to Florida. That sofa is almost 30 years old but looks brand new! It fits so well in this room and gives it a surf shack vibe that we love!
What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? I bought a Dyson vacuum and it’s worth every penny! It cleans up my son’s messes and my dog’s hair SO FAST.
Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: Make use of vertical space if you want to maximize your room’s small footprint! I love open shelving or hanging ladders to store blankets or other soft furnishings.
Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? If you’re someone who’s afraid of color — experiment with cushion covers and rugs! You can always have your neutral walls and furniture, but switch out cushion covers or your rug for some texture and color!
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
by Furnishly | Apr 8, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
Name: Anna Liles, husband, two kids, and Oliver the boxer dog
Location: Clarksburg, Maryland
Size: 2500 square feet
Type of Home: Single family, split level, brick traditional
Years Lived In: 3 years, renting
We are a military family and we were looking for a rental property when we moved from our home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We found this house on realtor.com rental properties. I mostly love the location of this home. We live on a quiet cul de sac, on a wooded lot, in a wonderful little neighborhood.
The home is a traditional brick split level built in 1973. It sits on a large lot, which backs up to a beautiful golf course. It also has a pool, which I really didn’t want, but we have come to love. Maryland summers can definitely be hot, so the pool was a great way to escape the heat. The home is also a bit traditional for my style but I think I’ve managed to give some color and character. We move a lot and I really love the challenge of reinventing each space. I’m currently a stay-at-home mom with a love for thrifting and I think that is definitely reflected in our house. It is filled with vintage furniture, art, and accessories.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My Style: My style definitely shows my love for mid-century design and decor, but I also love to mix in the ’70s and even the early ’80s. I love lots of color, vintage finds, plants, textiles, art, textures, and patterns.
Which time periods/decades inspired your home’s design the most? The ’60s is probably my favorite decade but I also love the the space age feel of the ’70s. I love the clean mid-century lines and bold colors. I think my love for architecture and design began when we lived in Germany while I was in high school. I loved the Bauhaus architecture, and European/ Scandinavian style. We also picked up a lot teak, Danish furniture while we were over there. That began my love affair with mid-century furniture and bright colors.
I’m definitely not a purist when it comes to decor but I mostly try to keep my furniture in its original condition. I try to restore what I can and would rarely paint a piece unless it was beyond repair. I love to mix mix vintage pieces with newer textiles and rugs. I think it keeps the room fresh. However, I rarely make newer purchases except for those items; the rest of our home is almost completely thrifted. It’s taken me about 20 years of collecting to curate our home and it’s still always changing and evolving. With each new home comes a new canvas.
We are actually moving to Oklahoma in July and we will be living in historic Army housing so I’m sure styling that will be an experience. I always love a good challenge.
Favorite Element: My favorite design feature of this home is the family room’s full-length brick wall and fireplace. It’s such a cozy space and I love the extra warmth the brick brings to the room. I’ve also really enjoyed styling the pool and patio.
Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge for me is that I’m always on a budget. We are a single family income home and I have thrifted almost everything in our house with the exception of my plants and some accessories. I go often and have been lucky enough to score some amazing pieces of furniture at a fraction of their cost. Patience is definitely the key, because there are many days I come home empty handed. Also with every move comes a new house and layout. Sometimes things just don’t fit the way they did in a previous home. When that happens the garage becomes a storage unit that my husband really appreciates, haha. I’m always hesitant to get rid of things that don’t work in one space because I know we’ll eventually move and they might be perfect in the next home. In the end it’s always fun to reconfigure your furniture for a new look.
Proudest DIY: My proudest DIY would probably be the textile/twine art I created in our entryway and living room. They were inspired by 1970s textile artist Jane Knight. I couldn’t possibly afford one of her stunning pieces so I attempted to make my own. I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. I also did two latch-hook pieces. One in our entryway and the pixelated one in the dining room. I love a nod to retro crafting and I love being able to create my own art.
Our pool loungers were also a fun project. I got them off Facebook Marketplace for $40. They were originally green and in rough shape. I cleaned them up and spray painted them white and added the fun stripes.
Biggest Indulgence: I seriously rarely indulge in new purchases but I did buy IKEA’s Stockholm rug for $250 and it was entirely worth it. I absolutely love it and it’s so versatile and bold. No regrets there.
Is there something unique about your home or the way you use it? Our home is pretty traditional and I haven’t really had to get creative with the space. We’ve been luck enough to have enough square footage and closets to make everything fit.
Where are your favorite places to buy or find vintage home decor? Honestly I mostly frequent thrift stores exclusively. I love antique and vintage stores but I generally don’t have the cash to shop there. Thrifting allows me to style our home with fun vintage pieces without breaking the bank. I’ve also been lucky enough to find some good stuff on Facebook Marketplace. I really love the thrill of the hunt because you never know what you might find. It’s always exciting when you stumble on something great!
Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? Gosh, I guess I would say that you have to be true to yourself when decorating your home. Your decor should reflect the things you like and enjoy. Don’t be afraid of color or trying something that isn’t necessarily trending. Take a risk, be bold. Designing and styling your space is such a personal experience. I can totally appreciate the minimalist, neutral decor, but it doesn’t speak to my heart. I need all my vintage goodies and furniture. I need color, patterns, and textures. I like pieces that are unique and I like being able to breathe new life into my vintage finds. I also love having a home that projects warmth and happiness. That brings me joy.
This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.
This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!
by Furnishly | Apr 5, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
Name: Nancy Revis
Location: Forestville, California
Type of home: Cabin
Size: 1,100 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, owned
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Our cabin is 100 years old and nestled in the Redwoods, near the Russian River in Forestville, California. We recently purchased it and are are slowly improving it, yet keeping the charm as best as possible. It’s our second home and weekend getaway.
I was born in the early ’70s, so I LOVE the ’70s style. In the main cabin, I am decorating in boho chic, and in my studio beside it, it is more of a ’70s retro den. I have been decorating by upcycling off Facebook Marketplace or recovering furniture I have owned for over 20 years. I have been collecting ’70s art, decoupage, embroidered art, alpaca rugs.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: ’70s Boho Cabin Escape
What is your favorite room and why? My favorite room is the studio. It’s like a ’70s disco room. Eventually, I will be putting in a disco ball. But, I love every room, really. Each bedroom is fun and is a work of art every weekend that we are able to enjoy it.
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I have mostly purchased on FB Marketplace, Poshmark, or had local upholsterers recover furniture I purchased years ago. I recently recovered an ottoman by using a Serape blanket, a staple gun, and whip stitching the sides in thick turquoise thread.
Any advice for creating a home you love? Try and make each wall or corner an art piece. I own a funky high-end optical shop in Petaluma, California, and I recreate each area of my shop almost quarterly. I redress my display windows every month. I am that person that demands change and stimulation. I am fueled by nostalgia.
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!
by Furnishly | Apr 4, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Name: Madison Behny and fiancé
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Type of home: Mid-Century Modern
Size: 2000 square feet
Years lived in: 3 years, owned
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: My home was built in 1957 by one architect, who built our street of houses and one block of houses in a neighboring town and that was it. I’ve been trying to obtain blueprints for a while now (no luck yet). We originally began our housing search for a quick flip for a rental, when my fiancé, Chris, stumbled across this house and wanted to see it. When we first saw it, it was in rough shape aesthetically. Damaged from pets, lack of TLC, and unfortunately not a lot of vision design wise. We instantly fell in love and put an offer on it.
We’ve been trying to restore the home’s authenticity and also modernize it with MCM pieces and MCM-inspired pieces. I’ve really prided myself in the ability to make my home stand out without making it a time capsule for everything mid-century. We have three dogs and a cat. My fiancé works as an engineer (which comes in handy) as he has built custom pieces for our home — including the rack hanging from our center beam. He also built me a small terrarium in the kitchen. We have loads of ideas to bring this home to life and give it more flair than it had before!
I love that everyone knows I appreciate local businesses and artists to feature in my house. I’ve partnered with Ruggable twice and more recently to showcase the Keith Haring line of rugs. If you ask anyone who has met me, they’ll tell you my house is eclectic and warm from the pops of color and constant jazz music playing.
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Vintage/Eclectic mid-century modern
What is your favorite room and why? My living room. It’s full of plants and it’s a space I enjoy gathering people in. It has art, pops of color, conversational pieces, and thrifts galore!
Any advice for creating a home you love? Make it YOUR space. You are the one living in it. And as always “buy that furniture and buy that art you’re unsure of, because you have to LIVE in it to know if you LOVE it.”
This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
This piece is part of Throwback Month, where we’re revisiting vintage styles, homes, and all kinds of groovy, retro home ideas. Boogie on over here to read more!
by Furnishly | Apr 1, 2022 | Design Inspiration, Style
Name: Lindsey Hunt and family
Location: Boise, Idaho
Type of home: Mid-century modern house
Size: 3,200 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years, owned
Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: We are a busy family (seven with our fur babies) of musicians and creative humans. We moved into our home just as the pandemic was shutting things down, so we had a lot of time to settle and create in our new space.
I will forever be grateful for the extra time I got to spend with my kids during that time! Two are about to graduate high school, and our time spent quarantined together is time I will always remember and be glad for! Our 1956 Ranch style mid-century home is now filled with tons of art, color, plants and wallpapers. And, in true creative madness or form it’s ever-changing!
I am a Reiki Master that uses Feng Shui color tactics to create flow and design for the senses. I was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease about 18 months ago, and have been on a journey to find balance, surrounding myself with healing color and texture. Earthy greens and warm turmeric yellows seem to be resonating with me on a deep level, and they can be found in many places of our home. I have been designing for my senses, using Feng Shui color tactics with grounding and earthy colors!
Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Eclectic colorful vintage planty modern
What is your favorite room and why? It’s hard to say… I love the earthy palm print wallpaper in my office space, but I also love the warmth and color in our living spaces. Our spaces are all connected with visual flow, and maybe I love that most?
What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I purchased for my home was a vintage Don Friedman tapestry for $75 at an estate sale. I called it my “Flock of Seagulls” tapestry. When I brought it home, my touring drummer instructor husband with a love of 1980s music, was greatly disappointed that I did not in fact bring a vintage “Flock of Seagulls” memorabilia piece home.
Any advice for creating a home you love? I feel that we should surround ourselves with meaningful objects. If those objects no longer speak to you, it’s time to help them find a new home. My home is ever evolving.
