Welcome to my new home! My empty house tour video is finally up on my Youtube channel! I purchased the property in the fall of 2020 for $357,000. It is 3,011 sq. ft. with 4/5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. My husband and I got an amazing deal on the house! We were really lucky to get it below asking price. Due to the competitive nature of the real estate market that we are in, it is often times a bidding war. But after just one week of looking, we bought our first home!
Overall, it is a very traditional starter home. I love the open floor plan concept on the main level. Throughout the house, there is a neutral color palette providing the perfect blank canvas to make the home uniquely ours. The all-white kitchen is probably my favorite room. I just love how bright and inviting everything feels here. In the future we would like to remodel our backyard, but for now we are just focusing on the smaller projects. Slowly but surely, bit by bit, I can’t wait turn this empty house into a warm + cozy home! I’ll keep y’all posted on the progress in this new chapter of my life! 🙂 ~b
Hello & happy Monday! Excited to be sharing my mini office tour with you all today! When my company moved into a new HQ building, I lucked out and got a major workspace upgrade. Before, I had a small windowless gray box which was still cute and cozy. But with this new office – I had a bigger room, patio area, and even a view! Having a creative job role, I think a lot of my inspiration comes from my work environment.
I love incorporating my personal touches to make a corporate office feel like a home away from home. So it’s no surprise that I decorated this place with a lot of color. From the pastel wall art to the pink armchair- there’s a lot of bright accents. I wanted to create a happy space to design in. A desk job after all, doesn’t have to be boring!
Since working in the special event industry, I have seen soo many beautiful setups (big + small). It’s really inspiring and something I feel very lucky to be a part of these past years!
Charlotte, North Carolina has become one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities in the US and for good reason. The cost of living here is comparably less expensive than most major cities – think NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, etc. Making it no surprise that millennials are relocating here by the thousands every year. I was one of them. Formerly from Ohio, I have lived in Uptown, CLT for over 3.5 years. According to rentCafe – the average one bedroom monthly rent in Charlotte, NC is $1301 in 2020. Here’s an inside look into my 450 sq. ft. apartment and what $1030 a month will get you in CLT.
When I toured my studio for the first time, I ended up leasing it on the very same day. I instantly fell in love with the tiny space. Though compact in size, it was packed with modern features and high-end finishes. The layout of the studio included a kitchen, bathroom, patio, convertible living room, and even a walk-in-closet. Although the apartment was limited in square footage, with intentional design and neat organization – any space can be transformed into a cozy home.
As you enter through the front door, you are greeted by the galway kitchen. It has stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a ton of white cabinetry for storage. The addition of the farmhouse kitchen sink was also an added bonus since I always hand wash my dishes. From there you will see an Ikea wall-mounted drop leaf table that converts into a little dining nook for two. Implementing adaptable pieces is essential to making a small space more multi-purpose. There are also 10 feet ceilings throughout the interior which helps create a feeling of openness.
By the entryway is the small bathroom that fits a garden soak tub! Talk about luxurious! It’s the perfect spot to unwind from a long busy day at work. As you make your way through the hallway into the living area you will find the murphy bed. It’s the most space-saving feature in my apartment. Since it was built into the wall it gave it an unassuming look – the perfect blend of form and function! Having the ability to fold out or tuck away my mattress provided an effortless solution to transforming the main living area into a bedroom sanctuary.
Directly across the bed is my mini office set up. I created a black and white statement collage to add visual interest to the wall and act as a focal point. It features bold graphic and geometric elements, making the simple workspace feel sophisticated and contemporary. Not from there I have a mini-walk-in closet with a washer and dryer combo. This is always worth noting, as I know not all city apt. include this feature in every unit. The community amenities of the apartment include a fitness center, outdoor pool, upscale lounge, dog park + spa – just to name a few. If you would like to see more, be sure to check my empty studio tour as I highlight that in my video more.
Although, I didn’t renew my lease this year, I loved living here. The space felt cozy and right at home for me. Perfectly situated by grocery stores, rooftop bars, and the greenways + parks – it was the place to be! However, I officially traded in my uptown days for the suburbs for good as I bought my first house last fall. There will be more house content coming soon! Until then, enjoy all the micro studio pictures and inspiration! & Thanks again for reading + watching! ~b
I work in the special event industry where I manage a regional brand’s marketing and design on a daily basis. Since I have a creative job role, I wanted a workspace that truly reflected that. We spend so much of our day at work so why not make it fun and enjoyable!? My windowless gray box is inviting because it’s filled with colorful decor, modern elements, and personal touches.
By far the most popular setup in my office is the lounging area, aka the therapy couch. This is where my co-workers come to hang out and catch me up on their life. We even threw a coffee tasting party here once – cramming five people into the space, ha!
My favorite addition is the beautiful pastel wall art from Target. It’s an abstract print called “block party” and I love the splash of happy colors that it brings to the room. It definitely makes a vibrant statement and completes the whole look.
Overall, having an office all to myself is honestly such a privilege to have. It makes me enjoy going into work because I have a space that feels like home. 🙂 I hope you guys enjoy this mini-tour and get some design inspiration! ~b
P.S. I filmed this a while ago and am now just getting around to putting the full video together. In reality, I haven’t gone to my office in the past few weeks because of everything that is going on. Lately, I have been connecting from home!
I officially moved out of my micro-studio apartment in January of this year. I meant to put this blog post up a lot sooner but as life would have it, I never got around to it – until now! This apartment was the first place I rented after completing university and I lived here for quite some time. However, towards the end of my lease, I was running into a lot of maintenance issues since it was an older unit. In addition, having a poolside view proved to be a not-so-ideal location especially in the summer months.
Regardless, I will forever have a soft spot for this apartment. I met my boyfriend of almost 3 years here (he was my next-door neighbor)! It was also where I started my career and learned how to adult on my own. I made a lot of great memories at this unit so moving out was very much so – bittersweet. But I’m excited to decorate my new space and make it completely my own. Till then, you can scroll through these empty pictures of my 324 sq. ft. studio when it was completely cleaned out. I also included some links to my past blog posts on it, in case y’all were interested in that! Thanks again for following along – I hope everyone is staying home & healthy!
Happy 2020! Welcome to my new home! It’s a cute + cozy 450 sq. ft. apartment in the city with a monthly base rent of $1030. Though borderline a micro-studio, I am so happy I get to call this little shoebox mine – ha! My small studio is packed with functionality. From the high ceilings to a pull-out Murphy bed – these features help make the room feel open and spacious. I overloaded this blog post with a ton of pictures of my new apartment so you guys get a better feel of the layout and general space. I hope you enjoy the empty tour! 🙂 … & I can’t wait to start decorating it! ~b
Living Room / Bed RoomCloset / Laundry RoomKitchenBathroomMain LobbyCommunity KitchenAqua Lounge / Game RoomPool / PatioFitness Center
…well kind of! 🙂 At the end of October this year, my boyfriend and I transferred out of our studio into a one-bedroom apartment. It’s situated in the same high rise complex so there are various similarities in the two different floorplans. You can check out the empty studio here.
Since I love documenting the places that I have lived – I had to share this mini-tour of our “new” home with you all! Our current space is approximately 678 sq. ft. with a base rent of $1407 – which is actually a good deal as we are on a higher level. The one-bedroom is very much modern and what you would expect out of an urban luxury apartment. There’s hardwood floors throughout, stainless steel appliances, breathtaking city views – just to name a few features!
In addition, our high rise building has some really great community amenities which really enforces the idea of living an elevated lifestyle. From a rooftop pool to a sophisticated club lounge, I highlight some of these areas in the second half of my video.
All in all, I really hope you enjoy today’s empty home tour post! This month, I also leased another luxury apartment in the city and I am super excited to share that with you all as well – so stay tuned! As always, I appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos or read my blog. Y’all are the best! ~b
You’d be surprised by how much can fit into a 240 sq ft. micro studio that is smartly designed. My older brother, Nick, has been living in his city apartment for the past four years. His building was once a historic hotel turned apartment complex. Though an incredibly small space, he was able to transform it into a cozy home by being creative and resourceful.
Nick, a former architecture student, was able to use his skills and background to craft a blueprint with various functions and flow. If you watched his original apartment tour a few years back, then you would know the general layout to his room is very much the same. However, he did make some new noteworthy modifications to enhance his space that were worth sharing. He recently bought a 55 inch OLED TV, added a hammock, and wall-mounted his bike. My new YouTube video highlights how he integrates these changes and continues to optimize every square footage of his home.
For most people, small spaces can make one feel boxed in, but for Nick – his life is not confined by the four walls of his micro-studio. In fact, living simple and minimal did the opposite. It opened up doors for him, giving him the freedom to travel. Due to the low cost of rent, he was able to save money and go on countless adventures. Last year, he accomplished one of his biggest goals which was to visit 30 countries by age 30. Next, he plans to visit all fifty states and seven continents. You can follow Nick on Instagram at @bu1ster to see some of his stunning travel photos!
As always, I appreciate you stopping by and watching my videos. I hope it helps spark design inspiration in your life! ~b
Hey guys! I’ve been wanting to make an office tour of my workspace for the longest time. I actually filmed this video at the end of November but just recently got around to editing it.
In short, my office is very minimal and modern. The main furniture pieces are all from IKEA which was provided by the company – but all of the extra decor items are things that I brought in to spruce up my space. I like to keep everything bright and colorful because unfortunately, I do not have a window in my room. However, despite this, I still love my cozy little office. I made it into a home away from home!
As I mentioned in the video, I work at my company’s headquarters. I am part of the marketing team. My responsibilities include designing (content curation + creation) plus marketing (social media + advertising) for our various locations. It’s a pretty good job and I am so thankful I get to work at a place where my skills and interest mesh so well! I put together a mini-list highlighting some of the perks of my 8-5. 🙂
– The Perks –
1.) Stability // I had a few offers to work for startup companies when I graduated from college but honestly, I really don’t think I would have liked those types of jobs. I am a person that loves structure and stability. Often times, I feel start-up positions are overworked and underpaid. If you can get your foot inside a company with a good reputation and track record then I think it’s better to work for a place that offers security.
2.) Resources + Tools // I feel very privileged to be a young professional and have an office all to myself. Working for corporate means you are provided with benefits (not just healthcare, 401 k, etc.), but also tools like a new laptop, phone, etc. We also have an intern that comes in twice a week to help me with some tedious tasks. She’s a life saver!
3.) Short Commute // I have a 10-15 min. commute to work every day. I live in Uptown but my workplace is a little outside the city center. Every morning, I see a long line of cars heading into the city as I am heading out. It makes me feel very lucky to be on the other side of the road!
4.) No Micro-Management // My boss is a really nice lady. She holds a lot of trust in her employees and never really checks up to see if we are working. It’s just to be expected of us to get the job done. I love the freedom and independence because I thrive in environments where I am in charge of my own schedule and tasks.
5.) Business Casual // I think the idea of getting dressed up to work is fun for maybe the first few months. But honestly, I love being comfortable. Wearing jeans and not having to steam my clothes for the week is definitely a perk.
6.) Work/Life Balance // Probably my favorite thing about my job. Granted, sometimes this isn’t always the case when it’s busier. But for the most part, I have been good at keeping my professional and personal life in check. I believe this creates an overall happier and healthier lifestyle.
7.) Career Alignment // I am working in a field that I want to continue to grow in. My position aligns with the future goals that I’ve had set for myself since I was a kid!
– The Cons-
1.) Hours + Vacation Time // I work from 8 am – 5 pm. Not the typical 9-5 like most corporate jobs. Although we do get an hour lunch break, I would much rather have a shorter lunch break if that meant getting out earlier. In addition, 2 weeks PTO is pretty standard but I wished we had the flexibility for more.
All in all, I feel immense gratitude for the life I am able to lead. Having a desk job and a comfortable profession is a luxury to have and I never want to take that for granted. Anyways, thanks so much for reading this post! I hope you guys enjoyed the mini office tour! ~b
Hellloooo, 2019! Kicking off the new year with a huge West Elm apartment haul! Living in the city this past year has definitely influenced my overall style. From fashion to home design, I have come to love and appreciate the contemporary, sleek aesthetics.
I remember when I was in college, I always wanted to have a city apartment full of West Elm decor. Fast forward a few years and this vision came to life! West Elm was the natural choice for me to go with when it came to decorating my urban home. I love the endless options of elegant and sophisticated furniture pieces that they carry. In addition, they also offer a wide range of handcrafted items which adds personal and unique touches to a home.
I hope you all enjoy this modern apartment haul! All the items in my video are linked below. Please keep in mind that a certain style/color might be unavailable at this time, but could be restocked in the future. Also, I included a link to the full tour of my high rise city apartmentso you guys can see these products in action! As always, thanks for stopping by! ~b
Before
Kitchen
Pool
Computer Lounge
Gym
Closet / Laundry Room
Kitchen
Bathroom
Main Lobby
Community Kitchen
Aqua Lounge / Game Room
Pool / Patio
Fitness Center
