Jess Lively

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time here on MML talking about business, purpose, and taking actions because that’s what I’ve been focusing on myself this summer. However, there is another important aspect of MML that hasn’t gotten as much attention: simplifying and tailoring our spaces to reflect our visions.

But, since I’m going to be moving in just three weeks, I’m now spending a lot of time thinking about my new space and what I want it to look like, feel like, and how it needs to function for me and Jess LC. Making under is also the root of MML and I’m going to spend the next several days explaining step by step how I put the makeunder process to work for myself. I hope that it is helpful in understanding how I think about making under and how you might want to incorporate similar principals in your own space and life. So without further delay, I bring you my vision for my new space.

Step One: Create a Vision

First, let’s talk about the transition…

In order to really understand the vision for the space, we really need to understand the transition that I’m making. One year ago I moved into my current apartment with my boyfriend and we consolidated our stuff to this single space. However, at this point in time, we are choosing to take a different path and continue our relationship as friends. Though this is the last thing I expected to happen twelve months ago, I accept this transition and have faith that it is for the best.

This also means that I recently got rid of many pieces of furniture and now need some pretty major items like a mattress, bed, bookshelves, and a tv, among others. It also means that I need to change my paradigm from one of “us” to “me.” I need to make these decision for myself, without compromise, without agreement. To many, this might seem obvious (and even ideal). I get to decide exactly what I want, no questions asked. But to be honest, after three and a half happy years making decisions together, this is more than a bit strange for me. I need to learn to embrace this new independence and look at it as empowering.

I need to also make sure I ask myself what I really want without waiting for a second opinion. This space is all about me being me. It is also a chance for me to discover who I am after such a long, deep, relationship. This is the first time I am single as an adult post-college.

So, after reflecting on the transition, a few things are clear about this makeunder:

• I need to make sure I embrace my individual style and choose things that make me 100% happy.
• I can take this opportunity as a chance to feel empowered. I get to call the shots and decide things that weren’t in my jurisdiction before (ie: television choice). I also get to decorate using things that weren’t agreed upon before like hot pink art for the bathroom.
• I need to acquire a fair amount of new furniture and ‘stuff.’ Though most makeunders involve a lot of exfoliating, the nature of this move involves half of my belongings being taken away at the get-go. Opening up space for many new things going forward.

Now, let’s talk about what I want this space to feel like…

I will state right away that though I am moving within the building, with an identical floor plan and identical finishes, I want this space to feel very different from my current apartment. I don’t want to feel like I’m living in the carcass of an old relationship. A fresh start, a fresh space. I want this space to feel complete, because it is a reflection of me; I am complete just as I am, in or out of a serious relationship.

When I walk in the door, I want to feel cheerful, bright, and awake. For the space to emanate those feelings, I would like bright white bookshelves, crisp white paint, pops of color like coral, gold, and light blue. I want the furniture and accessories to be polished, chic, and pulled together. I want everything to have a place. I even want my closets to be beautiful and organized. I only want to own what I need, use, and love.

When I think about similar spaces that embody these traits, my inspiration automatically comes from Summer Thornton’s Lincoln Park home (photo credit).

To keep my space beautifully edited and consistent, I’m going to keep these ideas in mind as I identify what I exfoliate (step two) and what I make an intentional obsession (step three).

I also want the space to accommodate the following activities…

Going from a two bedroom apartment to a one bedroom apartment means I need to move my studio space from the second bedroom to the main living room. Though this is necessary, I want to make sure the living room does not feel like a studio at all times, it should serve the business functions when necessary but also be discrete. I can do this by using beautiful home goods as storage and by exfoliating unnecessary items ruthlessly. If something does not serve a purpose in order fulfillment or inventory, it does not need to be in the apartment. Using a rolling cart which can go in the closet at the end of the day will also help conceal items during off hours.

All in all, this is my chance to have a “single girl apartment in the city.” Though many take the opposite path and go from single apartment to shared, my path is a bit different. And I’m okay with that. I intend to take it all in stride and savor each decorating decision and embrace my femininity. (I even bought myself a housewarming gift: a coral, gold, and white candle which smells like flowers.)