The series "Readers' Homes" continues today with the story of Lucia. She lives in Cluj-Napoca and almost a year ago she bought a 60 square meter apartment which she furnished herself on a very limited budget. We invite you to read about how she perceived the whole process, how she thought and realized the furnishing as well as the difficulties she encountered.
Open Gallery Lucia is 26 years old, graduated from the High School of Fine Arts, then the Faculty of Law, but currently works in dentistry. Fine arts are still close to her heart and furnishing her living space was the moment when she could reactivate this passion.
I really wanted a place of my own: I lived in rented accommodation for ten years, moved over twenty times and the thought that I wanted to have my own little house had almost become an obsession.
The apartment was purchased as finished, with a few pieces of furniture left by the previous owner.
I really liked the fact that it is located in the attic and that, having sloping walls, I could use that space to incorporate storage furniture, keeping everything as airy as possible; it is quite well-compartmentalized and includes a hallway, kitchen, bathroom, living room and a bedroom. I envisioned a very simple furnishing that I could achieve on a small budget.
I had about 1000 Euros available at the time. I knew it wouldn't be easy, so I put my imagination to work.
In the first stage, I painted the entire apartment white. Then, with this base, I started the adventure for each area separately.
Hallway
Bathroom
I couldn't find a special paint for the tiles, so I improvised. I chose a concrete paint that can be used for garages and markings. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm was too great and I didn't prepare the tiles as I should have, and now, after a few months since I painted them, they have started to peel.
This paint is also from Oskar, the price is about 30 lei for a 750 ml can. I used three cans of paint. I made the dots with a round brush, also using concrete paint. I changed the mirror, added a few shelves and that's how I finished renovating the bathroom. I haven't found a solution yet to cover the tiles.
Kitchen
Living Room
I took the armchair from my workplace where the furniture in the waiting room was changed. The false fireplace and the wall behind the TV were made together with my boyfriend. Both are made of polystyrene over which we applied a thicker layer of plaster. To make them, we needed a package of 2 cm expanded polystyrene, but we had almost half left.
It cost about 30 lei for a package. We also used polystyrene adhesive and a tube of silicone with which we glued the fireplace to the wall. The coffee table was made by my father after some pictures I showed him as inspiration. Some of the old lampshades I kept as decorations for the room, they seem very cute to me.
