[Re-published Version] If you're anything like me I love to experiment, mix and match from a wide variety of styles. First, here's a list of stores I've browsed to curate goods for my first home! In bold are my frequent go-to's. Second, is an example initial ("basics/essentials") shopping list for my first new apartment.

FURNITURE & DECOR

• Aerin
• Amber Interiors
• Analogue Life
• Anthropologie
• Arhaus
• Arteriors
• Article
• Ballard Designs
• Bellacor
• BoConcept
• Boston Interiors
• Brook Farm General Store
• Caitlin Wilson
• CB2
• Crate & Barrel
• Design Within Reach
• Ethan Allen
• Etsy
• Flotsam + Fork
• Floyd
• Fog Linen
• Food52
• Goodee
• Goop
• Hawkins New York
• HAY
• Heather Taylor Home
• Home Goods
• Home Depot
• Homelosophy
• Horchow
• H&M Home
• IKEA
• Industry West
• June Home Supply
• Knoll
• Layla Grace
• Lekker Home
• LoveShackFancy
• Lulu & Georgia
• L.L.Bean
• Maiden Home
• MacKenzie-Childs
• McGee & Co.
• Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams
• Muji
• Natala Natala
• One Kings Lane
• Organic Modernism
• Overstock
• Parachute Home
• Peg & Awl
• Pier 1
• Pottery Barn / PB Teen / Pottery Barn Kids
• Ralph Lauren Home
• Rebecca Atwood
• Rejuvenation
• Remodelista
• Restoration Hardware / RH Teen / RH Baby & Child
• Room & Board
• Schoolhouse
• Serena & Lily
• Shades of Light
• Sir | Madam
• Target: Project 62, Hearth Hand with Magnolia, Threshold, McGee
• Terrain
• The Citizenry
• The Container Store
• TRNK
• Urban Outfitters
• Wayfair / Joss & Main / Birch Lane / All Modern
• West Elm
• Williams Sonoma
• WorkOf
• World Market
• Zara Home
• Z Gallerie

TILES

• Cement Tile Shop
• Cle Tile
• Porcelanosa
  
  

LIGHTING & HARDWARE

• Armac Martin
• Build.com
• Corston
• Kallista
• Kohler
• MYOH
• Signature Hardware
  
• Visual Comfort & Co.
  
  

ART

• Chels Made
• Hannah Winters
• Herbarium
• Molly Whalen
• Moss and Blue
• Sonal Nathwani
• Target x McGee
• Teil
• The Object Enthusiast
  
  

INITIAL CURATION BY ROOM

• Walls - Benjamin Moore - Simply White, Aura Eggshell
• Trim - Sherwin Williams - Snowbound, Semigloss

Total furniture pieces : 3
Total decorative items: 3
Total cost: $1531 (excluding paint & including taxes and shipping)

Living Room

1. The Sleeper Sofa

West Elm : Henry® Pull-Down Full Sleeper Sofa - Gravel (Twill)
Purpose: I want my place to be comfortable for guests including overnight stays. This grey color is cozy and heavenly.
Cost: $949 (on sale + tax + shipping)

2. The Coffee Table

Urban Outfitters : Shadowbox Coffee Table
Purpose: Storage and temporary practical placement of items such as books/laptops/plates/cups when I'm using them.
Cost: $243 (on sale + tax, free shipping)

3. Curtains

West Elm : Tassel Stripe Curtains
Purpose: Privacy and beauty (I love the look of these curtains/pinstripes!!). I got the inspiration from Coco & Kelley.
Cost: $50.00 (on sale + tax + shipping)

4. Entryway Mirror

Pottery Barn : Clara Mirror Gray
Purpose: Making sure I look good before heading out / putting together outfits with shoes on :)
Cost: $189 (on sale + tax, free shipping)

5. Shoe/storage Cabinet

IKEA : BILLY Bookcase + OXBERG Doors

Purpose: To store shoes in the entryway. So simply and handy--decorations and there is also a height extension unit for even more storage! (Also check out MACKAPÄR as an alternative at $60) I customize further with knobs from Anthropologie.

Cost: $89 bookcase + $45 per door

6. Pitcher

Sézane Maison : Pitcher Haws

Purpose: To display flowers, and the pitcher itself is so simple and pretty to look at!
Cost: $40

Wishlist items:

- Serena & Lily, Quinn Velvet Pillow Cover, $98

Practical goods:

Some inexpensive, beautifully simple starter necessities!

Under $3.00

• TIDVATTEN Vase, clear glass at $1.99
• NJUTA Slippers, gray at $2.99
• OFTAST Bowl, white at $0.99

Under $15.00

•  FJÄDRAR 20"x20" Inner cushion, off-white at $5.99
•  12"x12" Matted for 8"x8" Photo Frame - Room Essentials™ at $12.99