Our Salt Lake City Apartment: The Living Room

It has been over a year since Andy took a job in Utah. Honestly, it’s gone very fast for me. The whirlwind of family obligations, traveling, and getting BHH ready for the (eventual) sale has left little time for feeling sad. There is never a dull moment around here. Andy sometimes gets lonely, but our oldest son moved in last April. They have very similar personalities, so they are excellent roommates. They live in an apartment, technically a condo, in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.

Andy moved out west with barely more than a suitcase, and the apartment was unfurnished. So, the first time I visited, it was pretty depressing. He had bought a nice bed and hung pictures and art; otherwise, he only owned one chair we had to take turns sitting in if we were both at home. I joked that it was a terrible Air BnB with zero amenities.

Over time, Andy picked up a few pieces of furniture, and without even really thinking about it, the apartment started taking on a mid-century modern aesthetic. Now, each time I visit, we enjoy wandering through the three vintage furniture stores within walking distance. Since everything for sale there is second-hand, the stock varies. I’ve never had so much fun buying furniture. I love that the stores feel new every time, and even though some of the items are wildly out of our price range, we’ve found some classic pieces within our budget.

Decorating the apartment has been a great exercise in compromise. Andy and I do not have the same taste, but we’re both happy with how it’s coming together.

There are two things that Andy is obsessed with in this living room, the end tables (speakers) converted to Bluetooth and the space lamp.

We laugh about the lamp every time. It got its start as a salon hair dryer but was eventually promoted to a movie set prop. I view it as non-functional because I’m afraid the lightbulb will explode or the whole thing will burst into flames. Andy tells me I’m silly, but I furtively unplug it as often as possible. I’m only looking out for their safety.

My favorite piece of furniture is the couch. It’s so well made that it puts the two Pottery Barn couches we have in BHH to shame. I also love the shape and color. We recently added the pillows from West Elm.

Left to right (affiliate links): Velvet Pillow, Lumbar Pillow, Striped Pillow

And speaking of recent additions, the rug is new too. It is the only heirloom-quality piece of decor we own. The kids can cut it into fourths and share it when we die. Oh, who am I kidding? None of them will want it. They can sell it at an estate sale.

I fell in love with the Eames coffee table. Andy fell in love with the orange beat-up-oil-can-turned-side-table. We both said yes to the wooden chairs.

As plant parents, we could be doing better. The plants look nice, but they still live in their plastic pots from the store, complete with price tag stickers. We’ll get there.

One thing I genuinely credit Andy for is the giant gallery wall opposite the couch. He started it, and we’ve both enjoyed adding to it. It’s a mish-mash of fine art, album covers, postcards, and Magic the Gathering cards, because why not?

At this point, the living room is pretty much finished. It could use a couple of lamps and maybe a console table on the gallery wall side, but it’s cozy enough if that doesn’t happen. I’ve really enjoyed decorating a space so wholly different from BHH. Not having to fix anything while I am visiting is a nice break too.

Tell us what you think in the comments, but please don’t encourage Andy’s behavior by telling him how much you like the space lamp. He’ll never let me hear the end of it. Thankfully, it’s one-of-a-kind. So, we’ll never “accidentally” find ourselves owning a pair.