A Cozy 350-Square-Foot Basement Rental Studio Was Furnished With Lots of NYC Street Finds

Name: Sydney Callands and my dog Ivy
Location: Upper West Side — New York City, New York
Type of home: Basement Brownstone Apartment
Size: 350 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Whenever I move to a new place, I put a lot of thought into how I want to decorate because I like for my home to be my sanctuary. My home is my happy space and so cozy. My dog Ivy and I love sitting on our little sectional and dancing around the apartment to fun songs because we feel so comfortable and such amazing energy from the space.

I identify myself as a warm, free-spirited, and genuine individual. I believe my home reflects my personality perfectly. The neutral colors mixed with different textures, patterns, and plenty of greenery shows exactly who I am as a person.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Eclectic, cozy, bohemian, natural

What is your favorite room and why? This is an easy answer because I live in a studio apartment, but it honestly feels so cozy. My favorite part of the apartment would have to be my rust-colored sectional. I love waking up in the morning, making a cup of coffee, and sitting on my couch to journal. It gives me amazing energy and such positive vibes.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? Honestly, a lot of what I have in my home is from the streets of NYC. There is this Instagram account called Stooping NYC, and I found a lot of amazing treasures on the street for free. I think this is what makes my apartment so special and unique—there are so many different items, yet everything came together perfectly.

My most recent treasure was a woven rattan chest at the end of my bed. I’m obsessed with all things rattan so this was the perfect find!

Any advice for creating a home you love? Don’t be afraid to think out of the box, build a Pinterest board, show your personality through your space, and make sure it is a comfortable, genuine, relaxing space in the end.

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

Share Your Style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form