Moroccan Style – Small Apartment Design On A Budget – After

For this design project we were working with Sonja, a sweet newly single lady who had downsized to a much smaller apartment from what she was used to. She mentioned to us that she had a hard time making the decision to move to a smaller apartment, as this was something that was completely new to her. But she had her reasons why she needed to make the move. Because she had a lot of furniture to bring to her new home, she made the decision to get in touch with a company like Atlanta Home Movers (https://www.atlantahomemovers.com/) to help her transport all her goods over in the safest way possible. Once it arrived, she now had the tough task of redecorating her apartment to make it feel like a home. Some of her art work was simply too large for the new space, and some of the furniture felt bulky and made the room look smaller.
She wanted a room with a Moroccan flair, a style she loved and tried to incorporate by some of her furniture choices, in particular the TV stand and some of her art work. She also loved warm colors, and wanted her home to exude that warmth. She was interested to also learn more about changing features such as the doors and the windows to possibly give off a more Moroccan decorative flair in the future. But for now she just wanted to focus on fitting her furniture into her new apartment.
No design project is without its challenges, and we had to forgo some of our ideas to stay within our $500 budget. We also had to place the art work above the couch much higher than we would have preferred, due to the clients wishes. There was already a stud in the wall where she wanted to keep the art work.
Despite the challenges, I am pleased with the result! We started by warming up the room with paint colors, a creamy nutmeg on the wall behind the couch and a cinnamon color underneath the kitchen counter when you first walk in the room. Probably the most obvious change is the slip covers on the couch and chair, taking it from red to white. We felt the white would tie in with the new color palette and look great with the bold throw pillows we purchased for the room. Neutral couch colors make it really easy to change up the look whenever you want!

The next biggest change we made was to purchase a new TV stand that would go well with her art and her TV (maybe its a smart TV like the ones VIZIO tends to have in their collection). We found this piece on craigslist for only $80, and even though it was a pain to walk up the stairs with, it was worth it. Now Sonja has a TV stand with storage for her cable box, routers, and extra wires.

We (well my design partner Noor, not me) reupholstered the leather ottoman with a beautiful Moroccan patterned fabric we picked up from the fabric store. We moved the ottoman to under the kitchen counter as a casual seating area or a place to sit to put on your shoes.

We had a last minute change of heart with the rug, and went from a solid to a stripe. I think the bold stripe works well with the black and white patterned ottoman and pillow, it also contrasts well with the warm neutral paint colors and bright yellow and teal lumbar decor pillows.

We placed her former TV stand, the Moroccan style console table, against the wall and put a mirror at Sonja’s eye level (she is almost 6′ tall) so that she has a place to take one last look at herself before heading out in the mornings, and a place to toss her keys when she gets home.
The Z accessory, in case you are wondering, is not for Zahra – ha ha – but rather it is a special craft that Sonja enjoys making for herself and her friends. We loved incorporating that personal piece to her room. Lastly, we added fresh plants and some accessories to finish the look.
Most of the shopping we did was at HomeGoods, Ikea, ReStyle, ReStore, and Ross. Oh and of course, Craigslist.
What do you think? Would you try a Moroccan theme for your room?

For interior design project inquiries please email me at zahra@lovezahra.com. Thanks!

Craigslist find – TV Stand. We added Sonja’s candelabra in the space under the TV to continue with the theme. Sonja’s old TV died during the design process, so she bought this flat screen- which made us VERY happy!

The pouf was a bit of a splurge but we thought it added something special to the space and made it worth it. Below: We found this tea set and arranged the colorful cups on the counter.

Reupholstered Ottoman, with tray from HomeGoods and Sonja’s own pillow. Painted wall behind the Ottoman.

We found another large framed art piece we liked better than the one she had, this one tied in with the new color palette perfectly.

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Last week we took a quick trip to escape the snow for some sunshine in Key Largo, Florida☀️ We spent every moment possible outside, Tom and Adam got their Scuba Diver PADI certification (yay!) while Sophia and I spent our days either swimming or drawing marine life and landscapes. This was my first trip after my sister passed last November, and even though I look so happy here, there were so many moments I felt the grief and sadness, as if it happened just yesterday. I am still figuring out how I want to show up in this space, as I have changed so much as a person since the loss. I just don’t feel called to post some of the things I shared before. Maybe that will change someday, or maybe it will just naturally evolve into something new. I think I will take this year to just process it all. (Even the idea of taking an entire year to think through something is a huge shift for my usually hyperactive type A personality) My focus at the moment is just living in the moment with my family and friends, spending time doing things that make me happy and healthy. I hope to share some of that journey here with you ~ thanks for following along ❤️
I had planned to shoot this outfit in collaboration with @lenacoutureofficial right before my dear sister passed away. Saba, the designer, was more than understanding if I didn’t want to anymore - but after thinking on it for a while I decided I wanted to - in my sister’s honor 💗 She was always my biggest hype woman. When i would feel like I’m not good enough or that I should quit (which was often) she would tell me I was unique and great and to keep it up. When I think of my sister, beauty and love is all that she embodied in her being. She expressed that on the outside also - as she loved to wear everything glam, bright & colorful, and full of bling. Hair done, nails done, everything did - that was Nusrat. For this shoot I took the time to get glam after a long hiatus - and makeup and hair took so long because I think I forgot how to do it, but afterwards I was surprised how I felt transformed. When I wore this gorgeous outfit that I know was designed with such love and incredible attention to detail by @lenacoutureofficial, I felt all of that beauty - like a walking piece of art, and very much at peace. Thank you so much to @divmophoto for capturing the feeling so well 💕
Ski weekend with my favorites ❄️❄️ So proud of Sophia for skiing on her own for the first time!
There are some trees with seeds that only grow after a fire. Their seeds are completely sealed with a resin that have to be physically melted off by a great fire in order to propagate. So to do we as humans, gain wisdom only after great pain and suffering.*
A month ago (and one day) I lost my sister and best friend to cancer. I am still completely gutted and broken. But, I’m also so so grateful to have had felt the love that now brings me so much heartbreak. ❤️ I am so inspired by her - and I will forever live my life to honor her memory. Miss you sis ❤️
Classic outfit combo: oversized blazer + denim 🖤fendi mules @shoeslutz
Just a mom who loves mums 🌸 🪴
Cozy for a coffee date ☕️
French. Toast. Egg. Bake. Save this recipe for a weekend or holiday brunch - it’s SO good and fool-proof! I’m not even a sweet person and I love it. The pecans are a non-negotiable IMO - I get honey bourbon vanilla pecans for this and it is just heavenly. Enjoy!