Hey friends! We’re thrilled to bring back our beloved home tour series, At Home With. This week, we’re lucky enough to explore the home of author and blogger, Medina Grillo. If you’ve been following ABM for a while, you might recognize her from previous posts she’s done.
Alright, let’s dive right in because her home is a DIY wonderland!
Q: I love how you cater to renters! What advice do you have for folks who think they can’t personalize their home because they rent?
A: I’d say, “please don’t think that” because you totally can! My home is a testament to that. It reflects my personality and the things I love. Even if I couldn’t paint the walls or make other major changes, it would still have my personal touch.
I’ve brought character and color into my space through bold accessories and standout furniture. I’ve used removable wallpaper to show off my love for patterns and feature walls, and I’ve hung plants and trendy lights using self-adhesive hooks.
Decorating a rental definitely pushes you to think creatively, but it’s so worth it. Life’s too short to live in a dull space that doesn’t reflect who you are!
Q: Your home has such a great color scheme without being too matchy-matchy. Any tips for nailing a color scheme?
A: Mood boarding is a fantastic way to visualize colors, themes, and textures before diving into the actual decorating. I suggest picking 3-4 colors and materials and sticking to them as you pull a room together.
For instance, you don’t need to stick to one tone of wood—a mix of tones can work as long as they fit within your original color palette.
Avoid overly coordinated furniture sets. Mixing and matching pieces can add depth and interest to your style.
Q: DIY is clearly a big part of your decor. What’s your favorite DIY project you’ve done at home?
A: My favorite has to be the IKEA cabinet hack in my entrance. It’s a simple tweak—I just cut out the door and added cane webbing to the IVAR unit. But it made such a huge difference to the space. I really adore those simple, yet impactful, DIYs.
Q: Your numbered stairs are so cool. How did you create those?
A: Yeah! I wrote a blog post about stenciling and painting my stair risers. I love that industrial vibe it gives them.
Q: Your kids’ spaces blend so smoothly with the rest of your home. Any tips for decorating for kids?
A: Stylish storage is key to hiding their “stuff,” haha. Especially in the living room. Those baskets on the shelves hold a bunch of baby accessories and toys.
