Julia's Apartment

One 350 sq foot studio.
Ten boxes of clothing.
No furniture.
A relentless love for the color pink.

Watch me design the perfect bachelorette pad ... modern, fun, girly & chic.

Email with ideas or feedback!
Julia [at] JuliaAllison.com

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"If you're in a bad relationship with old furniture and you don't change it, you're crazy." - IKEA ad
November 16

On moving (stuff wise!) on after living together

I’ve lived with two men before - my ex-fiance Jon and my ex-boyfriend Alex (the former for only six months and the latter for over two years).

After each relationship ended, I found myself re-purchasing some of the stuff we had bought together. BIG mistake.

In order to properly move on, I think it’s really important to draw a line between the “old life” and the “new one” - and to walk into a new home and see all of the same things, or even SOME of the same things (unless it was yours in the first place) - isn’t the best idea.

The memories don’t even have to be bad - it’s just better to start fresh.

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My ex and I owned this Paradiso Mink dinnerware set (well, he still does!).  They’re inexpensive but don’t look it AT ALL.  People always thought they were from some pricey modern store - but they’re from Bed, Bath & Beyond!  I would buy a new set, that’s how much I liked them, but I think it’s really important to draw a line between my “old life” and my new one.

My ex and I owned this Paradiso Mink dinnerware set (well, he still does!).  They’re inexpensive but don’t look it AT ALL.  People always thought they were from some pricey modern store - but they’re from Bed, Bath & Beyond!  I would buy a new set, that’s how much I liked them, but I think it’s really important to draw a line between my “old life” and my new one.

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I’ve never owned a coffee maker, but I think I need to get this one.  I try to limit my caffeine intake, but the truth is, sometimes emergencies happen.  And I’m tired of funneling my 401k into Starbucks.  A pink Cuisinart breast cancer foundation coffee maker from Bed, Bath & Beyond would be perfect …

I’ve never owned a coffee maker, but I think I need to get this one.  I try to limit my caffeine intake, but the truth is, sometimes emergencies happen.  And I’m tired of funneling my 401k into Starbucks.  A pink Cuisinart breast cancer foundation coffee maker from Bed, Bath & Beyond would be perfect …

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Damn!  In my Bed, Bath & Beyond shopping spree yesterday, I totally neglected to see this adorable Breast Cancer awareness toaster.  I may have to order it online.  ($29)

Damn!  In my Bed, Bath & Beyond shopping spree yesterday, I totally neglected to see this adorable Breast Cancer awareness toaster.  I may have to order it online.  ($29)

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I just bought the tissue holder from the Jonathan Adler for Bed, Bath & Beyond collection - in addition to the white, which is done in a heavy lacquerware, he offers a gorgeous light blue, a bright lime green, orange, and black. (Of course) I wish he had done pink, but the white will suffice for now.  And spending $30 on a tissue box somehow seems justified when you’re getting an Adler piece.  ;) 

I just bought the tissue holder from the Jonathan Adler for Bed, Bath & Beyond collection - in addition to the white, which is done in a heavy lacquerware, he offers a gorgeous light blue, a bright lime green, orange, and black. (Of course) I wish he had done pink, but the white will suffice for now.  And spending $30 on a tissue box somehow seems justified when you’re getting an Adler piece.  ;) 

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My decorating mantra is that the objects which are the least fun (like hampers) should also be the least boring. These pop up polka dot hampers are adorable. I need one that hangs on the door, though …

My decorating mantra is that the objects which are the least fun (like hampers) should also be the least boring. These pop up polka dot hampers are adorable. I need one that hangs on the door, though …

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In my last apartment, the Ex and I bought surprisingly gorgeous dishes from, of all places, Bed, Bath & Beyond. But they were brown, and I wanted something different. Part of me wants to go super fun - maybe something polka dotted or colorful - but another part of me thinks, ah, just stick with a creatively shaped white version, like these, from CB2.

In my last apartment, the Ex and I bought surprisingly gorgeous dishes from, of all places, Bed, Bath & Beyond. But they were brown, and I wanted something different. Part of me wants to go super fun - maybe something polka dotted or colorful - but another part of me thinks, ah, just stick with a creatively shaped white version, like these, from CB2.

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If I had a totally different aesthetic  going in my home (or if I were living with a guy), I would buy this West Elm chair for the home office. And it’s cheap! On sale for $259.

If I had a totally different aesthetic  going in my home (or if I were living with a guy), I would buy this West Elm chair for the home office. And it’s cheap! On sale for $259.

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I want to recover a chair that I salvage (that has yet to be salvaged) in a fabric like this. Does anyone have any recommendations for great CHEAP places that recover furniture? As Alicia Silverstone says in Clueless … “PROJECT!!!”

I want to recover a chair that I salvage (that has yet to be salvaged) in a fabric like this. Does anyone have any recommendations for great CHEAP places that recover furniture?

As Alicia Silverstone says in Clueless … “PROJECT!!!”

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Just found this armoire at Five Table Designs … it’s nice to see a little COLOR for once (they offer it in like, 20 shades), although I guess it’s “meant” for kiddies. Also, a little pricey - $5,150 (gulp).

Just found this armoire at Five Table Designs … it’s nice to see a little COLOR for once (they offer it in like, 20 shades), although I guess it’s “meant” for kiddies. Also, a little pricey - $5,150 (gulp).

November 15
PB Teen
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CB2
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West Elm