House Tour-Amanda

Name: Amanda
Location: Boston, MA
Square Footage: Around 1,000 - I’m not positive.
Years Lived in: Just under 3
Rent or own: Rent
Describe your style: Eclectic Mid Century
Blog: redjetwhistle.blogspot.com/

What's your favorite free/found item?
An orange Herman Miller shell chair I found on garbage day.


What's your favorite purchased item?
My Plycraft Eames style lounge, it’s my first experiment in refinishing and reupholstering.

What has been your biggest obstacle in decorating/design?
My budget mostly, and the layout of the apt.

Is your design style organic or planned?
I usually have a general idea of what I want a room to feel like, than slowly, organically (haphazardly) try to make it happen.

What is your favorite spot in the house?
My living room, it’s bright and colorful during the day, and super cozy at night. Except for a few small things, it’s pretty much the way I want it, I feel less finished with other rooms in the apt.


How has your style changed in the past 5 years?
Sure, mostly due to developing more knowledge about period furniture and becoming addicted to interior design blogs! I’m much more willing to put the time to into finding just the right piece, instead of just using whatever is convenient, which has cleaned up and focused my style. My style is bound to keep changing, so I'm trying not to tie myself down to one particular style, I don't want to fill my entire home with strictly mid century only to wake up one day and hate it, I'm trying to keep things eclectic and personal.

What is your favorite resource or store?
Thrift stores and flea markets.


What is your biggest decorating/design pet peeve?
Particleboard furniture, wall to wall carpet, and throwaway trendy items.

What has been your favorite design trend?
I’d have to say the resurgence of mid century design is my favorite, but I’m also into some of the seventies inspired things that are happening as well as the industrial/steam punk style.


What is the biggest influence on your design/decorating style?
Design blogs, they keep me interested and inspired. Also, my own blog, being accountable to an audience (albeit a tiny one) has pushed me to constantly look at my space and to keep trying new projects.

What in your home dictates how you design/decorate?
Space initiations – at this point if something comes in, something has to go out, which can make for painful decisions. I have to be sure that any new piece is truly going to serve my goals.


What is the simplest thing you have done that has made the biggest impact?
My landlord chose the paint colors before I moved in, and for the most part I’ve let them stay, except for a hideous dark red that was in my craft room – I painted it white, and the difference was amazing, it’s now bright and airy!