Mallory's Colorful, Eclectic Loft Apartment Tour - 2021 Update
It’s a new year and I have a refreshed look at my loft apartment! Apartment Therapy’s Small/Cool Contest is back for 2021, so I was motivated to photograph my space to capture all the updates I’ve made since last spring.
I still live in a 1920s-era former high school, complete with large glass-paned windows that flood my days with light and original, very creaky-but-charming wood floors. It’s approximately 800 square feet—enough for two people and two cats to live comfortably. As it is a loft, it’s all open, though there is a divider wall between the main living area and bedroom.
So what’s new, might you ask? The biggest change is the gallery wall. With my partner, Mike, fully moved in with me, I’ve tried to incorporate more of his things to make it more “our space.” Fortunately for me, he loves me and my style, so he’s embraced living in a space that still mostly reflects my tastes and things! We swapped out the former dresser/TV stand with a custom-built piece that contains old high school lockers, a nice nod to the building’s former life as a high school. It was originally too dark for the space, so we painted it the same peacock blue because I’m obsessed with that color and loved how it looked in that spot. His larger TV was added, so it meant adjusting the art on the walls.
Elsewhere, the plants kept growing (and multiplying) and empty spaces were filled in. New art was added and knick knacks found places to display. Running my business from my home has been the biggest challenge to living in a small space—you don’t see it, but there are always boxes of things I’ve sourced and need to shoot or list laying around!
I’ve linked the original tour from last year at the bottom of this post in case you’re curious to see how the space has evolved over the year. Thank you for visiting and letting me share my home with you. Enjoy!
The infamous—well, maybe one day—jungle kitchen!
The Panera Bread painting I bought for the frame, but never ended up changing out the art.
I like pops of color with art, books and objects.
This pothos just keeps growing, and growing, and growing…
The dining space.
My Gramme gave me this cat lamp when I was a kid…it took becoming an adult (like 29-ish, ha) to finally appreciate it.
The floral art behind the chair is a “free pile” find at my apartment complex that I snagged intending to sell, but became quite attached since I left it so long in this spot!
A growing (!) vintage floral painting collection next to my grandparents’ mid-mod metal shelf painted a mint green.
Hi, Socks.
The view from the couch.
My “wanderlust wall” is the star of the show. Photography and art either taken/made by me or collected on travels.
The metal numbers formerly graced my grandparents’ gas station a long time ago. Mike and I both picked our favorite numbers—his, 27; mine, 22.
Fun fact: I was jogging along the Beltline a few years ago and popped into Paris on Ponce (RIP), a fun vintage store, spotted this VW Bug and gave it as a gift to Mike because his place needed something cool. It’s perfect as a planter.
I never intended to keep “See all this” sideways, but I forgot to move it/replace it, so it’s staying as is.
When blankets come in handy hiding the furniture destruction caused by cats (I will always choose cats over a fancy couch!).
The stereo was my grandparents’ and one day, will be modernized so it can return to being functional.
The bedroom. More color, more plants…and the perfect place for naps.
This photo has become one of my favorite photos I’ve ever taken. (And you can have it in your home, too).
The lamp I will have forever (or as long as it doesn’t break)—it was my dad’s from the 70s. The armoire has been in Mike’s family for over 60 years. Great for storing clothes and displaying plants.
Love that afternoon light that spills in. My bedroom also acts as a greenhouse—it’s where I have most of my propagated plants growing.