Samna flew out to New York from her home in Seattle to help her sister set up her studio apartment. With only five days and $500, here's how she transformed the rental into a chic hangout.
With the magic of Goodwill, a good eye, and some paint, the studio is now seriously stylish!
From Samna:
Here's what I had to work with: My sister's apartment in a post-war building, 248 square feet of bedroom/living area and kitchen, $500 budget and five days to get it all done. This project is for all of the people who claim "I don't have time. I don't have a lot of money. My space is tiny. My landlord won't allow me to do much to my apartment."
In five days, I threw paint on the walls, applied a temporary faux etched glass look to the windows, added fabric to the kitchen walls and scoured the local thrift stores for decorating items. 90% of the items purchased for this space were either found in the dumps, thrift stores or were clearance items. Goodwill was my favorite, but I also found some great items at Salvation Army and Housing Works. By the end of the renovation, I had actually spent far less than my budget of $500. The actual total was $299.76. For that amount, I was able to reupholster a chair, transformed an old Ikea lamp into a paper towel holder, constructed a $348 Anthropologie lamp for $10, covered bookcases with scrapbook paper and paint/saw a coffee table I had haggled for from Housing Works.
For the full five-day transformation and more photos, check out Samna's blog, Will Craft for Food. MORE BEFORE & AFTERS ON APARTMENT THERAPY: • Before & After: Simple IKEA Wooden Bedframe Gets a Luxe Upholstered Look • Before & After: Christina's Tiny Bedroom to Bright Office Plus Guest Room • The Complete Before & After Category Archive
Thanks, Samna!
Have your own Before & After project you'd like to share with the editors? Submit it here.
(Images: Sami & Samna Chheng)
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my Brooklyn apartment is a little bigger than this one and paint did wonders for me too :) great job!
Love!
Why do people put their beds in front of the window?
Least functional place to sleep. City noise. Early morning light.
And she painted the wood built ins. HUGE nono.
One benefit is that waking up to morning light is supposed to be a better, more natural way to come out of a sleep cycle. You're less likely to feel sleepy.
I love this transformation.
they painted?
Nice! It's good to hear you can still have things look great on budget. Good job
I love this redo - really beautiful and organic-y. I also really like the fabric window treatment, and think I must send this to my sister-in-law in Williamsburg. Thank you for sharing! Oh to have such a talented and determined sister!
Cute!
So cute! You must have busted ass!
nice makeover, great sister!
I am celebrating the creative mind here! Excellent and so chic.
Love the couch. Tell me you didn't get that out of a dumpster! The whole thing looks great. I think putting a bed by the window is definitely a personal choice. It would wake me at even a glimpse of daylight but some people need to get up that early. I like the whole room. Great job. I love seeing other people's ideas here. If the landlord will let you paint, that's fine. I probably would have left the shelves natural but white is cheery. The place is chic, yet homey.
@Montemalone I had a similar bed placement when I was in a studio and it was ultimately because when you walk into a studio, the first thing you want to see isn't necessarily your bed. There is a limited amount of space to work with and placing the bed closer to the door tends to make the room scream "bedroom". Light/street noise rarely bothered me.
Very cute...but i am wondering about the giant spools on the table. Do those serve a purpose? For a project maybe? I wouldn't think you'd have room for decorative spools in such a tiny place. At least, if I was living there I'd want the table space for books, coffee cups etc. can't help think of the knot store in Portlandia.
Creating a "head board" out of the window, and built-in shelving works very well in the shape of this space. The window wall is an instant focal point. The entire space is comfortable, and inviting. Great job! I wonder, was the wall to the right of the bed intentially left empty?
So adorable, nice job. If it were me I would get a sofa bed and use the extra space to set up a full sized dining/work table. I never will think it a good idea to put a bed and a sofa in a studio apartment.
Looks nicer, for sure. But where did that great mod little triangular jetsons table from the before picture go? That was awesome.
Very cute. But that's a lot of knick-knacks!
this is f a n t a s t i c
Looks great & (envious) dang! Such beautiful floors! Congrats & enjoy.
Love this! I'm in Seattle - can Samna come help me with *my* studio apartment? ;o)
loooove this! what a great use of space - and personally, i love that you painted the built-ins & used that as her headboard! can i ask what the name of the paint you used is? it's fantastic!
this place looks fantastic! but, because i can rarely leave it at that, for such a small space there are a lot of non-functional items lying about. are those giant spools of thread on the coffee table? a knot of rope on the filing cabinet? i think it looks great, but when this girl lives in this space for a little while, i fear a lot of those items are going to go straight back to goodwill so she can have a bit more storage and surface space. beautifully styled, though.
I love this, and I think the bed looks great up against the window with the black table subtlety separating the two living spaces!
that's an amazing transformation on a budget - it's inspiring. also, you're an awesome sister for doing that!
You found a Macy's Chloe Love Seat at Goodwill?
I'm really weary of used upholestered items... but what a find!
Wow! :)
This is just outstanding and unbelievable for such a tiny cost and looks beautiful I would like a whole house hour.
as a very very minor quibble compared to overall high marks for making a tiny space airy, lovely and livable, tend to agree on the functionless objects. I would think a pretty serving bowl or decorative boxes to hold small items would make more sense.
Overall fantastic though.
Awesome job!
Nicely done! If I lived here, I'd be guaranteed to knock over those plant at the foot of the bed.
btw the link has a very cute beagle, worth looking at for the clever coffee table hack
Guys, she looked around for decorating items. I think her sister already had all the furniture (except for the coffee table).
Freaking awesome!!!!
@Montemalone, I don't think the before picture shows built-ins. It looks like it shows a teak credenza - you can even see the angled feet. The after photo shows plain white shelving that goes all the way to the ground and just LOOKS like built ins. Just sayin'.
Looks great. I can totally understand the bed not being the first thing you walk in on. That's what blackout curtains are for!
Very impressive given the time and the budget, and since she came in so far under budget, she has plenty left over to buy her sister a sleep mask.
WOW! I want her to come do my living room :)
Cute- I don't mind a bed in front of the window. A. I like the sunlight as opposed to a dark room and B. I like to feel the breeze from an open window when I sleep.
Very nice looking, but her budget breakdown on the post on her blog doesn't break down to $299...
Lovely & such great use of the space! Thanks for sharing:)
I think the furniture arrangement is great. It makes for a defined living area instead of having the effect of one big bedroom. I would have like to see the kitchen, too! But I have to agree with the comments that the spindle things on the coffee table, while striking, are not the most practical items to be taking up so much space on such a small surface. Why not a tray to put down a dinner plate, or a coffee setting?
super job, what color did you paint the walls?
Hopefully they had the landlord's permission to paint the built-ins.
The colors are so soothing --- it's a lovely little city oasis.
I agree with other commenters that the accessories are downright bizarre and will not last.
Well done.
I just want to straighten out the mirror!
...also, what happened to that beautiful end table?
Dreamy room. The cost total is around $435, not $299.
Love it! Great job. In the first picture I was like ahh parkay but in the afters it has been toned down by the paint and decor and is charming.
I like! In regards to people commenting on the bed right in front of the windows- it's not actually all that bad. I have three large windows in my studio and I centered my bed under the middle one. I love the sunlight that streams in early in the morning and I find that traffic usually ends up being like white noise for me. I can't sleep without it these days.
For you perhaps, but not everyone else. I like a little ambient noise, I somehow manage to generate massive amounts of heat, and I don't like to wake up in the dark. All three lead me to sleeping near the window.
And you have no idea if painting the built ins was a huge no no or not. That is, unless you are her landlord.
Stop assuming!
Whoa! Totally unexpected! My untrained eye didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel but Big Sister sure did. This is just lovely. I love the color on the walls. Really brightens up the place and makes it inviting. Enjoy your stay in NY, sister.
I visited her blog. As was mentioned earlier, her sister already had most of the major furniture items like the sofa which she bought at Macy's at half off. Also, some of the decorative items, they had bought earlier on previous trips. Nevertheless, an impressive effort in five days. But I was a little sad that she sawed off the legs of an end table to create the coffee table.
Am I the only one that just wants the couch to line up with the bed? I'd probably push it all the way back against the bed to increase the "living room" and use the black table as a TV stand or a desk against the wall the couch is facing.
The paint does look good though!
Look closer - there's something in front of the built in that makes it appear to be on legs.
At the risk of prolonging the "where to sleep" issue - the studio apartment is so small that the sleeper will be near the window / natural light / street noise no matter where the bed is in the room. What I really don't get about studio apartments like these is why the bed has to be so obviously a central focus. A not quite full height room divider, freestanding bookcase, or something else at the foot of the bed would make me feel much more comfortable walking in as a guest and not having to stare at the host's bed.
Furniture arrangement aside, this looks like a wonderful place.
I figure those spools are just a prop to brand the work and connect it to the blog where big spools are part of the heading picture. If so, great branding idea!
Placement of bed apparently works for the user. I've used a window for a headboard.
Regarding the built in being painted: so many think wood is sacred. Many times it is either in bad condition or just cheap wood. Unless the woodwork is very, very good, feel free to paint it!
I hate to be a Debbie Downer - the place really looks great, however, I have had all sorts of New York City fun with the ubiquitous cucaracha, so using adhesive is like putting out a roach buffet. Ditto covering anything in wallpaper, using paper boxes, saving paper bags. You just don't want to know.
Its cute but the layout ain't great. The couch would be better facing the window, desk on either side so the (sorry-gross dirty vinyl) chair could turn and make a fuller living room feel on demand. Painting that built-in was indeed a crime and beds under windows are instant colds and morning irritation unless you're an early bird. The bed might abut the couch from behind or horizontally off the wall.The symmetry was lost used to best effect. Also yes, where'd that cute little table go? And please put away the tchochkes in a 250 square foot apt.
Holy crap. It's like FYNCT bingo in here. Typewriter, succulents, terranium, useless thread and rope props...where are the antlers? ;) The sister had a bunch of pretty art in her windows before, yet none of it made it on the walls. Instead...rope in a glass jar? It's weird. As the others have said, it's a small place. Why use large, non-functional and not sentimental decor items when she could use ones of real purpose? I also felt sick over the hack and paint job that happened to that gorgeous "coffee" table. Real wood, lovely antiquing, carved details...ugh ugh.
I do like the choice of airy paint (they let you PAINT? The built-ins TOO??), and unlike some posters, that's a good place for the bed. I have mine under some big windows as well. Curtains for blocking most light, but otherwise it's a lovely way to start the day.
I like the way the bed looks by the window, but I'm certain there is some sort of HVAC unit in the middle section of the millwork built-in behind it (noise) and way too much soot will be coming in through those windows if they are ever open. The soot will come from traffic below or building smoke stacks above depending on how the wind blows. Other than that, I think it looks great!
It looks so beautiful. Where we are we can't just go in and paint a rental property. They would probably kill us. It's really nice to see what you can do with small spaces.
LOVE! completely awesome.
I want this to be in the Small Cool this year!
Disappointed to read this in the "about" section of the blog:
"Sit back, relax and watch me as I craft with the budget of a homeless person after a liquor run..."
Someone with enough resources to devote this kind of time and effort to making a home, making fun of homelessness and addiction. Hilarious!!
Darling little place, I would be perfectly at home! Adore that little love seat.
Great job for so little money! Montemalone, that's not a built-in. Besides, sure you don't want to change your username to Negative Nancy? ;)
There's a great piece in the NY Times today showcasing two 270 sq ft studios. Small can be beautiful and I like what the sister did on her budget of $500.
It is a built-in--it says so in her blog. Worst case, they don't have permission, they sand before she moves out.
It is a lovely makeover, and for a small amount of money, a lot of work over a short time, with the flu, a really great job. Actually it's better than I could do in 10 days without the flu. So huzzah!
Did the miss the color of the gray paint on the walls???? Please let me know.
I agree Montemalone. It's bad feng shui. Apparently it creates too much yang energy. (I'm not quite sure what that means but it doesn't sound restful.)
So much love for this place! How awesome that you were able to do it in such a short time on such a limited budget--and that you were able to stay out of Ikea in the process :). Well done.
Give me natural light in the morning over a blaring alarm clock any day. And I like city noise, personally - not everyone hates it, and not every neighborhood sounds like a rock concert 24 hours a day.
This place is very cute! Growing up in Brooklyn, NY my whole life, the noise doesn't bother me, plus you can always use a white noise machine if it does. :)
My friends have studios and I've seen them place their bed along the window sideways or put a desk in front of the window instead. Whatever works for you and makes you happy! That's what matters. :)
My god girl, you are on FIRE! Love looking at your blog; lots to learn and so much creativity!
Very nice!
I would not want my bed by the window, but that's a very personal decision. Also, I think it depends where entrance is etc. I would want my bed to be out of the way, and if that happens to be in front of the window, so be it.
Now that's a thoughtful sister. I'm a bit jealous.
Love this space. It looks so big and open despite the square footage.
Lovely space, thanks for sharing.
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there really are not things like a "HUGE nono" ;-)
lovely transformation, and what a sweet sister to have!
For those unhappy that she painted the bookcase, if you look on her blog, at the close-up, you'll see that they're plywood.
I love the window treatments. What a great idea! I cannot imagine, however, putting fabric on my kitchen walls near the stove. I am thinking grease, cooking splatter, and fire hazard, Granted you did call the kitchen a "reheat" kitchen only. Although it seems impractical to me I do like the way it looks.
As far as the bed/window controversy I am one of those who love the morning light. Unfortunately I am usually up before the sun so I rarely get to see it while in bed. The curtains over our french doors in our bedroom are rarely ever closed. But our bedroom faces a conservation lot and not a busy street so we do not have to deal with the noise.
I like it. I think it looks good, but I am not a fan of sitting random things around like the spools of thread. I think a nice, useful pretty tray would look better there.
OMG SO AMAZING! It's hard to believe it's the same space.
What a transformation. I agree, the space should totally be in Small Cool. It would get my vote.
The last time I lived in a studio I swore "Never again"! But this one I could probably stand.I love the obvious care and affection in wich it was styled,and I especially LOVE those parquet floors(wich I feel have always gotten a bad rap) who needs yet another "gleaming expanse of hardwood"?
I hope there's an amazing closet not pictured because I would need much more storage than a stack of file cabinets.
The gray with hints of green is wonderful and fresh! A combo I wouldn't have thought of! I like the bed in the window. Nothing beats a wonderful breeze in the morning, or waking up to natural light. I love it.
Amazin redo in such a small amount of time (can you come to my place!). The shelving around the bed is amazing, especially in a small space like this. Really wish I could take that loveseat, the color is perfect for the room.
hot damn. my eyeballs would sweat too!
@loreenboult Click thru to her blog for the gray paint color - I think she said it's Glidden, "pebble" or something like that.
wow. i am so impressed. both the nyc studio and her own place.
Will you be my sister too?
Adorable & chic! When you decide to mix it up a bit, try putting the bed against the empty wall to the right and getting a room divider to put alongside it. Something like narrow geometric shelves to let the light through. That would define and separate the space more and the bed wouldn't be the first thing guests notice when they visit. Very well done tho!
Looks great! Good job!
Amazing transformation! Gives hope to those of us who are budgetminded.
What a transformation! Looks great and under budget, too.
What goodwills is she shopping? It usually takes me weeks of scouring craigslist/thrift stores to find usable pieces.
Gorgeous, and great use of space! (I'm also dying over those floors... I want!)
Very nice.
This is stunning! I am so impressed! Great job that doesn't even look like it was done on a budget. I love the little pops of lime and olive green.
I love how light and airy the space is. I also have a scratched up black filing cabinet in my apartment :) People totally overlook thrift shops, and they have great deals, and allow for your space to have a "collected" look, instead of buying a set. I did that as well. Well done
I love the bookcases against the window. It creates a nice built in look.
LOVE it!!!!!
I would also like to know what shade/brand of gray color you used.
I am very impressed! I love gray walls. I do think the use of accessories is very attractive but a bit surprising in the space - do you tie up visitors with the yarn? JK BTW - one is MEANT to wake up with the sun! I think it's lovely.
You really cannot go wrong with starting with beautiful floors like that. Great job.
Beautiful newly decorated studio apartment....where is the tv from the before pictures on
your blog?
so lovely and smart! It really comes across as spacious and bright.
i hope they dint dump the lovely credenza
I actually love the bed by the window. Aside from it being the most functional place for the bed (having guests over and having them walk by your bed to get to the living area is a little awkward, I think), I've always loved waking up with the morning light. Great light for when you're lying in bed with a book on a lazy day, etc.
@Sylwia
It's clearly a built-in... The "credenza feet" you're seeing in the picture is a metal bed frame.
@miranar
I agree, the space feels staged and is lacking the comfort of personal items and memories.
I personally like the bed in front of window however, I would have hung large drapes, floor to ceiling, wall to wall, thus providing the option to open or close but also soften the hardness of the room and add height.
Overall good job!
Love what's been done here. I live in NYC and have seen how easy it is for small apartments to be dull and dank. The grey color is fresh and a nice change from ivory. I know the bed position has been debated, but I like that it's not the first thing you see when you enter the apartment. And if it works for the gal who lives here, that's all that matters. Not crazy about the burlap in the kitchen because of how it could absorb smells. Lastly, I love your blog...but I had to laugh at how you call NYC "The City" instead of New York City to sound like a local. I've been here almost 20 years and have never heard that. We simply call it New York!
Well, the walls are definitely an improvement. I love the grey. But that reupholstery job...yikes. I can almost get over the paint job (normally I'm not a wood purist, but that wood looked very pretty indeed), and the use of nails instead of staples or proper upholstery tacks, but the repair job on the frame just isn't going to hold. If you really put new glue over old glue, the new glue won't work in the long run, I'm sorry to say. The chair pad also could've used some extra and/or new padding or even some edge roll, because now it looks too small for the chair and rather uneven to boot.
Definitely jealous of your thrift stores, though.
Quick turnaround, but some of the decorative elements seem superfluous. Plus, I was pretty turned-off by the writing of her blog.
Great finds, and a nice makeover.
“There’s no good stuff at the Goodwill and Salvation Army in NYC”. There are amazing things but most people just don’t feel comfortable shopping amongst crazy homeless people. I couldn’t care less. The best thing about shopping at the Goodwill in NYC is that since its clientele is mainly homeless people, they have no need to buy housing goods. They all flock towards the combat boots section and cargo pants rack
I saw that too Dom_dva. This was in her comments section.I am sad that someone would mock the homeless. . I have friends that are nearly homeless b/c of this economy.