As a chronic re-organizer, being at home all day - every day - is a constant battle. My already small shared-apartment has been forced to function simultaneously as a space to unwind, as well as a space to focus. I have little to no budget, constant dread, and how on earth am I supposed to prepare for my next meeting when I’ve been staring at that dying plant behind my trash-picked coffee table and oh my god I’m almost thirty and my television is still sitting on a vintage wrought iron chair*.

Materialism is a polarizing topic in my own mind for a number of reasons that are probably more suited for a therapy session than a blog post. However, my defense of materialism is this: if you’re able to source quality, long-lasting objects that you're able to treasure and pass on than you’re at least doing something right.

Below are some apartment upgrades I’ve made centered around furniture pieces that were custom made by my brother. The kitchen island was bought off of craigslist six years ago for $90. Last weekend it was stained to match the coffee table and “entertainment stand”, and a wine rack was installed to feature the wine glasses I was gifted for my 30th birthday last month. Next to the wine glasses sit a salad bowl and basket, both thrifted, restored, and gifted to me by my mother who, as an avid fiesta-ware collector, pointed out that my thrift store butter dish is actually one of their limited edition colors. The tie-dye tea towel was a sweet parting gift from an airstream airbnb on the coast. I picked up the featured sea-shell book from a used bookstore in Mendocino, and both the dolphins and sea-shell candle holders are from a local vintage shop in Oakland. Underneath the coffee table sits my treasured Hasselblad magazines from the 70’s (picked up by my yard-sale-obsessed grandfather at least a decade ago) and a few Bon Appetit cookbooks from the 90’s/00’s (East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse). The Rattan chair is from Out-of-the-Closet and the couch was left behind by one of many friends who’ve left me for colder weather.

To be fully transparent, not all of my design sources are sustainable, locally-sourced, or used - but I am always most compelled by the ones that are. Cheers to thrifting, which is evidently in my blood, and to locally-sourced treasures to last.