Ally Darling's Apartment | What's Your Number?

This past weekend, a girlfriend and I hit up the local dollar theatre to see What's Your Number starring Anna Faris.  And I was so inspired that I decided to dedicate an entire to post to the movie!  Well, not to an actual film review.  (Although it is a cute, funny chick flick full of obscenely handsome Abercromie-esque male actors.)  I have a major crush on the apartment of Ally Darling (Anna Faris' character).  I scourged the internet for all the images I could find, but pictures just don't do it justice.  You're just going to have the rent the movie for yourself to get the total perspective on how amazingly fabulous Ally's apartment is.  Until then, here's my breakdown...

Ally lives in a vintage-chic apartment in Boston, Mass.  (One of my fave cities!) Exposed brick painted white.  Hardwood floors that have a worn, historic sheen to them.  High ceilings.  Tall windows.  And super cool architectural details like columns, interesting moulding, niches, raised floors, etc.  The place is bursting with character as is, but Ally's furnishings and accessories really bring in personality.  I can't exactly pinpoint the space's eclectic style.  It's a mix of shabby chic, retro, vintage, industrial, rustic, and boudoir-ish feminine.  There's not even a legit color scheme.  But all of the decor styles and colors thrown together just work.  I think that's why I like it so much. 

One of the first things I noticed and liked about Ally's apartment was her entry way.  The area around the door is decorated with scientific, botanical-inspired butterfly charts as art.  And the little vignette to the left of the door includes some of my favorite things: a porcelain ring holder hand and a mercury glass vase.  

There were several big things in Ally's apartment that I absolutely swooned over, one being her gorgeous sofa.  It's big, comfy, vintage, chartreuse and cream, and downright beautiful.  I love it.  I want it.  I'll probably dream about it...

Beyond her living room, tucked into a corner near the door is Ally's office area.  This space was also to-die-for.  She uses a nice, big table as a desk and home for her Mac and sits on a vintage, cheery yellow chair.  Behind the desk and chair is a beautiful piece of wrought iron painted white.  An inspiration board covers the wall at left.  And an antique cabinet painted a pretty robin's egg blue holds books and other knick-knacks.  That's another thing--Ally's apartment is nothing short on knick-knacks and what some might call clutter.  I really love that about the space, since I'm one of those people who likes needs to have a lot to look at in order to be inspired and be creative.

Ally's kitchen is a cute, mix-and-matched space that I'd love to cook and dine in.  The walls are wallpapered in a pale yellow and black and white toile-like print.  The cabinets and architectural details (love that column!) are painted white.  A big buffet works as an island, storage underneath for bowls, and brings a little rustic touch into the room.  Her dining table and chairs are retro, bringing in the sheen of chrome. 

Ah! From this angle, you can see how cool her entry way is.  Look in the center background and you'll see the beige butterfly poster.  A little lower to the left is that pretty piece of white ironwork.  Stairs lead down from the entry into the office area and apartment.  Don't you just love the mix and matching of kitchenware on her table?  The crisp glass pitcher for orange juice, the industrial basket for napkins, a tiny tea cup for flowers, floral-printed cups.  The girl's got great taste.  Also, if you look behind Ally you can partially see her lovely turquoise, retro stove. 

Last, but certainly not least, I bring you to Ally's bedroom.  I ooohed and aahhed over her bedroom.  The big, antiqued white wrought iron head- and foot-board.  The cottagey, floral bedspread.  The vintage dresser painted a calming shade of green.  The random objects strewn across her dresser and nightstand.  The deep purple curtains.  The floral wallpaper (far left) contrasting with the worn-away painted brick.

She uses a dresser and cafe table in lieu of a traditional nightstand.  And a comfy upholstered chair makes a cozy corner ideal for morning coffee and the latest decor magazine, right?

Since I love Ally's apartment decor so much, I gathered a few sources for installing some of her eclectic, vintage, feminine style into your space.

Above left: a velvety chartreuse sofa from Urban Outfitters

Above right: a similar hued, tufted sofa from Anthropologie. 

 Above left: an ornate, shabby chic mirror from Anthropologie.

Above right: a sketched butterfly lamp shade from Anthropologie.

Above left: a bird-printed, upholstered arm chair from Target.

Above right: a rustic, wall-mounted wine rack from Moxii.

Above left: a teal, retro-cool floor lamp from Urban Outfitters.

Above right: a Boston pillow from Chez Renee.

Above left: a double-decker bookcase on wheels from Anthropologie.

Above right: a butterfly specimen poster from Urban Outfitters.

Above left: a dreamy, shabby chic iron bed from Anthropologie.

Above right: beautiful floral bedding from Moxii.

Above left: antique, cream pedestal table from Anthropologie.

Above right: deep purple velvet curtains from Urban Outfitters.

Above left: vintagey floral wallpaper from Anthropologie.

Above right: turquoise, Provincial nightstand from Urban Outfitters.

How to pull off this look on your own?  Simply say "Yes" to an eclectic mix of furniture.  Pair antiqued, shabby chic findings with vintage and retro pieces painted in bold, bright colors.  Contrast feminine floral and tufted velvet with industrial metal and exposed brick.  Match the botanical and scientific alongside the whimsical.  Think of unexpected uses for furniture---perhaps using a dresser as a nightstand, a dining table as a desk, a desk as a kitchen island.  Shop vintage, antique, and consignment.  Get crafty and get your DIY on.  Move things around until they find a home in your space.  Focus on comfort.  And if it's pretty to you, use it.

Oh, and I forgot one of the best perks about Ally's apartment...

Her gorgeous neighbor opens his door to grab the paper half-naked every morning.  Decor candy AND eye-candy?  I'm ready to move in! ;)

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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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