Simple Style in Transitional Times

My husband, my eight month old, my cat and I are currently between homes. We sold our cute and quirky 1950's ranch here in Massachusetts-

 -and are now awaiting the completion of a brand, spankin' new home we are building in Austin, Texas!

Since it takes awhile to build a home and we needed to get our house sold as quickly as possible, we needed to find a temporary living situation here in Massachusetts. So after putting about 90 percent of our belongings in a 16x8x8 POD- including both televisions expertly bubble-wrapped by my husband-we took the remaining ten percent and some borrowed and used stuff to a beautiful apartment community that accepts pets, babies and does short term leases. For way less per month than corporate housing or extended stay hotels, we have a pretty nice apartment with great amenities, like a hot tub and media room. And a pool. And a fitness center. And laundry. And free maintenance. 

Wait, why are we moving out in three months?

The challenge with a short term living situation is that you still need to live your everyday life. Especially when you have an 8 month old and a cat. You need to be comfortable enough to live, but extremely practical, knowing that everything you have right now has to be reduced down to what can fit into one Honda Accord, including clothing, the cat, and his enormous litter box.

While my bachelor-at-heart husband would be content to use a cardboard box as an end table for the interim, I have tried to be as creative as possible, adding just enough style to make me feel at home in a very simple and neutral space.

So here are some ideas to help you add practical-but-not-permanent style to your interim pad.

• Rethink the utilitarian items you use. Buy sponges in bright colors instead of the horrible yellow and green ones where the green dye rubs off on to the bathtub when you are trying to clean it. (I hate that)

• Buy dish liquid in a bright color.  Most come in a variety of colors. Pick a bright yellow or orange for a pop of color. Some bottles are actually kind of pretty, or you can get some fancier dish liquid at a Home Store for a reasonable price.

• Select dish towels in a pattern with multiple colors in it. It will make a stronger statement than plain colored ones. The same goes for shower curtains, bath rugs, bedding, and bath towels.

• Hang an apron on the wall, or some colored potholders or oven mitts you have.

• Use boxes or tins that came with liquor bottles or wine to store kitchen utensils, or drinking straws. Our personal favorite are whiskey boxes-which apparently are not accepted by the Salvation Army.

• Get a designer hand soap bottle at any Home Goods or Marshalls store. Get a container that goes with your decor, and then buy a large refill size soap bottle when it the soap runs out and re-use the container. 

• Use funky reusable bags to liven things up or to store stuff in.

• Use pretty bath gels and lotions as decor in the bathroom. We all have some buried in a closet somewhere.

• Use inexpensive jar candles to add some coziness and fresh scent in the bath. You can get these at the grocery store. Recycle the jar when you finish using the candle.

• Select Kleenex Boxes in colors and patterns. There are all kinds of varieties for the same price as the ho hum box.

• Purchase inexpensive but colorful potted plants from the grocery store and wrap in decorative paper or plant in a cheap flower pot. This should last a while and can be planted or tossed later when you move out. they add nice color and are good for you too!                                                                         

Just because it's a temporary home doesn't mean it can't be personal- and you'll enjoy your transitional living a lot more as you wait for the next exciting phase of your life.