Parisian Petite: Minimalist Studio Apartment Makeover Journey | Slow & Simple Vlogmas Day Five 

Oh my heart! You are a dear. How you shared your feelings about needing a cry just brought tears in an instant. It just resonated so much. I discovered your channel just recently, and am so delighted I have. I love your gentle approach to things, your open and thoughtful presence, that all come through in what and how you share, and through your creative video production (It's a Wonderful Life at the end brought an immediate smile through weepy eyes. So sweet!). The touches you've made to your new apartment are also really beautiful. I hope you feel that lift soon, (and maybe already have). Thank you for sharing so much of your lovely self here.

Jessica, Paris suits you so well. I think you’ve really been a French girl all along 😉 I have the sense you are going to blossom there 🌸

Wow you have done a spectacular job! Everything looks so simple yet elegant and sophisticated. You’ve got talent.

"Stalking sadness" is something many of us experience. One of my favorite yoga teachers once told us that certain poses will release feelings, because we carry "our issues in our tissues". Heart-opener poses, in particular, have allowed me to cry and release dammed-up feelings. So if it's available to you, I would look into taking some yoga classes, or find some videos online. Your place is charming, and from what I could see, the countertop looks quite nice! I do think the current kitchen tile plays nicely with everything you've done. I feel it gives a bit of lovely warmth moving into January, which always feels bleak and stark to me after the holidays. Perhaps sit on it a little longer, unless you find an option you really love.

The apartment looks lovely Jess. You've done a beautiful job with it. X

It looks beautiful! Also yes we understand. We all feel that way sometimes. The emotions will work themselves out. It’s a lovely soft, romantic space 💕

I would swap the tablecloth for a table runner. I feel like there’s too much flowing fabric in that tiny room and it looks like a drop cloth. I would also hem the curtain that covers the kitchen cabinets. But all the muted colours look so much better than all the bold colours that were there.

Your nest is coming together... Truly wonderful x

I love your curtains, tablecloth, kitchen curtain --even the light self stick counter top. Everything you have done so far (wallpaper, too) has created a very soft, romantic and feminine feeling. By the way, by having the bed skirt, you can use the space under your bed to store extra things.

I love how it’s all come together! Very calming. I find Christmas overwhelming and tension builds up! Especially as expectations so high this time of year xxx🩷

Wow! Amazing job on the wallpaper. The apartment looks lovely.

Maybe if you have any floral paper left put it in the open cabinets to tie it all together . The right tile will find you and it will be perfect . Your “petite apartment” is really becoming your own 😊

And I can totally relate to the feeling of having a good cry and using movies to get into that space eheh

The apartment looks so much more like you! It's amazing. It also makes me want to give the self adhesive stuff a try for our kitchen... 😅

Thank you for sharing Jess! Yes I completely understand how you feel when you move into somewhere that you can only surface touch up, however I think you did a grand job considering you can only cover the basics looks lovely and sometimes it doesn’t need to much to give that bright and airy feel. Bless you, always good to have a good cry to an all time favourite Christmas film......the holiday is always a good one for that ❤ always like your relaxing vlogs thank you so much for sharing your ideas with us all 🙏🏻xx

@9:25 ... ohhhh Miss Hope,vin so many heart of hearts, hehe. She is what i call a *schmuppet* ... so floppy and soft hehe. I luv this schmuppet word to describe such doggos. Grwat updates and switchouts in your space Jess. All the linen is a dream. Amazed the tile can be put in a rental. The accent colour choices by owners were unusual I agree with wallpaper etc. Have a great day in your space and Dec. in Paris.

I love what you have done - simple and beautiful makeover. Soft flowing curtains always lovely without spending a lot - perfect. Crying is normal but I don't do it much. I am strong and haven't got time for self indulgence these days. It takes alot to make me. I am stronger and tougher after bad relationships and give give give. Give to me now.

I like your soft romantic style. I’m curious if you’ll keep or cover the teal. Perhaps if you cover the teal, the original tiles will soften a bit as they are.

Hi it’s July 22nd 2024 I’ve been watching a few of your vlogs and im resonating with a lot of stuff your going through which I’m thankful for as I looking at my own life and it’s helping me see and understand where I need to make changes thank you 😊🌸🩷

So simple and elegant! Love it, Jess. Paris does, indeed, suit you.

Jessica it all looks beautiful. Would you consider leaving the yellow tiles and covering the green blue above the tiles with some of the floral peel and stick. The counter top looks great. You inspire me.

I did exactly the same thing to the counter top in my rental when first married. I loved it. 😊 Your apartment is looking very pretty.

You have such a talent for decoraring, i love what you have done to your new place💕 I think there are loads of emotions connected to christmas or this time of the year, so maybe thats what you are feeling too? Thx for being vulnerable 💕

You have doen so well the kitchen is looking so much better love the floral wall paper x

I don't usually comment but I really love what you have done to your space, the big mirror, the brass door handles, the floral wallpaper, the linen bedding and curtains, and the kitchen counter top self-adhesive which looks lovely and together with the wallpaper they have transformed the space. It looks really beautiful and calming. I suggest if you are going to replace the self-adhesive of the countertop perhaps get one of those thick textured ones reflecting the wood grain as they feel a little bit more real up close. On camera, the adhesive counter top color you picked goes well with the muted yellow tiles but what clashes is the green bit of wall above the tiles. If you feel up to it, perhaps consider painting this green bit of wall as it's rather small and hence could be easily reversed in no time or perhaps wall paper it using plain wallpaper . It'd be lovely to have another beautiful big mirror on the wall opposite the kitchen/living room double doors/window to bounce the light and perhaps if you have wallpaper left apply it to the green tall wall by the kitchen?! I also think this kitchen/living space would look nicer and more spacious with an antique looking round table. I feel it fits your aesthetic more than the big industrial looking rectangular table that is overwhelming the space. Good luck with transforming your space. I look forward to following your journey!

love what you are doing to your little home

Jessica, loving the transformation! You are doing a Fantastic Job in creating the Perfect Cozy Oasis! 💖💖💖💖

Gosh the sticky back plastic brought back memories, 40 years ago in army quarters I did the same to our kitchen worktops to try and make it more ours. You were right about the yellow too I liked it at first but like you don't think I could live with it, it looks much better now. Good luck with the tiles hope you find a solution ❤❤❤

Maybe get s9me pieces of plywood to fit the back tile area and tile the plywood and stick to the tiles with picture stickers so its jot permanent or damaging the existing splash backs.

It must be so wonderful to know your own style so well. I am always in doubt about my style, and that makes it difficult to create a really beautiful space. How can you be so sure of your style?❤

I think it’s looking great… have you thought about covering the green as I would think the tiles could work actually with a white or off white wall

Your Apartment looks beautiful, maybe you could get a cosy chair for your bedroom ❤

You have such a talent to put so much love, care, and thoughtfulness into changes that might seem small or insignificant yet make all the difference. I am still in the learning curve, but my interior doesn't reflect very much the aesthetic I crave nor my personal yet, I haven't been able to figure out where to start but you're giving me so much ideas and inspirations ! Also, I'm not sure if you mentioned it, but is it possible where you 😊bought the adhesive wallpaper? Home is certainly vital to my well-being or simply my being. I haven't yet stopped trying to understand how I feel a certain way, but your approach certainly will be tried and have a lovely evening.

Well done Jessica, good on you for doing these things on your own, any d I y is a challenge and on your own is harder I feel. I love what you have done and yes the place is looking more and more yours, still super jealous of the tree in your bedroom 😂. Thank you for being so honest too I know exactly how you feel I have been there many times. I can watch BBC Repair shop and I am in bits 😊 sending hugs x

Nothing like a really good cry

You’ve done such a great job Jess, it looks amazing and so serene. With the tiles it’d be great if you could get away with painting them👀 x

I've paused just before u stick the adhesive on to the kitchen worktop. Im so nervous that the adhesive isnt easy to get off. U say it is but have u tried? Just thinking of what your landlord will think. I thought the apartment looked great before you moved in but you have definitely made it your style. I love the wallpaper. What a difference a few tiny changes make such as the bed skirt and the door handle and taking the kitchen cupboard doors off. Genius design ideas Jess!. Right, im gonna press play again and watch the rest through my fingers lol 😂 im back, kitchen worktop looks good. Id love a wooden worktop too 😊 Mine are the plastic effect marbley design. I like that you openly share how you are feeling. Its really relatable. Sometimes we do feel things we dont quite know why or cant put our finger on. Best just to not think too deep about the why and just go with accepting how u feel def. Watching my thoughts and feelings float by as clouds really helped me not get stuck on each one too much. Sometimes u do need to release emotion. A walk or a soppy film or music should help. Or just sitting quietly. P.s. whats the Xmas film at the end? I think madeleine had that playing on her vlogmas too

Some nice glasses, cups, and plates instead of pots and pans.

10:15 the adhesive is very similar to the kitchen worktops fitted in the house that I am in the process of buying as my 1st home. I am buying solo, so have a very small budget to make changes to the house once I do get the keys. Before seeing this I wasn’t too sure about the worktop, but hearing you speak about it may have just convinced me to not make any immediate changes. I was thinking about tile paint to update the kitchen and may just look into adhesives to see what works before committing to the paint. Subscribed 🤍

Jess, I hope you got your good cry. Sometimes I find the shower or bath is the place it all comes out. Anyways, the flat is looking good! I like how the counter turned out. I'm sure you'll find a much nicer tile for the backsplash. Hugs from Canada. ☺️

I’ve been watching your channel for quite sometime now. Your little home is coming along nicely. I have an idea for your kitchen tiles. Perhaps keep the tiles but put wallpaper over the blue colored wall? You’ve done a wonderful job of making the space soft and cozy. Loving your videos (as always). Your style etc is beautiful. As a fellow introvert and highly sensitive person, I get it…some days you just need a good cry. I just had someone close to me be extremely rude for literally no reason at all. They apologized but still, it hurt. I didn’t deserve it and it affects me deeply. Anyhow, I look forward to your next video. I hope that you start feeling better too.

I actually think that with the change of color on the countertop, it tied in the yellow of the tiles and maybe the yellow tiles are ok now?

Your home is lovely...just like you. ❤️💖❤️💖❤️💖

For the tiles: I don’t know if you have access to US brands Target or Home Depot but they have a “vintage” brick peel and stick wallpaper. I used the white Target one in an apartment and people thought it was real brick. Might give you some ideas.

I'm loving how you're transforming the apartment with these small changes, the textures you added with the curtains and table top etc.. make such a difference and love the kitchen counter too, could you link the one you used? I'm curious to see what you'll find for the tiles. I'm like you, I really need to feel comfortable at home and make it mine because I spend lots of time there , I really cannot wait for my next move where I'll have my space again and can decorate it exactly like I want!

Everything is looking great! Love the curtains. Was actually thinking last night that if you tire of the floral maybe try a leopard print in a pale white/ cream/ soft brown color way. It’s a neutral with other prints, plus it is classic, feminine and a tad sexy. Looks great with soft pinks.

My aim for tomorrow is to drop “dust ruffle” into as many conversations and as inappropriately as possible😂

What about wood cutting boards to sit on top? Or one you have cut to fit the counter and set on top? Seems like it could bring in the wood you were looking for without the plastics!

You made it so pretty and more feminine🌸, what do you think about puttning the floral self adhisive wallpaper over The tiles in The kitchen area, instead of covering the tiles?

Let me tell you what I do when I feel like you, I go and start listening Elvis’s sad songs and cry my heart out, and get all that out of my system. About the tiles, would the land lord let you paint them? 😍

You are a woman on a mission…. Good for you. What about tin tiles? In North America they have self adhesive tin tiles that are white. They have an antique look. It might work look great and it is easy wash as well. Chin up dear Jessica! 😉

I really thought the tiles would work.

Jess surely the bed skirt is called a valance, no!

Where were the curtains from? They’re nice! I like the kitchen counter, I didn’t you could get such self adhesive stuff, lol.

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Worktop looks fab! Tiles would look fab in minty or light sage green that would go with green you already have there and tie in green from wallpaper shades are difficult to judge on screen. I’m loving your vlogs ❤

If you’re looking to uncork your crying listen to the song Beautiful by Gordon Lightfoot

I know they’re not your style but I love the original wall tile. They’re so dainty and unique. I’d put the wallpaper above them to see if that softens the look. Thank you for this. I am about to split from a 10 yr relationship and you show that it’ll be okay.

🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️

Valance

Where is the living room area?

Oh my goodness, that internal sitting in sadness is exactly how I’m feeling right now. Not angry or super emotional but just sad. Like an ache. I will very much try the film thing because I think my husband and friends think I’m a menopausal nutcase! I truly hope it helped you and you feel in a better place right now. 🥹