HGTV's very own
Kristan Cunningham and her long-time boyfriend, Scott, live (near my old stomping grounds) in Venice Beach, California. They RENT this 2,200 square foot apartment. I know. Rent. This does not look like your typical rental apartment. I'm stunned. She calls their place "1980s faux-French Normandy."
The couple allowed themselves $1,000.00 for the kitchen remodel. Is this true? My gosh, this room looks incredible for a one thousand dollar remodel. I would love to see a 'before' picture...
Kristan applied 3-1/4" wide strips of wood (mitered at the corners) to every drawer front and every cupboard. Then, she painted the uppers a glossy cream, while painting the lower cabinets a dark charcoal grey. She says that she stocked up on Restoration Hardware outlet store hardware, which I think looks terrific. To break up the lower grey, she created a tea towel curtain to hide pots and pans. She applied the bead-board backsplash herself, and the landlord even allowed her to remove a portion of the upper cabinets and replace them with open shelving.
The loveseat off the kitchen is a Goodwill find, and she later had it reupholstered... I love the color and the fact that she paired it with a modern cocktail table.
Off of the kitchen is the living room/dining room space. Kristan painted the ceilings black, which looks totally awesome. I love the blood orange Eames chairs in her small dining room (
my new favorite color). Love the giant painting on the wall. Love the open, but comfortable, seating in the living room space. I have nothing bad to say. I'm in love with this apartment.
The painting is from
Surface View, a company that reproduces British artwork. This maritime painting was printed on a 6'x8' canvas and at $1,000.00 it was one of the most expensive purchases in the apartment. TOTALLY worth it, if you ask me. I love this idea and hope I can copy it someday.
In the black and white guestroom, Cunningham framed hand-crochet pieces passed down from her grandmother. This is a FABULOUS way to repurpose vintage doilies. So cute.
And, finally, I LOVE that she painted her front door that gorgeous shade of blue. You know, I make fun of her HGTV show, "Design on a Dime" all the time. And, I kind of feel bad now.
