CONDO LIVING: CLOSE QUARTERS & PENNY PINCHING
May 15, 2013
Few of us buy our dream home the first time around. Usually there are a few fillers– apartments, rentals, and condos before we get to single family home status. Fillers can be frustrating. Of course, you want to make your house a home, but either because money is tight, or because you aren’t willing to invest in a somewhat temporary space, these in between living spaces often times don’t ever feel like home. You compromise; furniture is mismatched, and it always feels temporary.
Enter designer Danielle Oakey‘s home: a two bedroom, one bath, older, small condo she and her husband purchased as he started medical school. They needed a space to raise their darling daughter, Emory, possibly add to their brood (hello baby Theo!), but couldn’t break the bank. In fact, there basically is no bank when you have a spouse in medical school. So, forget about a decorating budget. And that is what makes this house jaw-dropping. You would never believe what this place looked like before she got her hands on it (or how much she spent pulling it all together). Anyone can make a house pretty with an unlimited budget. It takes a true talent to have a Tim Gunn “make it work” moment when money is as tight as the square footage. And much of what you see is DIY. For real.
Q) When looking for a condo to buy, what was your number one priority?
A) Layout and natural lighting. Since our budget was very small, we couldn’t be too picky, but open planning and lots of natural light was a must. Both of which can’t be changed with inexpensive cosmetics upgrades.
Q) You gave the place quite the makeover. When you walked in, could you immediately see the potential?
I am confident they will! You can see more of Danielle’s beautiful designs on her blog. More from her home to come!
Photos by Veronica Reeve
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We're a full-service design firm and home furnishings shop built around the philosophy that a well-designed home should be beautiful, personal, cohesive, and complete. We think home is the most important place on the planet and when you live in a home that is perfectly you, it changes your life. Don't believe us? Stick around. We're confident we'll change your mind.
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A great profile! I love Danielle’s style!!
I love her home! Great post, and I love your blog…visiting from Danielle’s!
OMG! I LOVE this!!! Can I hire you Danielle to come do a makeover to my condo? I’m being dead serious. I am lost in that place with a new kid, and have no clue what to do with it.