For me, 2012 got off to a great start. My 2 roommates and I decided not to renew the lease on our Large 3 Bedroom Ideally Located, Yet Heinously Old apt in Astoria, Queens.

I officially became a ‘Head of Household’ and found my very own studio apartment just a few blocks away from the old place. So far, living alone has proven to be a new adventure–adventure is not typically a term used to describe single living, but for me it has been exactly that.

Aside from the obvious increase in rent, I am also the sole provider of cleaning supplies, toilet paper, laundry detergent, paper towels, etc…you get the idea. With each necessity that I must now pay for, my disposable income becomes smaller and smaller–and then I have to furnish the place!

For starters, there is nothing affordable about contemporary, stylish furniture of a moderate quality. I am a bold patterns and bright colors kind-of-girl and want my new abode to reflect my tastes and personality. Shopping around NYC and online, most trendy furniture and home décor pieces are super pricey. Affordable furniture is only available in a few standard colors: Black, White, Espresso, Maple and every so often someone will jump out on a limb and offer Walnut.

My Apartment Before

Two weeks ago, the solution came to me….Geranium! The beautiful orange-ish red color from the Hanky Panky Summer 2012 palette would look great in my living room. I decided to paint my desk Geranium and it made HUGE difference. It completely brightened up my apartment.

I took a swatch of Geranium lace to Home Depot where they are capable of matching most colors. The paint is not the exact Hanky Panky Geranium, but from the photo you can see  it is close enough to serve my purpose.

Geranium swatch and paint

Desk Before

Desk After

Since I was painting a white surface, the sales associate advised me to use a paint with primer combo, stirring every so often so the color pigment wouldn’t settle at the bottom of the can. Two coats of paint later, my desk looks like an expensive piece of designer furniture and dramatically improved my living space.

- Michele

Apartment After

Apartment After

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