After years of dreaming and counting pennies, we've bought our very first house! It's a modest little row home in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Port Richmond and I can't wait to get to know our neighbors. It's our little fixer-upper with tons of original character and loads to check off the to-do list. I'm getting giddy all over again just typing this out!

I'm not the least bit afraid of the work that lays ahead and my new motto is

"Do a little everyday and we'll eventually get there." 

We're taking it slow, because we want everything to be done right. My evenings are spent watching Youtube videos on renovation projects and scouring Craigslist for deals. This Old House and I are becoming quick friends. It's a very exciting time in our lives and I want remember every second of it.

When it comes to decorating, I've always had a make-do kind of mentality. Not because I don't dream of having a magazine worthy home, but because a limited budget and time seem to always get in the way of making my dreams a reality. Sure I DIY like every other blogger out there, but there's always been a sort of disconnect. Until now.

With a guarantee that we won't be moving for the next 2 years, and after 2+ years of editing our home wares down to the core items we love, I finally have the key skeleton pieces to start creating our "dream" interior space. That means a home that reflects both Ryan and my aesthetics, and a place we're both proud to call our own. 

Instead of tackling everything at once I'm taking my time and working on one room at a time. My first decorating project is the living room as that's the area we spend the most time in, and the room the most people will see.

pillows: 1  2 (diy-ing) | artwork: 1  2 | frames | lighting | chair

We already have a majority of the furniture we need for the space including our couch, coffee table, and a cedar chest we're using as a bench for additional seating. The last big furniture piece we're missing is a chair to help anchor one corner of the room. That means a majority of what we're looking for is decorative add-ons that will bring personality into the space, like those above. We also plan on bringing in a lot of plant life, candles, and small mementos to round out the space and make it feel extra cozy.

One of the scariest undertakings will be creating a gallery wall that helps diminish the size of our gigantic TV, a major focal point in the room. The lead photo is of Rifle Paper Co.'s offices, and it is serving as motivation and inspiration for this project. Also note the fiddle fig tree, we definitely have one of those, and it won't be going anywhere for a v-e-r-y long time.

The second biggest undertaking, and one we've already checked off the list, is building shelves into a small nook of the living room to hold our vinyl collection and record player. My inspiration for this project comes from another slightly unconventional source- bedrooms. I really like the light wood and airiness to the built-ins below.

built-in: 1  2

room: 1  2

I'm crossing my fingers the finished space evokes a mood similar to the rooms above. Bright, calming, and comfortable.

Here's a peek at what the room looked like when when we moved in (the before shot):

We have a lot of friends and family who plan to visit in the next year and we're excited to show off our new space to them soon. - b.

NOTE: THIS WAS FROM OUR RENTAL, PRIOR TO BUYING THE CHATHAM ST. HOUSE