sidney's downtown loft tour

There are exactly three people on the planet that I would allow to design my home with zero input from me: Genevieve Gorder (from TV), my coworker Marci (you're next on the home tour train, my friend) and the lovely Sidney who graciously allowed me and my assistant (Max) to photograph her amazing downtown Dallas apartment.

I shared a sneak peak of her place back in May, and thankfully she let us back in to do a full tour! She did a "fall flip" since then and moved some things around, which I now of course want to do at my house. Because I do everything that Sid does. Because she's my hero.

This apartment is as warm and welcoming as Sidney is. It's comfortable and squishy (not like Sid). It's perfectly, effortlessly stylish.

This is THE blue sofa that inspired me to buy my blue velvet sofa. Unlike mine, Sid scored hers at Good Will for $200. Deal of the century. 

Hey Sid, don't be offended when that same Ikea pillow shows up on my sofa next week.

Fresh flowers make all the difference in the world, don't they? I have a great respect for people who treat themselves to flowers. It's good for the soul. And lasts longer than Starbucks. These are the cheap-o flowers from Trader Joe's. Luxury doesn't have to be expensive.

All of my favorite spaces look like they've been collected over time. Garage sale artwork, a blue high back lounge chair, and a floor lamp Sidney made in a furniture class in college turn an otherwise underutilized corner into the perfect spot to have your morning coffee. I bet the other tenants in your building have their trash cans here.

Dummies.

Some people put pumpkins and gourds out for decoration in the fall. Not Sidney. She roasts them and serves them to my sweet Max when I forgot to bring his breakfast like a rookie mom. He at it UP. 

You guys, this rug. I have dreams about this rug. 

Unfortunately it was an outlet purchase many years ago from the Land of Nod and is no longer available. Le sigh. After a 4.5 hours road trip from the San Marcos outlet mall, it earned its place on this floor.

Another thrifty item is the media stand. Back in the day these used to be part of our workstations at the office. Back then they were a completely hideous shade of maroon. Sid got them (for free!), refinished them, and turned them in to a much more expensive looking piece of furniture. Well played.

I once asked Sid what she would do if she weren't an Interior Designer. She said she would love to be a professional hostess. She loves entertaining. Feeding people. Sharing with them and making them feel comfortable. And it shows.

She has a roll of craft paper (my favorite wrapping material-and it should be yours too!) in a gorgeous metal stand ready to for gift wrapping at a moment's notice. She also does the most amazing calligraphy when she's not at work. I feel deliciously spoiled to have her as a friend just for the one of a kind handwritten notes she sends.

The studio style loft flows straight from the living area to the bedroom. Sid uses her dresser and chairs as an entry into the private area of the apartment.

This mirror, right?! You'd never know it, but it's a regular rectangular mirror with a Hobby Lobby wooden doo-dad spray painted gold and hung above. GENIUS. She dressed up the already amazing dresser with agate pulls from West Elm.

Can I just tell you guys how much I need a cowhide rug in my life? Such the right amount of Texas in a chic space. And get a load of that exposed brick.

I was so sure this nubby bedding was from Anthropologie, but it's vintage. Collected and showcased in the most perfect way.

The roman shades were another DIY project. They are tacked straight onto a plain o'l white shade. They are fixed, but a roller shade hidden behind provides privacy and light control.

And, what tour would be complete without a ROYGBIV closet. Oh to get ready in this space every morning! Sid claims that she doesn't actually enjoy pulling outfits together, which you would never know, because she always looks as effortlessly stylish as her place. The pink carpet is not part of the apartment. She installed it herself from carpet tiles. They are completely removable and she can take them with her when she moves. You can find similar styles from Flor.

Thanks for letting me crash your place, Sidney!

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