What decorating a NEW YORK CITY apartment is actually like... *exhausted* 

Happy March, everyone! Please enjoy the small rambles and gradual updates on the space 🤗 hope that you all have a wonderful week ahead 💞

I’m not in the decorating phase of my life. I’m 72 and live in a home in Texas, but I enjoy watching the intentional process you’re going through. I think those of you who live in NYC have to be thoughtful curators to make your homes functional. Here in Texas we have so much space. I think back to when I was your age and the challenge was the opposite, one of filling a large space. Your home is coming along nicely. Something else is different. There was no Amazon or Etsy and furniture pieces were delivered already put together. If you bought from an antique store you still had to figure out how to get it home.

I think your apartment looks quite nice. Just so you have some perspective: When you earn more money, you generally start buying your furniture from places that sell furniture that does not have to be assembled because it is made from real wood and it is crafted in a different manner. So if you get to that state of financial privilege, start shopping in antique stores or true furniture stores. You will be astonished by the difference. In the meantime, what you bought looks great and you did a good job assembling it.

Hi Gail! I’m new to your channel and have watched all of your videos. Your apartment is soooo nice…I love your decorating ideas. I am a 76 year old grandmother who crochets and I love watching videos like yours. I use pillar candles all over my house but I use battery operated ones. We have two dogs and they get rambunctious at times, so flames are a no-no. I live in North Carolina but was born and raised in New Jersey. We live in a very rural area and most stores are an hour away, so Amazon is a lifesaver for us. Keep up the good work and I am enjoying your journey! 💕

Hi Gail couldn't have furnished my new apartment without Amazon. That's my go to place!

I’m 65 & have never paid someone to assemble my furniture. Part of the fun is putting it together. Plus, you save money.

I'am 58 years old and I screw my furniture together all the time...😂 sometimes it's funny ❤

I’m so enjoying watching you style your apartment. Love your new sofa so much. Having occasional insomnia allows me time to enjoy videos such as yours!

Decorating takes a long time to get it just right. Have fun with the process. There is no rush or need to be embarrassed because you haven't chosen a carpet yet. *Happy 30th!!* You're just a bit older than my daughter, she turns 30 in September. :) Have a great holiday.

Happy Birthday Gail! I was today years old when I found your channel and I love how your new home is such an authentic expression of yourself. Music is my life and it was pure joy to see that your first priority was setting up your turntable and albums. (Quick personal safety thought - consider hanging your purse and keys on the hinged side of your front door. If someone nefarious jimmied your door they could snatch them right off the hooks and run off!) Cheers to you Gail, Simply and Beautifully Done!

I actually love assembling furniture, as long as the instructions are easy to follow and unless it’s drawers which are just such a pain to assemble. On another note, I’ve watched tons of moving-in / decorating NYC vlogs (don’t really know why since I live in a house in Europe 😁) and one thing that I’ve noticed is that we (at least in Sweden) only use shower curtains and that’s never a problem since they’re waterproof. Maybe it’s different in the US? Anyways thanks for a wonderful RU-vid channel.

Actually two ways to find out what's in the box, open it, as you did OR just read the box lol Another great video!!!

I’m an assemble myself gal. Save the dollars for things beyond your skill set seems sensible. Enjoy your vacation, surfing and most of all Happy Birthday.

commend your attention to detail in the video thumbnail and admire the thoughtful effort you're putting into creating your new living space. Also, you can always buy your curtain liner in fabric. You can just wash it like clothes 🙋🏻‍♀️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼happy birthday and have a great time in Santo Domingo, I am from Puerto Rico 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼good for you.

I do it myself, because I like the challenge! So far I’ve built a printer table that has a slide out shelf, and I’ve built a craft desk that has two drawers 💪🏼 Love the bench

You are getting there, creating your own new home😊Have a wonderful surfing holiday and birthday🎉You are only 1/3 in your life, turning 30!

consider purchasing a adhesive wall mount shower curtain rod holder. I have installed a longer curtain in my bathroom with high ceilings.

Trust the process with decorating, you will find your likes and dislikes. ❤❤❤ Have a blast learning to surf!! 🏄🏼‍♀️

Just found your channel. You are rocking it. Don't have gloomy days. ❤ Watch you from Canada. You are living my dream, but I 'm 76 so I will enjoy your journey.

🎶 Happy Birthday 🥳 Gail 🎶 Have a wonderful vacation in the DR and have fun at surf school🏄‍♀️

Your apt. Is shaping up, Gail. It has good bones and will be a great space once you get all the pieces in place. It is good to take your time and buy things you will be happy with. Enjoy your surfing adventure.🌞

I like your home...Your style is great.Have fun in Dominican Republic!❤🤗

You can wash the shower liners in the washer and the dirt, mildew will disappear. Put it in the dryer for a minute or 2 and it will be wrinkle free and like new. It beats just replacing regardless of the price and keeps some awful discarded plastic from hurting our environment. Your apartment is really looking good. Are you going to surfing school by yourself? Have fun!

I turn 30 in a few weeks as well. Won't be doing much, but blasting Beach Boys sounds like a great addition. Love how the apartment is coming along!

Really liked your choice of shower curtain and liner. Also liked the storage bench and Etsy pad. Happy 30th birthday--it's a big one-and please stay safe on your trip.

Hi! happy birthday! Im enjoying your videos and just wanted to suggest maybe explaining things while doing them instead of before? like explaining what something is while unpacking instead of before just makes for a better watching experience imo i hope you enjoy learning how to surf and secretly hoping you're filming it hahah

Your home is coming along so nicely Gail, your personality is shining through. I love the new storage bench and I am definitely in the assemble it myself gang. I live in a one-bedroom apartment as well and always think of dual purpose when buying new or new to me things - function and storage! The new shower curtain is lovely and very European looking, you definitely need some colour in there as well though.

njoy your vacation Gail - go beach boys!

You’re making great strides in your decorating! Every little thing you add makes it more yours and feel more like home. Enjoy your birthday and vacation Good luck surfing. ❤️

I think slowly is the best way to decorate( even though I like instant gratification lol) it’s better to get things slowly and figuring out what will look best! Your mind can change as you slowly put things in place. The new couch is so pretty but maybe a different color of throw blanket and really cool pillows can change a look completely. Something lighter in color to contrast the deep rich couch color and a lighter color may complement the pretty curtains. I love the album display shelves. My 23 yr old granddaughter loves vinyls and she’s love this idea( which I will be showing her). I like the bench idea especially with extra storage and can’t wait what type of dining table and other chairs you use. I’ve never been a fan of the bar height tables and I think they’re uncomfortable and look to flimsy. I also can’t wait to see the leather panels on the wall above the bench. I just have 2 little ideas ( which you’ve probably already thought of) maybe one super comfy chair by the fireplace instead of those 2 wooden folding chairs which are handy if extra sitting is needed when guests come over and can even be slid under a bed for easy storage and out of sight. A big comfy chair would be great to snuggle up in to read or just chill and listen to albums. Also if you can find a cool print or wall hanging to cover the electric panel. I’m getting ready to move into a 400 square home and look forward to watching your work in progress cuz I can always use examples. Also love chose of white waffle shower curtain I have the same one!

Working from home means I have drastically reduced my Amazon use which I am smugly happy about. Your apartment is coming along so well, can't wait to see the rug you chose. I have just about recovered from the fireplace debacle, I spat my tea everywhere. You can't spring that kind of horror on a person with so little warning 😂. When I used a shower curtain I kept a spray bottle with half vinegar, half water, and it kept the pink mould at bay but not forever, admittedly. Your new one looks very good, much better now it raised up too.

I appreciate your decorating process. Good things take time! Have an absolute blast on your vacation!

Have a Happy Birthday! Be safe but have a great time!

Good luck surfing and Happy Birthday!! 30 is soooooo young!! :)

I love your shower curtain & bench. Happy early birthday! Enjoy the DR. ❤

Happy birthday wishes! Such a fabulous way to celebrate "the big 3-0" Everybody's goin surfin, surfin USA 🌊🌊🌊

Surf school sounds amazing! You need to add Dick Dale - Misirlou, the Chantal's - Pipeline and the Lively Ones - Surf Rider to your playlist! Happy birthday from Canada!

Love your videos - you are very charismatic!

Love the shower curtain and the bench!

Love the place and have a great time learning to surf 🏄

Great job decorating!

Hello! I just love the wavy tiles in your bathroom. I think your shower curtain looks great.

Enjoy your 30th Birthday!

You are doing fine. Unlike me, one year after I moved into my current apartment, I am still decorating 🤦😁

Coming in late - I discovered that if you spray diluted bleach on your shower liner, it removes the mildew! It's honestly like magic. After years of washing and rewashing and then throwing out liners I've just now learned this, so I am sharing lol

If you're my daughter...you call your mom and have her drive up and do it. Lol. Actually we had the best time that weekend. Just us two. Girl time.

I love the bench and I can’t wait to see what table you get to go with it! Also, I’m a fan of plain white shower curtains without a print. I didn’t know you could get them that long either. I think I’ll swap mine out because like yours, mine is looking pretty crusty 🙈😂! Thanks for the tip. Enjoy your 🏄‍♀️ surfing adventure in the DR!

Love the brown bench! Most my furniture is thrifted from FB Marketplace so no need to ever assemble! I buy like new so it's not skanky stuff. 😂😂

Hi Gail, your place is looking great love the shower curtain ideal, bathrooms sometimes need a extra touch good luck with the surf board. 🌊❤

Happy Birthday🎉 Enjoying your decorating videos. Can't wait to see what else you will do. I like Facebook marketplace but I also think it's a pain to pick it up! I bought an IKEA shelving unit and i dragged it up the elevator! It was a lot cheaper than the store, so a win.

Your apartment is coming together very nicely. Can’t wait to see the end result.

Happy Birthday!!!! Have fun!!!

Enjoy your birthday 🎂!!

I love your videos. Cheers from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Happy birthday in advance Gail!

Did you consider using your long leather ottoman as a coffee table? Good luck.

Great video, enjoy your birthday 🎉

Hi Gail wow so happy for you have a great holiday be safe love your buys your flat looks lovely 🏡❤️📹🎂Happy birthday

It is coming together great! Happy Birthday, have fun and stay safe!!

Happy Birthday and I hope you have a blast in the DR!!!! The apartment already looks fantastic! Can't wait to see what you do next =)

pretty!!!

I love what you are doing with your apartment. Have fun surfing.

I am enjoying your channel. Continue to take your time decorating and getting things you like and will be comfortable with. You are doing a fantastic job. Your apartment is coming along wonderfully. Have a fantastic vacation…Happy Birthday!!

I love, love, love your decor style. I really need to declutter my house.

I like assembling furniture but I also refuse to pay somebody else lol. Happy Birthday and enjoy your trip.

Your apartment is looking beautiful. You asked for a brutal honesty, so I think I would’ve gotten a different shower curtain. Maybe a blue or lavender one instead of the white. Just something with some color. Also, when you take a shower, do you keep your fabric curtain inside the bathtub? If you keep it on the outside, you probably won’t get that mold on the bottom of it.

Great purchase Gail! Fun to watch this!

We build our own furniture or get help from kind family members. We’ve also never paid anyone to help move. If we ever move, we will pay a crew next time!

I have all my shoes in my ottoman bench

I would get a fabric shower liner, they’re much easier to wash. I usually let it soak in a basin with bleach for at least a half hour before washing it in the washing machine.

Love it

Happy birthday 🎂

Enjoy de DR and happy birthday in advance! I really enjoy to see the progress you're making with your apartment, feels nice to see a real house being decorated for you!

Enjoy the surfing!

Enjoy your birthday trip 😊 Cannot wait to watch your upcoming videos !

Happy birthday 🎂. I hope you are enjoying your time in learning to Surf 😀. Your apartment is coming along nicely! I LOVE your Couch and your Bench!! 💚💚💚💚 Those Back Rest are beautiful! I look forward to seeing how you put that all together! 😊. New Subscriber 🤗

Another successful video! I love the bench. Have a wonderful trip. Peace 🕊️

Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your trip!!

Would like to see the things you buy on the vlog.

Your apt is coming together nicely..😊

Nice!! : )

Enjoy this adventure 😊

Looks great...have fun in the D.R. ! 🏄

love your apartment and that bench Happy birthday have fun on your trip

Best wishes for your upcoming birthday and adventure Gail

Nice apartment 😊

Love the purchases!!! Enjoy your trip, safe travels!!

Happy Birthday 🎊🎈🏄‍♀️ 🌊 ⛱️ 🌞 🌅

Those coat hooks, Amazon has really nice looking brass ones, better than white! A purse should never be right by the door opening!!!!

❤

I roll up my sleeves and do it myself. I do not have any extra money to pay someone else to do it🤑 New Sub!

Great multi-purpose item ... the curved legs are wonderful ... I used to get someone to put things together but once I successfully mastered doing it the first time (a drawered bedside table) there was / is no stopping me ... built this desktop pc where I am sitting right now & the pc stand (with a drawer) where it lives. As for Phil there in the states & Willie in my homeland of Canada (currently living in England) I think by the beginning of Feb we are all so sick of winter we want something, anything to bolster our hope that it is going to end ... entry way looks ace, great for a quick grab of jacket & handbag (UK speak for 'purse' which is a wallet over here) ... I do my best to buy from local retailers ... part of the circular nature of life ... they have a shop here so they likely buy here putting their money into a local business who may in turn spend that paying purchasing something from their business ... have a jolly holiday & a splendid birthday!

💜💜💜

try decorating a traditional 5 story brownstone including the basement...😦😧😧😰😰😰

looks like a hotel shower.

Happy Belated 30th Birthday!

Hello I’m new😊could you please tell me the name of those pads from Esty? I love that idea❤and the link please

Your apartment is coming together very nice, I don't understand the rodent thing but it's a good little distraction.

Oh no definitely do it yourself save money and know that you put it together yourself

Since 1887 officially (groundhogs day)