This “City Homesteader” Turned a 1970s Rental into a Farmhouse-Chic Home
Adrienne Breaux
·7-min read
"The apartment was built with a sizable window in the living room, through which gleams natural light, providing the apartment with a sense of morning at virtually any time of the day," begins Mauriel Davis of her rental apartment. "Denver boasts a whopping 300 days of sunshine per calendar year, so Olive and I soak up this perk on a daily basis, and it really brings endless joy." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"The wall decor, which graces the hallways of the Apartment Homestead, was designed to reflect the personality of the apartment as a whole. With hats and scarves tossed generously on an accordion peg rack, it gives the impression that there is no need to impress here. You can just sort of come on in and leave things where they fit," Mauriel writes. Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"The hallway at the Apartment Homestead is perhaps the most high-traffic area inside," explains Mauriel as to why she purchased this light-weight washable runner. "I love it for its antique pattern, which is quintessential farmhouse chic, and that in keeping with usual homestead normal, it does not require the removal of shoes or extra caution." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"I bought this mid-century modern sofa secondhand from a small company called The Good Couch that upcycles used [couches] in Lakewood, Colorado. I love their sustainable mission and prices, so I considered the sofa a huge score!" Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"The vignette at the entrance of Apartment Homestead features staple pieces that both define the home and tell my personal story in becoming the woman I aspire to be. The heirloom English teapot was given to me by a mother figure who really transformed my self-image and self-worth and gave me an image of womanhood and motherhood that I still aspire to achieve today," she writes. Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"The chairs, made of real wood, were given to me by a friend who was moving away. I will likely keep them forever because they sort of transport me to my granny’s house — and the tablecloth, well it somehow reminds me of Beatrix Potter. Its youthful polka dots and jack rabbits toward the bottom invite me to the center of her story books." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"It is my personal opinion that the bedroom should be a sanctuary of rest and recovery for the soul. I stuck to this theory when choosing pieces that would pair well with the excessive amount of natural light in the Apartment Homestead." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
"The Olive tree placed at the intersection between two dressers awakens the bedroom with its appearance of life and tall stature. I feel that greenery elevates any space, and Olive trees are pretty symbolic for the Apartment Homestead, as they coincide with my kitty’s name and specific scenes from the Christian gospels," Mauriel explains. Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
“Welcome to my 1970s farmhouse chic and mid-century modern Apartment Homestead, located in South Denver,” begins Mauriel Davis. “It is physically located in the city, but its interior transports you to an old-timey homestead. I call it the Apartment Homestead, not only for its decorative theme, but also for the plants, scratch-made meals, and homemade personal products, such as bar soap and laundry detergent that I’m always whipping up in my kitchen. Oh and let’s not forget my kitty, Olive, who is in fact the main character!”
“I fancy myself a city-homesteader, hence why I’m always referring to my apartment as the Jesus & Tea Homestead. My apartment reflects this vibe with its rustic appeal — that is, hardwood floors, distressed wooden pieces, and country landscape paintings in the living room gallery wall. The apartment is also graced with grand windows that usher in generous amounts of natural lighting — a homestead staple.”
"I do happen to love odd and unusual pieces in decor, so I chose a chinoiserie lamp to parallel with a smaller plaid gray pleated lamp, which was quite opposite in stature when compared with the taller lamp. I did this in order to create a sense of variety and spontaneity ... the weight of the chinoiserie lamp base helps one to feel grounded amidst the variety." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
“My favorite room is definitely the bedroom, because of its earthy and transcendent color palette. As someone who is neurodivergent, I’m often seeking ways to rest my senses in my environment, so I find a palette of greens and browns to have a grounding effect. I’m also an essential oil enthusiast, so I keep my homemade linen spray bedside and spray the pillows with it every night before bed, creating the most dreamy and restful sleeping experience,” Mauriel describes.
“My best decorating advice is not to be afraid to incorporate pops of color. For the most part, I generally stick to a more earthy color palette, however the occasional red accent or piece of artwork sort of romanticizes a space, and adds a bit of drama to it in a way that is natural and not unsettling to the eye,” Mauriel advises.
"The gallery wall above the sofa is perhaps my favorite aspect of the apartment as a whole. It features a framed quote by Mother Teresa, reminding the beholder that changing the world begins at home with loving one’s family. I purchased it from Hobby Lobby and it is made of real wood, contributing to the rustic charm of the apartment. It features one framed textile, which really captures my love for interior design as well as landscapes of dreamy places in the English countryside," Mauriel writes. "The final piece at the end of the wall is my own depiction of myself smeared in my mama's rouge and bold red lipstick. It is my deepest conviction that we should frame and display our own artwork in our homes. For if these works are not appreciated here, where else will they be esteemed?" Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
“Do not be afraid to incorporate art that tells your story, both about where you have been, and where you dream to go. My landscape paintings of the English countryside are frequent reminders to me of my dreams to one day visit, and they also serve as inspiration, transporting me there each time I behold them,” Mauriel continues.
“Mix the old with the new. Some pieces are well worth purchasing new, but if you really want to spare yourself an extra dime, and make the home’s story come alive, then do not be afraid to incorporate thrifted items and antiques as well.”
Mauriel got the tripod lampoff of Amazon, but replaced the beige lampshade with a seagrass drum lampshade that she "thrifted at my local thrift store for just $4. The ceramic pitcher was "thrifted at my favorite thrift store here in Denver as well as the original oil painting of chickens situated right above it! Finally, I scored a wonderful find on the letterboard and stained its rim in oak wood stain. I then arranged the letters in the statement: 'This is Home,' which really defines the entryway and makes it feel official, if you will." Mauriel bought the ladder shelf off Amazon for under $100 and says it "was easy to assemble – something which is important for me, as I do become discouraged by reading detailed instructions." Credit: Mauriel DavisCredit: Mauriel Davis
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