So you have moved out of the dorms, and need to decorate your apartment. You're not sure how to let visitors know that you are sophisticated without spending thousands of dollars at Ikea, and the Pottery Barn. Here's your answer: Target Chic. To get started you need to pronounce Target with a French accent, (tar-zhay), try it a few times. The following are some tips on how to gussy up your A-P-T with items from Tar-zhay (I love saying it that way).

Lets start with the walls. You are going to need something more than posters to impress your guests.
French liquor ads are a must-have for Target Chic, here are some of my favorites:

Still have space on the walls? Then you need a quirky picture frame filled with 4 x 6 photos of famous landmarks (bonus points for Eiffel Tower), castles, and various shots of nature (preferably pictures you took, but no worries if you use the ones that came in the frame)

 

What makes these frames shine is that some pictures are upright and some are lengthwise (portrait and landscape respectively). This lets your guests know that you are savvy enough to use a camera even if it is rotated 90 degrees from its common position.

 

Now you are going to need light, so your entertainees can see your lovely wall decorations. The best option is a lamp that has shelves on it. It shows that you understand that decorating does not have to be a battle between practicality and aesthetics, that sometimes you can achieve both. Or go with the soft light and sharp style of a paper bag light.

 

Another great way to go for lamps is the build-a-lamp section of Tarzhay (its so fun). Throw off the shackles of oppressive furniture stores that try to tell you what lamp fits with which shade, and show the world that you have taste by pairing up your own choices of lamp and lamp shade (don't worry all of the lamps and shades match...except one).

 

When creating a Tarzhay Chic décor you are going to need wood end tables, coffee table, taller than normal kitchen table, dressers, and bed frame. In Target (hope you pronounced it right), there is only one rule for picking out wood, the darker the better. That is why I suggest black wood. A natural color on your wood will not help you look unnaturally hip.

 

While you are at it, get a hanging wine rack, and fill it with some good red wines. Sure, your palette will not enjoy the bitterness of red wine for a couple of years, but that will just give them more time to age. An added benefit is that red wine is also known as cougar bait. 

 

The last featured item for this installment of the idiots guide to Target chic, is the space saver cabinet for the bathroom. It goes over the toilet to save space!!!

 

It is a great place to store your extra toilet paper and soap, also it has a shelf which is a great place to put a candle. The best kind of candle for this space is one where the wax is put on top, and the candle is inside the warmer. This subtly lets people know that you are conscientious about fire safety as you are making sure no one can smell your shit.