For those of you that don't know, caribbean medical schools, like mine typically have two components: basic sciences which is completed in two years on the island and the remaining two years at a clinical rotation site/hospital in the United States. After the end of the second year medical students are expected to take the USMLE Step 1, and after passing that exam you find out your clinical site. I was assigned to a site right outside of Newark, New Jersey for the majority of my third year of medical school and with a start date one month away from the score I needed to find a place to live and get furniture to live with!
Which brings in today's post, my parents and I went to NJ for a day to explore 12+ apartments and decided on this cute one bedroom in Cranford, NJ. The apartment was 15 minutes to work and located in an adorable suburban town where I had my Trader Joe's 12 minutes away, an Italian sandwich shop and bagel shop just a walk from my building and was safe for me to live on my own.
We put together the design fairly quickly! My mom and I did a lot of antique shopping in the week's leading up to the move and we ordered the sofa and mattress to be delivered to Cranford. I will do my best to share where the pieces were purchased.
The design of the apartment was somewhat Boho, Whimsy, with lots of fur and pink... very feminine! Since we had such a slim time frame the pieces came together totally organically, I had no vision until we went out hunting and that is how the apartment came together!
When you walked into the apartment the kitchen was on the right, a set of closets on the left. Then there was a big open space meant to be the dining and living area. You can see the overview of the space above!
The dining table was one my mom had as well as the clear ghost chairs which I made my comfy with the addition of these Ikea Sheepskins.
The living area was mostly antique pieces from family with a few additions.
Queen Sleeper Sofa - Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
Blue Swivel Chair - Family Piece
Rug - Vintage (we had it cleaned before)
Coffee Table - Vintage
Desk - Ikea (old), with Ikea desk lamp
Media Cabinet - Ikea Besta
White Fur Stool - Wayfair
Floor Lamp - HomeSense
Pillows - Patterned Fur from HomeSense, Striped from Anthropologie
Coffee Table Decor changed by the season (hence the pumpkin)
Books from HomeGoods, HomeSense and from my parent's house
Brass dog - Vintage
Glass orb - HomeSense
Coasters - Anthropologie
I liked the idea of a simple bedroom that was super comfy. As a medical student most of my days were spent at the hospital working with patients, on call or studying. Sleep was essential, especially on post call days after working a 24 and during my surgery rotation when I had to be at the hospital at 4:45 and was there most days till anywhere from 5:30 to 7:30 unless I was on call and was there overnight too!
The headboard was an architectural screen that my mom and I found antiquing and my dad used L brackets to put it on the wall. Pillows were all from my bedroom at home, which had a similar vibe.
My second desk was a piece I inherited from my grandmother, it doubles as a dining room table and we had it lacquered a navy color and it fit perfectly!
White Fur Stool - Pair from the living room
Lamp - Vintage
Faux Succulent - HomeGoods
Bunny Jewelry Holder - Anthropologie
Framed Art - Gift from my mom (unknown source)
So there you have it, my apartment from the past two years. I ended up living in the space for almost two full years as most of my fourth year was scheduled at close hospitals as well!
I loved every piece and while the big pieces came together quickly all the little details were added over time. I also am someone who gets bored with the same accessories and style so over time and with seasons I changed out books or accessories, moved them around and added flowers, pumpkins and more!
I cannot wait to find out where my next home will be, residency applications closed yesterday and now it's a waiting game for match! I'm excited to get to share the next apartment process on the blog as well. Stay tuned.
Hope you enjoyed!
xo
