Feels Like Home!

For the first time in my adult life I’m able to decorate my home in a way that’s completely MY STYLE! Yes, it’s weird, eccentric and eclectic but hey so am I, so it works. Little by little I am working to complete the look of my cute little nook. I was inspired to decorate my living room using the color scheme: yellow, grey, black and white (thanks Christy Koy for the inspiration). I’m not able to paint the walls so I’m limited and have to create other ways to make the room unique.

The living room has its original 1930’s hardwood floors and so I knew I needed to find a nice rug. I started searching all the stores and lucky for me I found this little gem on

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GiulianaDesign I knew the moment I saw it that it would be perfect for my vision and what a steal of a deal for a handmade rug! I also knew that I needed something larger to warm and fill the space so I added a black shag rug underneath it. The overall look is so warm, soft and cozy!




My next step was figuring out a storage space for my books. Yes, I could have easily gone to Ikea or a number of places to pick up a bookcase but then it just wouldn’t be right for me. I came up with an idea to use old, wooden apple crates stacked like a staircase. I found a great woman in Alpine selling them for only five-bucks. I bought 6 crates and some paint and for about $40 including my trip to the car wash to clean them I was able to build a fun one-of-a-kind Kristi Cartwright original bookcase. What makes this even better is the shape and the extra surface area for décor. I haven’t had time yet to paint them so I’ll show you the finished look in a couple of weeks.


I used an old Ikea bookshelf as my tv stand, I know you are probably asking “Kristi, why the hell didn’t you just use that for your books and tv?” The answer is simple I wanted to use it for pictures and fun items not just my books! So I flipped in on its side and put my tv on top leaving plenty of nooks for photos and personal items. Above the television I hung 2 pictures that I took from my grandparents home after their passing. I always loved them growing up and it’s nice to have a part of my relatives in my home.


I have strange love for octopus and a few years ago I saw this picture on some design show.

I loved the idea of bringing something similar into my home. However, I’m not a fan of commercial art. I like things to be one of a kind and quirky. Plus I wasn’t about to spend over $3,000 for a picture. Once again I started searching www.Etsy.com for a handmade picture that’s more in my price range. There were a lot of great paintings but I could find the right color, size and look combination. Then I stumbled across a guy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic) who makes vinyl decals in any color…. HMMMM my creative juices started flowing again. I remembered that I had an old picture frame that was the right size so why don’t I try to do something myself. I bought the decal in grey and upon its arrival I painted a large poster board with yellow swirls before I added the decal. Whala I have an original piece of octopus art and it cost me less than $25!


Along with the octopus http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic sent me a practice decal of a little bird that just so happened to be yellow, so of course I HAD to do something with it. I found another picture frame that I could use it has a mat in it and 3 windows. I went to my old scrapbook stuff (which I haven’t touched in years) and found two sheets of grey paper. I then hit up Hobby Lobby where I found a packet of small, black, felt keys. Kind of an odd combo but in weird little Kristiland I think it works. I cut the paper to fit the windows, put the yellow birdie in the middle and 1 key in the window above and 1 key in the window below. Another custom art piece that cost me less than 5 cash dollars!


I have a big wall of windows which have blinds but it’s just not that attractive and let’s be honest curtains can cost a bundle. I’m willing to spend the money if needed but I got lucky again this time at good ole Ross! I found exactly 4 panels of sheer grey curtains. They allow the light to come in but they also make the room look better even when the blinds behind them are closed. Again I only spent about $20.

I have the most comfy, cozy couch but unfortunately its greenish/brownish… It doesn’t match at all. I purchased a slip cover but it looked hideous so I returned it. I might get it re-upholstered but for now it’s just there. I did however add some great pillows that I bought at Bed Bath & Beyond on SALE!

I have one area left, I think I’ve figured out what I’m going to do I just haven’t started the execution. I’m also on the hunt for a strange, one-of-a-kind end table that I can refinish with the help of Brandilla Hess and maybe a cool chair. All in all I like it and for the first time since I moved out of my parents’ house at 18 I feel like I’m HOME!