I was apartment searching last summer during the time when it seemed like everyone was moving and the NYC housing market was suddenly really competitive. It came off of the COVID-19 deals that everyone had received and suddenly it seemed like all of those deals had not only expired, but also that prices were just generally increasing,” begins Laura Mullaney, the public relations manager at The Public Theater.

The apartment is a super-small space, at only 250 square feet, but Laura says she felt like the layout had a ton of potential and was also “super impressed with the amount of storage for such a small space. It also has an outdoor rooftop space, which has been such a game-changer and is also pretty unique for a small/non-luxury building. This was the first apartment that I saw during that time and the realtor told me that apartments in this building always get snatched up quickly. Even as I saw other apartments, it was the place I kept thinking about, which is how I knew it was right. But I still was the backup bidder and only got the apartment because the first deal fell through! I got really lucky.”

My style: Bohemian I would say is the primary style. 

Inspiration: So many things! TikTok and Apartment Therapy were great resources. I actually saw a TikTok of someone’s apartment whose studio layout was super similar, so that helped me figure out how to set it up. I also worked with a designer from Havenly, which is an amazing interior design website where they will recommend items and help you design the layout of a space. She helped me pick out the couch (I wanted a pull-out), the nightstand, and bar stools. All of the other big pieces I had and worked to fit in this space! And then, of course, I spent a lot of time picking out the smaller items.

Favorite element: My favorite element is all of the ways in which the prints combine all of my interests. I work in public relations and love news outlets, so the New Yorker prints are really special to me. I also have the first ever New York Times feature that I worked on framed. Those prints in combination with pictures of my friends/family and other fun prints really ended up working together.

Laura’s small-space-maximizing advice:

• Plan EVERYTHING out in advance. Diagram it, use exact measurements. Measure the space and all your items before committing to buying anything. There are lots of ways to plan out your space online with a floorplan in advance.
• Ask all your friends who live in studio apartments for their best hacks.
• Watch videos of other apartments and identify what you like about them.
• Make things dual purpose (bar cart = bookshelf).
• Decide what you really and truly need … I’ve learned I can seriously live with less.
• Coziness is key. I’ve filled this apartment with so many things that make it feel like home and that’s made all the difference.

• Mail/key/sunglass rack — Amazon

• Pillows and blanket — Target
• Table — Wayfair
• Alastair bar and counter stools — Birch Lane
• Distressed vintage bohemian rug — Home Depot
• TV — Toshiba Fire TV, Amazon
• Desk — Amazon
• Desk chair — Amazon
• Desk lamp — Crate and Barrel
• Keyboard and mouse — Amazon
• Book holder and pencil holder — Amazon

• Place mats — Amazon
• Coasters — Gift from my godmother
• Gold tubes — Amazon
• Fake eucalyptus — Amazon

• Bed — Wayfair
• Duvet — Anthropologie
• Pink pillow — Overstock
• Damask pillow — Wayfair
• Pillow — Lighting New York
• Peonies art — Minted
• Bamboo wall art — Wander Print Co.
• New Yorker prints — Etsy
• Greenwich Village print — Etsy
• Coffee print — Society 6
• Photos of friends/family — Mixtiles
• New York Times print — New York Times Website
• New York City print — West Elm
• New York News logos print — Society 6
• Floral print and colorful drawing print — Society 6
• Bar cart — Amazon
• BAR letters — Amazon
• Playbill books — Amazon
• Dresser — Anthropologie
• Plants and vases — The Sill
• Candles — Etsy
• Nightstand – Bloomingdale’s
• Desk lamp — PB Teen
• Curtains — Pottery Barn
• Feathers — Amazon
• Mirror — Amazon

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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