A First Apartment

Is there anything more exciting than moving into your first apartment? A new start, a fresh perspective . . . but what to do about those bland floors and white walls? Just take the stuff you have, mix in some new accessories, throw in a few vintage pieces -- and you've transformed a sterile, ubiquitous space into a pad that reflects your personal style.

For example, take this living room: it started as a basic box, but styling magic changed it into a comfortable, colorful hang-out spot.

Sources: Ikea lamps and couch, West Elm rug, vintage flea market art, Crate and Barrel Marimekko pillow, handmade leopard pillow.

And in the bedroom, a happy color wall makes the other accessories pop!

Sources: vintage mid-century chair, CB2 bedding and side table, Ikea lamp, wall color: Bali Hai from Glidden.

Since the dining room is also serving as a home office, we chose to paint one wall a warm red to help differentiate the two spaces.

Sources:  Ikea chairs and tables, CB2 clock, wall color: Old Glory from Glidden.

And don't overlook the entryway! This is a great focal point for colorful accessories, as seen here:

Sources: Vintage stool from Mignonne, plexi console from CB2, pop art from Ikea and our personal stash.

Although the results look like weeks of work, we pulled together this apartment in one weekend! Your first apartment can be your first interior style statement -- just try different combinations, mix old with new, and introduce some color to your world.

All styling by Allie and Jill McCoy.

Controlled Chaos

Oh hello, I didn't see you sitting there...

"Summer of Love" Ottoman - Mignonne

 yeah...right...

This amazing ottoman is hardly something you don't notice! And being the color-lovers that we are, we fell for it instantly. The wild print and daring accents are not for the meek or mild, but in the right setting, this piece is totally fab:

seal lamp, yellow side table - Urban Outfitters :: yellow pillows, graphic pillow - CB2 :: "A" - Alameda Antique Fair

The wild mix of prints, colors, and styles in this 18-year-old's room could easily spin out of control, but with thoughtful coordination it confidently evokes eclectic, energetic, and trés cool.

The key is to balance bold prints (the ottoman), with subtle prints (the bedspread--I know, I never thought I'd live to see the day I called leopard a "subtle" print!), and carry the main colors throughout in solids (walls and pillows). Throw in some black and white so your eye has a place to rest (photo on the wall and graphic pillow on the bed), add your favorite whimsical flea-market and garage sale finds to mix it up, and voila! Controlled Chaos! Now go get crazy...

*Credits: Allie McCoy - Contributing Stylist, Kyoko Jackson - Photography