After a month of unpacking boxes, rearranging furniture, and trying to master the art of small space living, I’ve officially finished moving into my new apartment. While most people hate moving, I actually enjoy it! It gives me the opportunity to rake through my closet, donate home décor pieces that I’m no longer into, and provides a fresh start for a new place.
This is my first time living alone – no roommates, no sisters, just my puppy and me. I’ve been super excited to design a space that completely represents my taste and fits my lifestyle. I partnered with our friends at BEHR® and ShopStyle Collective to add some color to my space and make my 600-square-feet feel like home. Scroll down to check out my apartment makeover and enter for the chance to win some Behr paint of your own!
With thousands of colors to choose from, Behr’s 2017 Color Currents simplified my decision by presenting me with the most popular colors of the season. I’ve been loving the pairing of blush pink with light gray and was happy to find Behr had created the exact shades I was looking for.
It was important to me to purchase a paint that would go on easily and stand up against any bumps or scuffs (having a 60-pound puppy can get a little crazy!). With so many varieties on the market, it can be difficult to navigate the paint section at your local hardware store, so I’ve listed my favorites below as a cheat sheet. I chose BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Eggshell Enamel.
- BEHR PREMIUM PLUS® Interior Paint & Primer – best performing paint and primer in one under $25(!) with a low odor, and can be tinted to match any color you’d like.
- BEHR PREMIUM PLUS ULTRA® Interior Paint & Primer – paint and primer in one that has the technology to adhere to a variety of surfaces, has an easily cleaned finish, and can be tinted in over 2000 colors.
- BEHR MARQUEE® Interior Paint & Primer – most advanced paint and primer in one with a one-coat application, which is perfect for a big project (like painting your whole house) when you don’t want to have to do two coats, and comes in over 1000 colors.
After gathering some inspiration photos and polling all of the girls in the office, I decided to go with “Life Is A Peach” for my living room. I’m not a super girly girl so I never thought I would go for a pink room, but I absolutely love how it turned out!
The color is light enough that it doesn’t overpower the room, and it adds a fun and spunky personality to the rest of my décor.
Because I own such colorful art and coffee table books, I have always leaned towards white washed walls to make these pieces pop. But I actually found that my living room looked more put together with a coat of paint. The pink plays off of the brushstrokes in my framed prints and takes the focus away from my large gray couch.
One of my favorite things about my small-sized apartment is the built-in desk nook. As someone who often works from home, I love having a designated space to spread out any projects I’m working on that isn’t my kitchen counter.
The most surprising part of this project was that the paint dried so quickly. I didn’t have to worry about dancing around my apartment waiting for the paint to cure all day. It was completely dry in the time it took me to go grab lunch!
When it came to choosing a color for my bedroom, I knew I wanted something darker to pop behind my neutral headboard and wall hanging, but was worried that if I chose a color that was too dark, my bedroom would feel like a cave.
The solution was to only paint the wall behind my bed and let it serve as an accent color. It makes my bedroom feel “finished” and when the light bounces off of it, it brightens up the space. I went with “Laid Back Gray” but “Aspen Valley” was a close second on my list.
Since completing this project, I am convinced paint really is the easiest and most cost effective way to update your space. Are you ready to transform your home in an afternoon? What BEHR color would you use for this project? Enter for a chance to win your own BEHR paint here!
This post is brought to you by BEHR.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES. All entrants must be the age of majority in their respective state at the date of entry and over 18 years of age. BEHR® Color Trends, Camille Styles (“the Sweepstakes”) opens at 12:01 a.m. PDT on January 30, 2017 and entrant’s full unconditional agreement and acceptance of the Official Rules, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy. “the Sweepstakes” is sponsored by POPSUGAR Inc. (owner and operator of popsugar.com) having an address of 111 Sutter Street, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94104. One grand prize valued at $100.
Official BEHR Paint Sweepstakes Rules Here.
I’ve listed my favorites below as a cheat sheet.
Love grey and gold decor at the moment, although I’m not sure I have a room that would work with the blush tones. Love these looks.
Blush & Pearls by Angela
Congratulations on your beautiful home. I love the shade of pink/peach you chose for the living room.
It provides just the right amount of warmth and sophistication. May I ask where you found the artwork above your couch and the great wallhanging in the bedroom?
Thank you, Caroline! The artwork above my couch is actually wrapping sheets from Thimblepress, and I made the wallhanging in my bedroom myself with a wooden dowel and cotton clothesline.
OBSESSED with blush lately. I have a gray couch, and that paint color in the first photo is giving me some good ideas. 🙂
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Yes! I struggled finding a paint color that would go with my gray couch, and blush seems to be the perfect fit!
Last summer we finished a gut job on an abandoned beach cottage. We went with a soft pale grey on the first floor walls and a pale blush in the upstairs master suite (I wanted a pink my husband would not register as pink 😉 if he has, he hasn’t said anything) I love the combo… neutral, pretty, calming. It’s not too stark or depressing in our New England grey coastal winters, and not too bright in bright summer sun.
We’ve renovated several houses and usually go for a soft off-white throughout. What I learned this time was how paint can look VERY different in the room. Greys can appear greenish or purple depending on the lighting. Pinks can glow in the dark or look dirty grey. Always try samples on different walls in the room to see the undertones.
Your beach cottage sounds amazing! I know exactly what you mean about the paint color changing once it’s on the wall. I love watching the color change as the light changes throughout the day.
Gorgeous place! Where did you snag your living room rug? It’s perfect and it looks whiter vs the cream ones.
Hi, Erica! I found my rug on RugsUSA – my secret source for luxury rugs without luxury prices.
I just painted my new office bright pink and transformed our laundry room with nothing more than a new coat of soft gray. It’s amazing how fresh and modern both rooms feel. I’m with you all the way on your color choices. Congrats on the new apartment.
Love it! We’re trendsetters 🙂
Your home looks adorable! I honestly believe that gray & blush is the new trend! Your decor is beautiful. I like how you utlized the space for your computer. Hats off to you!
http://www.travelbeautyblog.com
That couch looks comfy!! May I ask where you got it?
It’s actually a hand-me-down from one of my old roommates! I’m pretty sure she got it at Ashley Furniture.
I was SO CLOSE to painting my new studio this exact shade of pink, but with the brown floors, I wasn’t quite sure. i went with a very light green-blue instead, but plan on outfitting my home with grey furniture and pink accents. I love how neutral these colors are, while still remaining so pretty and girly. When you live alone, you can be as girly as you like!
Where did you find the ivory throw pillows on your bed? Thanks.
Target!
Lovely!! Your place looks so sophistocated and feminine. I’ve had this rug for several years now (I still adore it) so I’m slowly building an entire blush and grey apartment myself. http://www.homedecorators.com/images/items/large/l81921270.jpg
Where did you get the pillow on the couch and on your bed?
Congratulations on your new HOME! You’ve made some wonderful selections on color and furnishings that will grow with you as you move through life.
Love the beautiful blush color. Its so calming and pretty in one. I especially love the rug and other accents that bring out the beauty of the room.