Jess' Apartment | New Girl

Lovely Undergrad has received great feedback on posts that dissect movie and tv character apartments.  By reader request, here's another!  As I'm sure many of you do, I love Zooey Deschanel.  Her character Jess has adorable style, but most of all... I love her bedroom!

Jess' room is a winner right away---the huge window with a city view, the industrial concrete windowsill, the bit of exposed brick int he corner, and a big, beautiful sky blue wall.  The bed's bold floral comforter steals the show and sets the tone for the room.  Floral artwork pull inspiration from the bedding.  And an assortment of vintage and unique accessories reflect Jess' eclectic taste and personality.

 Let's take a better look at the sleeping area.  The eclectic vibe is kept up by incorporating mismatched furniture.  Rather than two matching nightstands, Jess uses two totally different ones.  I love the display of artwork hung above the bed.  And that biology-style turtle pillow is definitely on trend.

 Who can resist such a comfy looking bed?!

Check out the background of this shot for accessory inspiration.  Vintage illustrations as art.  Tiny glass bottles.  A small antique purse.  Several books.  Rulers.  A chalkboard.  Very teacher chic.

Jess shares the apartment with three guys, so the common living room and kitchen contrast her flirty, feminine bedroom.  The living room plays on the concrete, exposed brick, wooden beams, and warehouse architecture of the building.  The furniture is masculine and handsome, incorporating industrial metals, clean lines, and leather.  The color scheme is much more neutral compared to her colorful bedroom.

The urban, masculine apartment isn't all neutral though.  A beautiful teal blue is painted throughout the space on walls and trim. The littlest thing---like a pale yellow tissue box---brings in a dash of color.

In another corner of the apartment, a colorful poster heats up the wall with its warm hues.  A rustic wood table serves as a catch-all station.  Nearby wall hooks keeps jackets and bags at bay.

Love Jess' apartment?  Whether you're smitten with her girly bedroom or digging the guy-friendly living room, bringing New Girl decor style into your space is easy.

Jess' Bedroom:

Furniture: Pick 2 different nightstands---one square or rectangular with a wood finish, the other round and painted white.  Paint any basic headboard a dark charcoal or black.  Or, a stick-on headboard decal like this one (from Urban Outfitters) is perfect.  Go for industrial or schoolhouse style bookshelves and stands---keep things spindly rather than heavy, though.  Throw in a retro crushed velvet chair for good measure.  

Bedding: Think vintage floral.  To be most like Jess, pick a colorful floral on black... like this duvet from Wake Up Frankie.  Urban Outfitters is sure to have plenty of bohemian florals, so will Anthropologie if you feel like splurging.  Don't be afraid to check out Wal-Mart and Target---you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find since florals are all over right now.  Dress up the bed like Jess did with a hot pink embellished pillow and an illustration-inspired pillow like this Thomas Paul one.  

Art + Decor: Botanical drawings and flower paintings are key here.  Add in a square of unexpected ikat fabric for spontaneity.  Any art you like, frame it and hang it.  The more variety, the more eclectic.  And in Jess' room, eclectic is key.  White lace curtains keep the windows simple, as does a natural woven rug.  We love this Dahlia Base lamp from Anthropologie as a stand-in for one like Jess', but it's no longer available.  Luckily, The Spotted Fox blog did a DIY tutorial on creating a look-alike!  Books, vintage glass bottles, and kitschy knick-knacks are perfectly at home in a bedroom like this.

Living Room:

Furniture: Commit to the industrial look... big time.  Galvanized metal, ironwork, rustic finishes, reclaimed wood, castors.  Add in a few sleek, dark wood pieces.  For the softer pieces like sofa and chairs, opt for brown leather or a natural woven material.  Throw in texture with a wicker side table or ottoman.

Art + Decor: You can't go wrong with black and white.  Include a chalkboard for catching messages.  Books, metal storage baskets, cardboard magazine files, and industrial lamps all fit into this space well.  Typographic or illustrated pillows do, too.  Add color with restraint---a few yellow green accessories strewn about... like a lamp base, clock face, or tray.  Or a turquoise rug and deep blue pillow.  Masculine and industrial details make it all work.

Tips + Tricks:

Shop around in unexpected places.  Check your grandma's attic and grandpa's garage.  Architecture salvage, thrift, vintage, and antique stores are sure to yield industrial and interesting finds.  Look beyond just what you see.  With furniture, what you see isn't what you have to get.  A little sanding and paint can work wonders.  Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty or DIY something.  The more unique, the better.  The more eclectic the better.   :)

Any other tv or movie apartments you want a How-To on?  Lemme know in a comment!

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Disclaimer: I'm neither the the set designer nor in touch with the set designer for these television and movie rooms. Unfortunately, I do not know the sources for most of the decor, furniture, etc. These inspiration boards and posts are meant to show a similar look and help guide you in shopping for items that will help you get there. If you really want to know the source of a specific item (for example, where a pair of curtains can be purchased), feel free to leave your question in the comments. If I knew, it would definitely be listed in the post. However, maybe another The Lovely Side reader out there will know!

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