This “Dingy” 450-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Is Warm and Inviting After Some TLC
This “Dingy” 450-Square-Foot NYC Apartment Is Warm and Inviting After Some TLC
Actor and model Jillian Marie Sayegh was raised just outside of New York City, and says she’s “always loved interior design, and everything about NYC. I grew up shopping secondhand with my mom, and together we loved finding vintage gems and using them in our home decor.” Jillian firmly believes that a “rental apartment can be beautiful — especially when decorated on a budget.”

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Three years ago when she was apartment hunting after the “post-Covid deals,” she describes it as a horrible time to look for rentals, with the market “oversaturated with everyone moving back to the city. I was using StreetEasy for listings, and every open house had a long line of people all fighting to look at an overpriced studio, the remnants of what was left to rent after the post-Covid deals.”
This apartment — a 450-square-foot unit on the Upper East Side — had been on the market for 33 days, and Jillian says “the pictures were kinda sketchy looking, but the price was great.” After a having to deal with a too-eager agent and the listing being removed for repairs, Jillian took the chance and has rented this space for $2000 a month for three years.
Before moving in, Jillian describes the space as “so sad. It was dark, cold, many things were broken, the vibe was off, this place needed TLC.” And she gave it TLC with a slight renovation. “The ceiling in my tiny bathroom was crumbling when I moved in. My super is amazing; we tackled it together.”
“I also demoed shelves on my first day in the apartment that were blocking my living room window. These were clearly built by someone very skilled — it took hours! With the help of my boyfriend, we also changed all the lighting fixtures, which were all broken, to vintage brass and crystal ones!”
“I would like to believe that my home has warmth now! There was a lot of love and effort that has gone into making this dingy rental my oasis. I think the antique decor and rich green tones make the space elevated, inviting, and unique,” Jillian describes of the home now.
Resources
PAINTS & COLORS
- Bedroom — Collaboration with LICK paint “Green 18”
- Kitchen, Hallway, Living Room — Behr paint “Bit of Sugar”
- Bathroom — Behr paint “Vine Leaf”
LIVING ROOM
- Furniture — Secondhand
- Mirror — Family heirloom
- TV — Samsung Frame
- Paintings — Thrifted
KITCHEN
BEDROOM
- Furniture — Secondhand
- Floor Lamp — From a film set
BATHROOM
- Rug — Vintage
- Light — Vintage
Thanks, Jillian!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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